How to buy a crib
The lowdown on cribsBabies probably spend more time in their crib than anywhere else, so while comfort is important, safety is essential. And since most children sleep in a crib until it's time to move into a real bed typically between the ages of 2 and 3 you'll also want a sturdy one.
Many moms like to have the crib set up several months before their due date. It's nice to get this task taken care of, but if your baby arrives before your crib does, don't worry. Babies will do fine in a bassinet for the first several weeks or even months.
When it comes time to set up the crib, be sure to choose a spot away from windows, window blinds, and draperies. Babies can strangle on the cords, and older babies could possibly pull themselves up and fall through the window. To keep cords out of your child's reach, use a clamp or clothespin, tie the cord to itself, or cut the loop in half to make two separate cords.
The cord on a baby monitor can also pose a danger. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) received seven reports of babies borse gucci 2011 strangled by monitor cords near their crib. Use wireless monitors or keep the cord well away from the crib. These are available in a variety of thicknesses, usually between 3 and 6 inches. More important than thickness, though, is density. The better foam mattresses are high density, about 1.5 pounds per cubic foot. Unfortunately, most foam mattresses don't list density on the packing, so it's hard to know exactly what you're getting. The distance between the crib slats must be no more than 2 3/8 inches (about the size of a soda can). corner posts: If the crib has corner posts, they should be no higher than 1/16 of an inch (unless they're over 16 inches high to support a canopy). If corner posts are higher than 1/16 of an inch, clothing can catch on them and injure or choke an infant.
Adjustable mattress height: Most cribs let you change the height of the crib mattress by simply raising or lowering the mattress support. The time to lower the mattress is when your child begins sitting up. As kids get more active and move to pulling up and standing, you don't want them to climb or fall out of the crib. If it wobbles or rattles, it may have been put together improperly. But wobbling or rattling could also be a sign that you should look for a sturdier crib. If you can fit more than two fingers between the side of the mattress and the crib, the mattress is too small. This poses a significant danger, as babies can get trapped in that space. Make sure that with a mattress in place, the crib sides are tall enough to keep your baby safely inside. While this sounds appealing, make sure that the crib makeover is relatively easy to perform and that you like the look of the new furniture. Important safety notesMost new cribs on the market today comply with both mandatory and voluntary safety standards. Read crib safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Millions of cribs by major brands have been recalled in recent years (see below for more details). The movable railings borse gucci scontate known as drop sides were common on cribs for decades, but can pose a serious hazard to babies. If the drop side detaches or comes loose, a baby can become entrapped and strangle or suffocate in the space between the drop side and the crib mattress. least 32 infants died this way between 2000 and 2010, according to the CPSC. In December 2010, the agency announced strict new safety standards that ban the sale of drop side cribs, starting in mid 2011.
Bumpers: Crib bumpers padding that attaches to the inside railings of the crib to cushion all four sides pose a hazard and are no longer recommended. Bumpers are still a standard feature of crib bedding sets, but a number of organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, now discourage them as a SIDS risk. Secondhand cribs may also have splinters, lead paint, discontinued (and potentially dangerous) features, or slats that are too far apart. But even models manufactured as recently as 1991 can be unsafe, so be sure to check slat space size and stability, and borse gucci usate look out for any sharp edges, protruding metal, peeling paint, and other dangers. In fact, in 1995, after issuing a warning about the dangers of used cribs which are responsible for about 50 infant deaths a year the CPSC announced a roundup to crush gucci borse and destroy used cribs.
Decorative touches: Avoid fancy decorations that can break off and pose a choking hazard. Cribs with cutout designs along the rail may look pretty, but they could inadvertently trap your baby's borse gucci outlet online arm or neck. crib that appears structurally unsound: The CPSC has received reports of many cases in which cribs have come apart. When this happens, your baby's head can get trapped in the open spaces between the mattress and side rail.
What it's going to cost youMost models range in price from $100 to $500. Fancier cribs can run $800 to $1,000 or more.