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Shopping For Baby Cribs
Safety Checklist
by: Parvati Markus
Congratulations! You've got a baby on the way!
Once your baby has arrived, one of the most important
parts of your new life together will be getting a good
night's sleep — you in your bed, the baby in a safe and
comfortable crib. At first, you may want your newborn to
sleep in a bassinet by your bed, making it a little
easier for breastfeeding moms, but have a crib ready by
the time your baby can roll over. Jenny Lind Crib
Your baby will spend more time in the crib than anywhere
else, so safety is of utmost importance. What makes a
crib safe?
* The bars or slats of the crib railing should be no
more than 2-3/8" apart, close enough together to prevent
your baby's head from slipping through or getting stuck.
That crib in the attic may be a beautiful antique, but
it probably does not meet this safety standard.
Secondhand older cribs may also have splinters or lead
paint as well as slats that are too far apart.
* Cribs with cutout designs along the rail may look
pretty, but your baby's arm or neck could get stuck in
them.
* The crib must be sturdy. Your child will sleep in a
crib until it's time to move into a regular bed between
the ages of 2 and 3. When shopping for the crib, give it
a good shake to see if it wobbles or rattles.
* Construction materials should be stained or painted
hardwoods like maple, ash, beech or oak. The use of
inferior woods can potentially weaken or warp the slats.
Some metal cribs are also very sturdy and secure. All
finish materials must be lead free and non-toxic.
* For safety, the dropsides must be at least 9" above
the mattress support when lowered. When the side is
raised, the top must be at least 26" above the support
at its lowest position. You should have no trouble
quietly raising and lowering the side rail easily with
one hand, since chances are you'll have a sleeping baby
in your arms.
* Make things a little easier on your back by choosing a
crib with an adjustable height mattress. A newborn can
rest higher in the crib, while a baby who can sit up
needs a lower mattress so he can't climb out. You can
change the height of most mattresses by simply raising
or lowering the mattress support.
* Check the hardware on the crib for sharp edges or
points or anything else that could hurt your baby.
* The mattress should fit snugly into the crib. If you
can fit two fingers between the side of the mattress and
the crib, it is too small. Keep an eye on foam
mattresses; over time, they may break down at the edges
and leave gaps. Check the mattress support to make sure
there are safety clips that lock the hangers into their
notches.
* Use nonflammable and hypoallergenic bumper padding
attached to the inside railings of the crib to cushion
all four sides and prevent your baby from sticking an
arm or leg through the railings. Securely fasten the
bumper pads to the sides of the crib in at least six
places. Be sure to remove bumper pads when your baby
becomes more active.
* Follow assembly instructions carefully. Periodically
tighten all nuts, bolts, and screws and check teething
rails for cracks. Check the mattress support hooks
regularly.
* Don't place a crib against a window, near curtains or
drapery cords, or near furniture that could help your
baby climb out.
* Crib toys need to be removed from the crib when baby
is sleeping. And remove mobiles when baby is able to
grab at objects.
Federal safety guidelines went into effect in 1973, but
only since 1991 do most cribs meet all mandatory safety
standards (16CFR part 1508) as set by The Consumer
Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and the voluntary
standards (ASTM F966 and F1169) as set by the American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The Juvenile
Products Manufacturers' Association (JPMA) certifies
cribs that meet the safety standards.
For more information on crib safety and other nursery
equipment,
contact the Consumer Products Safety Commission at
1-800-638-2772.
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