Baby Cribs on the Cheap – Fors and Against

When you bring your bouncing new baby home, you will want to have essentials in place ready, including the baby’s crib. But with all of the many varieties on the market today and with most people attempting to stick to some type of budget, how is one to know what to look for, which brand or model is better than another, or how cheap is “too cheap?”

When choosing a baby crib, safety should be foremost in your mind, and government standards can help you assess the safety of the crib. The US, for example, has compulsory safety standards, covering things such as the gap between the cribs slats or bars. The difference in height between the mattress and the safety rails before a product is deemed suitable for public use is another extremely important factor to look for when crib shopping.

Older cribs (pre 1978 in the US) may contain lead in the paint, so beware when buying second hand cribs of that age; new is best.

The Advantages of Buying Cheap Baby Cribs

If you’re on a budget, cheap baby cribs can be a real lifesaver, provided of course, that they meet all of the necessary safety requirements and are well constructed. Inexpensive cribs will also allow for more monies to be spent on other much needed items, such as the crib’s bedding, bumper pads if you choose to use them, blankets, and the ever essential mattress pads, not to mention all of the other things baby will need like a stroller, or a walker, a high chair, and a playpen.

Buying cheap baby cribs should be fine from a safety point of view, as the same standards apply, but they may just not last as long or have the design features of a more expensive crib. If you buy a second hand crib, you do not know if it safe, especially if safety standards have changed since it was manufactured.

Examples of well made but relatively cheap baby cribs are Jenny Lind, Great Beginnings and Graco.

The Disadvantages of Buying Cheap Baby Cribs

Cheap cribs are rarely made from “real” wood, which makes them not quite as strong and durable as their authentic counterparts. A crib must be sturdy, particularly as baby grows and begins to explore their environment and inadvertently tip the crib over, and the cheapest of cribs will usually not offer the level of sturdiness needed that those made from woods such as oak or maple will.

The difference between cheap baby cribs and their more expensive counterparts is likely to be in longevity, styling, quality and features. One vital safety feature to watch for is an easy to use but effective safety lock on the side rails, so the baby cannot find an easy way out as they become active later.

Some other possible risks of purchasing Low cost baby cribs are manufacturing defects, such as sharp edges or points, creases and cracks, or holes or splinters in the wood. While we all want to get a good bargain and save money whenever we can, sacrificing our baby’s safety or well being certainly isn’t worth saving a few dollars.