When you’re expecting a new arrival, one of your most important purchases is a baby crib. Since that piece of baby furniture may be around for a few years and more children, you’ll want to shop carefully to get the best value on the crib, as well as on baby crib bedding.

Thanks to government regulations, parents no longer have to worry about buying a crib with slats or spindles that are spaced so far apart, that an infant can get their head caught. However, there are other safety features to consider, in deciding which baby crib is the right one for your child.

One thing to note, is how well the mattress that comes with the crib fits into the bottom. Are there gaps around the edges, or is it snug against the rails? Some baby cribs do not include the mattress, so make sure that in choosing one, you get a mattress that leaves no room for hands, or heads to be caught.

The snugger the fit, the less chance there is for baby crib bedding to be pulled up and off the mattress. Depending on the material of the sheets, fitted ones can sometimes stretch both in the material, and the elastic of the fitted corners. If you are at all concerned about them letting go, simply buy a set of four elastic corner holders that will run diagonally across each one, securing the sheet under the four corners.

Whether you opt for style, and a baby crib that matches rest of the nursery, or whether you’re just looking for a dependable piece of furniture that will deliver the safety and durability you need, check out all the styles and options, including how the rails drop or raise, whether the crib floor can be raised, and how stable the assembly is.