subject: Choosing Sturdy and Reliable Baby Furniture [print this page] Choosing Sturdy and Reliable Baby Furniture
Part of preparing for a baby is having the right baby furniture. Not all baby furniture is equal, however. The recent drop side crib recalls and ban show that construction is important, not just for the sleeping area but for every piece of furniture your child will use. Purchasing cheaper furniture might benefit your pockets in the long term, but what will you do if a product breaks or is recalled?
Drop side cribs, for example, were not recalled until the past decade. During the past 10 years, the instances of the drop side portion breaking off increased, resulting in more suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment deaths. But these equipment malfunctions were not a coincidence. Rather, the drop side portion of many cribs was attached with plastic and had a less sturdy design, and instances of cracked or broken hardware became more common.
Rather than ending up with another drop side crib product, think about the type of baby furniture you want to purchase and the length of time you plan to use it. Sturdiness, however, is the most important factor for baby furniture. No matter if you plan to use a crib or highchair for one or more children, you need to find a piece of furniture that can experience wear and tear without breaking or collapsing. Wood, generally, tends to be sturdier than plastic, and metal hardware is preferred over plastic parts.
Regardless of the baby furniture you need, purchasing secondhand items is not recommended. Sturdiness is an important factor, and secondhand cribs, bassinets, and highchairs already experienced wear and tear from one or more children, and the chances of the furniture breaking are greater. Additionally, an item sold secondhand may have been recalled years before.
When purchasing baby furniture, think about how long and for how many children each piece will be in use. If you plan to use a crib for two children, for example, find a design with strong hardware that can withstand at least four years of use.
If you only plan to have one child, however, the crib can last more than two years. Convertible furniture is growing in popularity, especially convertible cribs. A convertible crib folds out into a toddler bed, and its lifespan may be four or five years. Made out of wood, convertible cribs are durable than standard designs and may even be designed with other features, such as a changing table or dresser.
