Of all nursery products, cribs are responsible for the most
infant deaths. Whether you choose a new crib or a hand-me-down,
evaluate it carefully to ensure that your baby's resting place
is safe. What to look for: Side rails should be fixed and not
adjustable. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
banned the sale of adjustable side rails for safety reasons. Do
not purchase or accept a used crib with an adjustable side rail.
The distance between slats must be no more than 2-3/8 inches (6
centimeters) to protect infants from falling out and toddlers
from trapping their heads between the slats. If the crib has
corner posts, they must be either flush with the top of the
headboard and footboard or very tall — over 16 inches (41
centimeters). Anything in between is a potential strangulation
hazard. Get the firmest mattress you can find. Don't rely on
manufacturers' labels — test it yourself. This is extremely
important because soft mattresses may play a role in sudden
infant death syndrome (SIDS). Be s