Infants spend more time in their cribs than cuddled in mommy’s or daddy’s (or gramma’s) arms. For this reason, selecting a safe and reliable baby crib is one of the most critical decisions parents will make. The crib you choose will be baby’s quiet refuge for their first 24-30 months, so while the crib should be comfy for this short-term assignment, safety is even more essential. Most retailers seem to merchandise cribs as decorator furniture, but it is in fact an important piece of safety equipment.
Federal Safety Regulations regulations for cribs were beefed up this year and this has meant significant changes to the type and quality of cribs available on the market. As of June 28, 2011, traditional drop-side cribs are banned and stronger testing requirements are mandated. In fact, not only will it be illegal to sell drop-side cribs, it will be illegal for childcare centers to use these drop-side cribs, or any crib that does not meet the more stringent testing requirements after 12/28/2012. This historical decision was made as a result of a comprehensive study of crib-related infant deaths reported to CPSC between January 2000 and early 2010.
If you are purchasing a new crib, or getting a hand-me down crib from a friend, always check to be sure the crib is not listed on CPSC's safety recall list. The crib should be labeled as complying with the most current crib standards for ASTM F1169-10 / 16 CFR 1219 (full-size cribs) or ASTM F406-10 / 16 CFR 1220 (non-full-size cribs). Looking for the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association certification symbol is also a good indication that the crib you are considering meets these strict standards. I admit that I used a hand-me-down crib for my children, but knowing what I know today - I would strongly advise against it.
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