Crib Safety

Children are born completely and totally unaware of the dangers around them, and it is up to parents to keep them safe. It is indeed an awesome responsibility, but don?t let that thought make you feel insecure. Most parents learn as they go, but with so much information available today, you have more information when you start out than perhaps your parents or your grandparents had when they brought home their first child. One of the first considerations parents have is crib safety. Infants won?t be subject to electrical outlets or falling down the stairs in their first months of life, but they will be in a crib right away. Today, crib safety might be as simple as buying the right one.

Most of the cribs built today are built with crib safety in mind. One big concern with cribs was the distance between the slats on the side. If a child got their head wedged between the slats, it was often a trying experience to get them safely out. Crib safety also has a lot to do with Sudden Infant Death, which is in part blamed on babies suffocating on the loose items within the crib. You have to look at the construction of the crib, as well as keep an eye on what you place in the crib when you think about crib safety.

If you are buying a new or used crib, your concerns should be the same. You want only an inch or two between the slats on the side, and you want to make sure all pieces are secure and in proper working order. If you have a crib that has an adjustable side, make sure it works without a hitch. As your child grows, you don?t want them to place their weight up against the side, only to have the side give way so your child falls to the floor. Crib safety also dictates that there are no sharp corners, screws are secure, and that an older crib does not have lead paint on it.

Probably even more important than that, crib safety dictates that no loose items are left in the crib while your child is still an infant. Though many parents consider bumpers to keep your child from knocking their head against the crib, these can be dangerous. A small infant should only need a blanket or two wrapped securely around them in the crib, if a blanket is needed at all. No pillows or toys should be included at this point. This has also been linked to SIDs. If in doubt, look up crib safety online for the latest guidelines and information.

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