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Crib Safety Guidelines for New Parents
If you're a new parent, it's important to be aware of guidelines for your baby's bed. These guidelines are set out by official organizations to ensure the optimum safety for your baby while they're sleeping or even just playing in their bed. Since your baby's bed is the only place you'll ever leave them unattended, even for a minute, its important that it be as safe as possible and follow all safety regulations.
Your baby's first bed will likely be a bassinet before they graduate to a crib, and this is where you have to be the most careful. Because a bassinet is essentially a basket of some sort or other similar design, there's very little safety risk. But a crib has slots, designs and myriad other elements that are potential dangers to your baby, many of which you've probably never thought about.
Here are some guidelines for keeping your baby safe in their crib:
Avoid headboards with cut outs or other décor. It is easy for a baby to get their head stuck or scrape themselves on them, and thus they should be avoided. Also avoid decorative posts or other additions.
If the crib has wheels, ensure that at least two of them have brakes you can put on if you leave the room.
Specifications for the crib rails include at least 26 in. between the raised crib rails and the top of the crib mattress; at least 9 in. between lowered crib rails and the top of the mattress; and rail slats that are 2 3/8 in. apart.
Specifications for the mattress include that it should be fire-safe, which all newer mattresses are required to be; that it fits tightly on the crib with less than two finger widths of space between mattress and crib; that it has squared corners and no sharp edges or rough services; and that the mattress is firm for optimal support.
Single drop sides are more stable than double-drop sides, and metal supports are often much sturdier than wood, though this does depend on the manufacturer.
Think twice before getting an older bed or one that has been used before. Check out the safety commission's guidelines and see what cribs have been recalled. A used crib can have all kinds of safety hazards, from lead paint to worn parts. Though it may be more expensive, buying a crib new is the best way to ensure you get one that has the correct specifications. If you do buy a new crib, always send in the registration card that comes with it in case the manufacturer recalls the crib for whatever reason.
heetworld.com is a manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer of the finest baby, adult and custom-sized sheets and bedding products.
In business for over 25 years, we wholesale our products to specialty and chain furniture stores throughout the United States. For more information, please visit Sheetworld.com.
About the Author: Marcela De Vivo writes for the Sheetworld.com
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