Making Your Baby Crib SAFE

As a new parents, you can get away with keeping your newborn babies in a bassinet for the first new weeks, then in the baby crib to ensure your newborns safe during the early years.

Nowadays, baby cribs are available in many varieties and models, so it can often be overwhelming. There are sleigh,
convertible, mini, wooden and rocking cribs to name a few. Some of the
most popular baby cribs are those that convert into a toddler bed.
Buying this type of crib is an economical decision allowing baby to use
the same bedding for years to come. Other types of convertible baby
cribs allow the crib to be attached next to the parent’s bedside for
co-sleeping arrangements. This style of crib is often a popular choice
among attachment parenting supporters, who believe that baby is better
off sleeping with mom and dad for the first few months of life.

Some
of the newest types of baby cribs have the capability of making your
newborn to sleep. This can be an exceptional plus when trying to get a
colicky baby to sleep. Keep in mind however, when considering this
style of crib that eventually baby will outgrow the rocking crib and
have to move to an ordinary bed. The transition might be a little
disconcerting at first. Babies develop habits early on, and a baby who
learns how to fall asleep with rocking will likely require some type of
soothing mechanism in order to fall asleep in the years to come.

No
matter the type of baby crib you decide on, there are certain important
safety factors you should take into consideration before purchasing.
These include the following:

• NEVER buy
  a used crib unless you are certain that it is in quality shape and
  has all the parts. If you are missing a part, you might be able to
  order spare parts from the manufacturer. NEVER, EVER try to force a
  crib so that it works without the spare parts. Your baby’s life can be
  in danger. Many an infant has been critically injured or suffocated
  because of a collapsed crib. Most manufacturers and organizations
  recommend purchase of a new crib to ensure the safety of your newborn
  infant.
• Make sure that all slats are placed no more than 2 3/8 inches apart
• Ensure
  that the mattress fits snugly into the crib, so that there is no more
  than a two finger width space differential between the edge of the
  mattress and the side of the crib
• Corner posts should be no higher than 1/16 of an inch to prevent entanglement or suffocation
• Screws and bolts should all be secure

Some
other considerations when you are searching for baby cribs include how
secure the drop side latches are. You want to be certain that they are
strong enough to prevent baby from accidentally unlatching them. Also,
when setting up your baby crib, be certain not to fill the babies bed
with extra blankets or stuffed animals. Such items also pose a
suffocation risk, especially during the first four months of baby’s
life when SIDS is a risk factor. Lastly, be certain that you do not
place the crib within reach of any hanging objects that baby might
accidentally grab onto and pull down.

Many parents often look for
a colorful mobile to attach to the rail of their baby crib. This is a
fine idea, and can provide your baby with hours of stimulating
entertainment. Just be certain that you remove the mobile by the time
baby is sitting up, so that she doesn’t accidentally pull the mobile
down or become entangled in any loose strings.

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