How to Make Your Baby Safe in His Crib

Preparing a room for a new infant brings a lot of anticipation and joy. You want everything to be adorable, cuddly, and as comfortable for the new addition to your family as possible. So, you spend time selecting a crib, crib mattress, and fluffy, comfy baby bedding. Designing a nursery can be loads of fun but you have to give just as much thought to the safety of your infant's room. After all, much of his first year of life is going to be spent in this crib, and eventually, poking around this room. It needs to be comfortable, but safety has to be the top priority.

Crib Structure: Get Your Ruler Out

Your crib's design is of paramount importance. Thinking of resurrecting that charming, antique crib you used as a child? Think again. Even though it may seem like a smart idea, beware of any adorning cutouts, corner posts and most importantly, lead paint. These pose a danger for the baby.

Now time to measure. Slats should be no wider than 2 3/8" apart so your child's head does not get caught between them. Cribs manufactured after 1974 adhere to this and other strict safety standards whereas vintage cribs were still unregulated, so take heed.

When children begin standing, there's a danger of falling over the railings. To make sure this doesn't happen, see that the rails are always at least 3/4 your baby's standing height. Then when your infant grows taller, move him out of the crib to a day or toddler bed.

Cribs with mesh sides can be safer than wooden cribs, but first measure the holes in the mesh so they're no wider than 1/4". Otherwise, little buttons on infant's garments might get caught in the mesh fabric.

If you're in the market for a new crib, be sure to spot the safety certification seal from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). This signifies that the product passes the national safety standard on crib safety. This, of course, does not eliminate the need for you do your homework before buying the crib to ensure it meets your infant's needs.

Assembling Your Baby's Crib

Examine the crib carefully for any wobbly, nicked or missing parts. Any damaged teething rails need to be fixed or replaced to ensure the child's safety. Also inspect for rough edges, wood fragments or sharp surfaces that could harm the baby's soft skin if he happens to brush up against those parts.

For dropside cribs, watch that your infant is unable to release it unintentionally or even on purpose. What you want is a latch that's designed to operate in two steps.

Mattress: Is It Snug?

When you set the mattress inside the crib, check to make sure there are no gaps. If two fingers can fit in the space between the crib's side and the mattress, then the mattress is too small. A loose mattress has many dangers. Imagine the baby trying to stand. A loose mattress could easily slip to one side, forcing the baby to tumble and hit his head on the crib's railings.

Accessorizing Your Baby's Crib

Stuffed animals, handmade quilts, bumpers, and other soft items may be soothing for your baby, but they can also present a danger for a napping infant. Refrain from piling the crib with these things, especially if they are larger in size.

The safest thing to do is put your child to sleep in a sleeper and keep blankets out of the crib entirely. If you decide to use a blanket, tuck it around the mattress at the foot of the bed and down both sides, leaving only the top of the blanket open. In this way, you can position the child near the bottom of the crib with his head and upper body exposed. Remember, never allow a baby to sleep on his stomach!

Plush and cuddly bumper pads may look incredibly comfortable and cozy, but they are not your safest option. Go for thinner, firmer pads that have adequate ties or snaps to keep them securely in place. Make sure they go all the way around the interior of the crib, and shorten long tie laces to prevent your baby from getting tangled up in them.

Keeping Baby Safe

Never place a crib beside a window, especially if there are hanging cords for blinds or drapes that could strangle your infant.

Install a fire detector in the nursery and check the batteries regularly to make sure they're in good working order.

Plastic is a big danger to babies since it can lead to suffocation. Make sure plastic baggies, grocery bags, or laundry bags are kept far away from the baby's room. Remember, these items can easily be blown around the room.

A Safe Baby Makes One Happy Family

What a joyous time this is. Anticipating a baby's arrival and all the planning that comes with it is a labor of love. Keep in mind the essential elements of a safe nursery, and soon it will be the most adorable room of your home.

Gabriela Gerner is a contributing writer for the highly informative Boring Bedtime Stories for Bella & Fella Children's Bedding featuring nurturing nursery ideas, titillating tales from a distant land, and vexing volumes of infant bedding set ensembles. Visit Bella & Fella today, purveyor of all things pretty in the wonderful world of crib bedding sets.