At first, we figured we ought to allot a good bit of time to addressing the various sleep-site options available to you—starting predictably with the crib and then running through everything from bassinets, cradles, cosleepers, and playpens to car seats and dresser drawers. Then it occurred to us that most parents we talk to seem to handle this part of new parenthood pretty well on their own, and either don’t care too much or already have their hearts set on one or the other (or several) of the options. Given that there are plenty of informative baby product books like Baby Bargains and Consumer Reports' Best Baby Products around, we decided not to take up too much of your time on the subject. Instead, we are going to lay out for you what we consider to be the practical considerations and safety tips most useful in deciding where to lay your baby down to rest. Whether you decide to set up a crib for your baby as soon as your pregnancy test turns positive or months after your newborn’s much-anticipated arrival, there are a few general safety principles that you’ll want to follow to ensure your baby’s safety.
Some may not seem particularly relevant during your baby’s first few months, but given that cribs tend to be big-ticket items and the one you invest in is going to be put to the test for years to come as your baby learns to roll, sit, stand, and climb in it, it’s well worth considering present and future safety concerns. In recent years, crib railings have almost always been adjustable—meaning you can raise and lower one or both side railings. While this feature has long been appealing to parents as a convenience factor, it has now become one of significant concern. That’s because numerous injuries from crib side-rails resulted in the largest crib recall in history (2.1 million cribs!) in 2009. As a result, the organization that sets voluntary industry safety standards required that going forward, all full-sized cribs be manufactured with 4 immovable sides. In other words, drop-side cribs may soon become a thing of the past. The take-home message for all parents: Always be sure to check out the latest safety information on the Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site before dropping your guard.
If you come to find that the excitement you feel about having a new baby is wrapped up in the buying of a fancy baby bedding set complete with bumper and quilted blanket, then don’t let us stop you. After all, we couldn’t resist the parental urge to splurge either—at least not the first time around. For those of you who are interested in taking a more minimalist approach, now is the time for us to point out that as cute as it may be to walk into the nursery and see the lamp match the wallpaper border match the blanket match the diaper holder…you get the picture, you really don’t need any of it. For safety’s sake, keep soft objects or loose bedding out of the crib. This includes pillows, blankets, and bumper pads. Bumper pads should not be used in cribs. There is no evidence that bumper pads prevent injuries, and there is a potential risk of suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. The receiving blanket(s) and/or pajamas you use to wrap your baby in should be enough for warmth.
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