Global Field Ready Portfolio/Baby Crib

▼This page is part of the Global Field Ready Portfolio initiative.

This page is open edit.

This baby crib is a low-cost, field-fabricated design intended for use in disaster response and emergency shelter settings, as well as low-resource clinics and maternity wards. It is built primarily from PVC pipe, mesh, and plastic sheeting or cloth, materials that are widely available, inexpensive, and easy to source even in constrained supply environments.

The frame is constructed from PVC pipes, cut to size and joined by hand. A saw and a drill are the only tools required for fabrication; assembly is otherwise done manually, without specialized equipment. The frame can be left unglued and assembled with press-fit joints for transport, allowing it to be disassembled and carried to a hospital or clinic in a compact, portable form. Once installed at its point of use, the joints can be solvent-welded (glued) to permanently secure the structure for safety.

Mesh panels form the sides of the crib, providing ventilation and visibility while containing the infant safely within the frame. Plastic sheeting or cloth is used to complete the enclosure or line the sleeping surface, depending on the materials on hand.

This design supports rapid deployment in humanitarian settings where conventional cribs are unavailable, damaged, or too costly to source, while still allowing for durable, permanent setup once a location is confirmed.

Levels are identified based on this reference: Field Ready Readiness Levels

About the manuals

Field Ready develops manuals to support both the fabrication and safe use of its products. A maker manual provides step-by-step instructions for replicating the design, including materials, tools, and assembly guidance, so that makers in different locations can build the product accurately and consistently. A user manual, where applicable, explains how to properly set up, use, and maintain the product once it is built, helping ensure it performs safely and as intended for the end user. Together, these manuals make the design accessible to both fabricators and the people who ultimately rely on the product.