10 Beautiful Metal Cribs for Your Baby

At first, metal might not seem like baby-friendly materials for a nursery. However, these metal cribs are safe and have more to offer than you might think.

The crib will be your baby’s haven for the months up to a couple or so of years to come. Its design, construction, and materials should have passed rigorous tests and inspections and met the most current safety standards. You’d also want a crib that will not only look good in the nursery but will also be durable and long-lasting. For these reasons, many parents look into metal cribs as one of their options.

However, metal cribs still haven’t become as popular as wooden cribs. Despite its promise, other parents have doubts concerning their baby’s safety in a metal crib.

To help shed light on the debate of metal crib vs. wood crib, I wrote this guide to look deeper into the issue. Read on if you want to learn more about metal cribs.

This guide will cover:

• The best metal cribs
• Are metal cribs safe for babies
• Metal crib vs. wood crib
• Types of cribs
• Types of metal
• Colors
• How to put a metal crib together
• How to paint a metal crib
• Takeaway

Below is a shortlist of 10 cribs from a small variety of types and designs to help you narrow down your options. While browsing, what you need to do is to think of your circumstances. Find the features that speak best to your current situation, and trust your instincts.

Uncertain about which mattress to get? Take a look at this list of the best crib mattresses. I have put lots of hours into this guide, for you to find the ideal mattress for your baby!

Best Metal Cribs for Your Baby

Are metal cribs safe for babies?

When it comes to safety, metal cribs are no less risky than wooden cribs, given that both are brand new or are manufactured after June 28th, 2011. 

Regardless of material, if your active kid would hit his mouth on the rails in a chewing frenzy, he’s going to get hurt. However, babies tend to avoid chewing on metal rails since, unlike wood, they can’t sink their teeth into it.

As much as safety is concerned in choosing or using a crib, always have these things in mind:

Things to look out for when choosing a crib:

• The slats should not be more than 2 ⅜ inches apart.
• No loose or missing parts such as bolts and screws
• No elements should be poking out, such as wing nuts, knobs, rivets, and bolts and nuts.
• The crib mattress fits tightly into the crib’s inside dimensions; you should not be able to feet 2 fingers in the gap between the mattress’s edges, and the crib’s inside.
• The crib joints are perfectly fitted; if it’s made of wood, the surface must be smooth and without splinters.
• Brand new finish, or at least there should be no crack or peeling on the paint
• The distance between the mattress support and the crib’s lowered side should be no less than 9 inches.
• If the crib sides are raised, its height should be no less than 26 inches from the lowest mattress support position.
• Remember: The old drop-side crib your parents got for you as a baby doesn’t meet the safety standards imposed by the law anymore. Time to change!

When using a crib, look out for:

• Consult the crib manual for safe setup, use, and care.
• Only get replacement parts from the crib’s manufacturer.
• For babies who are not older than 12 months, you should avoid putting different things in. Somethings like stuffed toys, pillows, blankets, sleeping stuff, and bumper pads in the crib (these are suffocation hazards).
• If you don’t want your baby to sleep on a bare mattress (which is the most advisable), only use a tight-fitting sheet.
• Ensure the mattress support’s integrity — check that all sides are securely attached and the materials are in perfect condition.
• Keep the suspended crib toys away from your baby’s reach.
• Avoid hanging items such as strings on the side of the crib (these are strangulation hazards)
• Once your little one had learned to pull them up, adjust the mattress to the lowest level.
• Contact the manufacturer if the crib has missing parts that can undermine its ability to support your baby; discontinue use in such cases.
• Do not repair or improvise on a broken crib.

Are metal cribs dangerous?

As weird as this may sound, a conspiracy theory connects metal bed frames and coil mattresses to cancer. This, of course, is not proven to be accurate nor false. According to this theory, metal frames and coils act like antennae that amplify radiation from TV and FM frequencies. Since people mostly sleep on their right side, this radiation amplification causes cancer prevalence on the left breast in the US, or so the theory says. But others base their decision of choosing a wooden crib over a metal one on this theory.

If you are concerned about this, I’ll leave it all up to you whether to get a metal crib or coil crib mattress or not. Parenting is all about doing whats feels right and not following everyone’s opinion.

