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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye.

History of cribs

Cribs are used today for all infants up until about age 2 or 3. But this wasn't always the case. The history of baby cribs goes back several hundred years ago. Before babies had cribs they usually slept with their parents. Bedrooms were rare until the mid 17th century. At that time beds were present in each room and were also used as sitting areas similar to the way a daybed is used today.

The first type of cribs used were probably more like cradles. They typically were small free-standing beds that could be placed right next to the parent's bed for easy accessibility. The baby cradle was homemade with the first ones often being made from a hollowed out log. Many cradles were made on a frame so they could rock gently.

Buying a convertible crib

Buying a convertible crib is an excellent choice. Not only do they look gorgeous but they grow with your child and, as you won't need to buy your child another bed until adulthood, you'll save yourself a lot of money. Here's a sample of some of the best convertible cribs.

The following manufacturers all make good quality products from sold woods - usually pine, beech and birch - as well as beautiful veneers to create exquisite finishes like 'antiqued' and 'distressed'. They all offer more or less the same features with some minor differences. Pali Convertible Crib, Bonavita Convertible Crib, Bassett Convertible Crib, The Munire Convertible Crib

The best baby crib to buy

Safety is paramount when choosing a baby crib. The best baby cribs will have Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification. This certification ensures that it meets and surpasses many US safety regulations. So, only looking at brands with a JPMA certification is a good place to start. Brands like Munire, Bellini and Bassett cribs as well as others have JPMA certification.

CONCLUSION

Finally, we talk about design. This is a very subjective matter. Some parents will prefer simplistic designs from the past like the Jenny Lind crib, while other prefer modern simple designs like the Bellini Isabella crib. The current collection of Basset cribs draw heavily on traditional American styles like Shaker, New England etc. If it's old fashioned opulence you want then checkout Munire's collection of divine baby cribs.