Crib Safety: What Parents Need to Know About Infant Sleep Safety in 2025

When it comes to your baby’s sleep, crib safety, the set of standards and practices that ensure a baby’s sleeping space is free from suffocation, entrapment, or fall risks. Also known as infant sleep safety, it’s not just a suggestion—it’s the foundation of every safe nursery. The rules haven’t changed much, but the stakes have. In 2025, old cribs are still being sold online, and many parents don’t realize their hand-me-down crib might not meet current standards—or could even be illegal.

There’s a big difference between a crib that looks fine and one that’s actually safe. The crib safety standards, federal regulations that dictate slat spacing, mattress fit, and drop-side mechanisms were updated in 2011, and since then, drop-side cribs have been banned outright. Even if your crib looks sturdy, if it’s older than 2011, it likely doesn’t have the mandatory testing labels or the secure hardware required today. And it’s not just about the frame. The baby sleep environment, the entire space around the crib including bedding, bumpers, and nearby objects matters just as much. No pillows, no loose blankets, no stuffed animals—just a firm mattress with a fitted sheet. That’s it. Studies from the American Academy of Pediatrics show that following these rules cuts SIDS risk by more than 50%.

Parents often worry about their baby being cold, so they add blankets or swaddle too tightly. But the real danger isn’t chill—it’s suffocation. A crib that’s too crowded, a mattress that doesn’t fit snugly, or a side rail that’s loose can turn sleep into a silent emergency. That’s why checking the gap between slats (it must be less than 2 3/8 inches) and making sure the mattress leaves no more than two fingers’ width of space on any side isn’t just advice—it’s a lifesaver. And if you’re thinking about using an old crib from your parents’ generation? Don’t. Even if it’s beautiful, it’s not safe. The same goes for secondhand bumpers, sleep positioners, or any "safety" product that wasn’t made after 2011.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to get it right. A basic, compliant crib from a trusted brand, paired with a firm mattress and nothing else inside, is all you need. What you save in money, you gain in peace of mind. Below, you’ll find real guides from parents and pediatricians on what to look for, what to avoid, and how to spot a dangerous crib before it ever touches your nursery.