The novelist Jay Neugeboren once noted, “A wife who loses a husband is called a widow. A husband who loses a wife is called a widower. A child who loses his parents is called an orphan. There is no word for a parent who loses a child.” How can heartbreak so widely experienced escape definition?
We’ve been reflecting a lot on this line as we head into Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. The lack of proper terminology for bereaved parents to define and own their experiences is perhaps just one of the reasons that there is a culture of silence around pregnancy and infant loss.
In 1988, October was formally declared a month to recognize the unique grief of parents experiencing the sudden loss of their children in pregnancy and infancy. To help normalize thoughtful discussion around these experiences, our team member Sierra sat down with us to share her story as a bereaved parent, along with her tips for supporting other parents grieving such loss.
We hope to help break this culture of silence through education and awareness. On October 15th, join us in lighting candles for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day at 7pm local time to honor all babies gone too soon.
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“Can she do it all?” is a question that is leveled at so many working moms. “What can’t she do?” would be more appropriate in this case. Familiar with the challenges of pursuing a full-fledged career while caring for children, Natalie Alcala founded Fashion Mamas in 2014 in her hometown of Los Angeles as a network for similarly ambitious and creative moms to share their struggles and resources.
What started as a small, local support group ballooned into more than 600 members worldwide. Today, Fashion Mamas is a global network of professionals in fashion, art, beauty, design, and entertainment, and an incubator of sorts for independent mom-owned brands. Notable Fashion Mamas events include a breastfeeding awareness campaign, therapeutic cannabis training, and career summits featuring speakers like Rebecca Minkoff, Chriselle Lim, and Tamera Mowry-Housley.
As a fearless fashion maven, incisive journalist, and trailblazing advocate for creative entrepreneurs, Natalie is a multitasking mom we deeply admire. In honor of Latinx Heritage Month, we sat down with her to discuss how her Latin American heritage shapes her approach to motherhood and her recommendations for instilling cultural pride and encouraging curiosity in the younger generation.
How does your family celebrate your Latin heritage? Do you have any unique traditions?
Natalie: We have a Latin Power Hour, where we read books about our culture, eat our food, and purchase items that were made in Mexico. We love visiting Olvera Street in Downtown Los Angeles to say hello to all the wonderful small business owners there, and to support their creations.
How do you educate your children about their heritage?
Natalie: In addition to our Latin Power Hour, we always have a heart-to-heart chat. When I tuck my son in at night, I can hear how he's really feeling about the way life works. There's something about that intimate, quiet time that really makes him feel safest to express himself. Sometimes he'll ask me about the color of his skin, or the color of someone else's skin — he is very inquisitive and wants to know why we're all different. I explain to him that it's wonderful that this world has so many different people from a variety of backgrounds. The world would be so boring without it.
I tell him that his brown skin is not only beautiful, but it's powerful — it shows the world that he is part of the cultural fabric that makes up so much of our city, Los Angeles. The Latin community is a network of hard-working, business-savvy people who run many of our day-to-day essential establishments — both in front and behind the scenes.
How does your culture influence your parenting style? Is there anything you learned from a maternal/paternal figure that you want to pass on to your children?
Natalie: I didn't grow up with a father, but I was constantly surrounded by strong women — my mother, my aunts, and my grandmother. Growing up, especially from what I saw in my uncles and cousins, and on TV, Latino men are encouraged to be strong and tough, and protectors of their family. Some of this I agree with, but I want my son to also know that it's OK to be soft, empathetic, and emotional. There is power in vulnerability. And on the flip side for my daughter, I show her that women can not only be sensitive, but they can be STRONG. But she doesn't need me to tell her that — she's a total firecracker all on her own!
Natalie with Diego (left), her husband Vlad (second from left), and Rio (right). Photo courtesy of Cameron Jordan.
When you became a mother, in what ways did you lean on your family and friends for support?
