We all want the best for our little bundles of joy. Just as important, though, is our baby’s safety. Tragically, too many deaths occur in a baby crib.

Paying big bucks for baby furniture does not guarantee the safest furniture. Therefore it pays to do a little research before making a decision on a baby crib.

Recently, Consumer Reports tested 14 cribs that ranged in price from $160 to $800. They made an amazing discovery: two of the safest cribs cost less than $200!

Graco Charleston Classic Crib

One is the Graco Charleston Convertible Crib that sells for about $190.

Delta Venetian Convertible Crib

The other is the Delta Venetian Convertible Sleigh 3-in-1 that sells for about $160.

To see a video of the Consumer Research study, click here.

We have found that the best prices are almost always at Amazon. Don’t wait too long however as these popular items tend to sell out quickly.

To see a video of the Consumer Reports study, click here.

Delta Venetian Convertible Crib

The other is the Delta Venetian Convertible Sleigh 3-in-1 Crib that sells for about $160.

There has been much discussion recently on the safety of crib bumpers. In fact, some states and some cities have even banned the sale of bumpers because of safety concerns.

Now, the AAP has officially taken a stand – no bumpers. Originally bumpers were thought to improve safety by protecting the baby’s head from getting stuck between the bed rails. But now, studies have shown that they are a hazard particularly for suffocation. There have been over two dozen cases of infant suffocation reported where bumpers were used.

In short, if you are using bumpers in your baby’s crib, get rid of them!

Here is more:

CNN continued with more shocking statements from the American Academy of Pediatrics when they said:

What’s behind the change in thinking to remove bumpers altogether? Recent studies have shown that bumper pads may be far more hazardous than previously thought. “In 2005, when we last published a policy statement and recommendations, we had some concerns about bumper pads, but we didn’t really have a lot of evidence that this was a real problem,” said Rachel Moon, M.D., FAAP, of the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C, chairperson of the AAP SIDS task force and lead author of the new guidelines. “Since then, there have been some published studies looking at bumper pads, and we concluded that if there’s no reason for them to be in the crib, it’s better to just have them out of there, particularly in light of the deaths that have been reported, that have been associated with the bumper pads.”

There you have it, parents! Get those pretty decorative crib bumpers the hell out of your cribs and help save your kids life! They are dangerous, and the AAP agrees!

AAP Says Skip the Bumpers… Again! | Babys First Year Blog

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission have established new rules for baby cribs. Effective June 28, 2011, drop side cribs are banned. They cannot be manufactured and sold or sold by individuals. According to the commission, drop side cribs have been responsible for 32 deaths caused by suffocation.

Other changes to be enforced by the commission include increasing durability of crib hardware; strengthening mattress supports and crib slats; and implementing better safety testing.

Therefore, when shopping for a baby crib, make sure the crib conforms to the new rules. You can do so by contacting the manufacturer. If shopping at lawn sales or through classified ads, be extra careful that older cribs are safe.

According to a study by the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus Ohio, there were an average of 9,561 injuries and more than 100 deaths per year during the period from 1990 to 2008. All of these were from cribs, paypens or bassinets.

Obviously, it’s important to insure your baby is safe with the furniture you buy.

Here is more on the subject:

If you own a drop-side crib — and perhaps can’t afford to replace it — Dulic recommends contacting the manufacturer to try to obtain an immobilizer, a protective device to make those cribs more secure. Also, if you keep a drop-side crib — or any older crib — you should be sure to check it often to make sure it’s not developing problems, such as loose or missing parts, Dulic said.Parents not only need to buy a safe crib but also to position their baby on his or her back — with no extra bedding around — to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). .

Staying safe

Parents who want to know whether their child’s crib meets new standards can try contacting the manufacturer or asking for the certificate of conformity at the store. Cribs in stores now meet the new federal standards that went into effect June 28.

•Beware of drop-side cribs,(AT) which have been associated with infant suffocations and numerous recalls.

•Make sure the crib hasn’t been recalled,(AT) whether it’s a drop-side or not. That great find at a yard sale or hand-me-down from a relative or friend might be on the list. Consumers can get recall information from www.cpsc.gov, www.recalls.gov and www.keepingbabiessafe.org.

•Watch a Safe Sleep for Babies video(AT) at http://tinyurl.com/42d46uo. It’s also available on the Newborn Channel at some hospitals.

New federal rules target crib safety, durability – USATODAY.com