Top 5 Crib Safety Tips

When it comes to babies there are so many safety rules to keep track of, it is enough to drive you batty. And yet we love our little ones so much that we do whatever it takes to prevent tragedy.

Hopefully these crib safety tips will simplify some of the safety rules.

1.  Drop side cribs are bad.

They have found that limbs can get caught if the side drops on the child. If you want to use a hand-me-down crib that has a drop side, you just have to attach a little plastic piece that keeps the side of the crib from dropping. Hand-me-down cribs in general may not meet the most recent safety requirements. Always check for recalls.

2.  Bumpers are bad.

Very sad when you look at all the beautiful crib bedding in the world, but it’s true. They trap carbon dioxide in the crib contributing to a risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), and a baby could also get his/her face caught in the crack. If you are worried about your baby getting his/her arm or leg through the bars, they do sell mesh bumpers. They are not as pretty though. (Make sure you remove it before him/her can use it to climb.)

UPDATE:  We have recently also found another alternative called Wonder Bumpers from Go Mama Go Designs.  They’re a bit more stylish and doctor approved.

3.  Keep everything in the room at least 3 feet away from the crib.

This may seem excessive considering your baby isn’t even that tall, but who knows what kind of super powers your baby may exhibit when you aren’t looking (or go-go gadget arms). This especially includes any cords or strings. Keep this in mind as you are planning the layout of your nursery. Think about where the humidifier etc. is going to go away from the crib.

4.  Don’t put anything in the crib

Besides the baby that is. Any stuffed animals, toys, baby blankets, or anything else should not be in the crib (or over the side). I have even read that if your baby spits out his/her pacifier while sleeping that you should remove it from the crib. (This seems a little extreme to me.) It is okay to use blankets once your child is one year old.

5.  Put your child to sleep in the right thing.

This is a bigger subject than I can cover here, but here are a few guidelines. You should stop swaddling your baby when he/she starts showing signs of rolling over. (We had a terrible time giving up swaddling our baby, and then we got a Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit. Best baby product EVER!) After swaddling, sleep sacks are the best thing. You can use these until your child will keep covers on. (We aren’t there yet, but I hear it can take quite a while.)

UPDATE: Living Lullaby has recently come out with our own line of sleep sacks or wearable baby blankets called Lullaby Sacks.  They are great because they keep your baby safe while turning them into a whimsical character.  They also make a great gift since they are fun and practical. 

Check our our Lullaby Sack wearable blankets for babies on Etsy here. 

Things you probably already know:

1. Always put your baby to sleep on his/her back.
2. Always use a tightly fitting mattress with a firm surface. (organic is best)

Disclaimer:  I am not an expert in this area.  These crib safety tips are from my personal research.  Please research crib safety on your own and consult various Child Product Safety organizations like JMPA or IAFCS.

Blessings!

Desiree Cook