As you design your baby’s nursery, you’ll probably put a lot of thought into the crib that will be the centerpiece of the room. You might have your heart set on a vintage cradle that’s been in your family for generations. Perhaps you’ve fallen in love with a sleek modern model you found online. Or maybe a friend has offered you a high-quality hand-me-down that looks as good as new. 

Before you make your decision, the most important question you should ask yourself is: does it meet the latest safety standards?

In June 2011, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) rolled out five new federal safety requirements for all cribs manufactured and sold in the United States:

• Traditional drop-side cribs cannot be made or sold; immobilizers and repair kits are not allowed.
• Wood slats must be made of stronger woods to prevent breakage.
• Crib hardware must have anti-loosening devices to keep it from coming loose or falling off.
• Mattress supports must be more durable.
• Safety testing must be more rigorous.

 

How to check if your crib is safe

 

All cribs manufactured after 2011 should meet the CPSC’s latest standards, but you should still perform the safety checks below. If your crib was made before 2011, make sure it doesn’t have a drop side because they’ve been deemed unsafe.

No matter what the age of your crib, you should check it carefully to ensure it has the following features:

• The mattress should be firm and tight-fitting to prevent a baby’s arms, legs or body getting trapped. If you can insert more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib, the mattress isn’t a good fit.
• There should be no more than 2 3/8 inch between the crib slats to prevent a baby’s body from fitting through them and there shouldn’t be any missing or cracked slats.
• The corner posts should be no more than 1/16th of an inch high to prevent a baby’s clothes from getting caught on them.
• There shouldn’t be any missing, loose, broken or improperly installed screws, brackets or other hardware on the crib or mattress support.
• There shouldn’t be any decorative cutouts in the headboard or footboard because they could cause a baby’s head or limbs to get trapped.
• Follow the assembly instructions provided with the crib and make sure every part is correctly installed. Check the crib regularly for missing or broken parts, loose joints, sharp edges and cracked wood. Don’t use a crib if any parts are missing or broken.

 

More crib safety tips

 

Now that you’ve made sure that your crib meets basic safety standards, follow these additional guidelines to ensure your baby sleeps safely:

• The finishes and paints on your crib should be non-toxic with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If you’re unsure about the quality of the paint or if it’s chipped, have the crib stripped and repainted with a high-quality paint. This is particularly important for older cribs that might be finished with lead paint, which can have serious effects on children’s mental and physical development.  
• If you buy a new mattress, remove all the plastic from it to prevent suffocation.
• To prevent falls, make sure the mattress is always set at a safe height. Before your baby can sit, place the mattress at a level where they can’t fall out by leaning against the side or pulling themselves over it. Before your child learns to stand, place the mattress at the lowest level. Move your child to a bed when they’re 35 inches tall or the side rail is approximately at their nipple level.
• Always place your baby to sleep on their back.
• Consider using a swaddle or a sleep sack instead of a blanket. If you do use a blanket, tuck it firmly around the bottom and sides of the mattress and only cover your baby as high as their chest.
• Bare is best. Don’t place any pillows, thick blankets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed animals or other soft toys in your baby’s crib because they could cause suffocation. 
• Don’t use bumper pads. They may cause suffocation, strangulation or entrapment, and toddlers can climb up on them and fall out.
• Never place a crib near a window or near blind cords, curtain cords or baby monitor cords. They can cause serious falls or strangulation.
• If you hang a mobile over the crib, make sure it’s high enough that your baby can’t pull it down. Remove it when they can get up on their hands and knees or when they’re five months old, whichever comes first.

 

Our top crib picks

 

Looking for a crib that ticks all the safety boxes and looks super-stylish too? Here are two of our favorites that have passed the rigorous Tot test for health, safety, innovation and style.

 

Oeuf Rhea Crib

 

Made from sustainably sourced wood and non-toxic finishes, the Rhea Crib offers a safe sleep environment and looks great in your nursery. Assembly only takes 10 minutes!

 

Oeuf Rhea Crib

 

$775

Available in more colors

BUY NOW

 

Ubabub Nifty Timber 3-in-1 Crib

 

The stunning Nifty Timber crib combines a vintage design with modern touches including non-toxic finishes and easy conversion to a junior bed.

 

Ubabub Nifty Timber 3-in-1 Crib

 

$799 – $899

Available in more colors

BUY NOW

 

Oeuf Classic Crib

 

Created by parents who understand the importance of safety, the clean and contemporary Classic Crib is made from wood panels on a solid wood base, making it one of the sturdiest and safest cribs available.

 

Oeuf Classic Crib

 

$995

Available in more colors

BUY NOW

 

 

Continue exploring

 

• Getting your child to go sleep and stay asleep need’t be difficult with this baby and toddler sleep guide.
• Your mom swears that swaddling is the best way to get your baby to sleep through the night, but your best friend heard that it was dangerous. We look at the pros and cons of swaddling…