Household Safety: Preventing Injuries in the Crib

Your baby will spend a lot of time in the crib, napping during the day and sleeping at night. It's your job to make sure it's always a safe environment. In addition to always placing your baby to sleep on his or her back to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), here are some other important ways to ensure the safety of your littlest sleeper:

What to look for. Before placing your baby in any crib — whether a new crib or a hand-me-down; at home, in a childcare setting, or at a relative's home — make sure that:

• the slats are no more than 2-3/8 inches (6 centimeters) apart and aren't cracked, loose, splintered, or missing
• there are no decorative cutouts on the headboard or footboard in which the baby could become caught
• there are no sharp or jagged edges
• the sides latch securely
• drop-side latches can't be released by the child
• there are no protruding screws and all screws are accounted for
• tightly attached corner posts are no more than 1/16 inch (1.5 millimeters) high
• the crib sheet snugly fits the mattress (never use an adult sheet)
• the mattress fits snugly against the sides of the crib and there aren't big gaps between the mattress and the crib
• the mattress is kept at its lowest position once your child can stand
• the mattress is firm, not soft
• soft toys, comforters, blankets, and pillows (adult pillows, throw pillows, or infant donut pillows) are never kept in the crib. And although bumper pads are widely used, their safety has been questioned. One study using data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found a number of accidental deaths appeared to be related to the use of bumper pads in cribs and bassinets. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Canadian Pediatric Society both recommend against using crib bumpers.
• if crib bumpers are used, avoid pillow-like bumpers and use the kind that tie at the top and bottom (you can also buy mesh bumpers that keep the baby's head and limbs inside the crib)
• if crib bumpers are used, remove them once the baby begins to pull up and stand so he or she does not use bumpers to try to climb out of cribs
• there are no mobiles or toys with strings or ribbons longer than 7 inches (18 centimeters) hanging above the crib
• mobiles are removed once the baby begins to push up on his or hands and knees, or by 5 months, whichever comes first because of the risk of strangulation once he or she can reach the mobile
• there are no cords from drapes or window shades that could cause strangulation anywhere near the crib or within the baby's reach
• the crib hasn't been recalled by the CPSC