Follow these tips to make sure your baby's crib is as safe as possible
Every parents’ worst nightmare is that something happens to their baby when they are sound asleep in their crib. It is one of the primary reasons parents don’t sleep much in the few first months of their baby’s lives.
Choosing the best crib you can find is only part of the battle. Once you have that crib, you want to be sure that it is going to be safe and secure for your baby. Buying accessories to make the crib cozy, such as cute baby blankets and toys, is the fun part, baby proofing your baby’s sleeping area is the part you are going to stress over, even after your baby has slept there are few times.
How do you keep your baby safe in the crib?
A question that has plagued parents for centuries is how to do you keep your baby safe? Each part of their lives is going to be a new set of safety concerns. As a baby, one of the first concerns you as the parent will have is how to keep them safe in their cribs.
No plan is fool-proof. All you can do is take steps to ensure your baby is as safe as far as your control goes.
Crib
When it comes to the crib itself, there are legal requirements that must be met. Don’t use the crib that is passed down by generations in your family because chances are it isn’t up to code. Check your local legislation for the safety codes that must be followed when it comes to cribs. Many of these codes include how far apart the bars are and what types of material is used to construct the crib. Also, for a newborn, consider whether a cradle or bassinet would be a more secure place for your baby than a crib.
Bedding
Your baby's bedding is an essential part of their sleep. Make sure any crib mattress has a sheet that fits it perfectly and is taut once in place. You should not have loose sheets in the crib with your baby. Yes, you are going to worry about whether your baby is warm, and for that, make sure to dress your baby warmly and use a blanket sleeper if it's cold.
Toys
Any toys you allow your baby to have in their crib should be toys that are secured to the crib. A musical wall of light that is attached to the crib bars is safe. Furthermore, you can have a mobile that is hanging over the crib for the baby to look at. One stuffed animal that is fairly small for your baby to sleep with is ideal. Too many stuffed toys or otherwise are a hazard. Keep your baby’s sleeping space clear.
Pillows
Pillows pose the same hazard that too many stuffed animals do. Your baby does not need a pillow at their age. They can sleep just fine without it. A pillow can be a tool for suffocation in a crib and should be avoided.
Bumpers
These are the foamy materials that you secure around the inside of the crib to keep your baby from banging into the bars of their bed. However, lately, many of the safety codes have stated that these bumpers are not safe for cribs. You should avoid them as they pose a threat of strangulation, entrapment, and entangling.
Position
All cribs come with adjustable mattress heights. As your baby grows you want to be able to adjust these heights safely. As a newborn, the highest level is fine. Once your baby starts to roll over, check that your baby cannot roll over the bars and adjust the height so that those bars keep you baby in the crib. As your baby learns to stand, you want to adjust the height to the lowest so that your baby cannot fall out of their bed.
Conclusion
Your baby is an important part of your family. As a parent, your biggest concern is going to be how to keep that precious baby safe. Though you won’t be able to foresee everything that could happen to your baby, there are steps you can take.
As you begin the journey to find the best crib when it's time for your baby to sleep in one, be sure to keep safety in mind. Ensure that the place your baby is going to sleep for the next few years of their lives is going to be safe. Keep these tips in mind to make sure your baby’s bed is going to comfortable and secure.
Resources — WhattoExpect, KidsHealth, CHLA
About The Author
