If you are a mother or father, it is no doubt a top priority to keep your baby safe. One of the places your baby spends much of it's time is in the crib.
You may feel that your baby is protected when putting her down to sleep, but this is not always the case. There are particular things you should be aware of when it comes to baby crib safety.
Although customizing older cribs to today's crib safety standards is doable. A better choice would be to purchase a new one.
Your parents think it would be a good idea to have their grand baby use the crib that they raised you in. Family heirlooms are nice, but not so nice when it comes to baby crib safety. These cribs may have certain harmful components in them that have since been removed in the current models.
Say you acquired an old wooden crib, more than likely the paint used contained lead. Because of it's age and use, the wood frame could be splintering, and the slat spacing is probably to far apart. You should be concerned.
While shopping, weather it be a second hand store or a yard sale, you come across an adorable used crib. Just like a used car, have it checked out. Be sure to find out what it is going to take to meet current crib safety standards. If this is not worth your time and effort, don't buy it. You will be better off with a new one.
Avoid plush, soft bedding.
When you put your little one down to sleep, place her on a firm mattress, in the crib, on her back. Be careful not to cover her with blankets or use pillows to cushion her. This potentially could cause suffocation. You do want the bedroom itself be kept warm enough so that blankets will not be required.
Mobiles need to be out of baby's reach.
Mobiles are fine as a distraction and learning tool for very young babies who are not yet able to sit up, reach, stand or grasp. However, once your child can do these things, make sure mobiles are well out of your child's reach so that she cannot grab them and pull them down.
Doing so could mean your child risks choking on small parts or strangling on strings or cords. Once your child is active enough to be able to reach and "play with" the mobile, it should be removed.
Using these few baby crib safety tips could save you a trip to the hospital.
Kat Goodman has been providing Just Baby Nursery Bedding (www.just-baby-nursery-bedding.com) with quality articles for the past year. For more information on crib safety tips and other baby related topics, the resource section provides useful information to new parents seeking advice.
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