Owner’s guide

Safe Sleep & Crib Transition

Informational only — not medical advice. This page summarizes public safe-sleep guidance from official sources. Every family is different: contact your pediatrician or pediatric healthcare provider for recommendations specific to your child, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and check for recalls.

Heirloom Cribs and More sells compliant nursery hardwood case goods as a reseller; Amish and independent US craftspeople make the case goods. Safe-sleep guidance on this page comes from the official sources linked below, not from Heirloom as a clinical expert. Guidelines can change, so verify the live primary pages.

The ABCs of safe infant sleep

A — Alone

Babies should sleep alone on their own sleep surface. (AAP / HealthyChildren.org; AAP 2022 policy)
Room-sharing — a crib or bassinet in the parents’ room — is recommended for at least the first 6 months, and ideally up to 1 year. (AAP / HealthyChildren.org)
Bed-sharing is not recommended because of increased risk of SIDS, suffocation, or strangulation. (AAP / HealthyChildren.org; AAP 2022 policy)

B — on the Back

Place your baby on their back for every sleep — naps and nighttime — until 1 year of age. (AAP / HealthyChildren.org; CDC; NIH / NICHD Safe to Sleep)
Once a baby can roll both ways independently, they may change position during sleep; continue to start them on their back. (AAP / HealthyChildren.org)

C — in a Crib (or other approved sleep product)

Use a crib, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard that meets current CPSC safety standards. (CPSC Safe Sleep; CPSC Crib Safety Tips)
The mattress must be firm and flat, not inclined. Surfaces with an incline greater than 10 degrees are not safe for infant sleep. (AAP / HealthyChildren.org; AAP 2022 policy)
Use only a tightly fitted sheet. Nothing else belongs in the sleep space. (AAP / HealthyChildren.org; CPSC Safe Sleep)

Bare is best

Keep soft objects, loose bedding, pillows, quilts, comforters, bumper pads, stuffed toys, and weighted blankets or weighted swaddles out of the crib. (AAP / HealthyChildren.org; AAP 2022 policy; CPSC Safe Sleep)
A wearable blanket or sleep sack is the preferred way to keep baby warm if needed. (AAP / HealthyChildren.org)

Additional points

Move your baby to a firm, flat sleep surface as soon as practical if they fall asleep in a car seat, stroller, swing, or other sitting device. (CPSC Safe Sleep)
Check SaferProducts.gov for recalls and never use a crib that is broken, missing parts, or has drop-side rails. (CPSC Crib Safety Tips)
Avoid overheating; dress baby appropriately for the room temperature. (AAP / HealthyChildren.org; CDC)
Human milk feeding is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS — discuss feeding plans with your pediatrician. (AAP 2022 policy)

How a compliant full-size crib supports safe sleep

Public CPSC crib-safety guidance addresses features such as:

Fixed sides (no drop-side rails). (CPSC Crib Safety Tips)
Slats spaced no more than 2⅜ inches apart. (CPSC Crib Safety Tips)
A firm mattress that fits tightly with no gaps. (CPSC Crib Safety Tips; AAP / HealthyChildren.org)

Product standards and setup for cribs we sell are on our Safety page (meet or exceed CPSC and ASTM; non-toxic, baby-safe finishes; mattress fit, hardware, and placement notes). That page is product information — not medical advice.

When to transition from crib to toddler bed

There is no single required age; discuss timing with your pediatrician. (AAP / HealthyChildren.org)
Practical triggers cited in official guidance include reaching roughly 35 inches (89 cm) in height, or beginning to climb out of the crib. (CPSC Crib Safety Tips)

Making the transition with a 4-in-1 convertible crib

Convertible cribs we offer move through crib → toddler bed → daybed → full-size bed. Use only the parts made for your model and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Rails and separately sold conversion parts are listed on product pages and our Safety page. Heirloom Cribs and More is the reseller; Amish and independent US craftspeople make the hardwood case goods.

When you and your pediatrician agree it is time:

Confirm readiness using the official height and climbing guidance linked above.
Lower the mattress to its lowest setting before your child can pull to standing. (Safety page)
Install toddler conversion parts per the manufacturer’s instructions for your model.
Keep a firm, appropriately sized mattress and fitted sheet; keep soft objects out of the sleep space per AAP/CPSC guidance.

Quick questions

What should be in the crib with my baby?

Only a firm mattress that fits tightly and a fitted sheet. Nothing else. (AAP / HealthyChildren.org; CPSC Safe Sleep)

Is an inclined sleeper safe for infant sleep?

No. Sleep surfaces with an incline greater than 10 degrees are not safe for infant sleep. Transfer the baby to a firm, flat surface as soon as practical. (AAP / HealthyChildren.org)

When is it time to stop using the crib?

When the child begins climbing out or reaches approximately 35 inches tall — confirm with your pediatrician. (CPSC Crib Safety Tips)

Do Heirloom cribs meet current safety standards?

Every crib we sell is described on our Safety page as meeting or exceeding CPSC and ASTM standards, with non-toxic, baby-safe finishes. Always assemble and maintain the crib per the included instructions.

References

Primary official URLs only: