How to choose a baby crib

A crib (or cot) is one of the most important things parents buy before their baby arrives. In the first months a newborn spends most of the day asleep, so the crib has to be safe first of all — and then practical for you and right for the room. Here is what is worth thinking about before you choose.

Safety comes first

Look beyond the design at how the crib is made. A good crib:

• is stable and doesn't wobble or creak when you give it a gentle push;
• has smooth, well-finished surfaces with no sharp corners, protruding screws, cracks or splinters;
• is painted or varnished with finishes made for children's furniture;
• complies with the European cot standard EN 716, which sets things like the allowed gap between the bars and the height of the sides, so a baby can't get stuck between the bars or fall out.

If the crib is second-hand or handed down from family, check every joint carefully and make sure no parts are missing or worn. Old models with a drop-down side are best avoided: modern safe cribs have fixed sides.

Cot or cot bed

Most parents choose between two options.

• A classic cot is more compact and suits smaller rooms. It usually lasts until around two or three years old.
• A cot bed is bigger: as your little one grows, the sides come off and it becomes a low toddler bed, so it serves for a few more years.

If the room allows, a cot bed is often the better buy: you won't need a new bed in a couple of years, and your child keeps sleeping in a familiar place.

Measure the room

Before you buy, measure the spot where the crib will stand. Leave enough space to reach it easily, lift your baby in and out and — if it has a drawer — open it. Many parents keep the crib in their own bedroom for the first months, so think about that room too.

Place the crib away from radiators, windows and curtain or blind cords.

The mattress matters as much as the crib

Choose the mattress together with the crib. It should be:

• new — bought for your baby;
• firm and flat, not sagging under your baby's weight;
• exactly the crib's inner size: the gap between the mattress edge and the side should be no wider than two fingers;
• covered with a removable, washable cover or a water-resistant surface.

The simplest way is to choose the mattress size the crib's maker recommends.

An adjustable base

In good cribs the mattress base can be set at several heights. In the first months the higher position saves your back. Once your baby starts sitting up or pulling up to stand, lower the base to the lowest position so they can't climb out.

What goes in the crib — and what doesn't

The basics of safe sleep are simple:

• put your baby to sleep on their back;
• keep only the mattress and a fitted sheet in the crib;
• no pillows, duvets, padded bumpers or soft toys;
• instead of a blanket, use a baby sleeping bag suited to their age and the season.

Materials and finish

Choose a crib made of solid wood or quality wood-based materials with a finish that won't flake. Think about the colour too: the crib will be the main piece in the room for years, so pick a shade that works with the wardrobe, chest of drawers and the rest of the furniture. They often come from the same collection.

Little things that make life easier

• An under-bed drawer keeps sheets, nappies and blankets close at hand.
• Wheels help if you will move the crib around — just make sure they lock.
• Teething rails protect the top of the sides once teeth arrive and your baby starts chewing them.
• Easy assembly: find out how hard it is to put together and, later, to convert into a bed.

In short

• The crib complies with EN 716
• It is stable, with no sharp corners or protruding parts
• The mattress is new, firm and the right size (a gap of two fingers at most)
• The base height is adjustable
• The crib fits the room comfortably
• Nothing else is in the crib

You can browse Mamas & Papas cribs, mattresses and nursery furniture in our online shop or visit our stores in Yerevan Mall and Dalma Garden Mall, where our team will be happy to help you choose.