In these moments, it helps to know you’ve done everything you can to stay one step ahead of your fearless adventurer. As any experienced parent will tell you, baby-proofing is essential—especially in the nursery where your little one will rack up more than a few hours of unsupervised time.
Corner posts. Corner posts over 1/16 of an inch high are a no-no unless they exceed 16 inches. Your child’s clothing could become caught on posts, resulting in strangulation.Fixed Sides. Cribs must have fixed sides. Drop-side cribs pose a serious threat to infants, many of whom have been injured or even killed as a result of hardware malfunctions common to the crib’s design.Mattresses. Crib mattress must be firm and fit the crib properly. There should be no more than two finger’s width of space between the side of the mattress and the crib frame. Any larger and your baby may become entrapped between the two, resulting in injury or suffocation.Slats. Crib slats should be no further than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent your baby from trapping his head or limbs between the bars.
Avoid sleep positioners and similar products —even if they claim to reduce the risk of SIDS. No actual evidence exists to support these claims, and several infants have actually suffocated as a result of their use. Blankets, pillows, and bumpers of any kind pose a risk of suffocation and or entrapment and should never be used in a crib. Remove all soft toys and bedding from your baby’s crib with the exception of a fitted sheet and a thin, water-resistant mattress cover. Do not hang anything over the crib or in the nursery using a length of string that’s longer than seven inches. Longer lengths of string pose a risk of strangulation. Mobiles should also meet the seven-inch rule and should be removed once your little one can push up onto his or her hands and knees. Do not place a crib next to a heater or in an area that experiences direct sunlight. This helps prevent your child from overheating (a known risk factor associated with SIDS). Inspect your child’s crib on a regular basis, ensuring that the mattress frame is secure and that there is no missing, loose, or damaged hardware. Keep all cords at least 3 feet from the crib—especially the baby monitor cord—as they are a strangulation risk. Never hang heavy items, like mirrors and large frames, directly over your baby’s crib. They could fall and injure your child. Position the crib away from windows and other furniture that could pose a hazard should your child attempt to climb out of the crib. Remember to adjust your crib’s mattress level as necessary. For safety’s sake, lower the mattress a level as soon as your child can sit upright, and again once your little one begins to stand. If your child reaches 35 inches in height and has not yet transitioned to a bed, it’s time to make the change.