Another safety concern is paint in metal cribs (which is a scientifically proven hazard). What you need to look for when buying any baby product are safety certifications such as the Green guard gold certificate. This organization tests juvenile products for more than 360 volatile organic compounds (VOC) and 10,000 toxic emissions. This certification ensures that the product is safe for indoor environments with a vulnerable population such as babies. 

Back in the days, lead was found in the paint from certain baby crib models. To me, this means it’s not because it’s sold in the baby department today that tomorrow it will still be considered safe. When it comes to my kids, I prefer to go with the safest product.

Are metal cribs non-toxic?

The toxicity of a metal crib depends on its finishing. There could be paints that you don’t want your baby to be chewing at, but there are other kinds of metal crib finish that are perfectly safe. Therefore, I would suggest getting a metal crib with a non-toxic powder coating.

Metal crib vs. wood crib: Which is better?

Both are great options if you’re buying brand new. Likewise, both can post risk if they are older than 10 years or were manufactured before the current safety standards were enacted in 2011.

However, when it comes to durability, I would prefer a metal crib over a wooden one. This is because a wood crib, as time passes, will yield to moisture and temperature changes causing it to crack. On the contrary, given that a metal crib is effectively sealed, it will almost be unaffected by the same elements, making it the longer-lasting choice.

Here are other metal crib pros and cons:

Pros

1. Customizable — machines mainly craft metal cribs. If you’re willing to go the extra mile and request a particular design, you can get a genuinely unique crib for your kid.
2. Easy-clean — metal surfaces repel moisture better than wood finish; therefore, they can be cleaned by a few quick swipes.
3. Durability — metals are stronger and more resilient compared to wood.

Cons

1. Heavy (weight) — metal can weigh more than wood. If you’re planning to move the crib from one to another regularly, you should get one with wheels.
2. Heavy (price tag) — it’s more expensive since the cost of material and labor that goes into a metal crib is higher than a wood crib.
3. Availability — metal cribs are not as popular as wooden cribs, making them relatively rare in the market. Custom-made metal cribs can also take a while before it arrives at your doorstep.

Types of a metal crib

There are many types of metal cribs, just as there are for wood cribs. Choose one that will suit your needs.

Convertible crib

This is a baby crib that grows with your kid. From a regular crib, it can convert to a toddler bed and then a daybed. A 4-in-1 metal crib can even convert to a twin-size or full-size bed. This is popular nowadays and is considered a significant investment. If you want a crib you and your little ones will get the most, go for the convertible.

For more information, you should check out my guide on convertible cribs or this article about if all cribs convert into a toddler bed.

Antique

Cribs that are 100 years or older are considered antique. This is not just any used or old furniture locked away since you begin to listen to Nirvana.

These cribs are scary, not because some ancient baby spirit haunts them. Genuine antique cribs are not safe, at least by today’s standards. If you look at one, you’ll see wide gaps between the slats and the springboard that’s a little too high from the floor. That is not to mention that baby’s and children back then died by the thousands due to lead poisoning.

Metal antique cribs are not suitable for babies. If you were planning to get one, I would suggest finding a newly manufactured crib WITH an antique look instead.

Crib with wheels

Metal cribs can be heavier than wood cribs. This makes moving the crib from one area to another quite the task. With wheels, you’re giving the crib better mobility. Just don’t forget to lock the wheels to avoid accidents.

If you’ve bought a crib without wheels and realized you could use the feature, parts are available at the hardware store, which you can attach on your own.

Oval shape

Rectangular cribs are overrated. Round cribs are unique and perfect if you want to create a nursery with a different look. It’s the ideal opportunity to unleash your creative side.

An important note when getting an oval crib is to buy the mattress alongside it. Round cribs are not standard-size, so it will be challenging to look for a mattress that will fit later.

You should check out this list of the best oval and round cribs you could get for more information.

Crib with matching changing table

Adding a changing table with your purchase is also a good idea. It makes nappy time more convenient by avoiding straining your back bending down. Choose one that matches the crib’s design and blends into the theme of your baby’s nursery. Even after your kid has outgrown the changing table, you can repurpose it for various uses.

For more information, you should check out this list of the top-rated cribs with changing tables.

Types of metal

Metal is not just metal; just like wood, there are different metal types with different peculiarities.

Iron

It is the most abundant metal element on earth. Steel, on the other hand, is not a metal but an alloy. It is human-made, consisting mainly of iron and carbon. It is chrome in color and gives a relatively shiny glow.

