Saturday, 23 May 2009

Baby Crib Safety Tips

By Sally Gordon

1. If you've been looking to purchase a new baby crib for your newborn you might notice that there's a lot of variety to choose from. Some cribs may seem more traditional, others modern or just plain and practical. However, looks should only be a secondary consideration when shopping for baby cribs. Safety is definitely the most important feature you should think about.

If the new crib looks adorable but isn't safe for your baby then you've just wasted a lot of money. Many baby cribs will convert to toddler beds and day beds as your child grows older. This can be an important consideration if you don't plan on having very many children. However, if you plan on having more than one child you'll probably need to invest in another type of bed once your baby grows out of his crib.

You might think that baby cribs with drop sides are handy and convenient. However, most consumer groups including Consumer Reports recommend staying away from drop side baby cribs until more testing has been done on these types of cribs. Safety standards have only been established for cribs with stationary sides.

Another option that seems to be popular these days is the co-sleeper. A co-sleeper is a crib that sets next to the mother's bed. One side of the crib sets lower so the baby can sleep next to the parent's bed but in his own sleeping area. While this does allow the mother to sleep near her baby without the danger of rolling on top of him it doesn't prevent bedding from sliding into the co-sleeper in the middle of the night. This could possibly be a dangerous situation.

You should plan ahead before bringing your infant home for the first time. Researching the safest baby cribs available before deciding on your final purchase should be a top priority for parents. Most experts agree that despite other options available, a traditional crib with stationary sides is the safest place for your newborn to sleep. Cribs must been strict safety requirements while bassinets, co-sleepers, and cradles do not.

While a baby crib is often the first purchase parents make when they find out the mother is expecting a lot of care and consideration should be put into what type is chosen. Your baby will spend quite a bit of time in his crib so you want to make sure it's both comfortable and safe.

Also, to avoid dangers associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) always make sure to place your baby on his back when you put him to sleep in his crib. You should also avoid placing any soft bedding in the crib including plush toys or pillows.

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