Stained wood or painted, modern or traditional, there are a wide variety of crib looks and styles for you to choose from. The most important decision of all – a safe crib. Here’s what to look for to find your perfect crib fit.
Adjustable mattress heights
It’s important to look for a crib that offers multiple height positions for the mattress. Look for two at a bare minimum and ideally three or four options. When your child is a newborn, you’ll have the mattress at the top height so it’s easy to get the child in and out. As your child gets older and is able to stand up and eventually crawl, you’ll move the mattress down to ensure your child doesn’t fall out or crawl out of the crib.
No drop side
Drop-side cribs have one side of the crib that can move up and down to make it easier to get the child in and out of the crib. However drop-side cribs were banned by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as of June 2011 after they were found to be the cause of nearly three dozen infant deaths. They are illegal to sell in the United States – but may still be sold at some retailers and second-hand stores. Avoid them.
Good fit with the mattress
Cribs and crib mattresses are sold separately. While crib dimensions are standardized there is 5/8” variation allowed. If you choose a crib on the larger side of that limit and a mattress on the smaller side, you could end up with a gap between the mattress and crib sides – a safety hazard for your infant. Check the measurements of the crib and mattress to ensure a snug fit.
Safe slat distance
All crib manufacturers are required to follow the CPSC’s regulations for safety, and if you buy from a major retailer and well-known company, chances are your crib will meet all the requirements. That being said, it doesn’t hurt to double check. On a full-size infant crib, slats should be no more than 2-3/8” apart to prevent the baby’s head or body from getting stuck between the slats.
Convertible cribs
Many cribs are advertised as 3-in-1s or even 4-in-1s and can convert from a traditional infant crib into a toddler bed, into a day bed and even into a twin or full-sized adult bed (you’ll need to buy a different mattress). Convertible cribs offer lots of versatility, but you may not actually use all its available options if you need to use it as a crib again for child #2.