Cribs and Cradles
Hello and thank you for visiting Cribs and Cradles. We understand that sometimes trying to make the right decision about all the different things you need and want to buy for your baby can be a bit overwelming.
For example choosing the right crib which is two fold… first like any new parent you want a beautiful crib and second most importantly a safe crib. This is without question one of the most important decision you have too make at this early stage regarding your baby’s safety.
So which one do you choose? There’s so many different styles and models, prices that range from inexspensive to very exspensive into the thousands of dollars range. Not to make it any more stressful but CSN Baby one the largest baby store’s online, has over 50 name brand companies for you too choose from.
Not to worry we can help you narrow the field down and make an informed and educated decision. Lets start by looking at the differences between cribs and cradles.
In your baby’s first couple of months you will use any one or a combination of these for your baby too sleep in. First the bassinet which is most commonly used during the first weeks and months with your baby as it take up less room than a crib or cradle and is ideal for keeping the baby close to you.
Cradles have that old-fashioned charm that makes them a favorite with many new parents because they are 
rockers. Every mom or dad loves to rock their baby to sleep. Whether it be in a cradle or a glider rocker, babies enjoy the soothing, rocking motion so much that they cant help but too fall asleep.
If you are looking to purchase a cradle there a few safety features too look for. Make sure the cradle has locking pins. These pins prevent the cradle from tilting to an angle greater than 5 degrees to ensure baby’s safety. Also make sure it has a sturdy bottom and a wide base, and can lock into a stationary position when required.
The standard cradle size is 18″ x 36″ and are primarily constructed of metal or wood, depending upon the manufacturer. The cradle mattress is almost always included. The bedding for the cradle is usually sold separately.
Unlike the others Cribs are the only beds for babies that are required to meet federal government mandated standards. If you have concerns about recent recalls and crib safety or looking for additional information in general regarding cribs and cradles, Consumer Reports is your best resource. You can use their crib buying guide to learn about the crib features that are most important to consider. There are some things that are just too important to take just our word on. Crib safety is one of them!
Okay so now we are back to the orginal question of which one do you choose? Let’s begin by taking a look at the different types of cribs.
But first a word of caution. Cribs and cradles can get pricey and some are so beautiful that it’s easy to get caught in the moment and let your emotions take over. Meaning you might want to determine what you can afford first and stick to it.
Shop smart by comparing the different brands, their features and prices in order to find the right crib for you and your baby. Maybe even have money left to buy some of the other things you want for your baby. Smart shopping is always a good thing, emotional shopping not so good… can put a serious strain on the pocketbook!
3 Types of Cribs
There are basically 3 diferent types of cribs and cradles… all of which are more or less based on price. There’s the Economy version, the Medium or midpriced range and then the top dollar High End models.
The Economy models usualy right around $100 are lower priced models simply because of the materials they are constructed with. This doesn’t mean they are not safe, it just means it cost less to manufacture so the price is less.
They’re lighter, pretty basic nothing fancy, they may have a few flaws in the wood like scratches, nicks, uneven paint. The springs supporting the mattress are lighter in construction than the more exspensive models.
Next is the Medium or midprice cribs and this is where you will find the largest selection of cribs and cradles available. This is also where you will start to find the convertible cribs.
Like the 3 in 1 that converts to a daybed and to a full-sized bed. You’ll also find 4-in-1 cribs that convert to a toddler bed, a daybed, and a full-sized bed. The most versatile cribs can become a toddler bed, a full-sized bed and a love seat. 
The price range here moves between a few hundred dollars to around a thousand dollars. The craftmanship is definetly more defined with more attention to the details with these models.
These cribs have a more solid sturdy feel to them and come in a variety of fine wood finishes. Beautiful oak shades, reddish-brown cherries, deep mahoganies and maple are just a few you find. The mattress supports are stiffer with heavier springs, end boards have gentle curves with rounded well finished edges.
These cribs may have locking wheels or casters. They may have single, double or no drop sides. Cribs with drop sides may have recessed guides to provide a smooth gliding motion when raising or lowering the sides. Some of the more high end models in this price range have a storage drawer underneath and may have other options like canopies.
Last but not least (no pun intended) is the High End models. These cribs and cradles fall into the hand crafted extreme attention to detail category. These models, many of them imported from Europe, have hand-rubbed, glazed, or burnished finishes.
You’ll see round cribs (still a novelty, though they’ve been around awhile), sleigh styles with curved end boards and hand-painted details, and models handcrafted from wrought iron.
These cribs might have single, double, or no drop sides. On some with drop sides, the hardware is recessed and might be so well hidden that it’s difficult to tell if the side lowers. The mattress is supported by heavy-gauge springs and heavyweight metal frames and might adjust to four heights.
These cribs might include a drawer and convert to a daybed/toddler bed or other nursery furniture. At the highest end, you’ll find custom-made regular and convertible cribs that may be sold as part of a nursery suite; a fairy-tale canopy might be part of the ensemble.
Take your time, grab a pen and paper there’s so many options available. Might when we suggest that when you visit CSN Baby look over to the far left. There you find different categories to choose from like brand names, products and price. By using these options you can quickly narrow your search.
Congratulations on your baby and may you make many loving memories together and thank you for visiting Cribs and Cradles.
PS… If you are looking for a good double jogger stroller please visit us at Baby Jogger Double Stroller.
PSS… Here are links to our StorkCraft Glider site and StorkCraft Baby Furniture also available at CSN Baby.
1 Comment August 18, 2010