A crib is supposed to be your baby's safe haven during the first couple of years of life. In fact, Baby Center.com says your little one will probably spend the majority of infancy in his crib. There are a number of factors to consider before purchasing a crib to ensure that your baby will be safe.
Safety Standards
The majority of new cribs being sold today are in compliance with both voluntary and mandatory safety standards. Cribs made prior to 1973, when federal guidelines went into effect, are more apt to have safety issues. A crib should have strips of wood or metal that are close enough together to keep your baby's head from sliding through or becoming trapped. The distance between the crib slats should not exceed 2 3/8 inches---approximately the size of a can of soda. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says it's also important that the corner posts on a crib are no higher than 1/16 inch, to ensure that baby's clothing won't get caught. In addition, the headboard or foot board should not have any cutouts, because a baby's head could get trapped in them.
Shake It Up
If a particular crib catches your eye, make sure to give it a shake to see if it rattles, clatters or wobbles. If it appears to be unstable it could be because it wasn't put together securely enough, or it may not be a very solid model. Consult with your store clerk or see if another store has a sturdier display of the same type of crib.
Mattresses
The CPSC recommends getting a firm, tight fitting mattress to prevent your baby from becoming stuck between the mattress and the crib. If you can fit two fingers between the side of the mattress and the crib, it means you need a larger mattress. Most cribs allow you to adjust the height of the mattress. As your child begins sitting up, you should lower the height of the mattress as a safety precaution.
Location
Your crib needs to be placed in a safe area of your baby's room. Keep the crib away from draperies or blinds in order to avoid possible strangulation from the cords. A crib positioned near a window can be dangerous, should your baby manage to pull herself up and fall through a screen.
Warnings/Precautions
You can help reduce the risk of suffocation, by not placing pillows, comforters or pillow-type bumper pads inside of your crib. Use a thin blanket that only covers your baby up to the chest, or use an infant sleeper to keep your baby warm.
