Are You Putting Your Baby in a Dangerous Crib?

Submitted by sally on Sat, 11/06/2010 - 18:27
Maximum Crib Slat Width is 2 and 3/8 inches

Parents are 100% at fault if they do not do basic research before placing their child in an unsafe environment. There are two parts to crib safety:

  1. Eliminating the loose articles in the crib
  2. ensuring your crib is built with a solid set of safety rules

Follow these guidelines and you'll ensure you'll have a safe place for your baby to sleep each night...

1. Eliminate Loose Articles in the Crib

Follow these rules or risk endangering your child:

  • Always lay your baby on her back in a crib with a tight-fitting mattress (see the Two Finger Rule)
  • Eliminate bumper pads, and items used as bumper pads from the crib, such as: pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals
  • Use a sleeper instead of a blanket. However, if you must use a blanket, place the baby's foot at the end of the crib and tuck a thin blanket around the crib mattress. Do NOT cover above the baby's chest!
  • Use a crib specific bottom sheet, otherwise the fitment will be dangerous

2. Ensure a Safe Crib Construction

There are two major styles of cribs: a bar crib, and a mesh crib. Each of these cribs has its own safe construction rules.

Bar Crib Construction Safety

Make sure you have a quality crib to prevent unwanted injuries. A quality crib has the follow:

  1. A firm and tight crib mattress (See the Squeeze Test and the Two Finger Test)
  2. No missing screws or brackets
  3. Crib slats less than 2 3/8 inches apart (so your baby can't slip through)
  4. Corner posts less than 1/16th inch high (so baby-clothing won't catch)
  5. A solid head- and foot-board (so there are no cutouts for a baby's head to get trapped)

Mesh Crib Contruction Safety

If you're not using bars for your crib and are using a mesh, a mesh should have the following:

  • Each mesh is less than 1/4 inch, so the button's on baby clothing won't get tangled
  • No tears or holes to trap your baby
  • No staples, because they have a tendency to become loose

Conclusion

Once you've followed the two guidelines above, you'll be sure that your baby will be sleeping safely.

© 2010 Sally Mason.