Baby Safety Sleep

Baby Cribs Safety — Better Safe Than Sorry
Author: MY FIRST ROOM
It is a sad fact but one we have to come to grips with, not all baby cribs are safe.
Baby cribs are supposed to keep your baby safe during sleep but did you know that when badly constructed or improperly assembled a baby crib can be a serious hazard to your child?
No matter how expensive the baby crib is parents should use caution when choosing a crib for the nursery, and should follow instructions to the letter.
One of the biggest mistakes some people make is they “assume” that all cribs are safe, but whether you are using a brand new baby crib that you just bought a couple of months ago from a reputable store or recycling the one that you used for your older kids, or a second hand one from a garage sale it is important that you closely inspect the crib for hazardous possibilities as they may be lurking in places that you would not even consider remotely dangerous!
Here are some tips that can help keep your child safe in a baby crib.
Close inspection
When buying a baby crib or when you are about to use one, make sure that everything is in place and there are no broken or bent parts.
Sharp edges, missing joints and small removable parts in baby cribs can also be dangerous as they can be choking hazards.
Side edges and protrusions can also become strangulation hazards as blankets, necklaces and shirts can be caught.
Never buy or use cribs that have these flaws.
Follow the instructions
Never believe that for one-minute you know everything about baby cribs just because you have used one before.
And no matter how much knowledge you think you have, it is still imperative that you read the manual and instruction guide.
In addition to providing the step-by-step guide on how to set-up the baby crib from the box, the manual will also contain some tips on how to properly care for your crib and to avoid accidents while using it.
Non-toxic finishes
The baby cribs finish should be made with non-toxic materials that are recommended for young children.
As babies’ body systems, especially the immune systems are still developing, it is important that they be protected from chemicals and toxins in the environment.
When buying a used baby crib, make sure that the finish is sound and not flaking or peeling, also if it looks like it has been refinished you may want to find a different crib as it would be impossible to know for sure whether it was refinished with a child safe non-toxic material.
Drop sides
Though the dropside mechanism in baby cribs can be very convenient, it can also spell disaster if not working correctly or the latches are not secure.
Be sure that when you do put your baby inside the crib, you have raised the drop side and the latches are secured.
Some parents may remember to raise it up but forget to secure it, which can lead to accidents.
Keep the crib uncluttered
Remember that the more things inside the baby crib, the greater the chances of an accident, I’m sure you’re generally aware that anything can be a potential choking and strangulation hazard.
To help avoid this, keep the baby crib to a bare minimum, only placing things that are absolutely necessary like a pillow and a blanket.
Toys inside the crib are okay if your baby is awake and playing under supervision, but always remember to remove them when sleeping.
Parents are also advised to avoid placing dangling toys on the side of the crib as loose straps may capture your baby and create a strangulation hazard.
Check for alerts and call-backs
The Consumer Product Safety Commission lists safety tips, alerts and call-back warnings on baby cribs on their website at www.cpsc.gov and should be followed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
I want to put my baby to sleep with a 100% cotton blanket for safety. Is chenille 100% cotton?
I have wrapped my baby’s mattress in a babesafe cover and want to follow the instructions correctly for safe sleeping. It calls for a 100% cotton blanket. His “night night” is polyester but feels similar to chenille so I may be able to make the switch easily if chenille is okay. Is anyone familiar with Dr. Sprott’s guidelines and does anyone know if the chenille blanket is okay?-
ANSWER:
I use the Babesafe cover too!!Chenille is not 100% cotton.
Use a super-sized 100% cotton bath towel. It took me a while to figure that one out!
I just wanted to make sure you understand that the cotton blanket goes between the mattress cover and the mattress sheet. Babies shouldn’t sleep with blankets in their cribs.
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QUESTION:
Newborn: Where does baby sleep when you bring him home??
Im due January 4th and confused about where to have the newborn sleep. I have a baby safety class in 2 weeks, but am getting the babies room ready now so would like to know what I need ready.I have a crib and a pack n play that has a basinette. I assembled the basinette and the hooded part kept coming un-velcroed. It’s dissapointing.
But anyways, where should the newborn sleep & for how long? When is it safe for baby to sleep in crib?
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ANSWER:
Newborns can sleep in a crib as soon as they come home. However, many parents (myself included) find it more convenient to have the baby in a bassinette close to their bed for the first few weeks or months. This way you don’t have too far to travel for middle-of-the-night feedings. This worked well with my daughter as I was able to fall asleep faster. Some small babies may also feel overexposed by being in a big crib all by themselves. Since our daughter was premature, we decided that a smaller bassinette would be more intimate and probably help her sleep better.If you do decide that a basinette is best for you, I would recommend that you not use a travel bassinette. Rather, look at borrowing or purchasing a used “moses basket” or other bassinette (see the attached links to babiesrus). You may prefer to have your baby sleep in a crib if you are a very light sleeper. Otherwise, you’ll be waking up with every single sniffle, sneeze, and grunt (which babies do a lot of).
Best of luck!
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QUESTION:
Where should a newborn baby sleep?
I wanted to get your opinion on where the baby should sleep, and why.I feel like the baby should sleep in his/her room, with a baby monitor, so he/she grows accustom to it. Sure, it probably is a pain to get up and walk down the hall a few times a night. But doesn’t it promote better sleeping habits?