Natalie: I was the first of my friends to become a mother, and my friends of all backgrounds were so supportive. I knew I wanted my support system to grow and any people as possible, which is why I launched Fashion Mamas in 2014. It helped me embrace this new chapter, and I'm so glad to see that it helped others realize that the party isn't over when you become a parent — in fact, it's only just begun.
What advice would you give other mothers who want to incorporate their heritage into their child's upbringing?
Natalie: I highly recommend planning a Cultural Power Hour with them! Once a month, spend an afternoon or weekend immersing yourselves in your culture's favorite things — food, music, literature, and entertainment. Bonus points if your Culture Power Hour includes a yummy dessert — that's always a winner with my kids!
Be sure to follow Natalie and Fashion Mamas on Instagram!
1. FOR A HEALTHIER HOME
Look for furniture that has been labeled with a GREENGUARD Gold Certified seal. This seal certifies that the furniture has been independently tested and verified to meet rigorous standards for chemical emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde or phthalates.
2. FOR CAREFREE CAR RIDES
Make sure your car seat is installed correctly. Position your child to be rear-facing in the backseat until at least 2 years old or until they reach the height or weight limit of the car seat. The safest location for the car seat is the middle of the back seat.
3. FOR BUBBLY, BLISSFUL BATHTIME
Never leave your baby unsupervised even for a moment. Be sure to get everything ready in advance for bath time, and to avoid the risk of scalding, don’t let your hot water heater exceed 120°F, and keep the bathwater at around 100°F.
4. FOR SMART SECONDHAND SHOPPING
While we don’t recommend reusing cribs due to the risk of expired warranty or safety certifications, there are other ways to shop sustainably. Trusted re-commerce companies like FloorFound, a DaVinci partner, inspect and help resell our unused and returned products at reduced prices, helping to reduce waste.
MORE SECONDHAND SHOPPING SAFETY TIPS
5. FOR THE SWEETEST SLUMBER
If you decorate your crib, remember to remove everything except the mattress sheet before your baby sleeps, and place your baby on their back to ease their airflow and help prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Use extra-firm crib mattresses for infants and soft ones for toddlers. Firm mattresses provide crucial support and resistance for babies as their bones and muscles develop. Consider dual-sided crib mattresses for an all-in-one solution!
]]>Incorporate abstract geometric shapes in your nursery for a touch of whimsy and to soften the sleek silhouettes of mid-century modern pieces like our Otto Crib and matching Changing Table and Cubby Bookcase. Mid-century modern, though wildly popular as an interior decorating style, is difficult to define exactly because it’s a blend of contrasting concepts, but you can take plenty of inspiration from this eclectic nursery. Here, the exposed wood end table with iron legs is a fusion of manmade and natural materials. Nursery-safe plants and origami cranes bring a bit of the outdoors in. Rounded boho forms in vibrant colors like salmon and bright goldenrod counterbalance the deep walnut tones of the furniture and the starkness of the iconic flared legs. The overall result? A space that feels as warm and familiar as a vintage postcard.
Create a space that feels like home with charming wooden accents and a warm, earth-toned color palette. When styling around commanding and stately centerpieces like our Anders Crib and DaVinci Signature 6-Drawer Dresser, use a light touch to play up the cozy factor. Don’t be afraid to create the sense of contained messiness that defines homely spaces, with organizational pieces that display accessories, toys, and miscellaneous knickknacks instead of concealing them. For a soft vs. rugged textural contrast, pair an accordion peg rack where you can hang your baby’s bibs and onesies with a blanket ladder over which you can drape plush organic fabrics like muslin and wool.
Evoke nostalgia and romance in your nursery by mixing heirloom style pieces with wall designs like wainscoting (textured paneling on the lower third or half of your wall), which make any space feel palatial. When opting for a refined vintage look, think simple. A minimalist color scheme can easily elevate the classic look of your furniture. In this elegant twin nursery, the dramatic contrast between the cream accent wall and the ebony Jenny Lind collection pieces gives the heirloom style of the furniture a modern flair and accentuates the decorative spindles. For finishing touches, give your space a sweet, handcrafted feel with soft pastel fabrics and wicker homewares like delicately crafted baskets and macramé plant hangers.
