While those plush bumpers may be cute, keeping your crib safe means keeping it pretty basic. All your child needs for a safe sleep environment is a tight-fitting crib sheet atop a firm crib mattress. You’ll want to skip the extras — pillows, stuffed animals, quilts, blankets, etc. — until your child is older. Make sure the crib is placed in a safe spot. You don't want it to be near any windows that have blinds with cords suspended from them or dangling drapes that could pose a strangulation hazard for your child. But shopping for a crib can be a little daunting. There are so many options and features to choose from — not to mention it’s also one of the more expensive items on your nursery-building shopping list. Plus, if you play your cards right, you might even continue to use it throughout your baby’s childhood years. Our cribs are designed and engineered to the highest safety standards that meet and exceed those set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Juvenile Products Manufactures Association (JPMA) and American Society for testing and materials (ASTM). Each of our cribs undergoes rigorous testing by independent laboratories for compliance with all US and Canadian crib regulation.

Remove any stuffed animals, blankets, bumpers, pillows, or other objects from your baby’s crib that might pose a suffocation hazard. A tight-fitting crib sheet is all you need. Certifications from safety groups like the CPSC, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Some cribs come with a crib changer, usually equipped with a changing pad, drawers, and shelves. Some crib changers are detachable and can be used for storage once the crib has been converted into a bed and your child is no longer in diapers. Look at the manufacturing dateHeadboards and footboards that don’t have any cutouts. Again, this is so your baby’s head or body can’t get trapped. There are also breathable crib mattresses, double-sided crib mattresses, and all other sorts of options you may encounter. While added bells and whistles can be nice, the best mattress fits your crib well with no gaps and is firm so your child won’t sink into it. Accidents happen. The CPSC shares that between 2006 and 2019, there were 1,108 crib-related incidents and 73 crib-related deaths. Most of these cases had to do with things like falls from cribs, drop-side accidents, wood issues (breaks in slats), mattress support issues, and entrapment.

While once very popular, those drop-side cribs are no longer manufactured and not recommended by the CPSC. So, if you come across one, it’s likely a good idea to pass on it.

Longevity: The next thing you want to think about is whether or not you are expecting this crib to become an heirloom. If you’re planning on having more than one kid and want to pass down the crib for your grandkids to use, you're likely going to want something that's made of durable hardwood or wrought iron and is a classic style that will look good down the road. If you're just looking for something to use for a few years and for one child, you can be a little laxer regarding which materials are used. https://www.cpsc.gov/Regulations-Laws--Standards/Rulemaking/Final-and-Proposed-Rules/Full-Size-Cribs Crib slats that are no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart. For reference, this is about the width of a soda can — any wider and your baby’s body may easily slip through. kits: If you're set on turning your crib into a toddler bed or headboard and footboard later, consider buying the conversion kits needed right away, since designs can be phased out over time. You want to ensure you have compatible hardware on hand that was designed specifically for your crib when it's time to convert. Full disclosure: At least anecdotally, we don't know a lot of parents who turn a crib into a headboard and footboard down the line. We do know many who use a crib as a toddler bed.

Tappin D, et al. (2002). Used infant mattresses and sudden infant death syndrome in Scotland: case-control study. Use a firm mattress that fits tightly into the crib frame. This ensures there are no gaps between the mattress and crib that would allow your baby to get trapped.Right off the bat, when researching cribs for this list, we referenced the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines for what makes a safe crib. We then spent hours researching trends for home and nursery design, finding cribs that are well-reviewed for every style and price point. At the Good Housekeeping Institute, many of our experts are also parents, so we're able to test a variety of convertible cribs, travel cribs and bassinets both in our Labs and in our homes. in-1 convertibility: crib, toddler bed with optional guard rail (sold separately), daybed and full bed with or without footboard option (full bed conversion kit sold separately)

We know that when you start to think about cribs, you're inundated with an abundance of choices to make, but there are just a few considerations to decide on. Then, it’s all about taste and style. Interior dimensions of a full-sized crib (the part that’s inside around the mattress) should be 28 ± 5/8 inches (width) by 52 3/8 ± 5/8 inches (length). While this varies slightly crib to crib, the important part is that the mattress that comes with the crib is a snug fit — no more than two fingers between mattress and crib. It should take effort to make the bed! Survey your crib for any loose or broken screws or other hardware pieces essential for proper support. Same goes for broken or missing wood slats. Repair or replace as necessary.From 6-24 months the Cozee XL can be used in Cot mode, which provides more independent sleeping for your growing baby. This solution offers a more spacious area, which matches the dimensions of standard cot and requires usage of 120 x 60 cm mattress (not included). The cot mode still offers maximum airflow and handy drop side feature, that gives you an easy access when taking your child in and out of the cot. Additional supports included ensures more stability. Storage and multipurpose features if you’d like an extra drawer or two on hand for all those sheets, burp cloths, and other linens. Even if your crib isn't the most expensive thing you buy for your baby (because a nursery glider and even a full-size stroller can cost more), a crib can feel like the most important piece of baby gear — the star of your unique nursery. When shopping, consider these points: