Baby crib safety tips

For many parents, purchasing the baby crib is what makes the reality set in that they're really going to have a baby. As parents, your number one priority will be keeping your baby safe at all times.

Baby crib safety should also be kept in mind at all times when shopping for your baby crib, also keep in mind that the purpose of a crib is only to provide a safe, comfortable place for your baby to sleep, not just to look beautiful in your nursery. Safety first, looks second.

Keeping your baby safe with these tips

1. The vertical bars, or slats on baby's crib should be separated by no more than 2-3/8 inches. Most all new cribs meet this safety standard, older cribs do not.
2. Make sure your crib mattress fits snugly into your baby's crib. All new cribs and crib mattresses are a standard size to prevent a baby from being trapped between the two.
3. The long lengths of padded cloth that comes with your crib bedding set, which runs around the borders of your crib and are either snapped or tied into place are called bumpers. The bumpers help prevent your infant from banging his or her head, but a mobile baby can get tangled up in them. Cut the ties as short as possible, and the top and bottom edges of the bumper should be well secured. Remove the bumper once your baby is able to stand on his or her on.
4. Most cribs are designed with adjustable mattress heights, while the highest position can limit how much you have to bend when putting your infant in the crib, the mattress should be lowered as soon as he or she can sit up.
5. Do not place baby's crib near a window or anywhere where little hands can get to dangerous objects.
6. Crib sheets should fit snugly around the crib mattress.
7. Do not place stuffed animals in your baby's crib, they can cause suffocation.
8. Crib mobiles add a cute finishing touch to a baby's crib, they love the music, lights and movement. Make sure that your crib mobile is not within arms reach of your baby and when your baby can sit up, it's time to remove the mobile.
9. Antique cribs are beautiful, and can add such a classic touch to your baby's nursery, please make sure when using an antique crib that it meets all current safety standards and all parts and hardware are in place.

A quality baby crib manufacturer tests its product constantly to ensure that every crib meets the mandatory industry safety standards set by The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and the voluntary standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Cribs which meet safety standards are certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers' Association (JPMA), you can look for the JPMA seal on your crib to make sure that it has met all baby crib safety standards. When you see the JPMA seal, you will know you are getting one of the safest cribs on the market.

About the Author:

Terri O. is a mother of three daughters, a successful author and publisher of http://www.baby-crib-shopping.com. An informative resource when shopping for baby cribs, bassinets, cradles and crib bedding!