Nursery and Baby Crib Safety

Baby Crib Safety

Here are a few things to consider when buying a crib, new or secondhand. When buying a new crib these will most likely be deemed safe although you should keep in mind there may be the odd one the slips through and be on recall.

If you intend on buying a second hand crib or have a hand-me-down or heirloom crib then check out this safety checklist first for tips on baby crib safety:

• Are there bits of the crib that are broken or missing any parts?
• I recommend buying a brand new mattress to help in the prevention of SIDS.
• Has the crib been recalled? You can check it out here.
• Does it meet current crib regulations?
• Do they have the instructions to put the crib together? If not can you get them online? A crib always needs to put together correctly for the safety of your infant.
• When buying a new mattress be sure when placed in the crib there are no gaps along the sides, no large than two fingers.
• The gap in between the slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
• Are the crib/cribs going to fit in the nursery?

Baby Crib Safety – Crib Placement

Now for some guidelines when your baby/babies are sleeping and how to place your crib/s in the nursery.

• Firstly never place a crib near a window especially with blinds and curtain cords to prevent chocking and entanglement.
• Cribs should also stay away from anything in reach so things like power cords, shelves, lotions etc.
• Additional your household should be a smoke free zone as this is strongly linked with SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
• Also having twins will probably mean two cribs, be sure not to place them too close together to prevent little hands and feet from getting stuck in between the gap.

Baby Crib Safety – Bumpers and Toys

Crib bumpers can be hazardous as well as toys, after all bed time is for sleeping not playing. A crib mobile with soothing music is fine until they are able to stand up in there crib. When this happens or even before you think this could happen remove the mobile immediately.

Even blankets and pillows can be dangerous, if you dress you baby to suit the weather then a blanket is not necessary.

Baby Crib Safety – Twins Sharing a Crib

So many parents of twins will co-sleep their twin babies, I even did this from time to time as it helped settle them down. In saying that the American Academy of Pediatrics say it is not recommended to do this as it can increase the chances of SIDS. If your nursery is lacking in space, check out some of our other post for some some great ideas for cribs for twins.

Movement and Sound Monitor – Baby Crib Safety

A movement and sound monitor can actually be life saving for your little ones, especially if they were born prematurely or had time in the NICU because of health issues. My sister-in-law used one for my niece and she said it really gave her peace of mind.

So how it works is you place the sensory pad under the mattress and the monitor detects movement from your infant including breathing.

If the monitor detects zero movement an alarm will go off after about 20 seconds. It is important to know that a babies breathing can be a little bit erratic, it is normal for a baby to not breathe for 10 – 15 seconds at times. I also know some parents will continue to use this device in the crib at the age of 2 so if they have climbed out they will know and can help with risk of getting tangled and stuck.