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Home › Articles › Babies › A Safe Place to Sleep

A Safe Place to Sleep

A Guide to Crib and Mattress Safety

By Lyn Mettler

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Other Bedding
Many parents don't realize that bumper pads, comforters and quilts can also present a danger to their baby. Parents often buy the complete ensemble after seeing the adorable set in a catalog or store.

baby sleeping Quilts should never be in the crib at the same time as the baby because of the risk of suffocation. If you must have one, Fleming suggests hanging it on the wall of the nursery or using it to make up the crib when your baby's not in there. Some bumper pads are OK as long as they are not quilted and if the ties are no longer than 7 inches. "What you're trying to reduce is any plush, soft, pillow-type item that molds to the baby's nose and mouth and can cut off the air supply causing asphyxiation," says Fleming.

Besides, points out Severson, newborns can't move close enough to the slats to ever hit their head anyway. You also can't use them once the baby begins to pull himself up either, because he can use the bumper pads to hoist himself up and over the crib. So why not save your money or put it toward a new crib?

With just a little forethought and research, you can be sure you've given your baby a safe place to slumber and hopefully prevent any major accidents. Says Lineweaver, "Danny died nearly 10 years ago, and his injury was 18 years ago, but I am reminded of him daily, and the happy memories are still overwhelmed by the sadness, injustice and preventability of his loss."

Crib and Mattress Safety Tips

  • Place the baby on his back on a tight-fitting, firm mattress.
  • Be sure there are no loose, broken or improperly installed screws, brackets or other hardware.
  • There should be no more than 2 3/8 inches between the crib slats.
  • There should be no corner posts more than 1/16-inch high.
  • Choose a crib with no cutouts in the headboard or footboard.
  • Do not put pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, pillow-like bumper pads or stuffed toys in the crib.
  • Use a fitted bottom sheet made only for crib use.


Pages:  1  2  3  4  

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Re: A Safe Place to Sleep by Martin on 01/13/2009 12:32PM

My baby Samantha is still sleeping in her crib. However, she is nearing that stage where the crib will no longer be safe. When she is standing at the edge of her crib mattress, the top of her head is almost at the same level as the sidebar. Based on what I have read, a baby should not sleep inside the crib when he/she is taller than the sidebar. At that point there is a good chance of attempts to climb out.

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