A baby will spend most of its early months and even a couple of years in the crib. It is essential that you look for a high quality crib which is also safe for your growing baby. A crib may be bought before the expected arrival of the baby or even a couple of months after the arrival.
Pick a crib that is sturdy and is certified by Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association. You can check for sturdiness by rattling the crib when assembled to see if it has any loose parts.
The crib needs to have slats with a maximum spacing of 2 3/8 inches, to avoid any accidents. Wider placed slats can lead to trapped heads or other body parts.
The mattress should fit the crib perfectly. It should not be loose or else the baby may trap a hand or leg between the mattress and the crib wall.
The corner posts should not be higher than 1/16 of an inch when compared to the rest of the crib.
Anything higher could result in clothes getting caught on to them. Corner posts suitable for canopies should be 16” high.
The crib should have an adjustable mattress so that the height of the crib can be adjusted to make it safe for the growing baby. The crib walls need to stand higher once the baby starts to sit and then stand in the crib.
Remember to place the crib away from windows, curtains, shades and cords of any kind. As the child grows it may try standing in the crib to access any of the above things which could prove dangerous.
When using baby monitors, take care that the cords are neatly tucked away so that the baby does not get caught in them.
Avoid buying second hand or old cribs as they may not conform to the current safety standards. They may also have chipped wood, splinters or even lead paint that could harm the baby.
