Are Metal Cribs Safe For Babies?
One of the most important items you can get for your baby, and what will be the focal point of your nursery is the crib.
Because of this, a lot of parents want to be as specific as possible when it comes to choosing what will be the best crib for their baby.
It does not help that there is now more choice when it comes to cribs than ever. There are many different types of cribs, and these come in plenty of different styles.
One of the most common types of crib you can find is metal. Cribs tend to either be metal or wooden, so this is a choice most parents will have to make and can find tough.
Since wooden cribs are seen to be slightly more traditional, there is some worry over how safe the metal cribs are.
While metal is seen to be more durable, there is the concern that it is a material that the baby should not be staying in to sleep, and a lot of parents worry that this type of crib will not be suitable because of this.
Because of how common it is for parents to worry about metal cribs, we have put this guide together to give you all the information you need to know about metal cribs and how safe they are.
This will include going over the pros and cons of using a metal crib, as well as if there are any safety concerns you should consider.
So, if you are wondering whether or not you should use a metal crib, keep reading!
Pros And Cons Of Using A Metal Crib
This section will dive into the pros and cons of using a metal crib. What you should keep in mind is that it is safe for a baby to have a metal crib, but this crib will have different benefits and drawbacks compared to a wooden crib.
While there are some safety concerns about using a metal crib, these are usually not because the crib is made from metal, but safety considerations that should be made for any crib.
Metal cribs would not be so popular if they were not safe, but they do have specific strengths and weaknesses, so keep reading to learn what these are!
Pros Of Using A Metal Crib
One of our favorite features when it comes to metal cribs is how easy they are to customize compared to wooden cribs.
They can usually be taken apart and reassembled easily, and a lot of metal cribs have modular designs so you can stick with the same crib for quite a while.
This also makes it so you can get your metal crib to match the aesthetic of your nursery which is something we appreciated when trying to get it to fit the room.
Some parents worry about the safety of metal cribs, but all metal cribs that have been made since 2011 have the exact same safety features as cribs that have been made with other materials.
What metal has over these other materials is just how easy it is to sanitize, so if your baby is messy (what baby isn’t) then this feature will be appreciated.
On top of this the use of metal as a material makes these cribs a lot more durable. A metal crib will tend to have a much longer lifespan than a wooden one.
This means that if you are planning to have another child, this crib can be reused and will still be in great shape, or you can donate it to a friend or loved one and not have to worry about it being battered.
Cons Of Using A Metal Crib
Something that turns a lot of people away from buying a metal crib is how they tend to be significantly more expensive than a wooden crib.
This is usually explained away by how long they last, but if you are working with a stricter budget, then a crib made with a cheaper material may be the best option.
And, while the use of metal has a lot of benefits, it also has the drawback of being bulkier and heavier.
This makes it a lot harder to move around, and since many parents like moving the crib between rooms, doing this can be a lot harder with some metal cribs.
However, if this is a potential concern, look out for cribs that have wheels!
You also might have to worry about availability when it comes to a metal crib, they can sometimes be a lot more rare than a wooden crib, so if you want a lot of choice and variety, this can be an issue.
However, this is often solved by getting a custom made metal crib, but, this will often be more expensive and you may have to wait a while for it to be ready for you!
Safety When Buying A Crib
In the US, there are specific safety requirements that all cribs need to fulfil, this is because of the dangerous events that could happen if a crib is made poorly and is made from bad materials.
This is why you need to look out for any cribs that were produced before 2011, this is because these cribs did not have to be produced to the current safety standards now in place.
So, if buying a pre-owned crib, make sure to look at the available information from the manufacturer.
If you are looking for the best solid wood crib, check out our buyers guide. We also have buyers guides for best cribs for small spaces and best cribs with changing tables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Is Better A Metal Or A Wooden Crib?
So, which will suit you better, a metal crib, or a wooden crib. Since both cribs will be as safe as each other if they were produced after 2011, then we would recommend a metal crib.
This is not just for how durable and easy to clean they are, but for how they will last longer, and can work for years.
However, if you do not have the budget for a metal crib, then a wooden crib will still be a sound investment!
This content may contain affiliate links. We earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. We may earn money, free services or complementary products from the companies mentioned in this post. All opinions are ours alone…
Michelle Jacobs
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