Parenting 101: Baby Crib Safety Standards and Regulations

As parents-to-be, you’re probably setting up your baby’s nursery. One of the most important items on the checklist is definitely the crib. You’ll want something safe, durable, and comfortable, but where do you start?

Ensuring safe sleep for our little ones is essential for the whole family. A safe and cozy baby means the whole family will sleep worry-free. Creating the perfect sleep environment reduces the risk of SIDS, helps your baby get adequate sleep, and encourages healthy sleep habits.

We’ll dive into all the safety regulations you should look for when choosing a crib. If you already have a crib setup, check out our post about routine safety checks! Otherwise, keep reading to learn more.

Crib Safety Standards, Regulations, and Guidelines

Cribs today are built for safety, but it wasn’t always like that. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) implemented new safety standards in 2011. This was the first time crib safety regulations were updated since 1973!

Ever since, regulations have continued to become more robust. The manufacture date should be the first thing you look at when choosing a crib. Make sure the crib you chose was manufactured no earlier than 2011 and follows these guidelines:

1. CPSC Crib Safety Regulations: The Gold Standard

The CPSC set rigorous guidelines to ensure the safest sleep for your little one. They cover crib design, construction, and performance to minimize accidents and injuries. Look for the CPSC certification or label.

The 2011 regulations state:

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

Since 2011, the CPSC has implemented additional guidelines to reduce the risk of SIDS and suffocation. You can read their safety tips here, but these are some of our key takeaways:

• Use a firm, tight-fitting mattress with a tight-fitting crib sheet
• Do not put any other objects in the crib, including pillows, blankets, quilts, stuffed animals, bumpers, or nets.
• No missing, loose, broken, or improperly installed hardware
• Crib slats should be no more than 2 ⅜ inches apart and no corner posts should be over 1/16 inches high
• No cutouts in the headboard

2. ASTM Standards: Another Seal of Approval

In addition to CPSC guidelines, cribs should meet standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). ASTM standards focus on specific safety requirements related to crib design, materials, and construction. 

There are two different sets of regulations for cribs:

• ASTM F1169: Covers full-size baby cribs. Includes requirements for things like crib size, slat strength and spacing, hardware stability, and mattress support.
• ASTM F406: This standard covers non-full-size baby cribs, which includes some cribs and play yards.  It has similar requirements to F1169, but also addresses additional features like folding mechanisms and changing tables that may be part of a multi-function product.

What to Look for in a Safe Crib

If your crib choice has the seal of approval from the CPSC and ASTM, then you should be good to go. It’s always helpful to know what to look for yourself, though. These are our tips for finding a safe crib:

1. Check for Sturdiness

It’s important to make sure your baby’s crib will stay together. Shop in stores that have models, watch review videos, or check out your friend’s cribs. Seeing the crib in person can give you a better idea of its quality.

You’ll want to pay attention to the quality of the hardware, too. Solid wood and metal will withstand the test of time better than cheap alternatives.

2. Keep Measurements in Mind

The CPSC puts regulations on measurements, so new cribs should all meet these standards. They’re good to know so you can double check.

• Inner crib dimensions: Standard crib size is 28 inches wide by 52 inches long. Mini cribs are 24 inches wide by 38 inches long.
• Slat width: Each slat should be no more than 2 3/8  inches apart
• Corner posts: No post should be over 1 1/16 inches above the railing.
• When your baby is tall enough that the top of the crib railing is at chest height, it may be time to consider upgrading to a toddler bed.

3. Non-toxic Materials

Babys love to explore with their senses, including taste. Chose a crib with non-toxic, natural materials and finishes. Look for cribs free from phthalates and other common harmful substances.

Antique, hand-me-down, or thrifted cribs built before the 70s could contain lead paint. Any crib made before 2011 probably won’t meet safety standards and shouldn’t be used, anyway, but this is important to keep in mind.

4. Check the Manufacture Date

It might be really tempting to thrift your baby’s crib or accept a hand-me-down. It’s good for the planet and our wallets, but it can pose a real safety hazard to our little ones. 

If you can’t verify the manufacture date, it’s best to pass and choose an up-to-date model. Always make sure the crib was made in 2011 or later.

5. Setting Up Your Baby’s Crib

Safety doesn’t end with picking a quality crib! You’ll also have to make sure you set up your crib safely. Here are some tips:

• The crib mattress should be firm and tight-fitting
• Use only a fitted crib sheet for bedding. Don’t use soft extras like blankets, quilts, pillows, stuffed animals, crib bumpers, or crib nets. None of these are suitable for newborns and will increase the risk of SIDS or suffocation.
• Where you put the crib matters. Make sure your baby’s room is temperature-controlled. Don’t place the crib near curtains, blind cords, heaters, or any other safety hazard.

6. Look at Reviews

Customer reviews give great insights into a crib’s quality. Look at reviews from multiple sources, like the manufacturer’s website, the seller’s website, forums, videos, and family and friends so you get a holistic view of the crib’s quality.

Start Crib Shopping Today!

Remember to keep safety standards in mind. Look for CPSC and ASTM seals of approval. Keep an eye out for sturdiness, material quality, and customer reviews.

We hope you feel empowered to tackle crib shopping! Safety is our top priority when setting up our little one’s nursery. After you choose a crib, consider reading our list of routine safety checks to help keep your little one sleeping soundly.