There are so many DIY projects out there, but painting a baby crib is one of the most useful.
If you have a little one or are about to have one, you know that a crib is one of the most expensive items to buy for a baby.
But we can’t always afford to buy everything new.
The second-hand crib might be in good condition, but the color may not be of your choice. Or, sometimes, parents already possess a crib.
In these scenarios, the wear & tear might cause the crib’s paint to wear off, making the crib look tacky.
Also, to match the crib to your nursery’s color scheme, you would want to paint your baby’s crib in the color of your choice.
So, why not repaint your old crib make it look new? You might be wondering if it is safe to paint a Crib or not? Well, the answer is yes, you can paint the crib, and it is safe.
But is it safe for you as a pregnant woman to paint the crib by yourself? What paint is safe for Baby Crib? Can you spray paint a Crib? or Is Chalk Paint safe or not?
What about the smell of the paint? Well, all these queries, I will answer in this guide. So keep reading.
Can You Paint a Crib?
Yes, you can paint the crib & it is safe, but make sure you only use baby skin-friendly paints to paint the crib, not commercial paint, which contains VOC [1].
According to the National Children’s Study by NCBI [2], A Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) is not safe for pregnant women & can lead to birth defects, asthma, and an increase in the risk of cancer.
The health risks of VOC exposure should receive your full attention because of their ubiquitous presence, and especially during pregnancy, exposure to certain VOCs may increase the risk for birth defects.
So, make sure whenever you paint your crib, always use paint that doesn’t contain VOC.
In short, go with baby skin-friendly paints, and it also doesn’t leave smell after paint.
After painting your crib, don’t forget to seal your baby crib with Natural Wax to prevent the moisture from entering, which would, in turn, cause cracks on the crib. This usually happens in the winter months.
Watch that video to understand how you can seal your baby crib with Natural Wax or Hemp Oil
Adding a layer of sealing increases the product’s longevity and provides a smooth surface with a shiny look.
Now that you know that you can paint the crib, the next question is whether it is safe for a newborn baby?
Is It Safe To Paint a Crib?
Yes, it is 100% safe to paint a crib as it provides a smooth & toxic-free area for the baby to sleep in. Repainting a baby crib not just gives it a new look but also increases its longevity.
Your newborn is going to sleep in up to 2-3 years. So repairing & repainting the baby crib is necessary, especially if you buy an old one.
The only thing that you need to follow is the correct method and selecting the right kind of paint.
This will ensure that your baby does not face any health hazards. Read our Ultimate Guide: How to paint a Baby Crib? To paint crib safely.
What Paint is Safe for Baby Crib?
According to Becausehealth.org [3] & Environmental Protection Agency [4], there are many varieties of paint available in the market. But, the safest paints for a baby crib are Natural Paint or Zero-VOC paint.
While Zero-VOC paints are free of the dangerous VOCs, Natural paints comprise of natural ingredients like casein, citrus, linseed, plant pigments, chalk, soy oils, etc.
Both these paints are safe to use on a baby crib.
But keep in mind, Zero-VOC does not mean that it’s 100% free from VOC.
It still has some amount of VOC ( 5 g/l VOCs ) that help paint to adhere to the wall. But it is significantly less as compared to the other commercial paint and is safe to use.
Low-VOC & Non-toxic, safe paints that are primarily designed to paint baby furniture are
- Renaissance Furniture Paint
- Rust-Oleum Interior Paint
- Amy Howard Home – One Step Paint
- Chalk Mountain Furniture Paint
- Fusion Mineral Paint
- Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint
- Old Fashioned Milk Paint
How Much Paint Do I Need To Paint a Crib?
The quantity of paint you need to paint the crib depends on the crib area you need to cover and the thickness of the paint. Thicker the paint, more quantity will be required to cover the said area.
Generally speaking, on average, a quart will be enough to paint an area of about 120 to 150 square feet of the crib. To be absolutely sure about the quantity, check the coverage Area ( How much area the paint can cover) on the product detail.
All manufactures show how much area their paint can cover on their product description. So check before buying it.
Watch this video to get a general idea.
Well, I recommend always buying some extra paint to fix the wear & tear in the future. You will use the crib for at least 2-3 years, so having some excess paint will help keep your baby’s crib looking new.
Can You Spray Paint a Crib?
Yes, you can spray paint a crib. It depends upon your choice. It’s similar to a brush painting, just in a different way. Also, the process of prepping the crib before Spray painting your baby’s crib is pretty much the same as when following the paint brushing process.
Right from cleaning the crib thoroughly, scruffing the crib with sandpaper, applying primer, etc., the steps remain the same.
Only the method of applying the paint differs.
Parents find that Spray painting their baby’s crib is less time-consuming and than brush painting.
Also, spray painting can be done on almost all kinds of surfaces and dries faster than paint-brush painting.
But on the downside, you need more paint than brush painting because the crib has a vertical bar which means a lot of paint will be wasted during Spray painting.
Also, it is challenging to apply the paint on nooks, where the small brush can easily reach.
Have a look at how you can do Spray Paint.
You need to apply the paint properly. Otherwise, the spray paint will leave some drips on the surface once it dries.
Another thing, spraying too much paint on one spot gives a different shade.
The best way to Spray paint the crib is to maintain a distance of around 12 inches from the crib. This will help you to avoid getting the paint drips.
Is Chalk Paint Safe for a Baby Crib?
According to Annie Sloan [6], Chalk Paint is safe to use for baby toys & furniture as long as you allow a 5 – 21 days window for the paint to dry before using the crib. The advantage of using chalk paint is that it is water-based without any VOCs and other toxins. This makes it safe for your baby.
Both Chalk Paint® and Wall Paint are non-toxic and perfectly safe for children’s furniture and walls,,,,,,,, We advise that for things that children might put in their mouth, the Wax should be allowed to cure for 5 – 21 days to ensure that it has hardened completely.
Besides, it is easy to use as there is no need for sanding and other preparations required for the paint to stick to the crib’s surface.
It also covers all the dents and holes without having to do any extra work.
Watch this video to get a quick overview of chalk paint.
To get the best results, allow the chalk paint to dry for 24 hours before applying the 2nd coat or the Wax.
Also, if you are pregnant, don’t wax the crib; take someone’s help to do this. Otherwise, you will feel lightheaded due to wax fumes.
Now, what next? Here are few important guidelines that help you to take care of your newborn baby.
- How To Keep Crib Warm In Winter?
- How to Make a Crib More Comfortable?
- Should Baby Sleep in Bassinet or Crib [ Which One Is Better ]
- How to Transition from Bassinet to Crib?
Now, it’s your turn. Let me know what you think? Can You Paint a Crib, and is it safe for the baby or not? Put your valuable comment in the comment box to help other moms like you make a quick decision.
Don’t forget to share the guide because sharing is caring.
Dr. Sakshi Patel
Senior Content Writer
Dr. Sakshi Patel, an expert in Human Development and Family Studies, combines her academic knowledge with personal experience as a mother to twins. She provides comprehensive articles and meticulous reviews on baby essentials, offering accurate and up-to-date information to help parents make informed decisions. Read more.
