What Are The Crib Safety Tips For Babies?

In What Ways Can I Verify The Security Of My Infant's Crib?

Since 2011, the CPSC has mandated that all cribs be manufactured in accordance with stringent safety standards. However, you should still verify that the crib you're considering has all you need.

If you are considering a used crib that is more than ten years old, there is a greater risk that it does not conform to the latest safety regulations, therefore it is essential that you thoroughly examine the crib and all of its components. What to look for is listed below.

The size of the crib is perfect.

No cracks or missing bars should be present in the crib, and the maximum width of the bars should be 2 3/8 inches (about the width of a can of soda). At least 26 inches should separate the top of the crib rail and the top of the mattress.

A bed's corner posts should either be exactly 16 inches tall or align with the headboard's peak. If your child tries to climb out, his clothing could become caught on the posts in the space between the two levels.

The posts in the corners have a sleek finish.

Posts at the corners shouldn't protrude beyond the ends of the panels, and any such posts should be no more than 1/16 of an inch high. Seeing off the ornate finials or knobs on a used cot, and smoothing out the rough spots, should be done outside, well away from the baby's bedroom.

You may rest assured that all of the gear is safely fastened.

The hardware (bolts, screws, etc.) in a safe crib should be properly fastened and smoothed over to prevent your precious infant from getting pinched or scratched. The wood of the crib shouldn't have any splits or fissures. (Additionally, all the crib's components, including the walls and slats, need to be extremely well-made with tight connections.)

Never use hardware store parts in place of those found on a crib. The manufacturer of the crib is the only source for its replacement parts.

This colour of paint is safe for use.

There's more to painting a baby's room than just picking a colour. Children who used cribs manufactured before 1978 may have been exposed to dangerous levels of lead from the paint or varnish used to cover the wood.

EPA-recommended standards state that lead-based paint should be removed from the outside of a home if there is any suspicion that it may be there (EPA). Then, begin again using a premium, lead-free enamel (check the paint label to make sure your choice is safe as a nursery item). Use only low- or no-VOC paints in a nursery that aims for a more natural environment (VOCs).

Avoid or refinish any crib that has paint that is chipping or cracking (even if it is lead-free).

The mattress tucks in well.

Check that the perimeter of the mattress touches the inside of the crib railings. Use the two-finger test to make sure your baby's cot is secure: There's no way Mom's fingernails will fit in there. The mattress doesn't fit well in the crib, thus it's Dad's job if he has large hands. (The more challenging the bed-making process is for you, the better it is for your child.)

Want to double-check your math before you commit? It's recommended that a full-size crib mattress measure at least 27 1/4 inches by 51 1/4 inches, and that it be no more than 6 inches in thickness.

Mattress plastic should be removed and discarded right away if the bed is brand new. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome can also be reduced by using a hard mattress. If you're shopping for a mattress, don't only go by the label's recommendation of how firm it is; instead, put some weight on it and see if it bounces back.

Stay away from plush items.

The cute pillow and blanket that come with the crib bedding set, as well as any other soft bedding, should never be placed in the crib with your infant because of the suffocation risk they provide.

Bumper pads raise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other deaths in cribs, hence they are strongly discouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Before your baby's first birthday, and ideally until he's 18 months old, there shouldn't be any soft bedding in his cot. Small stuffed animals or thin blankets are examples of acceptable transitional objects that can aid infants 12 to 18 months old who are having trouble falling or staying asleep.

After your baby turns one, the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) drops considerably; nonetheless, you should still avoid using crib bumper pads. Despite the fact that they probably won't offer a suffocation hazard once your baby is a toddler, an inquisitive toddler could try to climb on them in an attempt to squirm out of the crib, which could result in injury.

Avoid beds with drop-sides or cutouts in the headboard or footboard.

Headboards and footboards with decorative cutouts are prohibited by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and should be avoided. Also, never accept a drop-side crib as a gift.

Make sure bassinets are secure and used correctly as well.

Keep in mind that the same recommended safety precautions that apply to a standard crib also apply to a bassinet or portable crib with bassinet characteristics.

This includes making sure the mattress fits firmly in the bassinet and eliminating the use of bumpers, pillows, toys, and soft bedding (i.e. using only the mattress that comes with or fits that specific model).

