Crib Safety & Safe-Sleep Guide: What Every Parent Should Know
A crib is where your baby spends more time than anywhere else, so getting it safe matters most. The good news: the core safe-sleep rules are simple, universal and free.
Ready to choose?
We compared 10 cribs on safety, convertibility, build, value and design - full-size, convertible, mini and travel cribs, for every nursery and budget.
The ABC of safe sleep
A safe crib itself
- Buy a crib that meets current safety standards (JPMA/ASTM in the US, EN 716 in Europe).
- Slat spacing no more than about 6 cm (2⅜ inches) apart, so a baby’s head can’t pass through.
- A firm, flat mattress that fits snugly - no gap wider than two fingers at the edges.
- A non-toxic finish (GREENGUARD Gold is a good sign).
- Never use an old drop-side crib - they’re banned for safety reasons.
Keep the crib bare and well-placed
Loose bedding and padded bumpers are suffocation and entanglement risks - keep them out. Use a sleep sack instead of a blanket for warmth. Place the crib away from windows, blind cords, heaters and shelves the child could reach or climb.
Lower the mattress as they grow
Use the highest mattress setting for a newborn (easier lifting), then lower it once your baby can sit and again when they pull to stand - so they can’t climb or topple out. See our mattress-height guide.
Ready to choose?
We compared 10 cribs on safety, convertibility, build, value and design - full-size, convertible, mini and travel cribs, for every nursery and budget.