All you need to know about crib shopping
BASIC IS BEST!
When you’re crib shopping, you may be tempted to buy the showiest model, and bumper guards and coverlets that say your nursery is fit for a prince or princess. Resist the temptation. The safest cribs are basic; they have simple lines and no scrollwork or finials–infants can strangle if their clothing gets caught in such detail work. Heeding this advice will get you a safer crib and it will save you money.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the best sleeping arrangement for a newborn is a full-size crib or safety-approved bassinet or cradle; it advises keeping your baby’s crib, cradle, or bassinet in your bedroom until she’s at least 6 months old. After that, it’s fine to move the crib to the nursery. But we think full-size cribs, which are federally regulated, are better than bassinets and cradles, for which there are only voluntary standards.
Place your baby’s crib well away from windows, window blinds, wall hangings, curtains, toys, and other furniture so that an adventurous baby can’t get at anything dangerous.
For safety’s sake, monitor your child’s development closely and stop using a crib as soon as your toddler can climb out. At that point, consider a bed with child railings or put the mattress on the floor. Don’t put your child back into the crib after the first “escape,” regardless of his age. A child attempting to climb out of a crib can fall and be seriously injured.
Read also:
- Crib Shopping Secrets
- Safer sleeping for babies: Less is more
- Stanley cribs recalls
- Owners of recalled cribs ask, “Where’s my baby going to sleep?”
- Physical contact between parent and child is important
- Ways to put child’s sleep issues to bed