If you’re a parent, you already know the value of those toys and techniques that… It’s important to make sure the products your child is using meet the most up-to-date safety standards. To see if any of your products have been recalled, check out the recall list. Sign Up for News Receive weekly blog and periodic newsletter updates from the Baby Safety Zone! Stories from the Parenthood I appreciate that it provides valuable information while keeping a light-hearted and 'fun' feel. It's a great community and way to interact with other parents. BSZ is also great about remembering us dads too in posts, blogs, etc.Babies get 13,000 – 16,000 hours of sleep in their first 3 years so you should get to know your crib mattress. From birth to age three, your child will sleep an average of 12 – 15 hours a day. Getting enough sleep is a crucial step in healthy development; your child’s crib mattress will get a lot of use. But there are some safety concerns you should be aware of when it comes to crib mattresses.
So, what is a safe crib mattress? Here are some things you need to look for in order to find one. I asked my three-year old son, Sam, what he liked best about his mattress. He said he liked it because it was bouncy. While both my kids seem to like their mattresses more for jumping than sleeping, when they do finally settle down, I like knowing that the mattresses they rest on are both safe and comfortable. Every parent feels better when their child sleeps well, and though it seems like infants and toddlers can sleep just about anywhere, there are a couple safety concerns to keep in mind before buying a crib mattress. , powered by the American Academy of Pediatrics, recently published an article titled “Safe Bedding Practices for Children.” It recommends that you “place your baby on his or her back on a firm, tight-fitting mattress in a crib that meets current safety standards.” Keep in mind that cribs and mattresses can vary slightly in size, so it’s important to measure your crib before you buy a mattress to ensure that you purchase one with the tightest fit possible.
If there is any space between the mattress and crib frame your child could get stuck, which increases their risk of physical harm. Most standardized mattresses should measure 27.75in x 52in and should be 6 inches deep. Firm mattresses have been proven to decrease the risk of suffocation in infants and young children. If you’re choosing a foam mattress, feel it first to check for firmness. Usually the density and weight of the foam will help you determine how firm it is. The more dense the mattress (and heavier it is), the firmer the surface will be for sleep. Foam mattresses are often times more inexpensive, but sometimes less durable than spring mattresses. If you’re looking for a spring mattress choose one with a lower-gauge coil, which are thicker and stronger, providing firmer support. When you push your hand in both the middle and corners of the mattress, it should spring back into shape quickly after you remove your hand. If your handprint is slow to disappear, chances are the mattress is too soft to be safe for your infant.
Mattresses have many standards for safety. From waterproof to flame resistant, organic and chemical-free to well-ventilated, orthopedic to hypoallergenic, the list of benefits can seem endless. All of these positive qualities can sometimes distract from the two most important factors in safety for your baby. Above all else, keep your focus on firmness and size. It is also a good idea to check that the mattress you are purchasing has been properly certified and meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards.Lullaby Earth Pure Crib Mattress - LE10 1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950 Add to Registry Add to Favorites *To redeem, enter promotion code MAR20 at checkout. Offer not valid on any already discounted products or certain manufacturers. Designed to be easy for mom and safe for baby, the Lullaby Earth Super Lightweight Crib Mattress delivers the perfect balance of features. Weighing a mere 7 lbs, it's a breeze to change the sheets.
It also features a waterproof design (even on the edges where most crib mattresses have seams), a firm and durable construction, square corners for a snug fit, and of course, no harmful chemicals or allergens. Meets the strictest GREENGUARD� certification standards for eliminating chemical emissions. Measures 27.5" x 52" x 6" and comes with a lifetime limited warranty. Proudly made in the U.S.A.Lightweight � Only 7 lbs for easy sheet changingWipe clean waterproof surface so pure it meets food contact standardsWaterproof seams prevent moisture penetration and allow for easier cleaningFirm and comfortable + edge supportNo harmful chemicals or allergensSquare corners for a snug fit (27.5� x 52� x 6�).Proudly made in the U.S.A. Lullaby Earth Pure Crib Mattress - LE10 Love it so far!! lightweight, doesn't feel plasticky Light Weight, Good Value, and Made in the USA... NOT FOR LIGHT SLEEPERS!!!Prior to the advent of the convertible crib, many parents bought a bassinet, a crib, a toddler bed, and a full-size bed.