Floral motifs in nurseries have always been popular, but they’re surprisingly versatile. From glamorous to vintage chic to boho, you can style your blossoming nursery any which way. With a crib as regal and rich in detail as the Fiona, you can use barely-there floral wallpaper and framing pieces like the two Kalani dressers in this nursery to let the crib stand out as the centerpiece. When working with a delicate pastel palette, metallic accents like gold picture frames, antique mirrors, or ornate brass lamps add necessary dramatic flair. A floral nursery is also ripe with potential for storytelling — get imaginative and accessorize with stuffed woodland creatures or lean into a fanciful storybook theme with unicorns and fairies.
]]>They’ve left no topic off the table in order to inspire and inform curious minds and prospective parents around the world, sharing everything from the logistics of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to emotional milestones like the moment they found out that their surrogate was pregnant with their twins, Brecon and London.
In celebration of Pride Month, Bryan sat down with us to discuss their rocky but rewarding surrogacy experience, their mission to demystify and destigmatize a process that’s still shrouded in taboo, tender moments they shared setting up their nursery, and their hope to raise their children to be unabashedly themselves.
Bryan and Chris in their safari-themed nursery, which features the babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib in Grey, Toco Glider & Ottoman in Performance Grey Eco-Weave, and Tally Bookshelf.
June 2020: Hoping to have twins, Bryan and Chris find an IVF doctor and surrogacy agency and test their sperm for viability.
August 2020: With the help of their agency, they find an egg donor that meets their criteria and egg retrieval takes place. Their embryos are fertilized, screened, and stored in a freezer at the clinic.
October 2020: They “match” with their first surrogate after interviewing her, which is when both parties agree to work with each other.
“There are surrogates out there who aren’t willing to work with an LGBTQ+ couple, which was kind of hard, but that’s the person’s prerogative and choice. We made sure [to be clear] in our criteria because we didn’t want to find out after the fact that some person that we talked to that we thought was nice wasn’t willing to work with us because we were a gay couple,” Bryan said.
December 2020: The surrogate they initially matched with does not pass medical evaluations and they part ways with her.
March 2021: Bryan and Chris meet with their second surrogate candidate and she passes all the required psychological and medical evaluations and starts a birth control regimen and hormone routine but discovers that she is pregnant with her own child.
“I was just devastated again because now we’ve lost our second surrogate. I was almost at that point of like, ‘I’m done. I don’t want to do this anymore. The universe is telling us that maybe we’re not supposed to have babies because this is so hard,’” Bryan said.
“Every time we matched with a surrogate, for them to do a psych evaluation, to get checked out by the doctor, attorneys, contracts — all of that costs money, and all of that is out of our pocket. None of it gets refunded because the vendors fulfilled their jobs and their duties.”
May 2021: Bryan and Chris begin the search for a surrogate for the third time.
“Most couples that go through surrogacy might lose their first surrogate, but when we were ready to start the process again, we took about a good month off because I was in a very dark place. Chris is my rock, so he brought me out of the trenches and back to: ‘This is our journey. You really want to be a dad, and this is just something we have to keep pushing on.’”
June 2021: With the assistance of their agency, they match with a surrogate, and she passes all psychological and medical evaluations. They sign contracts and she begins hormone regimens.
July 2021: The embryo transfer of their twins takes place successfully.
March 9, 2022: Bryan and Chris’ surrogate gives birth to their twins via C-section.
Bryan and Chris in the hospital together shortly after their twins, Brecon and London, are born.
What motivated you to start sharing your journey on social media?