Have the most up-to-date model of both the bassinet and the portable crib. But if you're testing out a used one, make sure to pair it with the original mattress, as the product's safety rating is based on that.

Avoid using a wicker bassinet or Moses basket at all costs due to the risks of splinters, cuts, and choking that these products provide to infants.

It may take some time and research to find the best crib for your baby's bedroom. Don't only focus on the aesthetics of the colours, textiles, and general design; give safety some thought, too.

Choose a model that is as recent as feasible and complies with the Consumer Product Safety Commission's current requirements for safety. You'll both get better rest if you follow the most recent crib safety rules for your baby's protection.

Safety Measures for a Crib

Advantage, Back

Even when a baby has learned to roll from back to front, he or she should remain sleeping on their back until they are a year old.

Bundle Safely

During the newborn period, swaddling the baby can help him sleep more soundly. Put the baby in a firm swaddle, making sure that any excess fabric is tucked under the infant. Your infant should be unswaddled as soon as he or she starts to roll over.

The Plush era has come to an end.

Nothing should be placed in the baby's crib, including bumpers, blankets, pillows, or toys. Babies are more likely to die in their sleep if they are exposed to extra things, particularly padded ones. Although it can be fun to find the right crib bumper to complement your nursery's decor, you can safely forego buying one.

Does your baby sleep with a pacifier? Use a mesh crib liner to prevent pacifiers from dropping through the cracks in the crib's side while still allowing your baby to rest comfortably next to it. This liner can be attached to the crib and is constructed of breathable mesh to ensure your baby stays comfortable.

Worried that your infant might become cold without a blanket? When it's too cold to put the baby to bed with a blanket, it's best to instead ensure the room is warm enough, clothing the infant in layers, and use a sleep sack.

Less Is More

There is usually a way to alter the height of the mattress in a crib. Parents will find it easiest to access their infant at the highest crib mattress setting, but as their child grows and becomes more mobile, they may need to raise the mattress lower.

When your baby is in a foetal position on all fours, her head shouldn't be above the top of the crib rail. When the infant is able to stand, the mattress should be lowered to the floor so that he or she cannot escape.

Put forth a Concerted Effort

A continuous routine of crib safety measures is probably the single most critical thing you can do to protect your baby. Be sure that your husband, grandparents, and other carers all understand how the baby sleeps and what you do to ensure their safety in the crib.

You may rest easier knowing that everyone has the same crib safety expectations. And as a new mum, couldn't you use some extra shut-eye and less time spent fretting over your infant's sleeping habits?

Crib Safety Features That Should Always Be Present

If you've selected a type of crib that looks fantastic and has space for all the above-mentioned considerations, here are the primary certifications you must check for to verify the crib's safety in use:

Commission for the Safety of Consumer Products (CPSC)

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has established standards that must be met by all cribs sold in the United States. The structural integrity of products is prioritised in the requirements set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. As a result, the commision has mandated stringent requirements to make sure that cribs available today are made of safe, long-lasting materials.

Society for Testing and Materials of the United States of America (ASTM)

Secondly, you should make sure that the wood finish, composites, and glue on the crib you're considering buying have all been verified as safe by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). All commercially accessible cribs must adhere to federal regulations mandating that they meet minimum safety standards established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

Association of Infant & Youth Product Producers (JPMA)

Furthermore, a crib that has been certified by JPMA is preferable because it ensures that it has been tested and meets stringent safety standards. The JPMA seal of approval means the crib has been tested and found to be in compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations and the ASTM standards upon which it was built.

Certified as Greenguard Gold Standard

Assuring that the crib has been tested throughout production and found to have below-safe levels of volatile organic chemicals, Greenguard Gold Certification is awarded (VOCs).

This will guarantee that your infant is breathing in safe, clean air within your home. Getting a crib with Greenguard Gold accreditation is preferable because it assures even higher standards of safety for your infant.

Criteria for a Reliable Crib Mattress

Here are some of the most important certifications and tests to look for when purchasing a crib mattress.

