Choose a Crib to Keep Your Baby Safe

By Kim Proulx

Your newborn will spend up to 16 hours each day snoozing in the crib so you want to make sure that your crib is the safest baby space in your home. We're here to provide you with information to ensure you choose a crib that is sturdy and has all of the safety features you need to keep your little one out of harms way. When you know that your baby is sleeping safely you're sure to get a better night's sleep as well. And all new parents know that's sometimes a good night sleep is difficult to come by.

Inspecting your Crib

1. Buy New not Used: We recommend that you buy a new crib because used cribs might not meet today's safety standards and they could have loose hardware from being taken apart and put together several times.
2. Inspect your Crib: Check your crib from top to bottom to make sure that all of the screws and bolts are tight. Shake your crib to check sturdiness and see if any parts need to be tightened.
3. Get the Right Mattress: It's best to use the mattress that comes with the crib or is made for your crib model. It's important to get a tight fitting mattress. If you can put your two fingers between the crib side and mattress then the mattress isn't big enough. A loose mattress can pose a suffocation hazard if your baby's face were to get wedged between the mattress and crib rail.
4. Choose a Solid Design: Avoid getting a crib that has any type of cut-outs in the design. Any holes in the crib sides can be a possible strangulation hazard if your baby were to stick his head through the hole.
5. Check Crib Slats: Make sure that the crib slats are no more than 2-3/8 inches apart to avoid entrapment and check that all slats are secure.
6. Baby Safe Crib Finish: Purchase a crib from a reputable company that uses baby-safe crib finishes and paints.

Crib Safety Tips

1. Baby Sleeps on his Back: Experts recommend that babies should sleep on their back to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). There's less chance of suffocation if your baby is on his back.
2. No Bulky Bedding: Keep your crib bedding to a minimum getting rid of any bulky bedding items such as comforters, pillows, stuffed animals and crib bumpers. These items pose a suffocation hazard and should always stay out of the crib.
3. Fitted Sheets: It's important to get bedding that fits your crib such as a fitted sheet that wraps around the mattress snuggly and a light sheet that you only pull as high as your baby's chest. You might also want to consider swaddle blankets or footed nightwear.
4. Crib Placement: Always keep your crib far from windows, blinds and drapery. Children have fallen through screens or gotten tangled in cords so keep your crib far from any of these hazardous items. Keep all window cords out of your baby's reach. Avoid hanging any items such as mobiles or toys from strings because these can pose a strangulation risk. Cut all strings off any toys as well.
5. Side Rail Adjustment: Remember to keep the crib side rail locked in its up position when your baby is sleeping and as your baby gets more active adjust your mattress to the lowest position. This will keep your baby secure in the crib and eliminate the risk of falling out.
6. Time for a Toddler Bed: Check to see if your crib comes with a baby weight or height limitation. It's recommended that you move your baby to a toddler bed when your child reaches 35 inches in height.