SAFE BABY CRIB - What makes Bratt cribs the safest choice

When putting your nursery together, purchasing a safe baby crib is job number one.

You’ve received the wonderful news that you are going to have a baby. And, at that moment, you are a parent. The worry, fear, elation and joy that are your constant companions as parents make themselves known. And, instantly, your protective instinct kicks in and your mind turns immediately to creating the safest, healthiest environment for baby. You take the right vitamins, drink the right amount of water, exercise, get enough sleep, stay balanced, happy and healthy. All too soon, nesting kicks in, and your mind shifts to creating a place for your newborn baby. There again the compulsion to ensure everything is safe and healthy for baby takes precedence, before the paint is picked, or the blankets put away. You begin your search for a safe baby crib. Do your homework. Read the reviews. Check the history of the company you’re considering. Check the CPSC website, (cpsc.gov) to see if there have been any recalls. This site is also an excellent reference for creating a safe environment.

Because babies spend much of their time sleeping and away from you, a safe baby crib, and safe nursery is essential. There are many things you can do to ensure a safe environment. Here are a few tips for creating a safe space for baby:

Always Use A New Crib! This is not the place to save money in your nursery. If budget is a concern, you can re-use old dressers, rockers, rugs and lights, but when it comes to the crib, buy new. This is the place where your baby will spend the most time alone, and it is so important to know that the crib your using meets all current safety standards. When you use a secondhand crib, you have no idea what kind of condition its really in. It can look great, but have stress fractures in the wood, missing hardware, drop gates, all of which could cause injury. Even if you’re using your own older crib, the condition could be compromised based on how it was stored.

Use a tight fitting mattress: If you can fit more than two fingers between the edge of the mattress and the side of the crib, the mattress is too small. Your crib manufacturer should be able to recommend the right mattress for their crib. Also, remove any toys or decorative pillows and excess blankets when baby is in the crib. We custom design mattresses for our cribs so the fit is perfect every time.

Less is More: To prevent suffocation, never place pillows or thick quilts in a baby's sleep environment.


Proper Assembly: Proper assembly of cribs is paramount - Follow the instructions provided and make sure that every part is installed correctly. Bratt Décor offers 24 hour online access to our assembly instructions as well as assembly videos which completely removes any guess work.


Bumper Pads: This is a very hotly debated topic and people have very strong opinions on the subject, so arm yourself with the facts so you can make an educated decision. The sale of crib bumpers have been banned in Maryland and Illinois following a recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics, who has concluded they carry a potential risk of suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. Many parents are opting for crib rails instead. However, the U.S. Consumer Safety Commission has not banned their sale nationally, having found no safety issue with their use and they are legal to purchase in the remaining 48 states. So, unless you live in Maryland or Illinois, the choice is yours. If you do choose to use a bumper pad, make sure it fits around the entire crib without sagging or gaps, have straps or ties at least in each corner and in the middle of each long side, and tie at both the top and bottom edges. Once your baby can pull up to a standing position, remove them.

Paint: If you are going to paint, always use a high quality water-based, lead free paint, with low or no voc’s (volatile organic compounds). There are many great options on the market today, including organic paints. Make sure the room is well ventilated and air it out for 2-3 days before occupying it.

Window Treatments: Don’t position your crib near drapery or cording from drapery, as baby could pull it into the crib, which could lead to strangulation. In general, it’s a good idea to keep all strings, cords, ropes etc away from baby.

Big Furniture: If you have big case goods like armoires and dressers, secure them to the wall with an anti tipping device. Your better manufacturers will include them with your purchase, but if not, pick one up at your local hardware store.

Floor lamps: When your baby begins to crawl, remove floor lamps. A determined toddler will use anything to pull themselves up, and a lamp will tip.

Changing trays: If using a changing tray on a dresser, be sure and secure that tray to the larger piece to avoid the tray slipping off. And, NEVER leave baby unattended, not even for a second. Also, keep changing supplies like powder, lotions and gels, on a shelf beyond baby’s reach.

Toys: Keep your toys stored in bins or toy boxes with soft closed hinges. Also, be sure and pick up toys at the end of the day, to avoid tripping when laying sleeping baby down.

Outlets: Don’t forget plug protectors for any unused electrical outlets. Also, tuck any cords out of reach of baby.

Your crib should offer at least 3 heights for the crib mattress. When your baby is a newborn, the mattress should be in the highest position. When they are able to sit up by themselves, move the mattress to the middle position. When they can pull themselves up to a standing position move your mattress to its lowest position. When your baby can crawl out of the crib, its time for the toddler bed rails.

Bratt Décor values safety above all. We go to extensive measures to create the highest quality and safest baby cribs. For example, owe use “engineered pickets” on all of our wood cribs, rather than "solid wood” pickets. Engineered pickets are far stronger than solid wood pickets which creates a safer product. They are made up of many uni-directional layers of real wood that are glued together. This creates a dimensionally stable picket. Solid wood pickets may contain knots or undetected compromised sections that have a much higher possibility of failure.

Why Engineered pickets are better than solid wood pickets:
• they are stronger
• they are more dimensionally stable
• they are less like to warp
• they does not contain knots
• they will not crack.

Our pickets are tested to withstand a 30 lb-in torque test, and a static load test of 80 lbs.

On our metal cribs, we use solid steel pickets that don’t crack, break, warp or swell etc.

Our cribs are tested by independent, accredited laboratories for lead, phthalates - (DBP) (BBP) (DEHP) (DINP) (DNOP) (DIDP), mercury, formaldehyde, Arsenic, Antimony, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury and Selenium.

Furthermore, our cribs are tested using impact testing, where the crib sides are repeatedly impacted with a 30 lb weight, and the mattress supports are repeatedly struck with a 45 lb weight. Upon completion of these tests, the cribs are tested for integrity.

Additionally, we do extensive in house testing. What does all of this mean? When you buy any bratt décor crib, you are buying an extremely safe baby crib.

Once you are confident the company and crib you have chosen is safe, and you’ve taken the time to understand how to create a safe baby space, its time to have fun. Make your furniture and décor decisions based upon what makes your heart skip a beat. The crib is the focal point of the room, and once you’ve chosen a safe baby crib, choose something that has the design details, color, shape and size you want. Have fun putting together this first space, and make it a place you want to be. After all, you will spend many white nights rocking, singing, feeding and loving that baby in this room, so make it one that nurtures your spirit.