Of all the items on your baby shopping list, a crib probably will be among the most challenging to select. (See our latest cribs report and Ratings.)

Whatever style you choose, you'll want a crib that's durable, safe and matches your taste and budget. Increasingly, you'll find crib styles that adapt as your child grows—from toddler bed to day bed to full-size bed. So making the right choice now means you may not have to shop for your child's bed later.

While you may consider a bassinet, cradle, or co-sleeper at first (some common alternatives for your baby's first four months or so), your child is safest in a crib. Cribs are the only beds for babies that are required to meet certain standards issued by the federal government. There are no federally mandated standards for bassinets, cradles, or co-sleepers.

Read our full report and crib Ratings, see our report on crib safety tips, and go to our Babies & Kids section for more information on children's products.