How Much Weight Can a Crib Hold?

Any parent understands that the crib is one of the most expensive pieces of baby gear. With that being said, do you know how much weight your baby’s crib can actually hold?

Many parents buy more expensive options in hopes that they will be able to climb into the crib and lay with their baby. However, if you are thinking of doing this, it is absolutely essential that you first determine whether or not the crib will be able to support your weight.

On top of this, your baby can suffer from very serious injuries if they are sleeping in a crib that is designed for younger or smaller children. In order to ensure that the crib does not buckle under the weight of your child, make sure that you do the proper research before investing in a product.

In this article, we will be discussing just how much weight the average crib can hold. On top of this, we will mention whether or not it is safe for you to climb into the crib with your baby and a few additional restrictions to note.

Weight Restrictions

Most standard-sized cribs are able to hold around 35 pounds of weight. However, as we will discuss below, there are different models and sizes that you can choose from, meaning that you will be able to find options that offer more stability and support.

Some of the most expensive cribs can hold up to 50 pounds of weight. With that being said, it is worth noting that cribs are designed to be used by very young children and babies. For this reason, they generally do not need to hold much more weight than this.

If you are looking for a bed for a toddler or child over the age of 1, you may want to consider investing in a bassinet or child-size bed. These products have much higher weight restrictions, meaning that you won’t have to worry about the bed collapsing or breaking as your child becomes heavier.

What Determines How Much Weight Can a Crib Hold?

It is important to note that the material used at the bottom of your crib will determine how much weight it can hold. Most cribs feature plywood or slats with wood covering them. Plywood is a fragile material – for this reason, if the bottom of your crib is plywood, it is likely that the product is specifically designed for very young children who do not weigh much. The crib could also be inferior quality, meaning that you may want to consider alternative options.

If you are looking for a firm crib that your child can use for longer, you will want to look into options that feature slats with wood. These cribs can hold much more weight, making them better suited for slightly older and heavier babies.

The hardness of the wood used will also determine exactly how much weight the crib can hold. Cheaper quality woods are much weaker, meaning that the crib will be more likely to collapse or break over time. On the other hand, robust woods will make the crib long-lasting and more durable.

A few examples of solid materials include Yellow Birch, American Beech, Oak, Maple Wood, Ashwood, and Pine. However, it is also important to note that these cribs are likely to be much more expensive.

When looking for a suitable crib, be sure to look for an option that features a stabilizer bar. In short, these are long metal bars that run underneath the crib, making it firmer and sturdier. These bars are attached to either side of the crib and work wonders when strengthening the frame.

Can Parents Get In The Crib With Their Baby?

As we have already mentioned, many parents buy a crib in hopes that they will be able to lay in it with their children. However, while co-sleeping does come with a number of benefits for both the baby and parent, it is generally not a good idea.

Cribs are specifically designed to be used by young children and babies. In other words, they may struggle to support the weight of both a fully grown adult and child. For this reason, sleeping in the crib next to your baby is actually a safety hazard for both parties.

It is important to note that the crib will lose durability when excess weight is applied. In the long run, laying in the crib could lead to the materials breaking and injuring you or your baby.

On top of this, the size of the crib makes sharing with your child an issue. A lack of space could result in you rolling over or suffocating your baby while you sleep. If you would like to keep your child company while they sleep, try the following alternatives instead.

• Invest in a co-sleeper or bassinet. These are larger than cribs, meaning that you will be able to lay alongside your baby while they sleep.
• Share a regular bed with your child. However, this is not recommended if your child is younger than one year, as you risk rolling over them or covering their face while they sleep.
• Place the crib directly next to your actual bed.
• Place an air mattress or bed in your baby’s room.

Additional Crib Restrictions

All parents want to ensure that their children are safe at all times. For this reason, it is essential to note that there are a number of additional restrictions that come with baby cribs.

For example, if your child is able to pull themselves up or crawl, you may want to invest in taller crib options. Most cribs feature barriers that are roughly 36 inches tall. For this reason, some children may be able to actually climb out of the crib, potentially hurting themselves in the process.

You will be able to choose from a wide range of crib size options. In fact, there are different options specifically designed for different ages. Before spending money on one particular option, ensure that your child will be able to fit comfortably inside the crib without their head touching the top of their feet touching the bottom.

Displayed Weight Limits

Most cribs display their weight restrictions on the packaging. With that being said, most parents will want to use their crib for at least a couple of months after its purchase. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you invest in a crib that has a weight restriction significantly greater than that of your child.

Summary

It is very important that you invest in a crib that will be able to hold the weight of your child. And to do this, you need to know how much weight the crib can hold. Some cheaper products are designed to hold up to 35 pounds.

However, if you are not shopping on a budget, you can purchase a crib with a weight restriction of up to 50 pounds. It is important to note that cribs are specifically designed to be used by younger children and babies. For this reason, you should not lay in the crib with your baby, as this is a safety hazard.