This first “home” should be cheerful and secure. Each year, approximately 50 babies suffocate or strangle when they become trapped between broken crib parts or in cribs with older, unsafe designs. Many older cribs, including the one that was used for you or your younger children, do not meet all current safety standards. Even if you are on a tight budget, you should not purchase an old crib at a garage sale or accept a hand-me-down that does not meet the following guidelines:
Tips for Selecting Product
Infants should ALWAYS sleep in a crib, which meets current Federal and ASTM standards.
The crib mattress should fit snugly with no more than two fingers width, one-inch, between the edge of the mattress and the crib side. Otherwise, the baby can get trapped between the mattress and the side of the crib.
No pillow-like bumpers.
Look for the JPMA Certification Seal.
Tips for Use
Remember to ALWAYS keep the drop side up when the baby is in the crib.
NEVER place the crib near windows, draperies, blinds, or wall mounted decorative accessories with long cords.
Make sure there are no missing, loose, broken, or improperly installed screws, brackets or other hardware on the crib or the mattress support.
Crib slats or spindles should be spaced no more than 2 3/8” apart, and none should be loose or missing.
Never use a crib with corner posts over 1/16 of an inch above the end panels (unless they’re over 16” high for a canopy). Babies can strangle if their clothes become caught on corner posts. These should be unscrewed or sawed off, and the remaining end panel should be sanded smooth.
No cutout areas on the headboard or footboard so baby’s head cannot get trapped.
ALWAYS use a crib sheet that fits securely on the mattress, wraps around the mattress corners and stays securely on the mattress corners.
No cracked or peeling paint.
No splinters or rough edges.
Use bumper pads only until the child can pull up to a standing position. Then remove them so baby cannot use the pads to climb out of the crib.
Mobiles should also be removed when baby can pull himself or herself up.
NEVER place infants to sleep on pillows, sofa cushions, adult beds, waterbeds, beanbags, or any other surface not specifically designed for infant sleep.
For Babies Under 12 Months…
Normal, healthy infants should ALWAYS sleep on their backs unless otherwise advised by a pediatrician.
Only a fitted sheet, mattress pad, and/or waterproof pad should be used under baby.
When baby is put to sleep, remove pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, pillow-like stuffed toys, and other pillow-like products from the crib.
Cover baby with a thin covering, such as a crib blanket, receiving blanket or other blankets specifically designed for infants, only reaching as far as baby’s chest, and tuck the covering around the crib mattress. For newborns, consider swaddling.
Do not overdress your baby. Consider using a sleeper, sleep sack, or other sleep clothing as an alternative to any covering.
GATES & ENCLOSURES When baby can crawl, it’s time to block doorways and stairways with gates. Be sure to ALWAYS follow all manufacturers’ instructions for installation and use.
Tips for Selecting Product
Select the right gate for your needs. Before leaving home, measure the opening size at the location the gate will be used.
Some gates are not appropriate for use at the top of a stairway. Check the product use recommendations.
Look for the JPMA Certification Seal.
Tips for Use
Gates with expanding pressure bars should be installed with the adjustment bar or lock side away from the baby.
Anchor the gate securely in the doorway or stairway.
Always close the gate when you leave the room and never leave the baby unattended.
Many new “accordion style” gates meet the current performance standards. Older models could be hazardous.
