If you have bed bugs in your home, your baby may experience small clusters of bites on areas of skin that are exposed during the night. Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that hide in the crevices and seams of mattresses, box springs and bed frames. They may also be in the folds of curtains and carpets, or in any clutter that is in your baby's bedroom. If you suspect that your baby has been bitten by bed bugs, see your pediatrician promptly for diagnosis. While bed bug extermination should be left to the professionals, you can perform some treatments in your baby's room to prevent more bites.
Step 1
Call a licensed pest control service if you suspect that you have bed bugs, recommends the Harvard School of Public Health. If you are renting your home, call your landlord or property manager first to see if he has a contract with a particular service.
Step 2
Clean and vacuum your baby's bedroom. Throw away any clutter that is on your baby's floor and wash the linens and curtains. Dry them on high heat to help kill any bed bugs or eggs.
Step 3
Dismantle your baby's crib and clean it with a stiff brush and a strong vacuum cleaner, suggests the Harvard School of Public Health. This will remove any eggs and bugs hiding in the crevices.
Step 4
Paint the crib white if it is made of wood, recommends the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program. This will make the bed bugs more visible and will reduce the need for treating the baby's bed more than necessary.
Step 5
Put the crib back together once the paint is dry and keep it away from the wall. The Harvard School of Public Health recommends placing each leg of the crib in a bowl of mineral oil to prevent bed bugs from climbing up the legs of the crib and biting your baby.
Step 6
Use a vinyl-covered crib mattress. If you already have a vinyl-covered mattress, inspect it for holes. If holes are present, either replace the mattress or cover it with an appropriate-sized mattress encasement. If the vinyl crib mattress is intact, there is no need to replace it, advises the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program. Use light-colored crib sheets, and do not allow any blankets to drape down to the floor.
Step 7
Dress your baby in a sleeper that covers his hands and feet. MayoClinic.com states that bed bugs do not usually crawl under clothing, so keep as much of your baby's skin covered as possible.
Things You'll Need
- Vacuum
- Stiff brush
- White paint
- Small bowls
- Mineral oil
- Vinyl mattress or mattress encasement
- Light-colored crib sheets
- Sleepers with feet and hand covers