Bryan: Surrogacy is not something that a lot of people know about. There are a lot of assumptions. Some people might know a little bit, but IVF, surrogacy, and egg donation have a negative stigma attached to it because people think, ‘Oh, you’re going through IVF, what’s wrong with you, you’re broken.’ We love bringing more visibility and education and light to it whenever possible, because it’s something that so many people go through, but there are plenty of people out there that are not like me, who are not open, who are very nervous and would not be comfortable speaking on a podcast or an interview to talk about it because it is so personal.
Overall, how have people received your content? What have been the positive and negative aspects of navigating social media?
Bryan: In the beginning, we got the trolls who were like ‘You guys can’t have babies, you’re two men. Who’s pregnant?’ But I will say, it’s been way more positive than negative sharing our story. That’s what’s so crazy about this platform — TikTok just brings so many people together. So many grandmas or moms reach out to me being like, ‘My little boy or my grandson is gay and he’s seen your TikToks and he’s like, ‘I can’t wait to have a family like Bryan and Chris.’
I have spoken with people in Europe, in Australia, in Asia, all around the United States, in Canada, in places where surrogacy is not even known or it’s illegal. [Our story] brings them hope, that they might have a way to maybe remove themselves from that situation wherever they live, if they can, or move to a place that is more accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals and be able to have a family like ours.
What was it like putting your nursery together? What was your favorite thing about it?
Bryan: Every time we were doing something in the nursery, whether it was building the cribs, moving the dresser in, putting up the wallpaper — it felt like it wasn’t real. It felt like a dream because this is [Brecon and London’s] space. This is where we’re going to bond with them, feed them, change their diapers, and watch them sleep.
My favorite thing, in addition to building the cribs with Chris, was putting up the wallpaper with my dad. That was really nice because it was my dad, but it’s also Grandpa! Grandpa is helping to put together this space for his grandchildren. I didn’t really know what I was doing, so to do that together, it almost felt like – I’m his son and I’ll always be his son – it almost was like a father-young son moment again where he was teaching me how to do something, which is something that I’m excited to do with Brecon and London at some point.
Do people have certain expectations for how you’d raise your family because you’re an LGBTQ+ couple?
Bryan: A lot of people have asked us on TikTok, “Oh, are you going to raise them nonbinary or are you only going to use they/them because you’re an LGBTQ+ couple?” And we’re kind of like, “Well, no, Brecon is a boy and London is a girl, so at this point, that’s how we will raise them.” Once they are old enough to express their feelings and to express to us that maybe they don’t want to be called a certain word or a certain name, then we’ll adjust.
Maybe they’re gay, maybe they’re bi, or whatever that may be, we want to accept them wholeheartedly, 100 percent and support them to make sure that they feel loved all the time and that however they are, that they are exactly who they’re supposed to be. There’s nothing that needs to be changed based on what society might tell them to act or be.
As a torch-bearer of sorts for LGBTQ+ couples navigating the surrogacy process, what sort of impact do you hope to make in the media, or what change do you wish to see?
Bryan: So much focus is on moms, who, by all means, are very important. They are the ones who carry and deliver the baby, go through so much pre, during, and post pregnancy, so they are obviously the ones to focus on and shed light on, but it has been a little sad or disheartening to not really see the father’s perspective alongside the mom’s, or that of LGBTQ+ couples. It's not as common or as normalized in advertisements and media as I wish it were. Representation is definitely getting better, but it’s very refreshing to work with companies like yours, that want to be inclusive and feature all different types of families.
What is the main thing or hope that you want people to take away from your parenting journey?
Bryan: There’s no specific guideline, look, or way to have a family. Every family is different. Some families have a mommy and a daddy, some have only a mom or only a dad. Some, like us, have two daddies, and no matter what you have at the end of the day, it’s about the responsibility of being a good parent. The most important thing that we want to show people is that these children are loved and that they are protected, they are safe, and that they are going to be brought up in this world to be kind and thoughtful and to be good people.
