Crib Terminology Glossary (Baby Crib Parts + Safety Terms)

This crib terminology glossary defines common words used in crib manuals, parts lists, labels, and recall notices. Each term reflects typical manufacturer usage, with alternate names noted where wording varies by brand.

Crib terminology often overlaps across furniture, hardware, and safety documentation. The same physical part may be described using different words depending on whether the source is a manufacturer manual, a replacement parts list, a recall notice, or a marketplace listing. This glossary groups those terms by common usage rather than by brand-specific marketing language.

Many crib terms also originate outside the nursery industry. Words such as “cam lock,” “barrel nut,” and “fastener” come from general furniture and hardware manufacturing and are reused in crib documentation with minimal modification. As a result, definitions tend to remain consistent even when product names change.

Related reference:

Crib parts reference overview

Crib terminology is largely standardized through long-term industry use rather than through a single governing glossary. As a result, many terms remain stable across decades of manuals, labels, and parts documentation, even when crib designs evolve.

This page focuses on the most widely recognized meanings of each term as they appear across multiple sources, including manufacturer documentation, regulatory references, and historical records.

Crib terminology glossary (definitions)

A

Adjustment bracket — A bracket that changes the height or position of the mattress support. Also called a height bracket or level bracket.

Allen key / hex key — An L-shaped tool used to tighten hex-head screws. Also called an Allen wrench or hex wrench.

Assembly hardware — The full set of bolts, screws, washers, and connectors supplied with a crib. Also called a hardware kit or hardware pack.

B

Barrel nut — A cylindrical nut with a threaded hole used with a long bolt. Also called a cross dowel or connector nut.

Base frame — The bottom structural section that supports crib panels. Also called the base assembly or bottom frame.

Bed rail — A term used for either a crib side panel or a conversion rail, depending on context.

Bolt — A threaded fastener that secures crib panels to posts or inserts.

C

Cam lock — A round locking connector that secures a cam screw when rotated.

Cam screw / cam bolt — A fastener designed to engage with a cam lock.

Conversion kit — Additional components used to convert a crib to another configuration, such as toddler or full-size bed.

Corner post — The vertical post at each corner of a crib where panels connect.

Crib end / end panel — The shorter panel at each end of a crib.

Crib side / side panel — The longer panel forming each side of a crib.

D

Dowel — A peg used to align crib components during assembly.

Drop-side — A crib design with a movable side panel, referenced in older manuals and listings.

F

Fastener — A general term for screws, bolts, washers, and nuts used in crib construction.

Footboard / headboard — Alternate terms sometimes used for crib end panels.

H

Hardware pack — The packaged set of fasteners included with a crib.

Hex screw — A screw tightened using a hex key.

M

Mattress support — The structure that holds the crib mattress. Also called a mattress frame, spring frame, or support platform.

Mattress support spring — A term commonly used for older metal mattress support frames.

Model number — The identifying number assigned to a specific crib design.

R

Rail — A broad term that may refer to a crib side panel or a conversion rail.

Recall notice — An official notice issued by a manufacturer or safety authority about a specific product model.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall listings

S

Side panel — The long vertical panel forming the side of a crib.

Slat — One of the vertical bars that make up crib sides and ends.

Spring hook — A hook-style connector found on some older mattress support frames.

W

Washer — A flat ring placed under a bolt or screw head to distribute pressure.

Wrench — A hand tool used to tighten nuts or bolts.

Where crib terminology appears

These terms most often appear on crib labels, instruction manuals, and parts diagrams. Related reference pages:

Crib instructions and manuals by brand

Crib replacement parts reference pages

Common alternate-name matches

Mattress support = spring frame = mattress frame

Barrel nut = cross dowel = connector nut

Hex key = Allen key = hex wrench

Side panel = side rail = crib side

Conversion rails = bed rails = full-size rails

Related reference pages

Baby crib parts by category

Baby crib dimensions and standard sizes