Crib Bedding: Recommendations to Follow for Infants under 1 Year old

When having an infant it is inevitable, you are going to worry about his/her safety. But how do you ensure safe crib bedding practices for your children? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission helps ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, crib furniture, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years. So when you are trying to keep your baby safe where better to go for information? Soft baby bedding may be hazardous to babies. Always remember the following guidelines:

• At bedtime place your baby on his/her back on a firm tight-fitting mattress in cribs, bassinets or cradles, and make sure these products meet current safety standards.
  
  
• Remove pillows, quilts, blankets, sheepskins, stuffed crib toys, and other soft crib accessories or products from the crib furniture.
  
  
• Consider using a sleeper or other sleep clothing as an alternative to blankets, with no other covering. Remember do not dress girls in nightgowns that are made for toddlers until they are at least 1 year old.
  
  
• If using a blanket, put baby with feet at the foot of the crib. Tuck a thin blanket around the crib mattress, reaching only as far as the baby's chest.
  
  
• Make sure your baby's head remains uncovered during sleep.
  
  
• Do not place baby on a waterbed, sofa, and beds with soft mattress, pillow, or other soft surface to sleep. Safety over comfort!
  
  
• Follow guidelines exactly for Mobiles, nursery sets, bedding sets and crib furniture.
  
  

Placing babies to sleep on their backs in crib furniture instead of their stomachs has been associated with a dramatic decrease in deaths from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Babies have been found dead on their stomachs with their faces, noses, and mouths covered by soft bedding, such as pillows, quilts, comforters and sheepskins. However, some babies have been found dead with their heads covered by soft bedding even while sleeping on their backs. Even if it is a baby gift if it is not safe…return it. It is not worth the risk!

For up to date information please go to www.cpsc.gov or call the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at 1-800-638-2772

For more information on crib safety.

Recommended Sources

YourKidsDirect for great values on kid's furniture!

MiniTots Baby furniture, Convertible Cribs, Toddler Beds.