When parents leave the hospital with their newborn, the hospital is required to check that the car has a car seat. Parents may be aware of this rule, but not everyone realizes all the safety standards of infant crib bedding and furniture. In mid-October, over 40,000 drop-side cribs were recalled by the U.S. Product Safety Commission after receiving word of several injuries due to faulty side rail detachments. It is vital that parents continually check the U.S. Product Safety Commission's website for any recalls on products and read up on tips to ensure their child's safety.
Before purchasing an infant crib, check for peeling paint and splinters. Older cribs may have been originally painted with lead and of course you don't want your baby hurting himself on any splintered wood. The slat spacing should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches thick which is about the width of a soda can. Most new cribs shouldn't have this problem. If the crib has posts, they should be at least 16 inches above the end panels so your baby's clothing cannot get caught on them. Also make it a habit to frequently check the crib's hardware to check for loose, missing, or broken parts.
Choosing the correct mattress for both infant and toddler beds is very important. The mattress should always be firm and the baby should always sleep on his back. If a mattress is too soft, the baby can easily roll over and suffocate. The mattress should be 27 by 51 inches and you should not be able to place more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame. When your baby reaches about 6 months and can fully stand, adjust the crib height to the lowest setting in case he's an escape artist. You don't want him to crawl out of the crib when it's several feet from the floor.
You might be tempted to leave a toy or a bottle in the crib with your baby at night, but this can pose as a serious danger. Always remove all items when you put him to sleep. Also make sure that the mobile is high enough from the crib so he can't grab it. If he can stand, the mobile needs to go. Babies have a lot of free time on their hands so it won't take long for him to figure out how to pull off pieces. Another safety tip is not to fill the infant crib bedding with blankets, sheets, and pillows. All those blankets can easily entangle the baby.
One of the most dangerous cribs is the drop-side crib mentioned earlier. Most manufacturers have completely eliminated making these cribs because they are so dangerous. Unfortunately, many parents still continue to use them. It's best to simply avoid this type of crib and purchase another crib or a bassinet. Cribs continue to be the leading cause of injury and death among all baby products, so always err on the side of caution. Continue to check toddler beds and toddler furniture too as your child grows to keep him safe.
Author Resource:-
NetKidsWear.com is your source for child, toddler, and infant bedding sets. We also carry childrens, infants, and toddlers furniture, as well as various nursing supplies and toys for all ages.
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