Ensure Safe Use of a Baby Crib

Proper use of a baby crib is major factor in protection of one's infant child. The crib is a place you will sometimes leave the baby unattended, so ensuring its proper assembly, use, and awareness of risks is essential to maintaining safety. Improper use can lead to irritability in the baby, injury, and/or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). There are several steps you can take to ensure safe use of a baby crib.[1]

Steps

Checking the Crib's Assembly

  1. Assemble the crib properly. Follow the manufacturer's instructions very carefully when assembling the crib. Baby cribs are manufactured to conform to strict safety standards.[2]
    • Assembling the crib incorrectly may endanger your baby.
    • Contact the store or manufacturer if you are having trouble with the instructions.
    • Contact the store or manufacturer if you are missing any pieces of the construction.
  2. Examine the crib for problem areas. Look for places the crib pieces could inflict injury or places that are accessible to the infant that should not be.[3][4]
    • Check for loose fittings including bolts, screws, joints, awnings, etc.. that could collapse the crib and/or fall on the infant.
    • Look for sharp edges or rough spots. This could include improperly sanded wood on the crib frame, metal protrusions, and improperly fastened screws.
    • Check the mattress support hooks. Be sure the mattress cannot accidentally flip and entrap the child.
    • Make sure there are no gaps larger than two fingers between the sides of the crib and the mattress so the baby's body cannot slip out.
    • Avoid corner posts over 1/16th inch high so a baby's clothing cannot catch.
  3. Use only a fitted bottom sheet for crib use. Again, make sure it is a crib linen for a baby.[5]
    • Be extra careful that the fitted crib sheet fits securely, with no slipping off at the corners. This could be become a suffocation hazard otherwise.
  4. Check for crib recalls regularly. As safety protocols may change and/or problems be discovered, you should stay alert to see if your crib is included.[6]
    • Keep a record of crib product serial numbers.
    • If you have a warranty in effect, keep the documentation in a safe and secure place.
    • A recall may be issued through the store, manufacturer, or government so stay informed on these fronts.
  5. Consider using a bassinet.[7] If the crib is not a comfortable option, the bassinet is a simpler choice that sometimes is used for the first few months of infancy, and even passed through families.[8][9]
    • Be sure the bassinet is cleaned appropriately if it is a re-used one.
    • Check that the bassinet sits firmly on its stand. You should be keeping the bassinet/stand near the bed of the parent(s).
    • Examine the bassinet and the stand for loose parts or linens.
    • Use only the authorized mattress (or padding) and fitted sheet for the bassinet. Always make sure you use sheets that will fit snugly around the mattress--check the dimensions for a match.
    • Don’t add toys with stuffing or additional non-fitted bedding material.
    • Don’t let things dangle into the bassinet such as from a mobile, curtain cords, or window blinds.
    • Place your baby so they rest on their back in the bassinet.
    • Do not use bassinets for infants that can already sit, climb, or otherwise move significantly on their own.

Using the Crib Properly

  1. Place the crib in the right areas. This is more of a case of avoiding places that could pose hazards to the baby.[10]
    • Avoid placing the crib near a window with blind, curtain cords or baby monitor cords; babies can strangle on cords.
    • Avoid placing the crib near drafty areas to prevent illness.
    • Avoid placing the crib near high foot traffic, noisy areas so the infant's sleep isn't interrupted.
    • Don't put the crib near places where it could be prone to falling or tipping over.
  2. Place the baby back-first into the crib. This will reduce the chance for injury.[11]
    • This applies to short naps or sleeping for the night.
    • Ensure the mattress is firm and not lose from the crib frame.
    • Consider moving the crib in the same room as the parent(s), at least for the first few months.
  3. Use a sleeper instead of a blanket. The sleepers are not as bulky as blankets, but should be plenty warm and comfortable with reduced suffocation risk.[12]
    • Check that whatever sleeper you buy is suitable in size for the crib. Ask your crib's manufacturer if you are unsure.
    • Never attempt to double-up on the sleepers or blankets as the infant could get tangled up in them.
  4. Place baby with feet to foot of the crib if you use a blanket. When situation the baby in the crib, you want to ensure the blanket will not easily unravel and allow the infant to get tangled.
    • Tuck the blanket around the crib mattress
    • Cover the baby only as high as his/her chest.
  5. Use the crib only as long as is suitable for your baby's size/age. If the baby or toddler is tall enough and old enough to climb out frequently, it may be time to switch to a bed.[13]
    • Parents can delay the transition somewhat by lowering the mattress (if possible) or raising the rails (if possible).
    • The transition can happen frequently between ages 1 1/2 to 3 1/2
    • Parents may need to coax the child from the crib to a bed with a "party" or having them select the bed themselves.

