Shop Smarter

Crib Safety: What The Experts Say

In the first few years of life, your baby will probably spend more time in his or her crib than any other single place. Naturally, you want it to be welcoming, comfortable, and most of all, safe.

There are a number of steps you can take to safety-proof your baby's crib, including these, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the National Safety Council, and other authorities on child safety.

First and foremost, ALWAYS place your baby to sleep on his or her back. SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) rates have dropped by more than 50% since the America's "Back to Sleep" Campaign was introduced in 1994. (For more on this, see our companion article, "What Every Parent Should Know about SIDS.")

In addition, make sure your crib meets these safety standards, as recommended by the AAP:

Make sure that the spaces between the slats are no wider than 2 ⅜" apart.
Choose a firm mattress, not a soft one. Never place baby on a water bed, sofa, or other soft surface.
Avoid gaps between the mattress and crib walls. Try the " two fingers" test: if you can fit two fingers between the mattress and crib, it's not safe to use.
Ensure the corner posts are level with the height of the end panels (or much higher, as on canopy-style beds). Otherwise clothing can get caught on the post.
Don't choose a crib with decorative cutouts—a trapping hazard—on its end panels.
Check the distance between the height of the crib sides and the mattress. When lowered, the crib sides should be at least 9" above the mattress. When raised, they should be at least 26" above the mattress in its lowest position.
Make sure the drop sides can't be released by a child. The sides should feature a locking, hand-operated latch.
Examine your crib frequently for hazards: loose parts, off-kilter joints, splinters, chipped paint. If you spot a problem, fix it immediately.
When buying a new crib, look for Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification.

In addition, the National Safety Council offers these suggestions:

As charming as they are, don't be tempted to use an antique crib that doesn't meet current safety standards
Avoid wrapping the mattress in plastic materials to protect it.
Never place baby's crib next to a window. Blind cords, drapery cords, and window screens all pose hazards to kids

Finally, be ready to modify baby's crib as he matures. The AAP recommends removing mobiles and hanging toys when baby begins to push up on his hands and knees or at five months, whichever occurs first. In addition, as soon as baby stands up, set the mattress at its lowest position and remove any bumper pads, which can be used as stepping stones.

For what to put in—and leave out—of the crib, see "What Every Parent Should Know about SIDS." And see our Nursery Safety collection for safety-proofing ideas and helpers.

To learn more about crib safety, visit:

American Academy of Pediatrics - www.aap.org
National Safety Council - www.nsc.org
First Candle/SIDS Alliance - www.sidsalliance.org
Consumer Product Safety Commission - www.cpsc.gov