Follow Bryan and Chris on TikTok and Instagram! Explore their entire journey, from starting IVF to assembling nursery furniture as new parents.
]]>It all started in Los Angeles in 1990 when Daniel and Maryann Fong bought Million Dollar Baby (MDB), a furniture wholesaler. From the very beginning, they followed business strategies that distinguished them from the rest of the industry, such as having warehouses across the country to be closer to customers, importing parts that would be assembled and packaged in Los Angeles, and keeping their customers in the loop with a regular newsletter.
However, forging their own path in the baby furniture space when they occupied the smallest booth at trade shows and when diversity wasn’t as openly celebrated as it is today involved navigating various social pressures. “At that time, you almost needed to act like the rest of the industry, whereas now, I think you can really point out that you’re an Asian-American business,” Maryann said.
“We knew that this was a business we wanted to see flourish because we were in it to help families grow, and it shouldn’t matter what color our skin was.”
Daniel and Maryann Fong in the 1990s.
A lot has changed since 1990. Teddy and Tracy, Daniel and Maryann’s children, joined the company after college. Teddy took over as CEO in 2015 and Tracy is the Senior Vice President of Sales. Together, they strive to make the business and culture bolder and more fun than ever, wanting to honor the company’s rich history but channel the dynamic energy and progressiveness of a start-up.
Reflecting on what it’s like to own an Asian American owned business today, Tracy is decidedly optimistic. “I believe that more people want work to be more equitable. Our key retailers make it a point to celebrate our stories, our brands, and our company because we are Asian owned,” she said.
When Teddy and Tracy took up the mantle, they preserved and built upon the deep relationships that Daniel and Maryann had already established with vendors and factory partners in China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Investing in these longstanding connections, Teddy explained, results in constant improvements at every step of the customer journey.
Tracy (left) and Teddy (right) Fong, at Million Dollar Baby's Los Angeles office.
“Our most important core value as a company is to treat our team like family. Our top, most important vendors have been partners of ours for over 30 years and continue to be the backbone to our business. It’s through our many years, learning and growing together, where we’re able to align on product details and product excellence,” Teddy said.
This commitment stems from MDB’s founding principles: love and loyalty. “When we truly love all our employees, all our suppliers, all our customers, and everyone we come into contact with, goodness and joy are and will be the results which will guarantee the success of any business,” Daniel said.
Family traditions are ingrained in MDB’s business operations. Each year for Lunar New Year, MDB celebrates by closing the office for the day so that the team can have the time to spend with family and friends.
One of the most significant and joyous holidays for Asian and Southeast Asian communities around the world, Lunar New Year might be best known in the public imagination as the two-to-four-week period when factories and business across Asia shut down.
“It’s more than that!” Tracy said, always making a point to discuss the personal significance of the holiday to retailers. She reminisced on company-wide Lunar New Year dim sum feasts and red envelope exchanges of the past. “The purpose of having Lunar New Year off is to celebrate our Chinese culture and celebrate alongside our factory and Asia teams that work so hard all year long.”
The Fongs believe that the best way Asian communities can continue to support each other is to “enlist, encourage, educate, and empower,” as Maryann said — to be more vocal than ever in supporting Asian-owned and Asian-run businesses and organizations. Tracy echoed that sentiment, reflecting on the disturbing rise in anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic. What we need, Tracy explained, are “BIG VOICES! For too long, we have not been seen in the media as leaders, as funny, as bold, as anything other than support staff.”
During the pandemic, MDB formed a Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Committee (DIEC) to further our commitment to embrace all cultures and perspectives through hiring, education, community involvement, and marketing. DIEC's mission is to acknowledge and break barriers for disadvantaged people and communities, ensure diversity and inclusion in MDBs people and perspectives, and ensure access to the same opportunities for all. To facilitate conversation on AAPI issues, we've been proud to host speakers covering this space for our community, such as Evan Low, Renee Tajima-Peña, and Don Young. Big voices are always welcome here!
