A homemade baby crib is a great way to save money and give your new baby's room a personal touch. Read on to learn more about how you can make one yourself.
Baby crib safety tips
The crib is the only place a child is left unattended. Governments now provide regulations on baby cribs and cradles to ensure child safety. In Canada and the United States, cribs made before September 1986 do not meet current safety regulations. A used crib could have loose, worn or missing parts.
If you’re considering a homemade baby crib, research current standards on crib regulations first. Next, ask yourself if the person building the crib has the time, tools and skills required to ensure quality construction. Keep in mind that a homemade crib won’t save you money once you factor in the materials, tools and labour required to build it. You can probably find a basic store-bought model for cheaper than it will be to make it.
Why make your own baby crib?
On the flip side, a homemade crib that has been designed and crafted with love. It can be used for numerous children. It's also a beautiful family heirloom in the making.
If the crib is a gift, make sure the expecting mother will welcome it before you get started. Some new parents may be uncomfortable with the idea of a homemade crib due to possible safety issues. Consult the parent or parents-to-be in advance.
How to get started
There are plenty of crib furniture design plans online. Make sure the plan you select follows these strict safety codes:
- No decorative cut-outs
- Cribs cannot have corner posts that are more than three millimetres or 1/8 inch in height unless they are over 406 millimetres or 16 inches in height
- The spaces between the slats should be no more than six centimetres or 2 3/8 inches
- The slats should not be less than 1/16 inch thick
- The crib mattress must not be thicker than 15 centimetres or six inches
- There cannot be a gap of more than three centimetres or 1 3/16 inches between the mattress and any part of the crib's sides.
- Drop side cribs, while not yet illegal, are considered less structurally sound
Use a non-toxic paint or stain without VOCs. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are additives used in wood stain and paint that emit toxic fumes that could be harmful to a baby if they teethe on a railing. And they will.
The mattress is just as important as the crib itself. It should fit perfectly without any gaps. Whether you choose a foam or innerspring variety, don’t skimp on quality. The firmer the mattress, the safer.
You won’t want to rush the construction of such an important piece, so time your construction to end well before baby is due. Once the baby arrives, you can enjoy the satisfaction that you built your own homemade baby crib.
