Buying a crib, especially for one's first child, is an overwhelming process. So many choices... different colors, styles, designs, etc. Buying the right crib, along with the accompanying furniture, is a very important decision for new parents. There are four steps all new parents can take in order to peel back the "universe" of choices to a more digestible number.

Assuming you are shopping at a retailer that carries baby furniture that meets either Federal or JPMA safety standards, which our store... USA Baby-Richmond does, the following four steps will help your quest...

First Step: Start with the crib. The crib, along with the mattress, is both the focal point of the room... and is the most important decision in the process. Needless to say, this is where your baby will spend approximately 2/3 of their first year!

Second Step: Decide between a convertible or a drop side crib. This decision is as much about your future plans for your child's room as it is about style. Convertible cribs have really changed the baby furniture industry. Beds that start life as a crib, and later convert into a full-size bed... they have really changed the way parents buy furniture for their baby.

Third Step: Decide between painted or stained wood. Now we are moving from practicality to style/design preferences... there is no right or wrong decision. But once you've made this decision, you can factor out a fairly large segment of the market... thus simplifying your final decision.

Fourth Step: Decide on the crib style / design. By now your furniture universe should be more palatable... and this step is all about personal preference. But, especially if you are buying a convertible crib, you need to think about the future. Considering that the convertible crib is essentially a bed... that starts life as a crib... many parents look at this furniture purchase as being a bedroom furniture solution that will last through the child's teen years. Again, no right or wrong here... its all about what you like!

The first three steps above will help you reduce the playing field so that you can have some fun with step 4... because that is where the fun begins!

Congratulations!

Happy & Steve Krickovic
USA - Baby Richmond, VA

Ever wondered why the price of a baby crib varies by $200 or more?!? For first time parents, there is much to be uncertain about... including how much it costs for good baby furniture. For many, the initial point of reference is based on what they've been told by friends or relatives, or what they remember from being young... but most likely its based on what they assume it will cost. I mean... how much could "baby furniture" really cost?!? Heck, its not even "real furniture"... is it?

The number one reason for the price swings in baby furniture is... not surprisingly, the same reason for the price swings in adult furniture. Its all about the wood. Like with adult furniture, a particular piece of baby furniture may look fairly similar to another... yet the prices of the two look MUCH different! If you're new to the baby furniture market, this can be quite confusing.

As noted above, the main reason for the large price swings is tied to the material... the wood. Furniture that is made of, or is partially made of, particular board or medium density fiberboard will cost 25-50% less than furniture made of wood. MDF is an engineered wood product formed by breaking down softwood into wood fibers, often in a defibrator, combining it with wax and resin, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure... in other words... it ain't real wood!

Its pure economics... wood is more expensive than substitute material.

Before you make this important investment in your baby's bedroom furniture, look beyond the price... look at the product for what it is. There are many viable options in the baby furniture market... at price points that are surprisingly affordable. Buying wood furniture doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune... but it does mean that your investment will stand the test of time.

Cheers!

Happy and Steve
USA Baby - Richmond, Va
www.usababyric.com

Buying a crib, especially for one's first child, is an overwhelming process. So many choices... different colors, styles, designs, etc. Buying the right crib, along with the accompanying furniture, is a very important decision for new parents. There are four steps all new parents can take in order to peel back the "universe" of choices to a more digestible number.

Assuming you are shopping at a retailer that carries baby furniture that meets either Federal or JPMA safety standards, which our store... USA Baby-Richmond does, the following four steps will help your quest...

First Step: Start with the crib. The crib, along with the mattress, is both the focal point of the room... and is the most important decision in the process. Needless to say, this is where your baby will spend approximately 2/3 of their first year!

Second Step: Decide between a convertible or a drop side crib. This decision is as much about your future plans for your child's room as it is about style. Convertible cribs have really changed the baby furniture industry. Beds that start life as a crib, and later convert into a full-size bed... they have really changed the way parents buy furniture for their baby.

Third Step: Decide between painted or stained wood. Now we are moving from practicality to style/design preferences... there is no right or wrong decision. But once you've made this decision, you can factor out a fairly large segment of the market... thus simplifying your final decision.

Fourth Step: Decide on the crib style / design. By now your furniture universe should be more palatable... and this step is all about personal preference. But, especially if you are buying a convertible crib, you need to think about the future. Considering that the convertible crib is essentially a bed... that starts life as a crib... many parents look at this furniture purchase as being a bedroom furniture solution that will last through the child's teen years. Again, no right or wrong here... its all about what you like!

The first three steps above will help you reduce the playing field so that you can have some fun with step 4... because that is where the fun begins!

Congratulations!

Happy & Steve Krickovic
USA - Baby Richmond, VA