<p>When buying a baby crib, the most important factor to consider is safety. A poorly-made crib can mean the difference between a soundly-sleeping child and an injured one. Many sources recommend buying a new crib, although a used crib in good condition can serve just as well. The style of the crib also influences the level of safety; depending on your child\'s behavior and idiosyncrasies, one type of crib may not be as good a fit as another. Cribs normally come in four styles: standard (rectangular, with single or double drop sides); convertible (able to convert from crib to toddler bed to full-sized bed); canopy (has posts to hold up a fabric canopy); and round. Most people find the convertible cribs to be the useful, as they can continue to be used throughout the baby\'s life. Other safety factors to consider include having a teething rail (so baby doesn\'t chew on wooden or plastic railings), a snug mattress (no more than an inch of space on either side), a locking mechanism, and adequate space between slats (not too narrow so that baby\'s fingers don\'t get stuck, but no wider apart than 2 3/8").</p>