Cribs and Cradles

The safest place for a baby to sleep is alone in a crib. A cradle is also a safe place for an infant to sleep until they are 6 months of age or can sit up on their own.

Cribs made before September 1986 do not meet current safety regulations and should not be used. It is a criminal offence to advertise, sell, or give away these cribs. Infants have been seriously injured or have died when placed in a crib made before this date.

Safety Tips

Choosing a Crib or Cradle:

• Look for a label on the crib that shows the crib was made after September 1986. Cribs and cradles without a label or instructions may not be safe and should not be sold or purchased.
• Cribs and cradles with decorative cut-outs, corner posts that are more than 3mm in height, or lead paint can be dangerous for your baby.
• Make sure the mattress is tight against all four sides of the crib. The space between the mattress and the sides of the crib should not be more than 3 cm (1 3/16 in). The mattress should not be more than 15 cm (6 in) thick.
• The spacing between the bars should be no more than 6 cm.
• Replace the mattress if it is not firm or if it is worn out.
• Wood and metal parts should be free of splinters or burrs and there should be no loose nuts or bolts.
• Cribs with visible signs of damage, missing parts, or missing information should be destroyed.

Using a Crib or Cradle:

• Do not modify a crib in any way. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for using the crib.
• Check the crib often to make sure the frame is solid. Tighten loose screws regularly.
• After placing the baby in the crib, ensure the sides are up and locked securely in position.
• Move the mattress down to its lowest level as soon as the baby can sit up.
• Remove mobiles and toy bars when the baby begins to push up on their hands and knees.
• Avoid the use of soft pillows, comforters, stuffed toys, and bumper pads in the baby's crib as they can pose a suffocation hazard.
• Do not harness or tie a baby in a crib and do not leave a baby in a crib with a necklace, elastic band, scarf, or a pacifier on a long cord. These items could cause strangulation.
• Place the crib away from windows, curtains, blind cords, lamps, electrical plugs and extension cords.

For more information

More about crib safety:

• Proposed Regulatory Amendment to the Cribs and Cradles Regulations
• Information for Consumers: Drop-Side Crib Recalls
• Consumer Information - Safe Sleep Practices for Infants
  A printable fact sheet that talks about the safest way and place for babies to sleep.
• Crib Safety Booklet
  A guide to avoiding hazards and using cribs safely. Includes pictures and instructions on how to assess whether a crib meets current safety requirements.
• Frequently asked question: Stork Craft cribs recall

Related Advisories, Warnings and Recalls:

• Parents and Caregivers Warned About the Dangers of Baby Hammocks
• Information for Consumers: Drop-Side Crib Recalls
• Health Canada Advises Consumers to Stop Using Amby Baby Motion Beds
• Health Canada Advises the Canadian Public that the Safest Place for a Baby to Sleep is in a Crib
  A Health Canada advisory warning about the dangers of putting babies to sleep in places other than cribs.
• Health Canada Reminds Canadians of the Importance of Reporting Incidents Related to Consumer Products
• Health Canada Would Like to Remind Canadians of the Potential Hazards Related to the Use of Drop-side Cribs
• Recall Notice - Stork Craft Drop-Side Cribs and Stork Craft Drop-Side Cribs with Fisher-Price Logo
  • Frequently Asked Questions: Stork Craft Cribs Recall
  • Transcript - Stork Craft Instructional Video for conversion of drop-side crib to fixed side crib

General information about the safe use of children's products:

• Is Your Child Safe?
  A practical guide to help parents keep their children safe and avoid common childhood hazards.
• Safety with Radar
  An activity booklet for children, highlighting key safety messages.
• Child and Youth Injury in Review, 2009 Edition - Spotlight on Consumer Product Safety
  A report on injuries among young Canadians, with a focus on injuries related to consumer products (in the second half of the report).
• Information for Shoppers of Second-hand Products
  This guide helps shoppers to be aware of potential hazards that second-hand products may pose.
• For Industry and Professionals
  An index page providing information on related guidance and regulations intended for industry and professional audiences.