Newborn babies can spend more than 16 hours a day sleeping, so chances are your crib is going to be one of the most well-used pieces of baby equipment you purchase. Because your baby will spend so much time in his crib, it's important to carefully consider safety. To help find safe products, look for those certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, which ensures a crib meets industry safety standards.
Crib Slats
The slats or spindles on a crib should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart according to the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association. If they are spaced further apart, a baby could become stuck between the slats. Also, make sure none of the slats or spindles are broken, cracked or missing.
Hardware
Make sure all the hardware---screws, brackets, nails, etc.---are properly installed on the crib, says the Consumer Products Safety Commission. A baby can injure himself when a crib is not properly assembled or is in disrepair. Make sure all the joints fit together snugly and the wood is free of splinters or rough spots.
Paint
If your crib is painted, make sure it is lead-free paint. Also, make sure none of the paint is peeling or cracked because it can easily end up in a baby's mouth.
Posts
The corner posts of a crib should either be flush with the sides of the crib or should extend very high out of the crib, such as with a canopy, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren.org. If the posts are not the proper length, a baby's clothing can become caught on them.
Drop Sides
If your baby sleeps in a drop-side crib with rails that move up and down, make sure the sides have a hand-operated locking mechanism that cannot be manipulated by a baby. In addition, when at its lowest position, the top of the rail must be at least 9 inches above the top of the mattress support at its highest position, and when the rail is in its highest position, it should be at least 26 inches above the top of the mattress support at its lowest position, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Mattress
The crib mattress should fit snugly in the crib. You should not be able to place more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib according to the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association. If the gaps are bigger, the baby's head or limbs could get trapped.
