Baby, Pregnancy, and Parenting at Babies Online » buy

Kids’ Toys Think Before You Buy

admin — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:03:26 +0000

There is a chore in my home that brings out the procrastinator in me. This particular chore is so big and so difficult, that I create new tasks just to avoid starting the dreaded job. What could be so bad: My toddler’s bedroom – a.k.a. fighting the battle of ‘too many toys!’

The problem doesn’t arrive from a lack of organization or space to put things, but from just too many toys in the first place. His room, when tidy, looks like a little toy store gone mad. My husband built custom shelving just for the toys and books, with varying shelf sizes to accommodate different types of toys and sizes of books. However, when I take a close look at the contents, it’s obvious that there’s lots of ‘stuff’, but little thought went into most of it.

How should you select and organize your child’s toys? Choosing quality kids’ toys, selected by their developmental stage and abilities, is the first step. Most toys have a recommended age on the package to let you know the appropriate age group. Take cues from you own child to guide you in whether he is ready for a certain toy.

Make sure that the toys you’re buying actually “do” what they are supposed to. If puzzle pieces aren’t cut correctly, your child will get angry and frustrated when they play with it. I’ve recently made the mistake of buying a puzzle that was supposed to be appropriate for ages 18 months to 3 years, only to find that the pieces were very difficult to place, and my son became upset every time he played with the puzzle.

Some suggestions for Toddler and Preschool Toys

Puppets
Activity tables/centers
Sorting boxes
Snap together Blocks – Leggos
Puzzles – up to 5 wooden pieces
Figures for dollhouse, farm, etc.
Dress up clothes
Trucks and wagons to haul things
Housekeeping and shopping toys
Sewing cards
Buttoning, zipping, snapping dolls or boards
Preschool age games like Memory and Candy land etc.

Most importantly, choose toys that stimulate your child’s mind and that create learning experiences. Provide an adequate amount of toys for your child. Don’t do as I have and overwhelm your child with too much ‘stuff’ causing both of you to become frustrated. As we all know, most little kids have a more fun playing with the box the toy came in while the new toy sits idly on the floor. Now it’s time for me to stop procrastinating and fight the battle of ‘too many toys.’

About the Author
Sherry Frewerd is a WAHM to three and is a licensed child care provider. Visit her website, ‘Family Play and Learn’ for fun and creative activities and resources for your Toddler and Preschool age child. http://familyplayandlearn.com.

Digital Photography: Don’t Be Scared

admin — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:21:09 +0000

Many people are afraid of new technology and the creation of digital cameras. The old film cameras are familiar, easy to use and simple, where as the new digital cameras have endless possibilities and options as things to do. There are a lot of advantages to digital cameras and there are things you can do to make taking digital pictures not only easy but fun!

Buy the Right Camera
Just like every other “toy” on the market there are cameras made for all levels of photography including beginners, intermediate and professional photographers. Be sure that you pick the right camera for your skill level. Learn all you can about the camera that you pick out so that you know what it can do and can’t do. Not everyone will need a camera that has a lot of fancy choices on it and honestly all real digital cameras on the market will take a picture that will print out looking nice enough to go in any album or picture frame.

If you are starting off with digital photography, buy a camera that will get you started by just pointing and clicking at your target. Later on you may decide that you need more in a camera and if that does happen you can upgrade.

Don’t Worry About Taking Too Many Pictures
The great thing about a digital camera is that you are not limited by having only 12, 24, 27 or in some cases, 36 pictures you can take. Depending on the size of your cameras memory stick you can often get 100 or more pictures to one card. It is better to take too many pictures than to not take enough pictures so that you are sure to get the best picture that you can. Digital camera picture taking is also much cheaper than the standard film pictures because unless you print out a picture the only cost is the batteries that you use. You can even buy rechargeable batteries now that will cut out that cost.

Many people will use it however to delete embarrassing pictures or ones they don’t like. Before you do ask yourself if it is something that will embarrass you in 10 years, or make you laugh. If it will make you laugh, save it!