Wrought iron

It is an iron alloy that contains a meager amount of iron (0.08% or less) in contrast to cast iron (2.1% to 4%). Slightly more brittle than pure iron due to its carbon content but is superior to cast iron.

Pewter

It is an alloy composed mainly of tin combined with other metals such as copper to make it more durable. Pewter is commonly used in household products and has been in widespread use since Roman times.

Plated metal

This is a metal coated with another metal for finishing. In jewelry, plating is used to give a piece the appearance of a more expensive metal such as silver or gold. On other occasions, plating is used to provide both a shinier and harder surface, as in rhodium plating for white gold.

Powder-coated metal

Compared to liquid paint, powder coat is less toxic and not as flammable. It offers better protection that is safe and just as pleasing to the eye.

Colors

Colors affect us in more ways than we notice. It’s not only about how pleasing each hue is to our eyes. Marketers use research about how color affects behavior to help their company sell more. There is overwhelming evidence about it for adults. But how much color affects children and infants is yet to be known. 

Nevertheless, it wouldn’t hurt to incorporate such a concept when choosing the color of your little one’s crib; for interior, design-savvy parents means it should be matching with the nursery theme.

Gold

Gold is a glamorous color that adds more warmth to the room. It is a ‘cousin’ color of yellow and brown, both associated with love, compassion, magic, and illumination.

Rose gold

Rosy-toned gold, its soft color gives off a delicate appearance. Traditionally, people associate this hue with femininity. Suppose you’re a parent who doesn’t want your little boy to subscribe to such a limiting outlook, you can go ahead and build him a nursery with this theme and with a rose gold metal crib as an accent piece.

Larking gold

Compared to gold, this hue is cooler and softer to the eye. A metal crib with this color is an excellent piece for a nursery room with a more specific theme.

Vintage gold

It is darker and more prosperous than gold’s yellowish hue. If you like to give your kid’s nursery room a classic look. A metal crib with a vintage gold finish will be an accent piece that will add more depth to your interior decoration. You don’t need a natural vintage crib that can be dangerous to your child to achieve the same effect.

White gold

For a bright and elegant interior nursery design, a metal crib with a white gold finish can bring an illuminating and cheerful vibe to your kid’s room.

Grey

This color is a timeless classic. Since grey is one of the neutral colors, it can blend in any design theme. You can go for a vintage nursery decoration or a modern minimalist style; a grey metal crib will always blend perfectly.

How to put a metal crib together?

Designing your first child’s nursery is all fun and games until it’s time to assemble the crib. But there’s no need to worry. With patience and a few problem-solving skills, it can be as enjoyable as putting together a life-size three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle.

Follow this brief and straightforward guide to help you:

1. Set up in the nursery
2. Read the directions
3. Line up the parts
4. Get some backup
5. Start with the head and foot
6. Then move from back to front
7. Put in the mattress
8. Double-check your work

For the complete guide description, kindly follow this link.

How to paint a metal crib

Maybe you bought a pre-loved crib in good condition (by “good condition,” I mean no missing, damaged, or cracked parts), but you want to give it a different look. Or maybe you need to reapply the same finish. In any case, you’re going to need a few things to accomplish the task.

One, if not the most important, concern in repainting a crib is the quality of paint you’re going to use. Only apply non-toxic, lead-free, and water-based paint. There are paint products that are specifically designed to be painted on juvenile products. Get those. You can also use rail guards to prevent your kid from nibbling on the painted rails.

It’s a bit more challenging than assembling a crib, but I’m sure you’re up for the challenge. 

Let this section be your guide.

How to Spray Paint a Metal Crib?

1. Choose the spray paint color
2. Carefully take the crib apart
3. Cover the surrounding
4. Paint one side at a time
5. Apply another layer of coating
6. Let the paint dry and wait until it’s not emitting fumes
7. Apply a final clear coating to seal in the paint
8. Reassemble the crib

If you’d like to read a detailed crib paint-job story, click this link.

Takeaway

Any crib of any model and material is safe for your baby. It would be best if you made sure that the manufacturer of the crib you’re looking into adheres to the most current standards.

Metal cribs are stylish and durable (and pricy) furniture. Their luster adds a character to your nursery, an aesthetic quality not found in wooden materials. If you think a new metal crib will be a great choice, there’s no need to worry. 

It’s just as safe as a wooden crib.