Your baby will spend lots of time in his crib, including unsupervised time spent playing and observing the world around him. Because of this, it's important that you choose a safe crib and use it in a safe manner. Strangulation, suffocation and other injuries are all possible if your baby is not safe in his crib, according to the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. Before you begin using your crib, do your homework to ensure you have created a safe environment for your child.
Choosing A Crib
When buying a crib for your baby, look for products that are certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. Cribs should be assembled properly and free of broken or loose wood or hardware, and the mattress should be a tight fit, with a gap no bigger than the width of two fingers between it and the crib. Crib slats should be less than 2 3/8 inches apart, and never use a crib with missing, loose or broken slats, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association recommends. Corner posts should be less than one-sixteenth of an inch tall unless they support a canopy, and no wood should be splintered or have peeling paint.
Sleep Position
Always place your baby to bed in his crib on his back. This has been the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics since 1992. The goal of the "Back to Sleep" campaign is to prevent sudden infant death syndrome. Since the recommendation was issued, SIDS deaths have decreased more than 50 percent in the United States. It's also important to put your baby to bed on his back every time because babies used to sleeping on their backs are far more likely to die of SIDS if placed to sleep on their stomachs, according to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Blankets and Bedding
The best choice for keeping your baby warm while sleeping is to dress her in a sleeper or warm sleep clothes, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises. If you choose to use a blanket in the crib, tuck the blanket around the crib mattress to cover your baby and do not allow the blanket to extend above her chest. Always ensure that the blanket is positioned so it cannot cover her head while sleeping. Also, remove all comforters, quilts, bumper pads and soft toys from the crib because these can present a suffocation hazard.
Crib Position
Where you place your crib is an important part of keeping him safe in his room. The crib should not be placed near window blinds, drapes or curtains, wall art, lamps or other electrical appliances, according to BabyCenter. Do not hang anything over the crib that has a string more than 7 inches long. When placing your crib in the nursery, consider your curious baby. Is there anything in arm's reach that he may be able to pull on or become stuck or tangled in? If so, move either those items or the crib to keep your baby safe.
Drop-Side Cribs
Drop-side cribs must be used properly to ensure your baby's safety. If you choose a drop-side crib, make use it has a fully locking, hand-operated latching system. Also, crib sides should be at least 9 inches above the crib mattress when lowered and at least 26 inches above the crib mattress when in the upright position, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Always make sure the drop-side gate is securely locked when placing your baby in the crib.
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics HealthyChildren.org: Choosing A Crib
- American Academy of Pediatrics: A Parent's Guide to Safe Sleep
- Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association: Cribs
- BabyCenter: Childproofing Your Nursery
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
