Crib safety is vital to learn about as a new parent! One of the biggest and most important purchases you make as a new parent is your baby’s crib. There are so many options on the market, you can choose almost any color, and there are multiple sizes and different styles. You will most likely do a ton of research to ensure you’re picking the right crib and to make sure that you’ve picked a safe crib.
Lucky for us, nowadays crib manufacturers are held to very high and very specific safety standards. Even if you pick the safest, top-of-the-line crib that is out there, there can still be hazards that lurk. Luckily these crib hazards are extremely preventable! Below I’ll go over the top 5 crib hazards and how to reduce the risk of having a hazard in your baby’s crib.
8 Crib Hazards and How to Avoid Them
1. Only A Mattress Designed for Cribs
Since crib manufacturers all have to follow a certain set of guidelines and standards, all cribs are designed with specific mattress supports to hold the same size mattress to reduce the risk of suffocation. There are many different types of crib mattresses you can purchase, but they will all be made of the same size. The most important thing to remember is that you need a standard crib mattress, one made especially for a crib (not a pack and play mattress, bassinet mattress etc.). A mattress that is not made specifically for a crib can be a suffocation or injury hazard.
2. No Bumpers
NEVER put bumper pads on your baby’s crib side rails or corner posts. There is no evidence showing that bumpers around the crib sides prevent any kind of injury. There are loads of evidence directly from the American Academy of Pediatrics proving that bumpers are unsafe for babies and can be a huge safety risk Infant deaths have occurred due to suffocation from a crib bumper. When babies start to get mobile they will eager to roll, push up on their hands and knees, and pull up to stand. It might seem like they are using their crib as a jungle gym. I know it can be hard to watch your baby get their limbs stuck in between the crib slats but it won’t cause any safety concerns.
3. Empty Crib
The environment for safe sleep for your baby is an empty crib, well the mattress and the crib – that’s it! A crib mattress and tight-fitting sheet is all they need. As much as you might think they need it, never put a blanket or pillow in your baby’s crib. If you’re worried about them being cold, utilize a safe sleep-approved sleep sack or swaddle depending on their age. Along with leaving blankets and pillows out of your baby’s crib, do not put soft stuffed toys in the crib, or stuffed animals/lovies either. Having anything at all in their crib, including loose bedding, can cause an increased risk of SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Also, never use a sleep positioner in your baby’s crib. If you have any questions regarding your baby’s sleeping position, contact your pediatrician.
4. New Crib
It is really best to get a new crib for your baby. You can sometimes use one that was used by one of your other children if your first is ready to move to a new bed for example, but crib standards really changed in the past decade. In 2011, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued new mandatory standards for cribs.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued five new key requirements for crib manufacturers. First, traditional drop-side cribs cannot be made or sold (immobilizers and repair kits are not allowed). Second, wood crib slats must be made of stronger woods to prevent breakage. Third, the crib hardware must have anti-loosening devices to keep it from coming loose or falling off. Fourth, the mattress supports must be more durable and safety testing must be more rigorous. Because of these new standards, older cribs manufactured before these changes were enacted are considered unsafe and put your baby at risk for injury or death. Check out the CPSC website for more information on crib manufacturers.
5. Crib Location
When setting up your baby’s crib, think about the location and proximity to windows. Keep your baby’s crib out of reach of blinds or drapes/curtains. Window hangings of any kind can be a strangulation risk once your baby can move around more in their crib. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, window hangings can be a hazard to babies and young children until they are 6 years of age. Keeping your child’s crib away from access to any sort of window covering will help avoid this risk. Make sure that you’ve tightened any screws or bolts all the way in so there is no risk of them coming undone in the crib.
I know this list can seem overwhelming and scary. My top priority is to help you focus on preventing these hazards to avoid any risk to your baby. If you have any questions about safe sleep feel free to reach out! I’m happy to help however I can.
6. Crib Setting
Make sure that you adjust the mattress to its lowest setting. You don’t want to be in a situation where your infant is standing or climbing out of the crib. This can lead to injuries. Regardless of the age of your child, the earlier you lower the crib mattress the better!
7. Crib Gaps
Ensure that the mattress of your infant’s crib is snug. If you can fit two fingers in the gap, it is unsafe. Gaps can potentially trap your infant’s limbs, causing injury.
8. Crib Decorations
While cute wooden signs and picture above your child’s crib are aesthetically pleasing, you do chance a risk of a decoration falling into the crib and potentially harming your child. Moving the frame or sign to another location can give you peace of mind that your child will sleep safely in the crib.
For more information on crib safety standards and safe sleep, check out our blog: Safe Sleep Practices for Newborns.
Sleep Shore Sleep Consulting
Is your little one having difficulty self-soothing for naps and nights? If your child is unable to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up at a normal time, it may be time to consider sleep training. Sleep Shore offers personalized solutions for each unique sleeping situation to get your little one on track- whether they’re a newborn, infant, or toddler. We also offer in home sleep training services in the Boston, Massachusetts and Michigan area. Sleep training offers babies and children with the skills to fall asleep on their own so they can wake up feeling more well-rested- and in turn, you’ll feel more energized, too! See what this mama had to say about our sleep services below:
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–MOM OF AN 8-MONTH OLD