Author: MJT
How to Select the Perfect Baby Crib Bed
One of the biggest events for expectant parents is the
shopping trip to select a baby crib bed for the newborn to sleep in. How
exciting to bring it home, set it up and wait with eager anticipation for a new
little bundle to use it! Before that shopping trip however, it is essential to
do your homework so that you can buy a crib that not only looks great in your
nursery, but which is also a safe haven for your little one.
There are many considerations to think about when it comes
to that one piece of furniture that your baby will spend much of his time in
during the first few months of life. Fortunately, there is a plethora of
information available on how to select the safest crib for your newborn.
The first thing you should know before buying your baby a
crib bed is that certain safety standards for cribs were implemented in 1989,
and that means that any new crib should be crafted in accordance to those
standards. One of the main concerns was in regards to the distance between
slats on the sides of the crib. For instance, if these slats were too far
apart, a baby could get caught in them, causing serious injury.
This is why the slats on all cribs made today should be no
farther apart than two and three-eighths inches. There should be no cutouts on
either end of the crib that your baby could get his head stuck in, and the baby
crib bed also should be free of any exposed bolts or hardware that could
scratch or cut your child, and the corner posts should not stick out to allow for
clothing or blankets to get caught and become a strangulation danger.
Selecting a Mattress for Your Baby Crib Bed
The mattress that you place in the baby crib bed must also
be selected carefully and with safety in mind. In this case, it again pays to spend
the extra bit of money for a new product rather than settling for used. Your
mattress should fit snugly into the crib, and in order to test this, you can
slide your fingers between the mattress and the crib sides; if you can fit two
finger or more into the gap, the mattress does not fit well enough for your
baby crib bed.
Also, you should always use a fitted sheet that is
specifically made for a crib mattress, and try to avoid blankets and other
loose bedding. It is much safer to dress your baby in a blanket sleeper than to
put a blanket over him that can become a smothering hazard.
Your child will spend many of his hours during his first
weeks and months of life in the baby crib bed that you select. It is well worth
the time and effort to do your homework and ensure that you provide your
newborn with the safest nighttime haven possible.
Tags:
| 
Print this page