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"Set yourself up to be taken care of because unfortunately, we do live in a place where Black and Brown women aren't really taken care of as well as white-presenting women.'"
Denisse Myrick (@chasingdenisse) is an award-winning photographer, influencer, entrepreneur, and mother who has used her platform to advocate for social justice and more including topics on Black Lives Matter, Black motherhood, diversity, and mental health.
She sat down with us to discuss her own experience with Black motherhood from the start of her pregnancy to her parenting journey.
Watch our chat with Denisse:
To learn more about Black motherhood and maternal health, visit:
Black Women's Health Imperative
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We all want our babies to be in the safest environment possible and this means creating a healthy space for them to sleep and play! Here are 5 easy tips to keep in mind when creating your nursery.
Look for furniture that have been labeled with a GREENGUARD Gold Certified seal. This seal certifies that the furniture has been independently tested and verified to meet rigorous standards for chemical emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde or phthalates. |
Providing furniture that's safe and contributes to a healthier environment is DaVinci's #1 priority. We aim to provide our customers with the largest collection of GREENGUARD Gold Certified nursery furniture on the market to choose from.
See how we surpass all the national safety standards here.
Here are some of our best sellers:
When starting to design your new nursery, many of you start with the walls! Before you purchase your paint, make sure you're looking into the safest option for babies. Paints that are zero VOC and APE free can reduce your exposure to toxins and provide better air quality for your space. You can even find options that are GREENGUARD Gold certified!
Our favorite non-toxic paints brands:
Clare Paint | Sherwin Williams Harmony
Did you know that, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air pollution levels are often 2-5 times higher indoors than outdoors? Air purifiers with a HEPA filter are safe for the nursery and can help filter out airborne allergens and irritants in the air.
Our favorite air purifiers for nurseries:
Crane True HEPA | Coway Airmega
We love decorating nurseries with plants (faux and real!). If you decide to go for fresh and real plants, make sure you're researching plants that are non-toxic to babies (this means no ZZ plants!). Non-toxic plants can be nature's air purifier and they also produce more oxygen!
Resources to research non-toxic plants:
Babies spend a lot of time in their crib and wrapped up in fabric! Use bedding and swaddles that are made with 100% organic cotton or linen where you can. Organic fabric means less chemical exposure and more breathability and comfortability for your little one.
Our favorite shops for organic fabrics:
Pehr | Monica + Andy | Colored Organics
For more tips, check out our Safe Sleep Space Tips blog!
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Kate's 5 S's of Sleep
1. Sleep Environment
Follow the ABCs of Safe Sleep: "Make sure you're placing your baby Alone on their Back, in a Crib or bassinet. Remember that you're only supposed to use a fitted sheet in the crib."
2. Swaddle
"Make sure you have a tight swaddle that has a Velcro or zipper - it's the safest for babies who are not rolling."
3. Sound Machine
"Make sure you’re investing in a good sound machine that’s loud. This helps drown out any other noises that are outside and also helps the baby stay asleep."
4. Sucking
"A pacifier can help babies sleep. It mimics feeding and helps them stay calm and self soothe."
5. Schedule
"Start a sleep routine as early as 2 weeks of age. Babies thrive off of a schedule. Putting your baby on a feeding and napping schedule really helps predictability and helps babies makes sure that their getting enough feeding and they're taking good feedings and getting really good naps."
*This information is strictly for informational purposes and is not meant as, nor is a substitute for, professional advice. Always make sure you're checking with your provider before you're implementing these tips.
]]>As a new or expectant parent, designing a nursery is an exciting opportunity to create a unique, personal space for your baby. From choosing what art to hang on the walls to where each piece of furniture is placed, it's the perfect way to create a space that you and your baby are comfortable in and love.
As the centerpiece of any nursery, finding the perfect crib is an important first decision to make. Taking into consideration everything from style to safety, we've laid out a crib guide to help make that process as simple as possible.
