Baby Crib Safety
Learn The Ins And Outs Of Baby Crib Safety.
It is SOOO exciting to buy a crib for your little one. This is when it really hits you that he/she will soon be home. But before you pick out the crib, you should first consider baby crib safety.Most of your little one's first months home will be spent in their crib. So it is important to make sure it is safe. A safe crib will not only keep your little one out of harm's way, BUT will also bring peace of mind to you and your family! Therefore, here are some important things to consider when purchasing your little one's crib. I recommend buying a new crib. New cribs must meet minimum government baby crib safety standards. Look for the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association's (JPMA) seal. This ensures that extra testing has been done so that your little one's crib is safe. Make sure to purchase a crib mattress that is firm and fits snugly in the crib. You should not be able to insert the width of two fingers between the mattress and crib. A snug fits prevents your baby from sliding underneath the mattress. A firm mattress prevents suffocation. There should be no more than 2 3/8 inches between crib slats. This prevents your little one's limbs from getting caught in between the slats of the crib. Make sure the head and foot parts of the crib do not have any cutouts. This prevents your little one's head or limbs from getting trapped. Does the crib have corner posts or extensions more than 1/16 of an inch above the headboard and/or footboard? If so, don't use it. Your little one's clothing could get caught on the posts. Is the crib sturdy? When purchasing your crib, you can check the floor model at the store to see how it is holding up. A lot of people have been handling these floor models, so shake it, jiggle it, or wiggle it around to see if it is holding up and remaining sturdy. I am not a fan of drop-side cribs; however, if you are going to purchase a crib with a drop side, make sure it can be easily locked when raised.Read the crib directions BEFORE you put your little one in it. This ensures that the crib is set up properly. It also ensures that you know how to care for and use the crib correctly.TIP
Once you have purchased your little one's crib, periodically, it is a good idea to check it for any of the following:
Missing and/or loose parts.Loose screws and/or bolts.Peeling paint.Splinters and rough parts.
Crib recalls.
Daily Baby Crib Safety
It is a good idea to ALWAYS practice the following. Put your little one to sleep on his/her back. This greatly reduces the risk of SIDS.Don't hang anything on the crib. Your baby could become entangled. Never put your little one's crib near a window. He/She could get entangled in the window blind strings or draperies.Keep wall decorations out of reach of children.Remove the bumper pad from your baby's crib once he/she is able to stand up. Little ones love to climb. So they may try to use the bumper pad to climb out of the crib.Don't forget to remove all mobiles or hanging toys from the crib when your little one can push up on their hands and knees (or 5 months old. Whichever comes first.) Mobiles or hanging crib toys can strangle a baby.Put the crib at its lowest point BEFORE your little one can stand up in their crib.Do not put your baby in a crib that has a part that is broken or missing. This prevents potential accidents.Never leave your little one in a drop-side crib with the sides down.Don't forget to periodically check other cribs that your baby may stay in. Does your little on stay at grandma's or grandpa's? If so, it is a good idea to make sure that crib is safe also.Do not put stuffed toys, stuffed animals, comforters, quilts, and/or any pillow-like things in the crib with your baby. These items can suffocate a baby.When your little one is sleeping, keep objects away from their face. This prevents a chance of suffocation.Don't let your little one get too warm while he/she is sleeping. Warmer babies tend to have a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Therefore, if the room is comfortable for you, then it is comfortable for your little one.Never let anyone smoke around your little one(s).Consider using clothing to keep your baby warm instead of covering him/her with blankets. This prevents a chance of suffocation. My little ones loved being swaddled, but every baby is different. Check out how to swaddle by watching the video below.
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