As a parent, your most important job is ensuring the safety of your baby. Because he spends more time in his crib than in any other piece of furniture, it is critical that you understand how to keep your baby safe in his crib. A convertible crib is very convenient and cost-effective for you, but it also comes with safety concerns that you'll have to address as your baby and your crib get older.
Convertible Crib Basics
Convertible cribs are great investments for parents, essentially serving three purposes for the price of one. Convertible cribs begin as standard baby cribs, then become toddler beds with the removal of the dropside and installation of the toddler rail. When your baby is too big for the toddler bed, you can remove the toddler rail, add bed rails and re-attach the dropside to make a full-size bed for your child.
Baby Crib Safety
Before you buy a convertible crib, the crib itself must be tested to meet federal regulations. The main rule for cribs is that the slats on the crib cannot be more than 2 3/8 inches apart so that your baby can't fit herself through the slats. After that, though, it's up to you to provide a safe environment for your baby. Your assembly of the crib is critical to your baby's safety, so take it seriously. All screws should be properly secured and there should be no jagged edges that can cause your baby to get hurt. Once the crib is assembled, you'll have to buy a firm mattress to protect your baby's growing body.
Toddler Crib Safety
Around the time your child is 18 to 24 months, she'll be ready for a toddler bed. This leads to a whole new world of safety concerns. Your first job is to properly secure the toddler rail to the crib. She'll definitely be pulling and leaning on the rail, so make sure it's steady and doesn't give too much. Just as important, because she can now leave the bed, you also have to make sure the rest of the room is totally safe. She'll have access to any part of the room she wants--and she'll definitely take advantage--so be proactive. Install covers on electrical outlets and locks on drawers and closets. Also, in the early going, you'll want to place pillows around the outside of the crib so that when she does escape, she'll be protected from hurting herself.
Full Bed Safety
Just when your child is getting used to a toddler bed, it'll be time to move him again, this time to a full-size bed. Most parents make this transition when their children are 3 years old. You'll have to install the bed rails and dropside, which is the least of your concerns, especially when you realize that there's nothing holding your child in the bed anymore. If you're worried about him falling out, you can buy portable guard rails that will act similarly to the toddler rail you just removed. Once he's able to stay in his bed without falling out or being scared, you can use that full-size bed until he grows out of it many years later.
Recalls
You might be concerned about your crib being recalled, which would nullify any savings you thought you'd realize by buying a convertible crib. However, nobody can predict recalls, so don't worry too much about it. Recalls are consistent with the refinement of safety measures and are meant to protect your child from harm. If your crib is recalled, you are entitled to receive a refund for the crib, even if you no longer have your receipt.
