It might seem sweet when your mother “hands down” the crib you used as a baby for you to use with your own baby. After all, what’s sweeter than imagining two generations of babies in the same sleeping environment? But before you set up the crib, there are important things to note about crib safety.
Since 1990, cribs have been made with different specifications. The slats are narrower, etc. Also, older cribs were often painted with lead-based paint. This can poison your baby if he or she bites and chews on the rails or sides of the cribs. If you have a new baby or your baby is yet to be born and you doubt they’d do this, trust me, it happens. Teething is painful and many babies will bit down on anything that may bring some relief. If your crib was painted with lead-based paint, strip it then repaint it with non-toxic paint. Buy a plastic guard (you can find them at children’s furniture stores) and put that over the side rails.
If you’re going to use an older crib, here are some important things to note:
*Make sure all the parts are there. If there are missing parts, order them directly from the manufacturer. Check bolts, screws, etc. and make sure everything is fastened securely.
*Check for lead-based paint. If you find that it has been used, follow the directions I’ve given above.
*Make sure the slats on the crib are no more than 2 3/8 inch wide. Any wider than that and there is danger of the baby’s head becoming trapped. If you have a crib with slats wider than this, it’s best to get a new crib.
*Cutouts in the headboard and/or footboard used to be common. You don’t want to use a crib with cutouts of any kind because the baby’s head could become trapped.
*Corner posts may look pretty, but on a crib they can be dangerous. If your crib has corner posts, you need to cut them off or unscrew them. The baby’s clothing can become snagged on the posts and can choke the baby.
If you’re buying a new crib:
*Make sure the crib is not near a window. Many deaths are caused each year by strangulation due to window/blinds cords or children falling out of windows.
*Use a crib bumper until the baby can stand. Then remove it and anything else that the baby can stand on. Falls are the leading cause of injury in cribs.
*Regularly examine the crib for sharp metal edges and/or rough wood, which can cause splinters.
*When the child can sit on his or her own, lower the crib mattress. The mattress should be lowered to the bottom setting by the time the baby can stand.
*Make sure the crib mobile is out of baby’s reach. When baby can reach it or when he turns 5 months old, remove it altogether. Also, remove in-crib baby gyms when baby is able to stand on all fours. The baby can fall and become tangled in them.
It may seem like a lot of rules, but your baby will spend a lot of time in his or her crib. Making sure your baby’s sleep environment is safe and secure is important, and will ensure a peaceful nights rest for all of you.