Learning About Cribs and SIDS

  1. Stay aware of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or Reduce-the-Risk-of-SIDS. This is one of the most serious threats to an infant while in the crib. It's cause is largely still unknown.[14]
    • Babies that were born premature and at low-birth-weight seem at higher risk for SIDS.
    • Babies whose mothers didn't get medical care during the pregnancy, mothers who smoked, and situations where twins or multiple babies were born also posed greater risk for SIDS occurring
    • Regarding cribs and sleeping, when babies sleep on their bellies or sides (and roll over onto their bellies), they may not breathe well and increase the risk of SIDS.
  2. Be aware that SIDS has no symptoms. There are no warning signs before hand at all.[15]
    • Babies who die of SIDS seem healthy before being put to bed.
    • SIDS victims show no signs of struggle, and are often found in the same position as when they were placed in the bed.
  3. Know the only diagnosis of SIDS is possible after death. SIDS is diagnosed usually when no other cause of death can be found.
    • Medical experts review the baby's and parents' medical histories
    • Doctors will study the area where the baby died
    • An autopsy is also performed.
  4. Take steps to prevent SIDS. These are steps you can take when caring for your baby in its crib especially during sleep times to reduce the risk of SIDS.[16]
    • Be sure the baby is sleeping on its back. Check periodically to ensure he or she has not rolled over.
    • For at least the first six months after birth, allow the baby to sleep in their crib/bassinet in the same room as the parent(s).
    • Check periodically that no foreign objects including additional bedding are in your baby's crib.
    • Test the crib mattress for firmness and ensure its attachment is secure frequently.
    • Make sure the fitted sheet is not slipping off the mattress corners.
    • After your baby is about a month old, consider giving them a pacifier at nap/sleep times.
  5. Get a support group for SIDS after an incident. There is no sure way to prevent or test for SIDS. If the unfortunate should happen, consider joining a support group for grief counseling.[17]
    • Look for SIDS-specific support groups.
    • Consult a psychologist.
    • Talk with family, friends, and/or clergy.



Tips

  • If you are concerned about recalls for your crib, you can check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for a list of recent product recalls.[18]
  • Register your crib with the manufacture if possible. This will improve the ability to notify you if a recall occurs.
  • Assemble the crib well in advance of the baby's arrival (if possible). This will allow you to make sure that the crib is not missing parts and is stable before you place your child in it.

Warnings

  • Don't use a crib with a drop-down gate/railing. This is a major injury hazard.
  • Don’t buy a secondhand crib or one that is older than the latest safety standards.[19]

Related Articles

References

  1. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20110628/new-safety-standards-for-cribs-begin-today
  2. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20110628/new-safety-standards-for-cribs-begin-today
  3. ↑ http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Cribs/
  4. ↑ http://www.cpsc.gov/en/safety-education/safety-guides/kids-and-babies/cribs/crib-safety-tips/
  5. ↑ http://www.cpsc.gov/en/safety-education/safety-guides/kids-and-babies/cribs/crib-safety-tips/
  6. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20110628/new-safety-standards-for-cribs-begin-today
  7. ↑ [v161289_b01]. 6 March 2020.
  8. ↑ http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Regulations-Laws--Standards/Federal-Register-Notices/2013/Safety-Standard-for-Bassinets-and-Cradles/
  9. ↑ http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2009/09/bassinet-and-cradle-safety-guidelines/index.htm
  10. ↑ http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Cribs/
  11. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20110628/new-safety-standards-for-cribs-begin-today
  12. ↑ http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Kids-and-Babies/Cribs/Crib-Safety-Tips/
  13. ↑ http://www.babycenter.com/404_how-and-when-should-i-move-my-child-from-a-crib-to-a-bed_4598.bc
  14. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/tc/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids-overview
  15. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/tc/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids-overview
  16. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/tc/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids-overview
  17. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/tc/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids-overview?page=2
  18. ↑ http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/
  19. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20110628/new-safety-standards-for-cribs-begin-today
Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Ensure_Safe_Use_of_a_Baby_Crib&oldid=354481"