Baby crib features
In the first months of life,
your baby will sleep up to 20 hours a day. That's why it's so important to buy
a comfortable and safe crib. When buying baby cribs, pay attention to these
features:
- You don't need the most expensive bed. Safety is more important than crib design or price.
- Buy a new one if you can. If you're buying a used crib, make sure it's a recent model year.
- Avoid vintage cribs, used cribs, or cribs with folding side rails.
- Measure the slats. They shouldn't be more than 6 cm apart so your baby can’t slip through or get a limb or head stuck.
- Also measure the corner posts. They should be less than 0,15 cm high so your baby’s clothing won’t get caught.
- Look for broken edges that could cut your child and headboard cutouts that could pinch your child's head.
- Check for other hazards such as chipped or peeling paint, loose or missing screws and other hardware. If you need to make repairs, be sure to use only materials from the manufacturer.
- Buy a firm mattress to prevent sudden infant death syndrome. And remember, there are no bumpers or soft toys in the crib, only a sheet on the mattress.
- Make sure the mattress fits snugly against the bed frame. You can't stick your finger between them. The mattress should be adjusted as the child grows.
- Never place your baby's crib next to a window. Blinds, screens and other window decorations are hazardous.