by Brittney Steimle

Created on: February 26, 2009

After months of planning for the arrival of your sweet little newborn there is a shift in your thinking that takes place. No longer is baby's safe delivery the first thought in mind, but now the main, all consumming thought is "how can I keep baby safe?" Crib safety is especially important because from birth until about six month babies sleep around 15 hours a day, so this environment where they spend so many hours a day should be free from dangers. The crib itself should meet Federal safety regulations and industry voluntary standards. Slats should be no more than 2-3/8 inches (60 mm) apart in order to prevent baby's head from getting caught. Periodically screws and bolts should be checked to insure they are secure or than nothing is missing or damaged. Painted cribs should be checked for chipped or peeling paint or splintered wood which could choke or injure baby. Older cribs should be checked to make sure there is no lead based paint.

The crib mattress should fit snuggly. If you can fit more than two fingers between the side of the crib and the mattress then the mattress is too small and could cause the baby to become trapped. The mattress itself should be firm and covered in a tightly fitting sheet. A properly fitted crib sheet will remain on the mattress when you life the corners. The crib should remain clear of any extra items, including blankets, stuffed animals, and crib bumpers. These could become suffocation hazards especially when baby is unable to lift his head. If you are concerned about baby being warm enough there are wearable blankets that keep baby warm and safe, though it is more common for babies to overheat. The room temperature should be somewhere in the range from 68-72 degrees. The crib should be placed away from windows in order to keep baby from becoming tangled up in a dangling window cord. The level of the mattress should be lowered as baby grows to keep baby from falling or climbing out. The cribs should also be kept away from other furniture, such as a changing table or dresser, as these might provide a place for baby to climb.

Once it is established that the crib is a safe environment baby should always be placed on his back to sleep. Extra amenities, like a nursery monitor that allows you to hear your baby or a monitor that sounds an alarm if no movement is detected after a period of twenty seconds are not necessary, but can add peace of mind.

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