Baby Cribs Safety Checklist

Congratulations! You seem to have a baby on the way! Once your baby has arrived, one of the most significant parts of your new life together will get a good night’s sleep you in your bed, the baby in a safe and snug crib. At first, you can need your newly born to sleep in a bassinet by your bed, making it a bit easier for breast-feeding moms, but you should have a crib prepared by the point your baby can roll over. Your baby will spend some more time in the crib than any place else, so safety is of maximum significance.

What makes a crib safe? • The bars or slats of the crib railing shouldn’t be any more than 2-3/8 inches apart, close enough together to stop your baby’s head from slipping through or getting stuck.

• That crib in the attic might be a gorgeous antique, but it potentially doesn’t meet this safety standard. Secondhand older cribs might also have chips or lead paint as well as slats that are too far apart.

• Cribs with cutout designs along the rail may look nice, but your baby’s arm or neck could get stuck in them.

• The crib must be strong. Your child will sleep in a crib until it is time to move into a regular bed between the ages of two and three. When buying the crib, give it a good shake to see whether it wobbles or rattles.

• Construction materials should be stained or painted hardwoods like maple, ash, beech or oak. The utilization of inferior woods can potentially weaken or warp the slats. Some metal cribs are also awfully robust and secure. All finish materials must be lead free and non-toxic.

• For safety, the dropsides must be at least 9" above the mattress support when dropped. When the side is raised, the top must be at least 26" above the support at its lowest position. You should not have any difficulty silently raising and lowering the side rail simply with one hand, since possibilities are you will have a sleeping baby in your arms.

• Make things easier on your back by selecting a crib with an adjustable height mattress. A newly born can rest higher in the crib, while a baby who can sit up requires a lower mattress so he will not climb out. You can change the height of most mattresses by simply raising or lowering the mattress support.

• Check the hardware on the crib for pointy edges or points or anything more that might hurt your baby. The mattress should fit comfortably into the crib. If you can fit two fingers between the side of the mattress and the crib, it is too tiny.

• Keep a watch on mattresses, over time, they may break down at the sides and leave openings.

• Use nonflammable and hypoallergenic fender padding attached to the interior railings of the crib to cushion all 4 sides and stop your baby from sticking an arm or leg through the railings.

• Safely fasten the fender pads to the sides of the crib in at least 6 places.

• Follow assembly instructions carefully. Check the mattress support hooks frequently.

• Don’t place a crib against a window, near curtains or drapery cords, or near furniture that would help your baby climb out.

• Crib toys need to be removed from the crib when baby is sleeping. And remove mobiles when baby is able to snatch at objects.

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