Cribs: cribs, baby crib, baby cribs, crib mattress, white crib, bassinet, cradle, cosleeper[SIZE=-1]Cribs VIDEO: CribsAll videos Of all the items on your baby shopping list, a crib probably will be among the most challenging to select. There's a vast array of cribs on the market, ranging from economy and midpriced models to high-end cribs with hand-painted details and European influences that up the style ante. Whatever style you choose, you'll want a crib that's durable, safe and matches your taste and budget. Increasingly, you'll find crib styles that adapt as your child grows?from toddler bed to day bed to full-size bed. So making the right choice now means you may not have to shop for your child's bed later. While you may consider a bassinet, cradle, or co-sleeper at first (some common alternatives for your baby's first four months or so), your child is safest in a crib. Cribs are the only beds for babies that are required to meet certain standards issued by the federal government. There are no federally mandated standards for bassinets, cradles, or co-sleepers. Bassinet manufacturers can voluntarily comply with ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) standards for bassinets (indicated by a Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association or JPMA certification logo on the package), but they are not required to do so. JPMA certification on a bassinet can offer a layer of protection that uncertified models cannot. In the absence of any safety standards for co-sleepers, the ASTM International has recently agreed to develop co-sleeper or "bedside" sleeper standards after being lobbied by Consumers Union. In the meantime, co-sleepers on the market are not required to meet any standards, and are consequently an "unregulated" product. Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, recommends against the use and purchase of co-sleepers until a safety standard is developed.[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Subscribe now![/SIZE]
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