Be Sure To Look Immediately!
Since digital cameras have a LCD screen on the back you can immediately look at and share your pictures with others. You can also preview several pictures of the same pose and delete the ones that are blurry or didn’t turn out right because of red-eye, a blink, or a strange smile giving you room on your card to take more pictures.

You Can Still Have Them Developed
Just because you are taking it digitally, doesn’t mean you have to develop it yourself. There are online sites like Clark that allow you to upload and buy prints of your pictures for as little as .09 cents. There are photo quality printers and paper that you can buy to print your own at home if you want to go that route. Either way you save a lot of money on prints from your digital camera as prints from your film camera can cost as much as .40 cents each, even for the pictures that don’t turn out right.

There is no reason to be scared about using a digital camera for your photography needs. You can still switch back and forth or use both types of cameras, but you can have lots of fun learning how to use a digital camera.

How to Save Money When Buying For Baby

admin — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:34:09 +0000

My daughter is now eight-years-old. Over the years I have spent thousands of dollars on baby clothes, educational toys, baby furniture, books … all the best that I could afford to buy. I shopped online, I shopped in-store, I shopped I shopped I shopped. But then I discovered Ebay. Now don’t roll your eyes and click off this article like I did for years – read on! There is nothing that you can find in a store that you can’t find on Ebay – sometimes gently used, sometimes very used, often times brand new – but almost always at an unbelievable price. I mean pennies on the dollar – literally. See for yourself if you don’t believe me!

If it’s too good to be true it probably is
Yes and no. As a seasoned Ebay shopper, I have gotten some deals that seemed too good to be true (those are the ones I especially love). But I’ve also learned some lessons, and I’d like to pass them on to you. Here are some tips that I suggest you pay attention to before jumping into the Ebay World.

Pay Attention To Feedback
Every item you see on Ebay is offered by a person, a “seller.” When viewing an item, you will see the seller’s handle, followed by a number in parenthesis. This is the seller’s feedback rating.

When someone purchases an item from a seller (a buyer) they leave “feedback” about how their transaction went. Each feedback left consists of a rating (positive, negative, or neutral), and a short comment. The number is how many buyers have purchased an item from that seller, so right off the bat, you now how long a seller has been doing business. Someone with 1 feedback rating obviously hasn’t been around as long as someone with a 5,648 rating (and yes, you’ll see that often!)

But just as important as how many people have left feedback, is the percentage of Positive Feedback … 100% is the best! But of course, you can’t please people all of the time, so even a positive feedback of 95% can be good. You can read the comments left by buyers by clicking on the feedback rating. They will tell you if the product was received, in what condition, how promptly, etc., which will allow you to make a decision on whether or not to trust the Ebay seller.
Shipping and Handling
Almost all items have an associated Shipping and Handling charge. Most sellers assign a reasonable fee to cover their cost of packaging, and of course, the delivery fee. But sometimes they jack that price up in order to make the low cost of their item appear to be a better deal than it is. Most of the time the S&H fee is prominently posted on the item page, so be sure to look for it! If it is not listed, contact the buyer and ask them what shipping fees will be incurred before you make a bid! Be sure to calculate the cost of S&H with the cost of the item to be sure you are indeed getting a great deal.
Don’t bid immediately!
Ok, so you’ve found an item that you want. It’s a great price, and the S&H fee is reasonable. You want to bid on it, now. DON’T! All items listed on Ebay are there for a specified amount of time. You can see how much time you have to purchase the item by looking at how much time is left on the auction (see Time Left: under the current bid cost). If there are four days left until the auction ends, wait. Bidding now is going to cause someone else who is interested in the item to bid too, which in turn raises the price of the item. What you need to do is Watch the item, and come back the day the auction ends (preferably within a few minute of the end time) and bid then. This doesn’t give other buyers as much time to out bid you and make the cost go up!

