A Crib Is the Strictest Assembly
Federal safety standards govern crib assembly — the mattress support height, the slat spacing, and the hardware. A crib assembled wrong is a suffocation or entrapment hazard. Here's the build and the safety checks.
Assemble the Frame, Then the Mattress Support
Bolt the four sides together, then attach the mattress support at the correct height. For a newborn, the mattress support goes at the highest position; lower it as the baby grows and can pull up.
The Slat Check
Crib slats must be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart (a soda can shouldn't pass through). Confirm every slat is intact and none is loose. A broken or loose slat is an entrapment hazard.
The Mattress Fit
The mattress should fit snugly — no more than two fingers' gap between the mattress and the frame. A gap wider than that is a suffocation risk. Use the mattress sized for the crib.
Hardware Tightness
Every bolt needs to be snug. A crib bolt loosens with a baby's bouncing; check monthly. Use the Allen key or wrench the crib includes — don't substitute hardware.
No Drop-Side Cribs
Drop-side cribs are banned and shouldn't be used. If you have one, don't assemble it — replace it.
Anchor the Dresser, Not the Crib
The crib itself isn't anchored, but the dresser in the nursery must be. A tipping dresser onto a crib is a fatal hazard.
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