Baby cribs information

Updated August 2009

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Baby cribs links

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep in their parents' room for the first six months of life. Some parents choose to set up a full-size crib in their room, while others opt to put very young babies into a safety-approved bassinet or cradle instead. Another alternative is a co-sleeper like the Arm's Reach Bedside Co-Sleeper (*Est. $100 to $200), a three-sided basinet that attaches to the parent's bed. Opinion on co-sleepers is divided. One high-profile report advises against them, citing the fact that the Consumer Products Safety Commission hasn't developed standards for them. Others say they're helpful for nighttime feedings and especially good for mothers recovering from Caesarian births.

About.com's guide to baby products, Heather Corley, has an article on how to choose a crib and what features to consider. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has a listing of recalls on baby products including cribs.

The CPSC has a page devoted to the latest Simplicity crib recall, including instructions on finding out if your crib is affected and information on how to contact the company.

The Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association has a certification program for manufacturers of children's products including cribs. The JPMA website includes a listing of participating manufacturers.

A Chicago Tribune article by Patricia Callahan highlights a proposal by major crib manufacturers that suggests a ban on drop-side cribs due to repeated recalls and safety hazards.

A Suite101.com article, "Convertible Versus Non-Convertible Baby Cribs," provides detailed information comparing these two types of cribs, as well as safety information important for parents to know.

Manufacturer websites are a good source of detailed product information:

Million Dollar Baby (DaVinci)