Baby Bed Safety
It's Important to Keep Baby Safe!

Baby Bed Safety is important whether baby is sleeping in their own crib or with you in an adult bed.

Observing rules and using common sense is crucial to ensure the safety and well being of your baby especially when baby is sleeping in bed.

Cribs and Baby Bed Safety

When purchasing a crib make sure that it meets the JPMA standards.

If you are getting a second hand crib, it is even more necessary to check the crib over because unless its from your family or friends, you don't know where its from or whether all parts are functioning properly or whether it meets the required safety standards.

And beware, cribs made before 1973 (before the federal government issued mandatory safety standards) will most likely be unsafe for your baby.

The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Safety Guidelines Which Should Be Followed:

1. Screws/brackets should be properly installed. There should not be any missing or broken hardware.
2. The crib slats should not be more than 2 3/8" apart.
3. Mattress should be firm and snug fitting in the crib to prevent a baby from getting trapped.
4. Unless they are 16" tall for a canopy, corner posts should not be higher than 1/16" above the end panels.
5. There should be no cutout areas in the head or footboard so a baby's head can't get trapped.
6. No splinters or rough edges.

Important Instructions To Follow
For Baby Bed Safety!

Always follow the instruction manual carefully when assembling a crib and make sure there is no loose hardware or rough, sharp edges. And always check the crib periodically to make sure parts have not become loosened.

Also make sure that your baby's crib does not contain stuffed animals and loose blankets which can present a suffocation hazard and make sure that the sheets are fitted ie. With a sheet securer, so they don't become loose.

Crib Mobiles/Baby Gyms

These accessories are great amusements for babies but also be aware that they can pose a potential safety risk. When your baby can push up on their hands and knees, these products should be removed from their cribs to prevent a choking or strangulation hazard.

Bassinets

Bassinets are a favourite for some parents with newborns because they take up little space and they can be kept in the parent's room. As with cribs, make sure the mattress is firm and snug fitting to avoid the risk of suffocation. If your bassinet has legs, make sure that they are locked in place to prevent it from collapsing.

Bunk Beds

Bunk beds are a great space saver and siblings can sleep together. Again some baby bed safety standards should be observed. Make sure that the gap between the bed frame and guard rail on the top bunk is no more than 31/2" .

A guardrail between the bed and wall is also recommended for top and bottom bunks to prevent children less than 1 year old from getting trapped.

Some safety tips from the CPSC:

Children under age 6 should not be allowed on the top bunk.

Mattresses and foundations should be supported by wooden/metal straps and not rest only on bed frames.

The ladder should always be used to prevent injury.

Family Bed

IMPORTANT: - If you are a heavy sleeper do NOT even consider putting the baby in bed with you.

Hundreds of babies die each year due to parents/older siblings rolling on them accidentally during the night and suffocating them.

This also applies if you're a large person. A person's excess weight is a proven risk to a baby co-sleeping with them.

You should be very sensitive to movement and noise and know usually right away if you baby even stirs in the night. Otherwise to err on the side of caution, do not sleep with your baby. Instead put there crib beside the main bed.

If you do decide to sleep with your baby, extra steps must be taken for baby safety, such as making sure the mattress is firm and flat and the sheets cannot be pulled loose.

No waterbeds, pillowtop mattress, sofas where the surface is yielding where the baby can suffocate or get trapped in crevices.

The best option would be to place the mattress on the floor incase the baby rolls off or install a guard rail suited for babies.

Make sure there is no space between the bed and wall where a baby could roll and get stuck.

It is tiring enough that young babies awaken regularly throughout the night, you need not be cramped in bed with little room to move thus reduced sleep, so get a big enough mattress where everyone can be comfortable.

Use extreme caution with extra pillows and blankets. And in the early months it is advisable to remove all loose blankets and pillows.

And childproof their room. Your child will soon become agile enough. Make sure that every corner and electric socket is protected, as you will do with the rest of the house.

A common sense factor is not to allow pets to sleep in bed with your baby no matter how tame or friendly they are, you can add a screen door to baby’s room to keep them out.

And a baby should never be left alone in an adult bed unless the bed is safe for your baby ie. mattress on the floor and it is in a child proof room where you can hear your baby on a baby monitor.

By following these simple baby room safety and baby bed safety rules you’ll be able to sleep easier a night knowing that you’ve taken the precautions to

Keep your baby safe. And by no account is this a full list of safety ideas for your nursery room and home. Always use common sense when it comes to baby’s safety and make sure to read all the manuals that come with baby toys, beds, furniture and more to make sure you’re using them correctly. Baby Nursery Safety and Baby Bed Safety is very important, start practicing it today!