If a vertical bar on a crib side is broken off, the gap
between the remaining bars will likely be dangerous to an infant
inside. Be sure the crib bars are sturdy and intn. If you cannot
correct the defects, destroy such a crib rather than sell it. Do
this to protect other infants in your community.
Cribs on Rollers
Cribs on rollers can be dangerous if older children are in
the home. Playful siblings, who might be inclined to push a crib
around, could tip it over or push it down a flight of stairs.
Also, by leaning against a wheeled crib you might inadvertently
shove it away from you. Hardwood floors allow for easy rolling
with such cribs so be extra careful here, too. Obviously a crib
without any wheels is the safest way to go. Look for a crib with
casters that can lock the wheels and prevent rolling, or better
yet , get a crib with no wheels at all.
Crib Mattresses & Mattress Covers
The two most important qualities in a crib mattress are
firmness and fit. A firm mattress is necessary in order to
minimize the risk of suffocation. If a mattress is too soft it
can allow an infant's mouth and nose to be engulfed in the
fabric. An infant could then be at risk for re-breathing his own
exhaled air that is high in carbon dioxide and low in oxygen,
leading to extreme drowsiness, coma or even death. Soft
mattresses have been responsible for some deaths that were
initially attributed to SIDS. This is part of the reason your
baby should not sleep face down. Always place your infant face
up when he sleeps.
Mattress Size
A mattress should fit snugly against each side of the crib. A
mattress that does not properly fit the crib can pose a risk to
an infant who might crawl beneath it. If you can fit two
side-by-side fingers between the side of the crib and the
mattress, the mattress is too small. The standard mattress size
is 51 5/8" x 27 1/4". Be sure your baby's mattress fits his
crib.
Mattress Hangers
Mattress hangers support the floor of the crib and can be
used to lower or raise the mattress to a desired height. As your
infant grows taller, you will need to lower the floor of the
crib to prevent him from climbing out. Be sure each hanger is
always securely fastened to the corners of the crib.
Bumper Pads
Mattress bumper pads are soft cushions that fit around the
inside of a crib and help prevent your baby from hitting his
head against the crib bars. Secure all bumper pads to the crib
and cut the strings as short as possible after being tied. This
will eliminate the danger of strangulation. Once your infant can
pull himself up, remove all pads and crib toys, to keep him from
standing on them in attempts to climb from the crib.
Mattress Covers
Mattress covers have also been associated with suffocation
injuries. Be sure the mattress cover in your crib is made of a
tough material that cannot be torn or punctured. This will
prevent your infant from crawling beneath. Never use plastic
garbage bags as mattress covers. They are much too weak. Tie
into knots and discard any plastic wrapping material that came
with your new crib. Several suffocation deaths have been caused
by wrapping material that was left lying around.
Crib Cushions, Quilts & Comforters
Crib accessories such as cushions, quilts and comforters with
their bright colors and designs can certainly beautify any room.
They may seem harmless at first, but the dangers they pose to
infants are very real. Nearly 2,000 cases of infant suffocation
each year are caused by cushions, quilts and comforters.
Recently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission placed a
manufacturing and sales ban on crib cushions, crib pillows and
crib comforters. Never place cushions, quilts and comforters in
your baby's crib.
So, what can you put in your infant's crib? Limit what you
put in your baby's crib to small, age-appropriate toys, a crib
bumper that is properly secured and a pacifier. If you dress him
in a cozy, warm body suit you will only need a lightweight
cotton blanket to keep him warm. Such blankets are porous and
present the least risk of smothering a baby. When using a light
blanket, tuck it around the mattress at the foot of the bed
allowing it only to cover up to your baby's chest. The safest
bet, however, is to use sleepwear rather than a blanket.
Using Your Crib Correctly
No matter how sturdy and well built, a crib is only as safe
as the parents who use it. Keep crib safety in mind and remember
a few basic rules.
- Always raise the crib sides to full height and lock them
when your infant is inside.
- If a drop-side does not have a locking, hand-operated
latch, replace it.
- Once your infant is able to sit unassisted, adjust the
floor of the crib to a lower position. And when he can stand
put the floor in it's lowest position in order to prevent him
from climbing out.
- Avoid placing large toys and pillows in your baby's crib.
They might just enable him to climb out.
- When your child reaches a height of 32 to 35 inches
(usually about two years of age), he should no longer sleep in
a crib, because it may no longer hold him. Your toddler could
outgrow a crib due to his size or activity level well before
reaching this height, so pay attention to his physical
abilities and look for signs that he may be learning to
escape. For instance, if he can pull herself up off the crib
floor by grabbing the crib sides or if he can climb up the
sides, he is too big and strong for a crib. When this occurs,
he should then begin sleeping in a toddler bed.
Crib Location
The location of your baby's crib is of extreme importance. It
is tempting to move the crib next to a large piece of furniture
so diapers, clothing and other accessories are close by.
However, placing a crib next to a dresser or other piece of
furniture puts your infant at risk of getting wedged in between
the two pieces of furniture if he climbs from the crib. This
same type of injury can also occur if a crib is placed against a
wall.
Another dangerous location for a crib is next to a long
drapery cord. Strangulation injury can occur when a crib is
situated too close to any type of window dressing pull cord.
- Pull your crib at least one foot away from all furniture
and walls.
- Never place your baby's crib next to a drapery or window
blind cord.
Crib Maintenance
Frequent inspections of your baby's crib will help you
identify wear and tear before an injury occurs.
- Periodically check the slats and end-boards to be sure
they are not loose and check all nuts and bolts, tightening
them when necessary.
- Be sure no screws or nails are protruding from the wood as
they can catch your baby's clothing or scratch his skin.
- If your crib has defects that cannot be fixed, dismantle
it and throw it away. This will prevent it from being used by
another family. Never sell a bad crib. The few dollars you
gain will not be worth the injury that may be caused to
somebody else's baby.
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