• If your mattress has earned the Greenguard Gold seal of approval, you can rest easy knowing that it is safe for your baby to sleep on. Greenguard Gold certification ensures that the crib mattress has been tested for thousands of chemical emissions, helping to keep the baby safe in clean indoor air.
• A crib mattress with a JPMA seal of approval has passed through third-party testing and found to be in compliance with or to exceed all applicable ASTM safety criteria.
• CertiPUR-US Seal - When searching for a foam crib mattress, it is important to seek for the CertiPUR-US seal to guarantee the mattress has been tested for VOCs, ozone depleters, and other heavy metals.
• You may rest assured that your "organic" baby mattress actually is organic if it has been certified by the Global Organic Textile
• Standard (GOTS). This certification requires that the mattress contain at least 70% organic fibres.

Advice & Guidelines for Keeping Your Baby Safe in Her Crib

Most of your baby's time will be spent in the crib, so it's important to keep them safe there. Here are some rules for safe sleeping in the crib.

• Before placing your baby in the crib, you should first make sure that you have followed the manufacturer's instructions to the letter and that you have tested the crib with an object that is heavier than your baby.
• Pick a firm mattress and make sure there are no gaps in the corners of the crib.
• A tight crib sheet designed for infants should cover the mattress.
  It's best to sleep with the baby for the first six months to a year. By doing so, you can keep a tight eye on them until they are old enough to learn to sleep on their own.
• Infants should always be put to bed on their backs to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
• Sucking on a pacifier requires forwards posture of the tongue, lowering the risk of oropharyngeal blockage and sudden infant death syndrome, thus it's a good idea to give one to your kid when he or she is sleeping during the day and at night.
• On the other hand, the level of security of your baby's slumber is significantly impacted by the pacifier you go for. These days it's not uncommon to find a pacifier with some sort of adornment on it. Since the decorative features on such pacifiers could pose a hazard to infants, you should avoid using them when you are not around the baby or when he or she is sleeping.
• If you just can't help yourself and have to have a cute, ornamental pacifier, try to get one with removable parts so you can take them off before putting the baby to sleep.
• Don't put anything in the crib with the infant, not even the mobile.
• Make sure there are no loose items (such as pillows, blankets, or DVDs) in the baby's cot. This means that there should be nothing in the crib when you place your kid inside.
• Until your baby is at least 12 months old, it is best to dress him or her in a wearable blanket or onesie instead of a loose blanket, which can raise the danger of unintentional suffocation.
• If any of the crib's hardware breaks, it's best to order new pieces directly from the maker rather than trying to improvise with parts from a hardware store.

Conclusion

If you're buying a crib for your baby, it's important to review the basics of crib safety. The risk of entrapment, strangling, or asphyxia is increased in cribs that don't conform to current safety requirements. All the information you'll ever need to know about keeping infants safe in their cribs is right here. Incorrectly assembled cribs provide a risk of entrapment or asphyxia if the hardware is missing, loose, or broken, or if the slats are damaged. Wrap the infant in a light blanket that doesn't go above their chest and tuck it around the crib mattress.

The maximum width of the bars should be 2 3/8 inches (about the width of a can of soda). The wood of the crib shouldn't have any splits or fissures. The hardware in a safe crib should be properly fastened and smoothed over to prevent your infant from getting pinched or scratched. Use only low- or no-VOC paints in a nursery that aims for a more natural environment (VOCs). Avoid or refinish any crib that has paint that is chipping or cracking (even if it is lead-free).

Mattress plastic should be removed and discarded right away if the bed is brand new. The same recommended safety precautions apply to a standard crib as they do to a bassinet or portable crib. Swaddling the baby can help him sleep more soundly during the newborn period. Have the most up-to-date model of both the bassinet and the portable crib for your baby's protection. Use a mesh crib liner to prevent pacifiers from dropping through the cracks in the crib's side.

There is usually a way to alter the height of the mattress in a crib. When it's too cold to put the baby to bed with a blanket, clothing them in layers and use a sleep sack. If you're considering buying a crib for your baby, here are the certifications you must check for to verify the crib's safety in use. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has established standards that must be met by all cribs sold in the United States.

