Homemade Baby Cribs

Preparation

• If you are considering making your baby's crib, assess your level of woodworking skill and the time and materials you have available. Getting lost in a project beyond your skill level and then running out of time before the baby's birth will add an extraordinary amount of stress to a joyful and tiring time. Consider also the woodworking materials you have available. Depending on the plans you choose, you will need at least a circular saw, a drill and bits, an orbital sander, clamps and other basic woodworking tools. A more complicated baby crib plan will require more tools as well as more skill. Add up the cost of materials, which includes the wood and the crib hardware to help you decide whether it is worth it to make the crib rather than buy it. Most homemade baby cribs are made of oak, maple or birch (See References 1 and 2). The cost varies depending on which kind of wood you choose. Less quantifiable benefits of making a baby crib include the joy of passing a special piece of furniture along to other family members. Parents associate a baby crib with so many special memories, knowing it was made with love by a family member or friend adds to its sentimental value.

Choosing a Crib Plan

• To find free baby crib plans, check out monthly woodworking magazines or woodworking Web sites. For more support and detail, try buying baby crib plan blueprints. With paid sets of plans, hardware, including the mechanisms to raise and lower the side of the crib, may be included. If you are new to furniture-making, the extra instructions and support will be well worth the price of a baby crib kit (See Reference 1). If you are a beginner, look for cribs that require straight cuts and perhaps one that does not necessitate an adjustable side. The size and style of the nursery and future use of the crib are other considerations when choosing a plan. If your skills are advanced enough, a unique style of crib, such as a round crib, one that fits into the corner of a room or a convertible crib are possibilities. A convertible crib - one that will adjust to a toddler bed or a twin bed as the child grows up - is a popular choice. Benefits include the money saved from not buying additional beds or linens for a toddler bed and the child's familiarity with their crib, which may lead to an easier transition to a twin bed (See Reference 2).

Safety

• Safety concerns remain paramount to considering the crib a baby sleeps in, whether it is store-bought or homemade. Be sure that any plan you consider, or any homemade crib you are given, complies with guidelines from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the following safety features are required for all cribs (See Reference 3): The slats must be no wider than 2 3/8 inches apart so that the baby cannot become lodged between them. Gaps (no more than two fingers of space) cannot exist between the mattress and the side of the crib. The posts at the corner of the crib must with level with or much higher than (in the case of a canopy-style crib) the side panels of the crib to prevent a baby's clothing from getting stuck on the posts. Cutouts in the sides of the crib create an entrapment risk. When the crib side is lowered, it must be at least 9 inches above the mattress. It must be at least 26 inches above the mattress when raised. Pay particular attention to the drop side of a baby crib if you include one. Make sure that the baby cannot activate the side and that it remains locked. As with a store-bought crib, double-check all features consistently to check for safety hazards, from loose screws to splinters.