Cradle

[Wayne@Canoe.BC]

My stepson has ignored my advice to forget about babies and raise pigs so I am faced with making a cradle. I would like to design it in the mission style so here is my question. What is the recommended/legal spacing between side slats? I had thought to make plywood inserts to cover slats at least for early infancy but still would like to get things right. Thanks for any help.
Grampa Wayne

[Marsha]

I don't know what the legal spacing is, but I don't think I would put side slats in at all. I would use a solid side, no risk of any danger that way. Please remember when finishing to use something non toxic and if you are suspending the cradle on a swing type frame, make a very sturdy one. The day I found my son (2 months old) dangling out the end of his cradle because the chain holding the cradle let loose was the day I said all cradles should be sitting on the floor, not hanging on a chain. My son wasn't hurt just real scared, the cradle ended up in the garbage and I went out and bought a crib.
Marsha

[Mark Bertoia]

I believe that spacing is 2 1/2 inches from centre. To be Conservative I would do 2" from centre. I lost the url but if you go to the federal government site or do a search for crib safety you should be able to find what you are looking for.

Mark :)