How do you “watch the item?” There is a link that says “Watch This Item” for every product offered on Ebay. All you need to do is click it, and that product will be saved in a list for you to come back to later. You must be a registered Ebay Member to take advantage of this, but registering is FREE and easy. So I suggest you register right away, that way when you find a great buy you’re ready for it.
View seller’s other items
Once you find an item that you like at the right price, see what else the seller is offering. Odds are, they have many other items that are closely related to exactly what you’re looking for that didn’t come up in your product search. Check it out! And if you like the buyer and their products, save the buyer as a favorite!
Pay attention to the item description
Some items will be listed with words or phrases that you don’t understand. For instance, “NIB” means new in box. If there is something that is in the description that you don’t understand – ASK THE SELLER! Once you win the auction it is too late to clear up unanswered questions, so rather than be disappointed, be safe.
Don’t get stuck in a competitive mindset
This was the biggest lesson that I needed to learn in the early days of my Ebay-hood. I’d find an item that I’d like, bid on it, then be outbid. So then I’d bid again. It was a viciuos cycle and I ended up paying more for the item than I should have, simply because I wanted to win. You must keep in mind that you are trying to get a deal. If the price is no longer a deal in your mind, wait. The item will be listed again eventually at a price you want to pay.
Don’t limit yourself
You can literally find *anything* on Ebay: Books, furniture, household products, clothes, shoes, collectibles… it is rare that I search for something and don’t find it.
Don’t just buy – SELL!
As your baby grows, you’re going to find yourself with boxes full of clothes, toys, and other items that you no longer need. Use them to finance your new shopping sprees! Become an Ebay Seller and have a garage sale from the comfort of your living room! You’ll be amazed at how easy it is, and how much money you can make doing it! Many of my friends go to weekend garage sales and pick up antiques, collectibles, etc. and then sell them on Ebay for a tremendous profit. If you’re looking for some extra money, this is one easy way to do it!

Ready to check out Ebay now that you know the ins and outs a little bit? Type anything into the search box below and see what kind of deals you can get, or view our Discount Baby Products section for baby product categories to browse through. Happy Saving!

Do you have tips that you’d like to share with our Members? Let Us Know!

What to Buy for Your Grandchild

admin — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:02:23 +0000

Are you a new grandparent? If you are, you may be unsure as to which items will be best suited for your new grandchild. Whether you are interested in purchasing items for your own home or for your grandchild’s home, the information outlined below may be able to provide you with much needed assistance.

When it comes to buying items, including toys and clothes, for your grandchild, one of the first steps that you should take is speak with your son or daughter. When it comes to new babies, many parents are overrun with toys, gifts, and clothes. In fact, did you know that many newborns don’t even have the chance to wear all of their new clothes? This is just one of the many reasons why you may want to ask before you buy. This is unless, of course, your purchases are intended to be surprises.

Seeking a list of needed items for your new grandchild is ideal, especially if your purchases will be sent home with them. With that in mind, you will find that you have a little bit more freedom with items that will be staying in your own home. Perhaps, it is first important to cover the necessity bases. These are items that you will need to have in your home, should your grandchild regularly visit for extended periods of time. Items that all newborns and infants need include diapers, baby wipes, food, an extra bottle or sippy cup, and a few changes of clothes.

Once you have purchased the items that will be, without a doubt, needed for when your grandchild comes for a visit, you may want to focus on the extras. These are items, such as toys, that you don’t necessarily need to own, but can benefit from having on hand. It is always a good idea to purchase a number of toys for your grandchild. These toys do not have to be large in size or expensive in price. Traditional building blocks and stacking toys are great for newborns and infants, as well as board books, which are strong and durable.

The above mentioned items are just a few of the many that you will want to look into buying for your new grandchild. As a reminder, unless you will be taking on the role of childcare provider, a simple drawer full of clothes, toys, and other needed supplies should be enough items to have for your grandchild at your home.

Grandparents: How to Be Helpful to Your Family

admin — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:53:32 +0000

Are you a new grandparent? If you are, you may be curious as to which responsibilities you should take on. It is important to know that your grandchild, as well as your son or daughter will need your assistance before, during, and after birth.

