Crib mattress height depends on your baby’s age, size, and abilities. Will 5G Impact Our Cell Phone Plans (or Our Health?! Regulations set by the Consumer Products Safety Commission in 2011require that the openings between slats be no greater … Once your baby can start moving on their own – this includes rolling, sitting unsupported, and pushing themselves onto their hands and knees – it’s time to lower the crib mattress. Babies can use them as a makeshift staircase to climb out of their crib. These statistics are as sobering as they are eye-opening. Of those, more than 80% involve cribs. Crib standards are in place to prevent injuries or death to children from falls or entrapment due to parts failure. Festival of Sacrifice: The Past and Present of the Islamic Holiday of Eid al-Adha. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Dimensions for a standard crib used in the home, child care center or family child care home are 28 5/8 inches in width by 52 3/8 inches in length. And while most of us know you need a firm crib mattress, most of these injuries aren’t actually related to mattress firmness at all. According to U.S regulations, a standard full-size crib is 30 inches wide and 54 inches long. If a baby stands in a crib with a mattress at this height, they could easily fall out of the crib. (source). We also participate in other affiliate programs, and may earn a commission if you shop through the links used on this website. In the United States, roughly 10,000 zero to two-year-olds are treated in the ER every year for crib-related injuries. Will 5G Impact Our Cell Phone Plans (or Our Health?! While we do our best to ensure the info is accurate at the time of writing, we’re not perfect and recommend you confirm things on your own! M ost full-size crib mattresses are between 5 and 6 inches thick. As long as your baby can’t sit up and is under 5 months, the highest position is likely safe. A standard crib mattress is 52 by 28 inches. They become particularly problematic once your baby can stand. Use the following guidelines to decide when to use each crib mattress height. Fact Check: What Power Does the President Really Have Over State Governors? Long an enthusiastic researcher and writer, she realized she could help other families make more informed, non-toxic purchases for their own families by sharing what she found. When your baby shows any signs of pulling themselves to standing, lower everything to the lowest setting. Once your child begins to climb or reaches 35” in height, transition them to a toddler bed. Most babies reach this stage between 5 and 8 months of age. Once your baby reaches 36 inches tall it is recommended that you move them out of the crib and into a toddler bed. This will make it harder for your baby to climb out of their crib. These guidelines are set-up to create “escape resistant” sleep environments for babies shorter than 35 inches tall. The adjustable railing must be 26 inches above the bottom mattress at its maximum height and 9 inches above the mattress support at its lowest. Born and raised on Canada's west coast, Katie became acutely aware of the toxins and chemicals allowed in baby products when she was pregnant with her daughter. Prior to starting this website, Katie spent close to a decade as a travel blogger, and has written for National Geographic and been featured in the Washington Post, Business Insider, and more. According to a 19-year study published in the journal Pediatrics, US emergency rooms treat an average of nearly 10,000 zero- to two-year-olds each year for crib, playpens or bassinet injuries. The adjustable railing must be 26 inches above the bottom mattress at its maximum height and 9 inches above the mattress support at its lowest. You might have to verify your email, and if you don’t want to hear from us, you can always unsubscribe. Green Active Family is an independent review site. This does not affect your purchases or the price you may pay. Given frequent falls from the crib, federal crib regulations have set the minimum distance between the top of the mattress support and top of the crib side rail as 26 in. Top of crib mattress to top of side rail: ~20 inches. We are Geoff & Katie, new parents trying to make sense of life with kids! In the United States, the minimum distance between the top of the lowest support and the top of the crib side rails is 26 inches. Once your baby is 35″ or taller, it’s time for a toddler bed, BTW! This means the actual distance between the top of the mattress and the top of the rails is 20 to 21 inches. We’ll Send You A Customized Baby Registry – Based On Your Baby Budget! Indeed, roughly 66% of injuries involve babies falling from a crib, playpen or bassinet. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and ask a child safety expert or your paediatrician what's safest for your family. and this height must include a 6-in. Indeed, how you use your crib is just as important as choosing an organic crib mattress, picking a non-toxic crib or non-toxic bassinet, and buying from a reputable brand like Naturepedic. Compact and portable cribs are often 26¼ inches by 39½ inches. As a rule of thumb, you can keep your baby’s mattress in the highest position as long as they’re immobile. This requirement is designed to prevent head entrapment and suffocation. This will make it easier on your back when you’re lifting baby out of the crib, make it more likely you’ll be able to put your baby down without waking them, and also ensure you’re able to support your baby’s neck properly when lifting in and out of the crib. At this stage, the highest crib mattress position can be dangerous, as your baby may try pulling themselves to standing. Newborns and infants who are younger than 5 months old and cannot sit up can generally sleep safely on a crib mattress placed at the highest position. Lowering the mattress at the right time reduces the risk of falls and injury. Keep reading to learn the ages and milestones you need to look out for when considering your baby’s crib mattress height. We want to help parents and caregivers understand when they should lower their baby’s crib mattress. Crib Mattress Height: An Ages and Stages Guide, Your very own custom webpage with everything you need to get started with your baby, Share the page with family, friends, and baby shower guests, How to Choose the Correct Crib Mattress Height, Tools to adjust your baby's crib (screw driver, Allen key, etc. Once your baby is 35″ or taller, it’s time for a toddler bed, BTW! As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. A standard crib mattress is 52 by 28 inches. Fact Check: What Power Does the President Really Have Over State Governors? When your baby shows any signs of pulling themselves up to a standing position, lower the crib mattress to the lowest setting. Festival of Sacrifice: The Past and Present of the Islamic Holiday of Eid al-Adha. Most babies are able to sit by themselves between 5 and 8 months of age. Crib falls injure babies with shocking frequency. These items are unnecessary and potentially unsafe at any time. At this stage, it’s also important to remove any crib bumpers or wedges from the crib. This information isn't meant to replace expert advice of a doctor or government agency. Once they can start moving on their own – this includes rolling and sitting unsupported – it’s time to lower it. In centimeters, this is 71 1.6 centimeters wide by 133 1.6 centimeters long. The corner posts must not rise more than one-sixteenth of an inch above the crib to prevent any clothing getting caught and creating a choking hazard. The maximum space between vertical slats is 2? Once a baby can sit up by themselves, it’s time to lower the crib mattress. When a mattress is used with the crib, the actual height of the crib side as a barrier is 20 in. According to U.S regulations, a standard full-size crib is 30 inches wide and 54 inches long.