When it comes to choosing a new crib for your infant the most important feature you should consider is safety. You may be overwhelmed by all the choices available including whether to buy a bassinet, co-sleeper, or cradle. In addition to that, you might also notice that there’s a variety of styles to choose from including traditional, trendy, and cost-effective.

If the new crib looks adorable but isn’t safe for your baby then you’ve just wasted a lot of money. Many baby cribs will convert to toddler beds and day beds as your child grows older. This can be an important consideration if you don’t plan on having very many children. However, if you plan on having more than one child you’ll probably need to invest in another type of bed once your baby grows out of his crib.

You might have heard of drop side baby cribs. These are baby cribs with one side that drops down so you can easily place your baby in the crib with minimum fuss and effort. However, Consumer Reports has recently come out with a statement that drop side baby cribs might not be totally safe or reliable. They advise purchasing only cribs with stationary sides until more safety standards have been established for drop side cribs.

Another type of bed that might present a dangerous situation is the co-sleeper. The co-sleeper is a type of crib that has one side lower than the other to allow the crib to be set right next to the mother’s bed for easy access and monitoring. This may prevent the parent from rolling onto the child, but doesn’t prevent soft bedding like blankets, quilts, and pillows from possibly smothering a sleeping infant.

Some parents might also consider purchasing a cradle, co-sleeper, or bassinet for their newborn but according to safety experts your baby is safest in a crib. To date cribs must meet stringent safety requirements while the other options do not. This is an important factor to consider when choosing where your baby should sleep. Make sure you have established a safe and restful area for your newborn to sleep before you bring him home from the hospital.

While a baby crib is often the first purchase parents make when they find out the mother is expecting a lot of care and consideration should be put into what type is chosen. Your baby will spend quite a bit of time in his crib so you want to make sure it’s both comfortable and safe.

Also, to avoid dangers associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) always make sure to place your baby on his back when you put him to sleep in his crib. You should also avoid placing any soft bedding in the crib including plush toys or pillows.