Content Summary

1. Until he outgrows it, your kid will be spending a lot of time in the crib, so it's important that it's comfortable, safe, and the proper size and colour for him.
2. To top it all off, though, it needs to be secure.
3. There's a lot to think about when it comes to making sure your sweetheart has a secure place to sleep, and one of the first things you should do is review the basics of crib safety.
4. The risk of entrapment, strangling, or asphyxia is increased in cribs that don't conform to current safety requirements.
5. You should still verify that the crib you're considering is up to code with the local building department. (
6. The following items are appropriate for a baby's room.)
7. Particularly if you plan on using a used crib, which may not be up to par.
8. All the information you'll ever need to know about keeping infants safe in their cribs is right here.
9. Swap out your blanket with a sleeper.
10. Wrap the infant in a light blanket that doesn't go above their chest and tuck it around the crib mattress.
11. For the safety of your baby, only use a fitted crib sheet.
12. Make sure your baby's crib is secure.
13. There are no openings in the headboard or footboard, making it impossible for a child's head to become stuck.
14. Try these stores if you need a crib or playpen with mesh sides: Micromesh with a width of less than a quarter inch, comparable to that of the buttons on a baby's garment.
15. No rips or holes in the top rail cover.
16. Since 2011, the CPSC has mandated that all cribs be manufactured in accordance with stringent safety standards.
17. However, you should still verify that the crib you're considering has all you need.
18. If you are considering a used crib that is more than ten years old, there is a greater risk that it does not conform to the latest safety regulations, therefore it is essential that you thoroughly examine the crib and all of its components.
19. What to look for is listed below.
20. The size of the crib is perfect.
21. Additionally, all the crib's components, including the walls and slats, need to be extremely well-made with tight connections.)
22. The manufacturer of the crib is the only source for its replacement parts.
23. Then, begin again using a premium, lead-free enamel (check the paint label to make sure your choice is safe as a nursery item).
24. Use only low- or no-VOC paints in a nursery that aims for a more natural environment (VOCs).
25. Avoid or refinish any crib that has paint that is chipping or cracking (even if it is lead-free).
26. The mattress tucks in well.
27. Check that the perimeter of the mattress touches the inside of the crib railings.
28. The more challenging the bed-making process is for you, the better it is for your child.)
29. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome can also be reduced by using a hard mattress.
30. Stay away from plush items.
31. Before your baby's first birthday, and ideally until he's 18 months old, there shouldn't be any soft bedding in his cot.
32. Avoid beds with drop-sides or cutouts in the headboard or footboard.
33. Keep in mind that the same recommended safety precautions that apply to a standard crib also apply to a bassinet or portable crib with bassinet characteristics.
34. Have the most up-to-date model of both the bassinet and the portable crib.
35. It may take some time and research to find the best crib for your baby's bedroom.
36. Choose a model that is as recent as feasible and complies with the Consumer Product Safety Commission's current requirements for safety.
37. You'll both get better rest if you follow the most recent crib safety rules for your baby's protection.
38. Bundle Safely During the newborn period, swaddling the baby can help him sleep more soundly.
39. Although it can be fun to find the right crib bumper to complement your nursery's decor, you can safely forego buying one.
40. Does your baby sleep with a pacifier?
41. Use a mesh crib liner to prevent pacifiers from dropping through the cracks in the crib's side while still allowing your baby to rest comfortably next to it.
42. Worried that your infant might become cold without a blanket?
43. When it's too cold to put the baby to bed with a blanket, it's best to instead ensure the room is warm enough, clothing the infant in layers, and use a sleep sack.
44. Less Is More There is usually a way to alter the height of the mattress in a crib.
45. When your baby is in a foetal position on all fours, her head shouldn't be above the top of the crib rail.
46. Be sure that your husband, grandparents, and other carers all understand how the baby sleeps and what you do to ensure their safety in the crib.
47. You may rest easier knowing that everyone has the same crib safety expectations.
48. Crib Safety Features That Should Always Be Present If you've selected a type of crib that looks fantastic and has space for all the above-mentioned considerations, here are the primary certifications you must check for to verify the crib's safety in use: Commission for the Safety of Consumer Products (CPSC) The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has established standards that must be met by all cribs sold in the United States.
49. The structural integrity of products is prioritised in the requirements set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
50. This will guarantee that your infant is breathing in safe, clean air within your home.