How to Assemble a Crib

Assembling a baby's crib can take less than an hour in many cases.

Most babies spend over half of their first year sleeping in a crib, so parents must take extra care when assembling the crib to ensure it is absolutely safe. Although a single person can assemble most cribs, having two people take on the crib-assembly task may make some of the steps easier. Most types of cribs can be assembled in an hour or less.

Instructions

1. Clear a space in the room where your baby’s crib will be located. If necessary, you can assemble the crib in another room and move it later. Keep in mind, however, some cribs may have difficulty fitting through doorways after they have been assembled.

2. Lay down a protective covering if your floor is not carpeted. The finish on a crib can become scratched if it comes into contact with a rough surface, as may occur during the assembly process.

3. Read the crib assembly instructions. There is no standard process for assembling a crib, so it is imperative that you follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the specific crib you purchased. If, by chance, there are no instructions in the box or printed on the box, contact the manufacturer to order replacement instructions.

4. Lay all the crib parts out on the floor.

5. Check to ensure that your box contains all of the parts needed to assemble the crib by reading the list of parts included in the instructions and identifying each part.

6. Collect any tools, such as a screwdriver, required for crib assembly. Some cribs may not require tools.

7. Follow each step of the crib’s assembly instructions in order. If you do not understand a step, ask somebody for assistance in interpreting the instructions or call the manufacturer’s customer service center.

8. Check the crib for sturdiness once you have finished assembling it. If you shake it and some of the parts do not feel securely connected, locate the loose areas and double-check the instructions pertaining to those areas.

9. Adjust the crib height. Infants can sleep on the highest setting, which makes it easier for parents to reach the baby. When a child is able to sit or stand up independently, the crib mattress must be lowered so the railing covers at least three-quarters of the baby’s height.

Tips & Warnings

• If you purchased a used crib without paperwork, contact the manufacturer to order an owner’s manual and complete assembly instructions. The manufacturer can also inform you if there have been any recalls on the crib or its parts.

References

• Consumer Reports: Getting Started - Crib Guide