Not only was this expensive, but it was also wasteful. These days, many cribs have the ability to expand or contract to service many different sleeping needs. In 2011, the CPSC approved updated regulations for cribs that ensured that newly-produced cribs would be safer. The regulations outlined several changes to the old requirements for cribs. The old-standard drop-side cribs are now banned, as are immobilizers and repair kits for older models. Another change requires that wood slats and mattress supports be made of stronger materials to withstand additional weight and force What separates a good crib from the bad is the wood. Nychelle Fleming, a representative from the CPSC, explained to us what the new regulations meant for parents and shared an easy to digest poster that outlines some of the new major requirements. Fleming said, “The manufacture date is required to be printed on the crib, so consumers should only purchase cribs that have been manufactured after July 28, 2011.”
Many parents worry about the materials used in their child’s crib. This includes the stain, the wood, and the process in which it is manufactured. Dagmar Ebaugh, a spokesperson for GREENGUARD, a group that awards private certifications to companies and products that have a minimal impact on indoor air quality, warned of VOCs. ”VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are chemicals which like to be a gaseous state,” Ebaugh explained, “and which are used in the manufacture of products. VOCs are what can cause that “new building” smell. Certain types of VOCs can be dangerous to our health.” When we look at nefarious chemicals or products we often hear about formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a byproduct of the manufacturing process of many pressed wood products. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, according to both the EPA and the World Health Organization. We like that the Oeuf Rhea crib is made of solid birch and baltic birch plywood and that the company uses water-based stains that are free of any VOC health hazards.
Due to the fact that they’re manufactured in Europe, their products meet their strict standards, in addition to ours here in the States. Every crib—from those that cost as little as $100 to those that are custom-made in the $4,000 price range must meet these new rules. Now that we’re a few years beyond these new requirements, manufacturers have begun producing new models that change the way we look at cribs. We now see models that feature clear acrylic sides, or slats like the Ubabub Pod or the Nurseryworks Vetro. If you can’t justify their higher price points, you can still get many of their features in more budget-friendly cribs. What you should be looking for is a crib that meets or exceeds all standards, while being able to convert into something beyond a basic crib. On the topic of convertibility: don’t feel that you have to buy the most feature-laden and complex system out there. You’ll want to evaluate your lifestyle, and space, when determining the right crib for you.
Many parents will have a second child soon after their first. For those parents, the crib goes to the newborn, and a new toddler bed is purchased, so you won’t always end up using the higher degrees of convertibility. When we interviewed Eli Gurock of the Boston- and Connecticut-area baby store Magic Beans, he echoed that sentiment. “Parents who are looking for a crib for the first time, no matter who they are, want to get the most efficient thing possible, and they see a crib that lasts from zero to teen and think that’s perfect. But they don’t actually think about the fact they may not use three-quarters of the features that that product has.” If you’re assembling this crib on your own, be careful when placing non-wood objects like a mattress support into the crib. A metal mattress support can easily scratch your crib, and leave indentations on the frame. While researching online, it’s a good idea to look for a crib’s overall weight. A heavier crib tends to be sturdier than a lighter one (although design and materials are a factor in sturdiness, as well).
The cribs we tested range in cost between $120, with the Ikea Sundvik, up to $4,500 with the Nurseryworks Vetro crib. A base model crib that meets everything we consider mandatory is going to start at around $200. While the Graco Lauren crib and Ikea Sundvik were less money and very popular, they don’t feel sturdy; both models felt flimsy in our hands-on testing. Past the $700 threshold, you add features that you may not need, like systems that expand and contract into different shapes. I’ve seen my fair share of cribs; what separates a good crib from the bad is the wood. Most inexpensive—and even some moderately priced cribs—opt to use what is essentially plywood, sawdust and glue, with pieces of solid wood to achieve their look. These models look good in the store, but they won’t hold up in the long run. A toddler is going to jump up and down, maybe even chew on the side of the crib, and you’ll probably bump into or scratch the crib once or twice. Look for models that use birch, beech, or poplar woods, as they’re much harder and more durable than their plywood counterparts.