-
Step 1
While well meaning family and friends may offer you their old crib, it’s usually a safer bet to buy a brand new one. First of all, it won’t come with the wear and tear of a used crib. Secondly, government safety standards have changed throughout the years. It’s just a good idea to get the most up-to-date crib possible.
-
Step 2
Make sure that the mattress is the right size for the crib. You want the mattress to be firm and to fit in the crib very snug.
-
Step 3
Buy sheets that fit the mattress tightly. Babies can pull loose sheets away from the mattress, resulting in a risk of suffocation.
-
Step 4
Don’t use any soft bedding, cushions, or pillows. All of these things become potential dangers in a newborn’s crib, increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
-
Step 5
No matter how cute they look, don’t use bumper pads because they are linked to SIDS as well. The original reason for bumper pads was to keep babies from getting their heads wedged in-between the slats on the side of the crib. With standards that have been in place regarding the slats since 1974, it’s nearly impossible for that to happen. There’s virtually no need to worry about a newborn bumping their head on the side of the crib either. The only real use for bumpers these days is decorative, not functional.
-
Step 6
To make sure that a blanket doesn’t cover your newborn’s face, make sure to tuck it in at one end of the mattress, not letting it reach further than your baby’s face. Some recommend not even using a blanket and instead just dressing the baby warm enough so that he or she doesn’t need a blanket.
Comments
sunnyplace said
on 9/25/2009 Great article on safe crib bedding. All of the items here are right on target. 5*'s & a rec.
jtsourakis said
on 9/7/2009 www.thekidswarehouse.com has great pricing on crib bedding.