Composite-wood crib swap to Solid-wood GREENGUARD Gold crib

Why make the swap

• Why switch to solid-wood GREENGUARD Gold crib

  Solid pine frames leave out composite panels, and GREENGUARD Gold certification adds independent low-emission testing. Both picks are solid New Zealand pine, and both are listed as GREENGUARD Gold in UL’s directory.

• What's the concern with composite-wood crib

  Composite wood like MDF and particleboard is made with resins that can release formaldehyde, which EPA says can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. EPA’s TSCA Title VI rule caps those emissions, and since 2019 composite wood products must be labeled compliant.

• General information, not medical advice. Ask your pediatrician before changing what your baby or child uses.

• Good to know before you buy

  Whatever crib you choose, follow AAP safe-sleep basics: baby on their back, on a firm, flat mattress that fits snugly, with only a fitted sheet, and no bumpers, pillows or blankets. Full-size cribs sold in the US must meet CPSC’s crib standard (16 CFR 1219), and drop-side cribs can’t meet it. Set the crib up a few weeks early and air out the nursery; EPA advises extra ventilation after bringing new formaldehyde sources home.

• Sources (8)

  1. EPA: composite-wood resins are a formaldehyde source; it can irritate eyes, nose and throat (opens in a new tab)
  2. EPA TSCA Title VI: emission limits and compliance labels for MDF, particleboard and plywood (opens in a new tab)
  3. EPA: ventilate more after bringing new formaldehyde sources home (opens in a new tab)
  4. UL SPOT: Dream On Me Synergy 5-in-1 Convertible Crib (SKU 657), GREENGUARD Gold (opens in a new tab)
  5. UL SPOT: Dream On Me Ashton Convertible Crib (SKU 660), GREENGUARD Gold (opens in a new tab)
  6. AAP HealthyChildren: a parent's guide to safe sleep (opens in a new tab)
  7. CPSC: the crib standard, questions and answers (16 CFR 1219 for full-size cribs) (opens in a new tab)
  8. 16 CFR 1219: safety standard for full-size baby cribs (opens in a new tab)

  Health and safety facts on this page come from these sources. What a pick is made of comes from its maker's listing or website, as stated on the date we checked.