Beginning in June, all cribs manufactured and sold in the United States must follow new safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission — the first update in federal crib standards in 30 years. The new regulations will prevent the making and selling of drop-side cribs, make mattress supports more durable, and enforce stronger quality hardware in manufacturing. According to the commission, problems with drop-side rails have been associated with at least 32 infant deaths from suffocation or strangulation in the last decade. More than 11 million cribs have been recalled since 2007. "For most in the public, [the new cribs] will look very similar to the current drop-side cribs," says Corri Miller-Hobbs, Safe Kids of Virginia program coordinator at VCU Medical Center. While the fixed-side cribs will be less mobile than their drop-side predecessors, Miller-Hobbs says the new design is safer.
