A Simple Guide to Buying a Sustainable Crib

Newborns sleep a lot — around 16–17 hours a day! So in those precious first few months, your little one will be spending most of their time in a crib. As a parent, you naturally want that crib to be as safe, healthy, and comforting as possible.

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But let’s be honest, with a million things already running through your mind, adding “find the perfect crib” to the list can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a simple guide to help you choose a sustainable crib that’s good for your baby and the planet.

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Avoid Engineered Wood

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Most cribs are made of solid wood, metal, and engineered wood like Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) and plywood.

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Engineered wood products are often termed “fast furniture”. They are not designed to last, and if you move frequently, they might break sooner, ultimately ending up in landfills. Plus, MDF can be harder to repair. So it’s best to avoid cribs made from materials like MDF and plywood.

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Cribs made of engineered wood also release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs can cause respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and impaired memory, depending on the amount of exposure.

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And while we’re on the topic of VOCs, crib mattresses can also be a source, especially if they contain flame retardants. If you’re buying a crib that comes with a mattress, it’s worth giving both a closer look to make sure they’re safe for your little one.

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Also read: The Best Crib Sheets from Sustainable Brands

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Inspect the Paint

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If you are investing in a solid wood crib, chances are that it will be finished using paints and drying agents, which can contain lead. Higher lead levels can impact your child’s nervous system, brain, and other organs.

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To avoid that, you could either go for unfinished options or choose the ones that use food-grade linseed oil for finishing. Make sure that the linseed oil is not contaminated with a drying agent, as drying agents can contain heavy metals such as lead.

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Common Crib Certifications

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Now, it’s hard to find out about the presence of elements like VOCs and lead in a crib. So it’s best to look for certifications like Greenguard Gold to rule them out.

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Although Greenguard Gold does not certify that the product is free from VOCs, it mandates that a crib or other item of furniture cannot contain more than a certain amount of VOCs. Unfortunately, Greenguard Gold does not look for lead-containing paints in cribs.

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Here are some of the other certifications to consider while buying a sustainable crib:

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• CARB Phase 2 / CARB II (California Air Resources Board): regulation that limits the emission of formaldehyde from engineered or composite wood products.
• FSC certification for wood products
• Cradle to Cradle

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Should You Buy a Secondhand Crib?

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Secondhand cribs are a great way to be more sustainable, but older cribs might not meet the latest safety standards, and some may have missing parts or non-toxic finishes.

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If you’re looking at a secondhand crib, make sure that it isn’t on the CPSC’s safety recall list, all parts are intact, and that it meets current safety guidelines.

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You can also check out these brands for open box cribs:

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