Choosing the right portable crib is one of the most important decisions you will make when preparing for your new baby. Whether you use it for weekend getaways or as the centerpiece of your nursery, a portable crib will keep you new baby safe and comfortable night after night. With this in mind, it is extremely important to know what to look for when shopping for a portable crib. Safety and quality features are key, but you must also consider the crib’s durability, extra attachments, and the convenience factor when making this all-important decision. With all this to keep in mind, it goes without saying that it’s worth the effort to shop around to make sure you find the perfect portable crib for your baby.
The first thing you need to do once you find an ideal portable crib for your nursery is to take a good look at its safety features. This can be done by simply looking at the tag on the crib or on the box itself. Look at who made this crib. Does this manufacturer have a history of product recalls? It would be a good idea to research this prior to purchasing your crib. Also look for warning notices on the crib that say thing like “Choking Hazard”, or “For use by children under 15 lbs.” And finally take a good look at the display. It should not stand lopsided or collapse too easily. If something doesn’t seem right, ask a sales associate to explain the safety features and how they work. If you decide to do your shopping online, your best bet will be to go to children’s retail store website. Shopping primarily online has its benefits and drawbacks. The main benefit is the availability of product reviews, which will usually be on the same web page of any portable crib that you look at. These are a big help because parents just like you who give their honest opinion about what they like or dislike about their portable crib write them. The main drawback of shopping exclusively online is that you don’t get a chance to familiarize yourself with the crib at the store prior to buying it. If you’ve never had a chance to assemble and break down a portable crib before, it can be pretty confusing and frustrating. The best thing you should do to ensure you’re getting the right kind of portable crib for your baby as well as for yourself is identify which crib you’re interested in, do the research and look at the reviews on the internet, and finally look at the crib in person and make sure you’re comfortable with it before buying it.
Now that you have found a portable crib that meets you individual safety needs, take a look at its quality and extra features. In other words, what makes a crib stand out amongst others? Does it have a steel frame, or a plastic one? Is it lightweight and easy to carry, or is it too bulky to fit into the trunk of a car? Does it have wheels on one end for easy mobility? And what about size? You want to make sure that your baby is not going to grow out of this crib too soon. Obviously, if you baby is crawling out of the portable crib on their own, it’s time to find somewhere else to put them down for a nap. But as mentioned before, take a look at warning signs that note the maximum weight of your baby before the crib is deemed unsafe for that child. Compare this feature between several models because you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth here.
It’s important to understand that you need to feel comfortable handling your new portable crib. Manufacturers go to great lengths towards this “convenience factor” and you need to weigh this factor along with the safety and quality features when deciding on which one to choose. Something as simple as a carrying bag for the crib once it’s folded up can very convenient when you’re moving it from place to place. Also, features like push-button fold or “No Assembly Required” can be worth those few extra dollars that you’re going to spend.
More often than not, the one factor that influences most buyers is obviously the price. Prices can vary greatly with portable cribs, but you need to keep in mind that all portable cribs must meet certain safety requirements before they can even be put on the shelf. Once you buy your portable crib you will have a registration/serial number that you will have to mail to the manufacturer so just in case a defect is found along the product lines of the crib you bought, the manufacturer can alert you of this defect and can recall your crib at no cost to you. Just remember that if you look long and hard enough you will find a portable crib right for you and your baby. Use the Internet, shop around, ask other parents for suggestions, don’t just settle for the first one you see.
Buying a portable crib for you new baby can be a very enjoyable experience. Mixing and matching colors and design patterns to match your nursery, and just the thought of shopping for your boy or girl makes this experience special. With this information here you can have fun shopping while at the same time buying with the confidence that you’re doing the right thing for you and your baby.
