How Far Apart Do Slats on a Baby Crib Need to Be?

The health and safety of your baby is your number one priority as a new parent, and one of the most important items you will buy for your nursery is a safe and well-made crib. There are many characteristics that determine whether or not a crib is considered safe for your baby, but the spacing of the slats, or vertical bars on the side of the crib, is among the top criteria.

  1. Slat Spacing Regulations

    • The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has ruled that crib slats must be spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. The guidelines apply to new cribs that are being made, as well as to older cribs that are being sold on the secondary market or that are being used in daycare facilities, hotels, or nurseries. Cribs that do not meet these and other guidelines set by the CPSC are illegal to sell or to use in a commercial setting. The guidelines apply to both full-sized and smaller cribs.

    Risks for Improper Spacing

    • The distance of the spacing between the crib slats is a safety issue. Larger spacing may allow an infant's limbs or head to slip through, which could lead to a variety of injuries, including a skull fracture. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that, if the slats are too wide, an infant's torso could slip through while the slats trap his head, which could lead to fatal injuries.

    Sturdiness and Safety

    • The spacing of the slats is not the only safety issue. The CPSC changed its guidelines for cribs in June 2011 requiring that manufacturers strengthen the slats of the crib to withstand a load of at least 80 pounds so that they will not break or splinter as easily. Slats must also be strengthened so that they will not come loose, creating a gap in which a baby could become trapped or fall through to the ground. When buying a crib, it's important to check not only for the spacing of the slats, but also to inspect them for any signs of looseness, splintering or other weakness.

    Other Safety Issues

    • Many parents mistakenly believe that using a crib bumper can protect against slats that may be too widely spaced or that are not structurally sound. However, a crib bumper can be pulled through the slats as well, and it can present a suffocation hazard for baby. It is also important to use a firm mattress that fits snugly inside the crib. Otherwise, a baby could become trapped in the space between the slats and the mattress, which could lead to suffocation.

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