Crib Designs and Safety Concerns

Cribs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although you want someone pretty that looks nice in your nursery, your top concern for your baby should be the safety of the design you choose. A number of recent recalls to cribs have caused parents to think twice about the cribs they choose for their children. If you are currently on the market for bedding for your baby, here’s what you need to know about crib design and safety.

First and foremost, keep in mind that “design” doesn’t necessarily just mean “shape” or “size.” Cribs’ designs also include the mechanics of how the crib works. One of the most popular kinds of cribs is the drop-side design. With this kind of crib design, one or both sides can be latched up while the child is in the crib, but by releasing a trigger, you can lower the sides to easily put the baby in or out. The basis of this design is the peg that holds the side in place. This can sometimes be dangerous if manufactured incorrectly, as we’ve recently seen with the Delta Enterprise crib recall. With this recall, the spring pegs holding the sides in place could release or break, creating a gap where an infant could easily be trapped. Children have been injured and even killed due to this design problem.

The Delta Enterprise crib recall isn’t the only instance of dangerous crib design. With all cribs, the space between the bars is also a concern. If the bars are set too widely, a child can easily become trapped, fall out, break bones, or suffocate. So, when properly designed, cribs should meet safety standards in regards to the space between the bars. Safe crib design also demands a lack of posts. While four-post cribs are almost as poplar as four-post beds, posts are actually strangulation hazard. If a child gets a piece of clothing or blanket looped around the post, he or she could cut off air supply.

Many cribs are designed so that the height of the mattress can be adjusted. This is an extremely important feature, as it allows you to ensure that babies who can sit up or stand can’t climb over the railing and fall out. Going back to the drop-side design, keep in mind that the crib’s railing should always be up, even if your newborn can’t roll or climb out.

Today, most cribs on the market are designed with a strong sense of safety in mind. That said, this was not always the case. In the past, cribs were not always built safely. While some of these have been recalled, many are simply not being manufactured anymore. However, they are still found in second-hand stores, attics and yard sales. It is important to always buy a new crib or do your research to ensure that the second-hand crib you are purchasing was designed safely. As we continue to move forward, crib design will become a great deal safer. Just recently, for example, round cribs have begun appearing on the market as a design that cuts down on the risks involved with pointed corners of wood or metal. Whatever crib you buy, make sure you stay up to date with all recall information, and if you child is injured, talk to a defective crib lawyer right away.