Baby Crib Safety
- Frequently Asked Questions
by: Martin Smith
The crib is where your baby will spend a lot of their time
and you want to be sure they are safe. Below are some of the
questions (with the answers) that are asked about crib safety.
Topics such as mattress position, how to place your baby in
the crib, and general safety standards are discussed, as are
other issues. If you need further information you can search
the Internet and visit baby furniture stores.
Q. Are there safety standards for baby cribs?
Yes there are some very exact standards for your baby’s
crib. In 1974 it was made law that cribs should no longer
be painted with lead based paint. It was discovered that the
ingestion of lead (from any source) could cause learning disabilities
and other difficulties in young children. The slats of the
crib must be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, this is to prevent
your baby from getting his body or head stuck between the
bars causing injury or strangulation. The side bar should
be 26 inches above the mattress when it is in its lowest position.
If your child is more than an inch taller than the sidebar
it is time to move him into a regular bed.
Q. Are there some hazards in my baby’s crib that I need
to be aware of?
Your mattress must fit snugly in the crib; an ill-fitting
mattress could cause your baby to slip between the mattress
and the side bar causing suffocation. The mattress height
should be able to be adjusted into at least three different
levels. When your baby becomes more mobile you will want to
put the mattress in the lowest position to prevent your baby
from climbing or falling out. The slats should be tight, loose
slats could pinch little fingers. Do not put the crib near
a window to prevent your baby from possibly falling out or
becoming tangled in Venetian blind cords.
Q. What are some historical facts about the crib?
Here is a short chronological time line of crib facts:
1973 - The standard for crib slats was to be no more than
2 3/8th inches apart to prevent your baby from slipping through
or getting their head stuck. Also, double latches for drop-down
sidebars were to become the norm.
1976 - The standard for cutouts in the crib end panels are
presented. The end panels must not have any decorative cutout
designs. Children were getting their limbs or heads caught
causing serious injury or death.
1978 - Cribs must now be painted with non-toxic finish.
1981 - Two models of cribs with cutouts are recalled.
1988 - A voluntary standard addresses mattress support hardware,
failure of glued or bolted connections, drop-side latch failure
and loosened teething rails.
1990 - No corner posts or projections can be more than 1/16th
of an inch above the drop-side.
1998 - California and Washington mandate that hotel cribs
must meet the same standards set for full-size cribs
1998 - Portable cribs must now meet the same standards as
full-sized cribs.
Q. How can I tell when my baby is ready for a regular bed?
When your child stands more than a couple of inches taller
than the sidebar with the mattress in the lowest position.
If your child is climbing out of the crib, for his safety
put him in a regular bed.
Q. How should I put my baby to sleep in his crib?
Place your baby on his back or on his side for sleeping. Use
one piece sleepers rather than blankets. Your baby could slip
under the blanket and possibly suffocate. Remove all pillows
and toys as well, in order to prevent suffocation.
Q. Is it safe to cover my baby with a blanket?
A blanket sleeper will keep your baby sufficiently warm while
sleeping. If you absolutely need to use a blanket, tuck it
in around the bottom of the mattress. Place your baby with
his feet toward the end-panel and the blanket should go no
higher than his/her chest.
Q. Is a mesh sided crib safe to use for my baby?
Yes, a mesh crib is safe provided the mesh is less than 1/4
inch in size, smaller than a tiny button on baby’s clothes.
The should be rips, tears, or loose threads. If staples are
used to attach the mesh they must not be exposed and the mesh
must be securely attached to the top rail and the floor plate.
Q. Can I safely use bumper pads in my baby’s crib?
While bumper pads are not necessary, they can safely be used.
They must be very close the edge of the mattress and properly
secured. The bumpers must be flat and not puffy, as your baby
could get stuck between the bumper and the mattress and suffocate.
Q. What can I do to keep my baby’s crib safe?
In order to keep your baby’s a safe place, you should
make sure to all connections are secure and that there are
no broken or missing parts. Regularly, check the teething
rail for splits or cracks. Make sure the mattress spring support
and your crib will withstand your baby’s increasing
mobility. The mattress itself should have no splits, tears,
or holes.
Q. How can I tell when it’s time to lower the mattress?
When your baby becomes more active, when s/he begins to pull
himself to a standing position or when he sits up alone it
will be time to lower the mattress to prevent your little
one from either climbing out or falling out.
Q. Can I hang a mobile over my baby’s crib?
Mobiles and crib gyms can be used to entertain your baby but
when your child is able to get on to their hands and knees
or pull themselves up. This will prevent your baby from becoming
entangled in them.
In Conclusion
Making sure your baby’s crib is safe, is an ongoing
to task. Proper positioning of the mattress, making sure all
connections are secure and that there are no loose slats that
could pinch little fingers will help to keep your baby’s
crib a safe place for him to be. Be sure to place him in the
crib on his back or side and dress him in a sleeper rather
than using a blanket. Keeping these tips in mind will help
keep your baby safe and give you some peace of mind.
About The Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice
for consumers on purchasing a variety of Nursery Bedding which
includes Baby strollers, Baby car seats, and more! His numerous
articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting
and relevant information. For more information vist http://www.1st-babies.com
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