Learn How to Put Your Baby to Sleep Safely If you just had a baby, are expecting, or are taking care of a young infant it's important to create a safe sleep environment for your baby. Because babies spend much of their time sleeping, the nursery should be the safest room in the house. Take a few moments to learn about safe sleep. Watch the 12-Minute Safe Sleep Video New Crib Standard: What You Need to Know With any crib, bassinet or play yard, follow a few simple rules to keep babies sleeping safely. • To prevent suffocation, never place pillows or thick quilts in a baby's sleep environment. • Make sure there are no gaps larger than two fingers between the sides of the crib and the mattress. • Proper assembly of cribs is paramount - Follow the instructions provided and make sure that every part is installed correctly. If you are not sure, call the manufacturer for assistance. • Do not use cribs older than 10 years or broken or modified cribs.
Infants can strangle to death if their bodies pass through gaps between loose components or broken slats while their heads remain entrapped. • Set up play yards properly according to manufacturers' directions. Only use the mattress pad provided with the play yard; do not add extra padding. • Never place a crib near a window with blind, curtain cords or baby monitor cords; babies can strangle on cords. For more information please visit the Safe to Sleep® public education campaign led by The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and in collaboration with other organizations. > Best crib mattress Choosing the Best Crib Mattress for Safety best crib mattress for your baby is mattress for any other bed in your home, except the consequences are far more serious if you choose unwisely. If you select the wrong mattress for your own bed you could suffer some uncomfortable nights,
but if you choose the wrong mattress for a newborn baby you will suffer many nights of complete sleeplessness and the safety of your baby could This is why most parents take the time to read crib mattress reviews before they make this type ofYou select the crib, bassinet or Moses basket with complete care, so why wouldn't you look for the best crib mattress on the market? The best crib mattress for your home will always be the one that doesn't put your baby's safety at risk. safety starts with purchasing a sturdy crib with four unmoving sides and ensuring it is set up correctly and placed away from windows, blind cords, and other dangers. Then select your mattress wisely by carefully verifying , , , , andFor each of these I strongly recommend you double-check that no toxic chemicals were used while trying to provide each of 1. Measure your crib and then get exact forMake sure the mattress will fit snugly without gaps around the edges.
If you can get even a couple fingers between the crib and the mattress, it is not a safe fit. 2. Make sure the mattress is enough for a newborn baby. Eco Classica I is an excellent example. prefer mattresses that conform around the body, but babies need firm surfaces to support their bodies. Some mattresses are firm on one side and softer on the other, so they are suitable for newborns and can be flipped for growing toddlers later on. 3. If shopping for the best crib mattress in a store, look at the to make sure they aren't going to split open easily. online, read mattress reviews to make sure other parents have not coating comes on some mattress surfaces, such as the much-recommended Sealy reduce the collection of bacteria and germs from spit-up, diaper leaks, and other mishaps that are bound to happen. 5. If your baby has known , or there are allergies in your family, remember to add an anti-allergy encasement.
This ought to keep out the dust mites, mold, pollen and bed bugs. Allergy Relief Zippered Crib Mattress Encasement or similar for this. 6. Crib mattresses should be coated to ensure they are as than babies who are You don't want a mattress that is so poorly constructed or so cheap that the springs can be felt from the surface. find innerspring mattresses covered with layers of foam as well as crib mattresses with solid memory foam or latex cores. Foam mattresses can still be just as supportive and firm as innerspring mattresses, but they will add a higher degree of comfort as well. just have to watch that they are firm enough for a newborn baby Mattress buying tip: higher density memory foam and higher coil counts signify more durable mattresses. Cheaper mattresses tend to be lower in coil count and foam density, which is why you pay less for them! The problem with very cheap mattresses is they include lower density
foams and/or fewer coils, which means they will wear down and fallYou then have to spend more money replacing them then you would have spent to just purchase a higher quality mattress to The best crib mattress will almost never be the cheapest one you can find in some local store. It is best to read mattress reviews and determine what the best mattresses are. So, what if you don't have that kind of time to shop around online? can still find great deals by reading crib mattress reviews to identify the best crib mattress options for your home. You can then do fast price comparisons online to find the best deal. Keep the tips listed above in the "Safety First" section while you consider and shop for different mattresses. all of the safety points are covered and then consider the materials inside the mattress to determine how healthy and comfortable they may blanket for safe and comfortable sleepPhil & Ted's Traveller Full-Size Travel Crib
It only weighs 7 lbs.--compare that with other play yards! Add to that its terrific versatility and its hard to find a better travel bed. Use it from birth on up through three years (or more), indoors and out. Breathable mesh panels let you take this to the park and beach just as easily as Grandma's house (where rubber feet will protect her floors). The self-inflating air mattress works much like a Therm-a-Rest (or backpacker's mattress), providing good insulation from the cold ground as well as padding from hard floors. An optional UV-protective cover fits over the top to offer protection outdoors (though you'll have to throw a beach towel or something over the sides for sun protection now that they are 100% mesh (please let me know when you've finished thinking that one through, Phil&Ted). The Traveler also has a zipping side panel to allow in and out access for playtime on the beach, and for older children who are ready to come and go on their own from their "travel bed." It stands 51" x 24.8" x 31" when open, and folds to 24.8" x 8.6" square packed in its carrying case.