My boyfriend thinks he/she should sleep in the room with us, in a bassinet, so he/she is close to us for safety and convenience. Won’t the baby eventually expect to sleep in the room with us?
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ANSWER:
In your room.. in a bassinet or a co-sleeper. My son hated his bassinet so we got him the Snuggle Nest adult bed co-sleeper that is placed right inside your bed.. he loved it and slept there until he was 3 months. He had no problem transitioning into his crib either. He likes his crib. I am not into the Pack N Play choice for a place to sleep at night.. it is meant to be packing for playing or for a quick nap, not to be used as a bed. It’s uncomfortable in my opinion. Best Wishes.
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QUESTION:
How do you co-sleep with your baby?
I know it’s sounds weird, but how do you do it? Does the baby sleep very close to you, or far? And what do you wear to sleep so you can nurse easily? My daughter sleeps in a pack and play next to our bed and I tried few times to bring her to bed, but it just gets uncomfortable. She sleeps with her head on my arm, so I can’t even move… How do you do it?
And I know about all the safety issues.
Thanks!-
ANSWER:
he just lays next to me between me and the wall. he never sleeps in the middle cuz my husband is the hardest sleeper ever! he actually falls asleep in the pack and play initially for bed, but once he wakes up i bring him to bed with me. i just wear a tank top to bed every night. i always have tho so nothin has really changed there except for now i gotta wear a bra to bed to guard from the leaking lol
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QUESTION:
Has anyone else used the Safety 1st Baby Plus Pre Natal Education System?
I was wondering of the claims were true. Did your baby sleep better? Was he / she more content? I figured it couldn’t hurt.Thank you!
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ANSWER:
I used it throughout my pregnancy but I wasn’t as strict with following the schedule as it called for. It’s hard to know if my son was affected or if it’s just his nature (he is our first so we have nothing to compare to) but he is a well-natured, happy little boy. He just turned 1 last week. He rolled over at 3 months, crawled at 6, cruised at 7-1/2. He hasn’t started walking yet but I think that is because he’s smart enough to know that he’ll get there faster crawling (he’s VERY fast). He weaned himself of his middle of the night feedings and started sleeping through the night at the same time at 6 months. Now he goes to sleep with no problem and sleeps almost 12 hours a night. Rarely cries “just because”.
Again, hard to know if it was because of the Baby Plus or just great genes
but I would/will do it again.
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QUESTION:
Question regarding safety issue of putting our baby to sleep on her stomach?
Okay, so I know it’s safest to put your baby to sleep on their back, but my daughter has been sleeping on her stomach since she was 3 months old, she refuses to sleep on her back and if I put her on her back when she’s asleep she immediately rolls over to her stomach. Is this a problem seeing as she’s been doing it for a while now. She turned 7 months on the 11th and she just started sleeping in her crib again, she had been sleeping with us in our bed since she was 3 weeks old. I’m just worried about SIDS. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Yeah she rolls over on her own has been doing that for quite some time now. She crawls, moves her head just fine, and she also pulls herself to stand.She’s been excellent at holding her head up, pretty much since the day she was born.
Thanks to the people who have answered so far. I feel better now.
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ANSWER:
My son only slept on his stomach too, and I didn’t worry too much because I observed his sleeping and he had a strong neck and always moved his head if he needed to. Every parent is different. You can only do what is best for you and baby, just be sure to observe as she sleeps one night so you can learn her movements. They change quit often so just make sure to check on her
Here’s a good article
http://healthmad.com/home-health/parents-beware-serious-accidents-happen/
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QUESTION:
Is it safe to have a toddler and our new baby sleep in the same room?
We only have two bedrooms. My daughter is currently 25 months old and I just found out I’m pregnant with child #2 (Yay!).We will be switching my daughter over to the daybed in that room. I worry (and wonder how others have dealt with) have a baby in a crib in the same room as a toddler. Is there any safety contraptions that could keep her from getting to the new born?
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ANSWER:
I had a 2 year old and a new baby, but I didnt put the wee one in the room straight away.
Have the baby in your room for at least the first few months and that will give you an insight into how the older sibling interacts with her new brother/sister.
You will just need to teach her not to go near the crib when baby is sleeping.
But everything will probably be fineJust don’t put the new baby in straight away as that won’t be fair to your daughter, you will only end up with the two of them up during the night feeds
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QUESTION:
Should babies sleep in the same bed with their parents or share a crib with siblings?
Baby sleep paranoiaWhen baby sleep safety becomes headline news, sleep misconceptions start spreading like wildfire — something that can make parents even more paranoid about the subject, if that’s possible…. Read more: http://ca.lifestyle.yahoo.com/family-relationships/blog/anndouglas/77/baby-sleep-paranoia
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ANSWER:
Yes, we have shared our bed with each of our 4 kids for the first 2-3 years of their lives. We all enjoyed the experience very much. Contrary to what people often think, the child doesn’t have a hard time going into his/her own bed after. My kids never came to our room at night to ask to sleep with us. I believe that when you make a baby feel secure and don’t try to force them into independance prematurely, they will naturally become independant in their own time. It’s a very special way of bonding with your baby, cuddling and nursing your baby. And when you sleep with your baby, you don’t have to wake up and sit on a chair to feed your baby. You just turn onto your side and give your breast and fall back asleep!
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