| When planning a nursery, crib safety is often | | | | intentional, or accidental attempt by your child to |
| overlooked by expectant parents eager to | | | | release it. |
| surround their child with a happy, attractive and | | | | Mattress: Is It Snug? |
| stimulating environment. This is understandable | | | | The mattress should fit firmly into the crib so |
| given the excitement of parenthood, but your | | | | there is no gap. If you are able to place two |
| baby will be spending a great amount of time in | | | | fingers between the crib side and the mattress, |
| the crib, so you want to make it as safe as | | | | then replace the mattress immediately. A loose |
| possible for him or her. The following are a | | | | mattress has many risks. For instance, when the |
| number of tips that can help you make the crib a | | | | baby is standing, the mattress could quickly jerk |
| safe place. | | | | to one side, causing the infant to fall and |
| Crib Structure: Get Out Your Measuring Tape | | | | potentially injure himself close to the crib's railings. |
| The design of your crib is of great significance. | | | | Crib Accessories: Less is More |
| Although it may seem like a good idea to bring | | | | Many infant safety organizations recommend |
| out that antique or classical crib from your days | | | | removing everything inside the crib that could |
| as a child, do not do so if it has any decorative | | | | potentially suffocate babies as they wiggle around. |
| cutouts, corner posts and most importantly, lead | | | | This includes pillows, quilts, large stuffed animals or |
| paint. | | | | toys, sheepskins, and pillowlike bumper pads. If |
| The slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches | | | | you choose to bring these items into the crib, |
| apart to prevent your baby's head from getting | | | | take the necessary precautions to avoid sudden |
| trapped between them. All cribs manufactured | | | | infant death syndrome (SIDS). |
| after 1974 meet this and other strict safety | | | | You may want to consider using a sleeper instead |
| standards so going for an older crib could present | | | | of a blanket; however, if you do use a blanket, |
| a risk. | | | | keep it lower on the baby's chest. Position the |
| When your child starts to practice standing up, | | | | baby towards the foot of the crib, allowing you to |
| you have to pay attention to the height of the | | | | tuck the blanket around the mattress on three |
| rails vis-a-vis the height of the child when standing | | | | sides with the upper body and face |
| on the mattress. Once the top rail height is less | | | | unencumbered by covering. Also, always place |
| than three quarters the height of your child, you | | | | your baby to sleep on his back, not his stomach. |
| must stop using the crib altogether. | | | | If you use bumper pads, cover the entire inside |
| Nowadays, you can get mesh-sided cribs. If you | | | | of the crib. The pads will usually tie and snap into |
| opt for that particular crib design, check the mesh | | | | place, and the best pads will have about six straps |
| so it's no more than a quarter inch in size, smaller | | | | or tie laces. Pads that have more straps or long |
| than tiny buttons on children's clothes to avoid | | | | laces may be a risk to the child so trim them as |
| getting caught in the mesh. | | | | necessary. Select bumper pads that are thin and |
| Finally, when buying a new crib, look for the | | | | firm, not fluffy. |
| safety certification seal from the Juvenile | | | | Other Safety Tips |
| Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). This is | | | | Never place your baby's crib next to a window. |
| evidence that the product meets the required | | | | Curtains and blind cords can potentially be harmful |
| national safety standard on crib safety. This, of | | | | if your child gets tangled up in them. |
| course, does not negate the need for you to | | | | Make sure you install smoke detectors in the |
| conduct due diligence before buying the crib to | | | | room where your child sleeps and check that the |
| ensure it meets your baby's needs. | | | | batteries are in good working order at least once |
| Crib Hardware: Tighten the Screws and Smooth | | | | a month. |
| the Edges | | | | Keep plastic packaging such as dry cleaning bags |
| An important crib safety tip is to always check | | | | away from the nursery. Plastic can cling to the |
| for any loose, bent or broken parts. Any | | | | infant's face and lead to suffocation. In fact, |
| damaged teething rails should be fixed or replaced | | | | plastic should never be placed nearby just in case |
| to ensure the baby's safety. Also check for sharp | | | | it is accidentally blown into the crib by a gust of |
| edges, splinters or rough surfaces that could hurt | | | | wind. |
| the baby's delicate skin in case contact is made | | | | Anticipating the arrival of a newborn is filled with |
| with those parts. | | | | joy and uncertainty. No matter how much advice |
| Opening the drop sides of your infant's crib should | | | | you receive, you can't be one hundred percent |
| either require two distinct actions or the drop | | | | prepared but being informed about crib safety |
| sides should be heavy enough to resist any | | | | makes you aware of your options. |