Is it safe to let a baby sleep in a secondhand crib?

What's actually in it

A secondhand crib is a sleep structure first. The safest choice is not about whether it is new. It is about whether the crib is complete, sturdy, and approved for infant sleep today.

Skip any crib with missing hardware, broken parts, peeling paint, loose rails, or a recall you cannot clear. If you cannot confirm the crib is safety-approved and complete, do not use it for sleep.

What the research says

CDC safe sleep guidance says babies should sleep on a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib, covered by a fitted sheet.

CDC also says to keep soft bedding out of the sleep area. That means no pillows, blankets, bumper pads, or soft toys in the crib.

For a secondhand crib, use that as the baseline. Keep the frame only if it passes the safety check. Use a firm mattress that fits tightly. Add a fresh fitted crib sheet and put baby on their back for every sleep.