Crib Tent Safety

Is your baby safe in her crib?

If you don't believe your baby is ready for a big boy bed, but he is attempting to climb out of his crib, you may be considering the purchase of a crib tent. A crib tent is a mesh dome that adheres to a crib with Velcro. You access your child by opening a zipper, though some crib tents allow you to lower and rise up the sides of the crib without removing the crib tent. Crib tents are designed to discourage precocious climbers from escaping their crib. They are also used to keep unwanted object from getting into a crib: including siblings, pets, insects and siblings' toys.

Considerations

Crib tents are not for all babies!

Crib tents are designed for babies ages 0-3 years old. Crib tents, like regular tents, can be pulled down. A child over 3-years of age is likely to figure out how to dismantle their crib tent or even how to unzip the crib tent and climb out. Know what your child is capable of before purchasing a crib tent. If you do purchase a crib tent, make sure it fits properly on your baby's crib. The Velcro should be securely adhered to the top of the crib. The crib tent should be completely even, with no gaps between the tent and the crib. The crib tent should not lean in one direction or the other and should not sway when pushed.

Warnings

Know that there are no current government regulations concerning the production of crib tents. Many parents complain that the crib tent is more of a safety hazard than a safety precaution. There have been at least three crib-tent related deaths among children within the last several years. Though the crib tents are made of breathable mesh material, the crib tent can become separated from the crib, and children's heads can get stuck in the gap. This can lead to strangulation and death. Children who are strong enough to pull down their crib tent have become entangled in the mesh. This is also a strangulation hazard.

Benefits of a Crib Tent

Crib tents are best utilized in warm-weather climates where insects are a problem. A crib tent is a great way to keep tics, mosquitoes, spiders and other creepy-crawlies off of your infant while he sleeps. When he starts standing in his crib, however, weigh the safety benefits of removing a potential strangulation hazard vs. the potential harm from an insect bite.

Expert Insight

The Consumers Union strongly encourages parents not to purchase crib tents, crib bumpers or put anything else in the crib with the baby. They insist that the only safe crib is a "naked crib." With this in mind, so long as the crib tent is securely and properly fastened to the crib, the crib tent shouldn't be a safety hazard to a young infant who cannot reach the crib tent. Therefore, it is a good way secondary precaution for keeping away pets and insects.

Should I Purchase a Crib Tent?

First consider whether or not your climbing child will view the crib tent as a mere obstacle to his eventual escape. A determined child will not understand the potential danger of a crib tent. If your child can stand in his crib, a crib tent is probably not the best way to keep him safe. If he is climbing out of his crib, it may be time to purchase a toddler bed. Cover all safety outlets, remove choking hazards and age-inappropriate toys from his room, and use a doorknob cover so he cannot escape his room. Ensure his safety by creating a child-friendly environment where he will not injure himself by falling out of his crib or by getting entangled in a crib tent.

References

• Safety Research: Crib Tents

Resources

• Guide to Child Proofing and Safety--Cribs