If you just recently learned that you will be a grandparent, your main focus should be placed on your son or daughter. Even planned pregnancies can be overwhelming for new parents. The good news is that there are a number of different ways that you can offer assistance. For instance, you can plan a baby shower for the new mom, you can purchase new baby necessities, such as clothing, baby formula, or diapers, or your can help to set up baby’s nursery. Before taking any action, however, you may want to see, from your son or daughter, where your services are most needed.

During the birth of your grandchild, you will find a number of opportunities to be helpful and offer your assistance. As with extending your help before the birth of a baby, you may want to devise a plan with your son or daughter. Will your services be needed in the delivery room or elsewhere? If your daughter or daughter in-law has the delivery of your grandchild already planned, your services may be best used at their home. For example, you could straighten up their home to ensure they come home to a clean and pleasant environment, help to cook meals, or pick up last minute baby supplies.

After the birth of your grandchild, you will still want to offer your help and assistance to your son or daughter in anyway possible. This may involve running errands, offering your services as a babysitter, and so forth. With that in mind, you may want to shift the majority of your focus onto your new grandchild. To have a happy and successful relationship with your new grandchild, you will want to start the bonding process as soon as possible. Even if you aren’t asked to baby-sit, you should still take steps to visit your new grandchild, even for just a few minutes.

The above mentioned steps are just a few of the many that you may want to take as a grandparent. As time passes, you will still want offer your help and assistance to your son or daughter and your grandchild. In fact, your help, guidance, and assistance will be just as valuable as it was the day that your grandchild was born.

Why to Buy Local Produce

admin — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:24:28 +0000

When applying the principles of environmental responsibility to our diet, the first things we think of are often reducing meat consumption and going organic. An often underrated factor is considering where our foods are grown. Buying fruits and vegetables that are produced by farmers in your local area is a very important part of being green.

If you’re looking for freshness and great taste, of course you can’t beat the vegetables from local farms. But have you ever stopped to think about the gas used in shipping those veggies from Chili, Florida, or wherever? Or the gas that is being burned by loud, obnoxious, emissions-belching trains, and roaring dangerous tractor-trailer rigs on the highway?

Living green is about making a lot of little choices to eliminate our impact on our environment. If more and more people make those little responsible choices, maybe we can eliminate a truck on the highway, or even a lot of trucks on the highway. We can make an impact in the area of noise pollution as well as air pollution and depletion of natural resources by banding together. Buying local is a prime example.

Another thing about buying local produce is that you can get to know your local producers. Many of these agrarian folks are similarly interested in making the greener, simpler choices in life. Many of them raise their food organically. Often, they can become sources for responsibly raised meat and dairy products, or can advise you about where you can find these products.

These producers often are also a source for home baked wholegrain breads and goodies as they try to supplement their family income. The children often participate by selling cookies or produce from their own little gardens, thus learning valuable business and people skills.

Not all of green living is about chemicals and scientific statistics. When we get to know and support our local farmers, our world becomes friendlier and more charitable. Local farmers often have a strong sense of faith and family. When we buy from them, we are helping to support a way of life that is traditional and wholesome, a way of life that is quickly becoming extinct as our cities grow and our pace of life quickens.

When you think about it, there is much more to buying local produce than getting a great tasting tomato. Environmentalists have been saying for years, “Think globally, act locally.” Supporting your local producers, whether through an organized Farmers’ Market, or stopping by that house with the homemade sign proclaiming “Eggs – $1 a dozen,” you are making a statement that you are in favor of a gentler, greener world for all.

Do I Really Need to Look for Organic Cotton Baby Clothes?

admin — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:13:11 +0000

There’s nothing sweeter than your little bundle of joy all dressed up in soft, cute cotton baby clothes. It used to be hard to find infant clothes made of cotton, but as more parents demand them, they are becoming much more available. Organic cotton clothes, however, are still hard to find sometimes, and they can be quite expensive. Ecologically speaking, are they really worth the effort to hunt out and pay for?

It is reported that cotton farming uses a full quarter of all pesticides used on crops around the U.S, and is the third heaviest user of pesticides around the world. Think about that fact for a moment. Considering all the many varied food crops there are, from grains to vegetables to fruits, that is a staggering thought. If we want to live in an environmentally responsible way, it just makes sense that we should do all we can with our purchasing dollars to support organic cotton farmers.

