5 Things to Know About Crib Safety

The Consumer Product Safety Commission voted in December 2010 to toughen up safety standards and requirements for all cribs purchased in the United States after facing the recall of more than 11 million cribs in the past five years. Daycare centers, crib rental agencies and more will have to purchase the cribs and replace all outdated cribs that don't meet the new standards by December 2012. 

Patch took a look at ways you can ensure your baby has a safe rest in their crib.

Has your crib been recalled? Not sure if the crib you are using is one of the millions of models that have been recalled over the past few years? Simply visit the CPSC at recalls.gov to find out if your crib is on the list.

The bedding set I bought is so cute. It may be cute, but it can also be dangerous if you are using blankets, pillows, bumpers or stuffed animals in a crib with a child under the age of one. Babies lack the coordination and muscle control below the age of one that would allow them to roll away and move out from under a blanket or pillow that may be obstructing their ability to breathe properly.

What kind of mattress should I buy? Firm mattresses are the ones recommended by the CPSC. They also recommend that the mattress fit tightly into the base of the crib so that there is no threat of the baby becoming wedged between the mattress and crib frame.

My mother gave me my old crib and I can't wait for my baby to sleep in it. Antique cribs are full of nostalgia and family hand-me-downs are a tradition for many. But older cribs weren't built to today's more rigorous safety standards and might not be the safest place for your baby to rest their head. In particular, the railings down the side of the crib should be no more than 2 3/4 inches apart, according to the CPSC, and they say parents should avoid placing babies in cribs with decorative cutouts.

What is the best way to put my baby to sleep? My mother says on her stomach but my doctor says on her back--what should I do? The CPSC and American Academy of Pediatrics say the best way to avoid SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is to put babies down on their backs to sleep--never on their sides or stomachs. 

For additional tips, watch the video that accompanies this article which offers safety tips for babies in cribs.