Crib Mattress Safety
Preparing a nursery for a new baby can be exciting and overwhelming. You need to choose a safe crib, and selecting the proper mattress for your baby is just as important. Since most mattresses are sold separately from cribs, you should know about crib mattress safety before making your choice.
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Concerns
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Two major concerns when choosing a crib mattress are entrapment and suffocation. Crib mattresses should be firm and fit the crib properly.
Proper Fit
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According to Consumer Reports, "by law, all full-size crib mattresses must be at least 27 1/4 inches by 51 5/8 inches and no more than six inches thick." If you can fit two adult fingers between the mattress and the crib rails, an infant is likely to become trapped within the space.
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Firmness
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Choose a firm mattress. If a crib mattress is too soft, it can conform to the baby's body and pose a suffocation hazard, also known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Sheets
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The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises to "never use a crib sheet unless it fits securely on crib mattress." If a sheet is too loose, the baby risks entanglement and suffocation.
Additional Precautions
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Never protect a crib mattress with plastic covers or bags, as this material can present a suffocation hazard. Also, never place soft blankets or pillows between the mattress and an infant.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Sang Trinh