At 11 lbs. it weighs a little more than Phil & Ted's full-size travel crib, costs around $100 more, does not include a zipping cover, and you probably won't be able to use it as long (it also doesn't offer the unzipped side self-access for older children). That said, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is worth it to some parents for the 1-minute (or less) set-up time, space savings when folded and set-up, and eco-certified softer fabrics--every bit of which can be gently washed in the machine. In theory, the BabyBjorn Travel Light can be used for newborns up to around 3 years old (older children may be happier with the longer mattress of the Phil & Ted or Peapod Plus, both of which they can freely come and go from when they're ready). Measures 32” x 44” x 24” set up, and is 19" X 24" X 6" packed in its travel case. Brica Fold 'n Go Travel Bassinet This bassinet sets up in 10 seconds (okay it took us 20 the first time, but...) and features a rigid frame that locks into place, providing a sturdier alternative to some baby travel beds with soft sides.
Mesh side panels also allow for better air circulation. Includes a foam mattress and cotton mattress cover. Folds to 22" at its widest point x 16" x 2" thick and weighs less than 3 lbs. Unfolds to 30.5"L x 22"W x 10"H with a 29" x 18" mattress. For more photos and details, see my complete review here. Helps create your "tent within a tent" safely on cold camping trips, and gives a clean, safe place for baby to snooze bug-free, whether indoors or out. Folds into its own carrying case at 16.5" diameter and 3" thick, then pops up when needed to 46"L x 28"W x 18"H. Weighs less than 3 lbs. Although this is recommended for 1 to 3 years, you may prefer the slightly larger Peapod Plus, which can be used on through the preschool years (see below). The Peapod Plus can be used from infancy well through preschool, and includes a lightweight sleeping bag. In addition to the UV mesh found in the smaller Peapod, the Plus also has roll-down nylon sides for added wind protection. Other differences: The poles used in the Plus are thinner and more lightweight than the very heavy-duty ones used in the original above, keeping its weight down, but at the cost of some stability (if you have rowdy rompers in the house, you may prefer the original Peapod).
Travels at 19" diameter and 6.5" thick in its carrying case. Unfolds to 52.5" x 34" x 25". The very popular Snuggle Nest has been improved with new safety features, including ventilation through breathable sidewalls and an optional 1.5" incline wedge to help elevate baby's head--very helpful should a little nose get stuffy during your travels. Plays soft music or womb-like sounds and includes a convenient night light you'll be glad to have when checking on baby in an unfamiliar hotel room. Cover can be removed and washed. What I don't like about the new model is that the wrap-around bumper means it won't last as longer for taller/longer babies, and the new "vented" side walls actually look less breathable than the earlier mesh used. Still, for travel with a swaddled infant, this may be just what you need. Open dimensions are 17.5 x 6.5" x 18". Folds in half for travel. First Years Close and Secure Sleeper For an extra measure of protection, this co-sleeper buffers your baby from head to toe, making it a suitable sleeping spot for infants both in the "family bed" and out.
It also features a built-in night light, which can be helpful for late-night checks, especially when staying in new and unfamiliar places. Machine washable cover and sheet included. Overall dimensions are 26" x 16" x 6" (24"L within bumpers). Folds to 19" x 17" x 7 1/2" with carrying handle. Summer Infant Travel Bed with Shoulder Strap Great for the airport and possibly even on the airplane. It starts out folded into a travel bag with a shoulder strap and bottle pockets on each end. Then, when you need a clean, safe spot for baby to stretch out while you await your flight, just unfold and the toy bar is already in place. There's NOT a changing table in the lavatory on your flight? This will give you a clean, workable surface with no-roll sidewalls to use either on the airplane seat, floor, or--if the toilet design suits--in the lavatory over the closed lid. And when you get to the hotel, you'll also have a handy travel bed. The Shrunks Inflatable Travel Bed for Toddlers/Preschoolers
Great solution for occasional visits to Grandma's house, car trips, and camping (but at 6 lbs. and still bulky when deflated, you probably don't want to pack it on the plane). The mattress insert is the same size as a standard crib mattress, and you can use it with your own crib/toddler bed sheet sets. (If your child is already pushing the limits of the toddler bed, take a look at the kid-size inflatable travel bed that fits a twin-size sheet.) The inflated bumper with side rails allows you to tuck blankets deeply to help them stay put. Inflates in just 30 seconds using the included electric (plug in) pump. Phthalate-Safe, BpA-Safe and Lead-Safe. Find it online at: Amazon The Shrunks Inflatable Portable Bed Rails Make the most of extra beds where you find them by easily adding these safety bumpers to hotel beds, guest beds, cruise ship berths, and then some. Inflate with the included foot pump and slip under the side of the bed's fitted sheet to prevent roll-off.