Where baby is concerned, there are other considerations. Organic cotton is not bleached or dyed with harsh chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin. In fact, innovative agricultural engineers have developed cotton that grows in a few different attractive natural colors. Also, since there have never been any pesticides used on the cotton, you don’t have to be concerned about there being pesticide residues in the clothing.

Don’t forget that babies also spend a lot of time in contact with their crib sheet and blankets. These items can be found in organic cotton, too. New suppliers are designing attractive organic baby items every day.

If you’re interested in dye-free organic cotton clothes for your baby, they come in various soft natural shades from green and yellow to red-brown and brown. Some baby clothes manufacturers offer designs in patterns using more than one natural color of cotton. The colors don’t fade like dyed colors do, but deepen as the item is used.

While organic cotton is a luscious alternative for dressing your sweet baby, you might want to check out some of the other organic natural fibers that are being used in baby clothes. Fast-growing bamboo is now being used in blankets and shirts. Hemp is often used in diapers and other items as well.

Green babies will appreciate the extra care you take in providing them with organic fiber clothes and other earth friendly items. After all, you’re raising that child with an eye to the future of the planet.

Used Car Seats

admin — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 19:53:42 +0000

This one is such a controversial issue! Should you buy a used car seat for your baby or toddler, and if you do, what should you keep in mind and look for? Read on about the pros and cons so that you can make the best choice for your family.

A car seat is a very expensive part of baby gear that you HAVE to have for your baby. It is against the law to have your infant or toddler not in a car seat and many states have laws that say all kids under 60 or 80 pounds have to be in some type of car or booster seat. The cost can certainly add up because until your child is one year old he has to be facing the rear of the car for safety purposes. This means if you have just an infant car seat, at a year you will have to buy a new car seat that can face forwards.

Because of the cost of baby gear, many people try to cut corners and buy used items. Most experts agree that buying used baby gear is a great way to make the most of your money. However, many suggest that parents should draw the line at buying used car seats for safety reasons.

When in a moving vehicle, the only thing protecting your infant or toddler is the car seat that they are in. When you buy a used car seat there are several things unknown to you about it. Until you research it, you don’t know if that car seat has had any recalls done on it for safety purposes. If you are buying it from a stranger, you also do not know if it has been in a car that was in an accident, possibly making it unstable. Even if the person you are buying it from says it wasn’t in an accident, can you trust a stranger to tell you the truth? You may not know how old the car seat is which can make it hard to judge how safe it will keep your child.

Borrowing a car seat from a relative or close friend may generally be okay because you will know already if it was ever in an accident which can take one worry off your chest. If you do your research and feel confident that the car seat is safe, as well as research any recalls that may have been done on the car seat, then a used car seat from a friend or family member may be a good way to save a bundle.

If you buy a new car seat you know that at the point you buy it there have been no recalls done on it, or else the store would have taken it off the shelf. In the box is a postcard you can send into the manufacturer so that you will be contacted when and if there is a recall on your car seat. You will also know for a fact that the car seat has never been in an accident and is stable for your baby. Buying new however you are more likely to spend more money than you would if you bought used.

When it comes to used car seats it is most important that you do your research. After all, it is the health of your baby that is at stake. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission keeps a list of recalls that you can find by clicking here.

Important Features to Consider When Buying a Baby Bed

admin — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:52:26 +0000

By Sarah Holmes, Ph.D.

With all the different features of baby cribs, it can be a little overwhelming to sort it all out. This article reviews some of the most comon baby crib features and reviews the pros and cons of each feature.

Is the Baby Crib Made of Quality Materials and Construction? Wooden Baby Cribs/Iron Baby Cribs
You don’t often think of the material that the baby crib is made of as an actual feature to consider. But, picking a baby crib that is made from quality materials can make the difference between a baby crib that is used for years and one that you wish you had never bought. Wooden baby cribs should be stained or painted hardwoods like maple, ash, beech, or oak. The overall stability of the baby crib could be threatened by the use of inferior woods in the manufacturing process. This is due to the baby crib slates becoming weakened and/or warped with use. Baby Cribs can also be made from metal such as iron. While Iron Baby Cribs can be beautiful, the styling can be limited over time. If you plan on keeping the baby crib for years, be sure that you think you will like the metal styling in the future.

