With so many styles and options available on baby cribs today, purchasing the perfect baby crib can be a daunting task. Determine your price range and decide which baby crib features are most important to you. Then let the hunt for the best baby cribs begin! Here are some important baby crib features to get you started on your quest. Many thanks to Beth, a mom of two in Ohio, for lending her knowledge of baby cribs for this article.

Baby Cribs Should Meet Safety Standards

Any new baby cribs you purchase will meet minimum government requirements. So rest assured that if you assemble it to the manufacturer's instructions and use the crib properly, even the least expensive cribs will be safe for baby. A safe crib should have a firm, tight-fitting mattress, no missing/broken hardware or slats and no cutouts in the head- or foot-boards. Slats should be no more than 2 3/8" apart (the width of a soda can). Corner posts should not be higher than 1/16".

To Drop, or Not?

Drop sides are the crib feature you might use most often. Baby cribs come with fixed, single-drop or double-drop sides. Fixed sides will be fine for parents who are tall or if the crib will only be used occasionally. Most parents will want at least one side to drop, so the baby can be lifted in and out with ease. Baby cribs with double drop sides might be nice if the nursery is big enough that the crib isn't against a wall.

How Do the Crib Sides Drop?

Knee Push - Leaning your knee against the crib side lowers the side. Quiet and simple, this may be the most common type today. Foot Bar - You balance on one foot and push a lever to drop the crib sides. This type is less common today. Double Trigger - You use both hands to squeeze triggers that release the crib side. Two-handed operation isn't easy while holding baby. Fold-Down - Convenient and easy to use. Be sure the fold is high enough to keep baby from climbing out of the crib.

Caster Wheels are a Plus for Baby Cribs

Wheels are a very useful feature. Check the casters to make sure they aren't flimsy, because you'll be moving the crib to vacuum under it, change sheets or fetch toys. If you aren't sure if you'll need them, leave them off the crib but keep them nearby. You'll probably want them on the crib by the time the baby is 3 or 4 months old. If you fall in love with a crib that doesn't have wheels already installed, you can buy furniture caster wheels at the hardware store and install them yourself.

Crib Mattress Height and Support

Adjustable mattress height is available on all but the most inexpensive cribs. It allows the mattress to be higher so you can gently lay down a sleeping newborn, then lowered for babies who can pull up. At least two mattress heights is nice, three is even better. Check out the way the mattress is held up. Some cheaper cribs use vinyl straps that could wear out and break. Baby cribs with metal bars are a better choice. The best choice is a metal spring system to support the mattress.

Convertible Baby Cribs?

Convertible baby cribs are attractive to many buyers, but the added expense may not be worth it to some parents. Some baby cribs are convertible to toddler beds, others to full-size adult beds. Most cribs require an extra kit to be fully convertible; ask about the cost before you make your final decision on convertible baby cribs. Also ask yourself whether you'll actually convert the crib or whether you'll reuse the crib for siblings and buy a separate toddler bed.

Where to Buy Baby Cribs

Baby mega-stores have the largest selection of baby cribs in both price and style. They have a few models in stock, and must order others, which can take up to 12 weeks. Local baby shops carry premium crib brands at premium prices. They usually don't keep cribs in stock, so every crib is a special order. Websites have a wide range of crib brands and models, but shipping might be pricey. If there's a problem, returning the crib could be difficult. Be clear on return policies before you buy. There are also online sites that offer cheap baby cribs, be sure to check them out.

Other Baby Crib Buying Choices

Large retailers like Sears have a few crib choices in the middle to low price range. You may have to order your crib. Large discount stores have low prices and baby cribs in stock. Their crib selection is limited, usually to low-end models. Be wary of used cribs. Unless the crib has labels with manufacturer, model number and year, comes with an instruction manual and you can verify the crib's history, pass it up. Always call or check the manufacturer's website for recalls on used cribs.