Welcoming Your New Arrival into a Safe, Healthy Nursery: How to Choose the Best Baby Bed for Your Baby and Your Family

One of the most important decisions you will make while preparing for the arrival of your precious wee bundle is choosing your baby’s bed. Whether you are planning to purchase a bed for Baby or have the opportunity to accept a gifted bed from another family, consider these tips on how to choose the best baby bed for your little boy or girl.

Choose a Baby Bed that is Safe

Sadly, many infants are injured each year in crib-related accidents. And, with the many delightful cribs and bassinets available, parents can be distracted by colour and design, and neglect the very most important consideration when selecting a baby’s bed: Safety. If a bassinet or crib doesn’t meet these general guidelines, pass it over – no matter how adorable it is!

• The bed should be sturdy, solid, and well made, so no cracks, breaks, or chips can be a danger to your child.
• Slats and decorative cut-outs must be no more than 60 mm (two and three-eighths inches) apart, so that tiny baby body parts can’t slip through. 
• The bed should be made from natural, non-toxic materials, such as sustainable hardwood finished with an organic, low-VOC finish. Remember, MDF or particle board will off-gas harmful chemicals into your baby’s sleep environment, as will traditional paints and stains.
• If the crib or cradle is on wheels, be sure the castors have child-proof locks.

Choose a Baby Bed that Suits Your Budget

Wise consumers are becoming more creative and clever to manage our challenging economy. Providing your baby with a sturdy, safe, attractive bed needn’t mean purchasing a brand-new crib or bassinet – if you’re watching your pennies, consider other ways to find the best bed for your little girl. Is there a family heirloom baby bed you can use? Why not arrange a swap with a family that has an organic baby bed they no longer need, or borrow a natural crib from a family that is “between” babies? Another wise investment is a four-in-one sustainable hardwood bed that starts its life as a crib, converting eventually to a toddler bed, and finally into a daybed or a twin- or full-size bed that your child can still be using when she is packing for college.

Choosing the right bed for your child is important not only for the best sleep for Baby, but for unworried and sound sleeps for the rest of the family, as well. Amidst all of the exciting choices to be made while preparing for your child’s arrival, be sure to invest your attention and time in selecting a safe baby bed that suits your baby, your lifestyle, your budget, and your planet. 

More ideas for choosing the very best bed for your baby will follow in the next posting. Meanwhile, why not share your baby-bed tips and experiences with our readers? Which sleep arrangements have worked particularly well for your baby and your family?