Issues to Consider with the Baby Crib Side Bar: To Drop or Not to Drop
Baby cribs are made either with fixed, single-drop or double-drop sides. If you are tall, fixed sides are fine for you. I am 5′ 8″ tall and never lower the sides of my baby’s crib. Higher end models will have side rails that lower on both sides of the baby crib. Depending on how you position the baby crib, this could be a nice feature. If you plan on putting your baby crib up against a wall, this feature won’t add any benefit to the baby crib.

There are three basic types of drop sides:

Knee Push- Leaning your knee against the baby crib side to lower it. This is typically a simple and quiet type of drop side.�
Foot Bar- Balancing on one foot, you push a lever to lower the baby crib side. This ma be a bit tricky depending on how you are standing on one foot.�
Double Trigger- You have to use two hands to lower the side. This style is ok as long as you are not holding the baby. But, it is not very convenient since you will most likely have your baby in your arms before you lower the baby crib side.

Ideally, you should be able to lower and raise the side rail with ease. Keep in mind that you will often have your baby in your arms when you are trying to lower the bar. When trying out a model in the store, try lowering the bar yourself while imaging that you have your baby in your arms. This will give you an idea of how easy it will be when you are trying to put your baby down to sleep. Also, be sure that the rails have locking mechanisms to prevent accidental release. You may want to consider how quietly the side rail raises and lowers. You would not want it to wake your sleeping baby.

Does the Baby Crib Allow you to Lower the Mattress?
Make sure your baby crib lets you adjust the height of the mattress. Unless you are tall, a higher mattress will make it easier for you to get your baby in and out of the baby crib. Once your baby starts to move around, you will need to lower the mattress. The baby crib you buy should have at least 2 height positions for the mattress. Some higher end models will have 3 height levels which is a nice bonus feature.

Baby Cribs with Drawers
Some higher end models have drawers in the bottom of the baby crib. If space is an issue for you, this may be a good feature to have. You may be able to put off buying a dresser for your little one. Just beon the bottoms of the drawers (if htere is space for your little one to crawl under the crib.

Baby Cribs with Wheels
Some baby cribs come with wheels. This is a very nice feature if you plan on moving the baby crib around. It can make it easier to change the linens and to clean under the baby crib. Being able to roll a baby crib into another room is also a nice flexibility to have. Metal wheels are better than plastic. Keep in mind that this could be a potential danger as well, especially if you have other children in the home. They could push the baby crib themselves (i.e. down the stairs, up against a window or furniture). Make sure that the wheels have a good, solid locking mechanism. If the baby crib that you want does not come with wheels, you can always buy high quality wheels and install them yourself or have someone install them for you.

Convertible Crib: Baby Cribs that Convert into Other Things
Many baby cribs are designed to convert to a toddler bed, a bench, or even an adult daybed for later use. While this is a very nice feature to have with your baby crib, make sure that you like what it converts to. If it converts to a toddler bed, consider how long your toddler will be able to sleep in it. You may end up having to buy a regular size twin bed in a few years if you child outgrows the toddler bed. Also, most baby cribs with this feature require an additional kit to make the conversion. Be sure to check on how much this kit will cost you before making your decision.

About the Author
Sarah Holmes, Ph.D. quit her full-time job in order to stay home with her baby girl. She created www.BabyCribCentral.com as a free resource to other new moms and dads. Her site compares prices on hundreds of baby cribs from more than 20 online stores allowing you to find the beset price with a click of a button. Her site also offers lots of information about the different types of cribs as well as all sorts of safety information about how to buy and use your new crib safely.

How to Select a Safe Baby Crib/Baby Bed

admin — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:49:11 +0000

By Sarah Holmes, Ph.D.