Size
One of the main differences between nurseries is their size and shape. Depending on whether you're creating a small space nursery or a full bedroom, there are options to match your home.
Mini Crib: Perfect for small space nurseries and to keep at the grandparent's house. DaVinci mini cribs can last until your child is about 2 years old before conversion. The Kalani 4-in-1 Mini Crib an fit into a little nook and eventually fit into a bedroom with its twin conversion!
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Standard Crib: Great for a separate nursery space or a larger shared room. With conversion, some full size cribs can last your child into their teen years. The Jenny Lind is DaVinci's most beloved convertible crib and you and your child will love it for years to come! |
Versatility
Many cribs nowadays offer a variety of versatile features. Elements like folding and portability are great additions to a crib that already works for you. The main components to focus on when looking for a crib are convertibility and adjustable mattress levels as they are key to making life simpler as a new parent.
Convertibility
Some cribs are able to last beyond infancy and even into your child's teen years with convertibility. There are a variety of conversions, depending on what crib you have. Here are the main ones:
Adjustable Mattress Heights
Cribs with different mattress height levels give you easy access to your baby and help you keep them safe as they grow. Depending on the type of crib you have, the number of mattress levels will vary. Mini cribs and portable cribs tend to have two mattress height options, whereas a full size crib can have up to four. Standard cribs by Davinci all have 4 mattress levels!
The highest mattress level on a crib is perfect for infants who haven't started to roll over or sit up. Once your baby transitions into rolling, sitting, and standing, you can easily lower the mattress level to make sure it matches their level of movement.
Other Features
Portability: Some cribs can maneuver around homes using wheels, generally with casters that lock them into place. These tend to be more lightweight and easier to move.
Attached Changing Table: If you're looking for full size crib that also saves space, a changer combo crib is the ideal piece to efficiently use a room!
The Dakota 4-in-1 Crib and Changer Combo includes an extra deep surface for diaper changes, as well as spacious storage and drawers to organize baby's necessities.
Storage: Cribs that come with drawers can store additional clothes, toys, or other accessories for your baby. The Carter's by DaVinci Colby Crib is perfect for space saving as it includes a trundle.
Safety
As a new parent, safety is a top concern, and it can be hard to decipher what makes a product safe for your babe. From standards set by the federal government to third party certifications, here are the main safety features to look out for when picking a crib.
Safety Standards: Every crib must meet a certain level of safety standards set by various organizations, such as ASTM International and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This includes standards for slat/spindle load strength and lead content. All companies will meet these base standards, but it's important to check each company's own safety standards for its products to make it matches your own.
GREENGUARD Gold Certification: Awarded to products with low chemical emissions, this certification verifies that a product is acceptable for use around sensitive individuals, such as children and the elderly. To receive this, products have to be thoroughly tested for over 10,000 chemicals and (marked) as low-emitting. Any crib with a GREENGUARD Gold certificate is sure to keep your home's indoor quality as safe as possible. Read more about this certification here. |
Style
Now that you've decided on the practical features of your crib, it's time to think about style! Whether you love the details of classic furniture or the clean lines of the contemporary, you can find a crib that's perfect for you. Cribs come in all colors, shapes and sizes, and many are also designed to pair with matching changers and dressers.
Finishes: Nowadays, cribs tend to come with a variety of color options. No matter if you're looking for a particular color like navy or white or a wood tone like chestnut or a scratch finish, most cribs will have at least a few color options - some even as many as ten! The Jenny Lind crib is a great option for you if you want to venture if you are looking for a specific color to match your nursery theme.
Shape: Most cribs are rectangular in shape, but if you are looking for something more unique, you can also find them in the shape of ovals and circles. The only downside to these cribs is that it is harder to find accessories like crib mattresses to match their shape, whereas rectangular crib mattresses tend to be standardized.
We hope this guide will help get you started in finding the best crib for your home!
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