As you look for a crib for your new baby, whether a standard or convertible crib, how can you really be sure that it’s made as safe as possible for your child?  Investigate.  Pure and Simple.

If your crib was made in the US, the crib manufactures must meet strict requirements, one of which is that the “lead content, by weight, of the dried paint film [on cribs] may not exceed 0.009%.” [from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Nov. 3, 2009]  The manufacturers have to have their paint tested by an Consumer Product Safety Commission recognized third-party testing company, so there is a level of authenticity in the results.

It may not exceed that lead level, but what about how much less the lead content is for your baby’s crib?  Ask the manufacturer.  Read their published literature.  If they’re not proud about the lead content, (well, actually, the lack of lead) in their paint, then they probably “just” meet the standard.  But, there are crib manufacturers out there that take the lead content of their paint very seriously.

There’s another organization that sets stricter voluntary standards than the CPSC.  Check out the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA).  You can go to http://www.jpma.org/index2.cfm?section=Programs&content=Certified for a list of JPMA certified manufacturers and their products.  See if your crib’s manufacturer is on this list.  It’s a great way to know they care about their product’s quality.  Also, you can see if your crib has earned a JPMA Certification Seal by looking on the crib itself.

For those parents who buy cribs that are unfinished, because, really, they’re cheaper, there’s non-toxic biodegradable paint especially made for children’s products and people with allergies.  Search online for “milk paint”.  It’s very interesting.

Other safety requirements for full-size cribs can be found at http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/regsumcrib.pdf.

But the ultimate way to know your baby’s crib is safe is to check out  http://www.recalls.gov/ to peruse recent recalls, search for recalled products and to sign up to have product recalls emailed to you.