A baby crib is most likely at the top of your list of things you will need for your new baby. With all of the different styles and features, it can be a daunting task to pick the safest and best baby crib for your new family member. This article on baby crib safety will review the safety features of baby cribs so that you will be able to pick out the safest baby crib for your baby.

Baby Crib Safety Standards
Currently, every new baby crib that is made must meet the industry standards set by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). This means that all new baby cribs, including the least expensive baby cribs, will meet the minimum safety standards. There are additional voluntary safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Baby cribs which meet these additional safety standards are certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacture’s Association (JPMS). Those baby cribs that earn the JPMA certification will be clearly labeled with this information. So, rest assured that the new baby crib that you are looking at has past the basic safety standards and may have passed the additional voluntary standards set by JPMS.

The fact remains that the majority of you may be considering using an hand-me-down or buying a “previously owned” baby crib. While there are 4 million infants born in the U.S. every year, only about 1 million new baby cribs are sold annually. Some people recommended that you never buy a used baby crib or accept a hand-me-down baby crib. If you want to be 100% sure that your baby crib meets all of the current safety standards, then the best beat for you is to buy a new baby crib. Keeping in mind that approximately 26 infants die and another 11,500 are hospitalized every year due to baby crib related injuries, the majority of these tragedies do occur with older baby cribs. This being said, it is possible to test a used baby crib to see it if meets the current minimum safety standards. First, check to see if the baby crib has been recalled (www.recalls.gov). Assuming it has not been recalled, then check to see if your baby crib meets these simple minimum baby crib safety standards to ensure your baby crib is a safe place for your baby.

Minimum Baby Crib Safety Standards

The vertical bars or slates must be no further apart than 2 3/8″ wide.
If the space between the baby crib bars or slates is wider than 2 3/8 inches, then a baby can squeeze its body into that space and get stuck. How to test this standard? You can either measure this space with a tape measure or try to fit a can of soda through the baby crib bars. Since soda cans are about 2 3/8″ in diameter, this is an easy test to see if a baby crib meets this baby crib safety standard. If the soda can fits, the baby crib is unsafe and should be destroyed.
The baby crib should have no design cutouts wider than 2 3/8″ in the headboard or footboard of the baby crib.
Again, the danger is when a baby can lodge himself in that cut out area. It is best to avoid baby cribs with cutout areas all together. While they add a decorative flair to the baby crib, they also add a potential hazard to the baby crib.
Corner post should not be higher than 1/16″ high.
While corner posts look great on adult beds, they are a strangulation hazard on a baby crib. A baby’s clothing can catch on a corner post that is higher than 1/16″. An exception to this are posts 16 inches or higher that are used to support a canopy.
Baby crib mattress should be firm and tight-fitting.
If you can fit two side-by-side fingers between the side of the mattress and the baby crib wall, then the baby crib mattress is too small and poses a safety hazard. The standard mattress size is 61 5/8″ by 27 ¼”. Any new standard size baby crib should take a standard size baby crib mattress.

Other Baby Crib Safety Issues to Consider
If you plan on using an older baby crib, make sure that all of the hardware (brackets, bolts, and screws) are present and in good condition. Even one missing screw can make your baby crib unsafe. Make sure that all the hardware is properly installed and is not missing or loose. If any screws are inserted into wood and can not be tightened, then replace them with ones that can be. Keep in mind that hardware failure is the most commone danger of hand-me-down cribs.

Make sure that all the slates are in good condition meaning that they are securely attached to the baby crib and are not cracked or splintered. If you plan on painting or refinishing the baby crib, use only high quality household lead-free enamel paint. You will need to let the paint dry thoroughly so there are no residual fumes. Check the paint can to make sure that the manufacturer does not recommend against using the paint on such items as baby cribs.

The dangerous open hook design where the mattress support attaches to the corner posts is a common hazard in older cribs. Maker sure your crib does not have this type of mattress support system.

Please join the effort in getting rid of unsafe baby cribs. If you find a baby crib that does not meet these minimum safety standards, do everything you can to get the baby crib destroyed. I’m sure you would not want the unsafe baby crib to be used by a family who is not as aware of these safety issues.