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How To Pick A Baby Crib

Did you know how to pick the safest baby crib for your newborn?  I knew I wanted a butterfly theme and not much else. 

With all the fashionable, trendy styles and designs, it’s easy to get caught up in decorating your baby’s room, but there are safety standards that every new parent should know. 

Make sure your crib meets current safety standards set by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC).  This agency ensures even the cheapest baby crib will be tested for safety.  Further safety standards are established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).  The baby cribs that satisfy the (ASTM) baby standards are then certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacture’s Association (JPMS).  Any baby crib that passes (JPMS) certification will be cleared stamped.

Thousands of babies are hospitalized each year because of crib related injuries and most of those injuries were due to second hand baby cribs.  If you want to be 100% sure of safety, you might want to skip the pre-owned crib your own parents had. 

After the crucial governmental safety standards, check for additional, visible construction safety standards.  Vertical bars or slates cannot be further than 2 3/8″ apart to prevent your baby from squeezing in that space and getting stuck.  A soda can makes a perfect testing instrument.  It’s 2 3/8″ in diameter, so if it fits between the bars, the baby crib is dangerous.

Avoid stylish cutouts in the headboard or footboard that are wider than 2 3/8″ to prevent your baby from getting trapped.  Corner posts should not be higher than 1/16″ because they are a strangulation hazard.  The posts can also catch your baby’s clothing, although posts supporting a canopy are fine.

Pick a snug fitting mattress for your baby crib.  Gaps between the edge of the mattress and crib wall can be hazardous.  Any new standard size baby crib should take a standard size baby crib mattress of 61 5/8″ by 27 ¼”.



If you are Eco conscious, choose a baby crib made of solid, sustainable wood, treated with non-toxic paint, finishes, or stains.  Pick a natural mattress made without petrochemicals.  A 100% certified organic mattress and mattress pad protector are also excellent safe and healthy choices.  Remember to air out the mattress a couple of months (for off-gassing) before placing it in your baby crib.  Natural baby crib sheets are also available now.

Your baby will spend at least 11-12 hours each night in the crib and that’s not including naps!  Do everything you can to make it comfortable and safe.  Then, you can design your baby crib in any style you like!