What to do if the baby climbs out of the crib
It is
very interesting to watch how your baby takes new steps and becomes more
independent. Certain milestones, such as rock climbing, may raise additional
concerns about how to keep your child safe. If your baby is starting to climb
into or out of the crib successfully, it is important to make the necessary
adjustments as soon as possible to avoid injury from falls or other hazards.
When do babies start climb in their crib?
When
babies learn to climb, they may try to get out of their crib at night or during
daytime naps. This behavior usually starts when babies are in their infancy,
although some may roll out of their cribs as early as 10 or 11 months old when
they learn to reach for objects to support themselves.
Ways to keep your child safe
Lower the mattress in the crib. The easiest way to prevent your
baby from getting out of the crib is to lower their mattress as much as
possible. This approach may not provide a permanent solution, but it can give
you several months of peace at night.
Even
if your baby hasn't left the crib yet, it's important to lower the mattress as
soon as it becomes easy to get up. Some parents go even further and lower the
mattresses in the cribs as soon as their child begins to sit up on his own,
which usually happens shortly thereafter.
Try a sleeping sack. Sleeping sacks provide comfort
for small children, just like diapers. A sleeping sack can restrict your baby's
limbs so much that it can be difficult for him to get out of the crib, but your
baby can also find his way out of a regular sleeping sack.
If
this is the case, it might be worth trying to turn the sleeping sack inside out
to make the zipper more difficult to access. There are also many models of
sleeping sacks that place the zipper in hard-to-reach places, such as at the
bottom.
Upgrade to a toddler bed. If your baby constantly rolls out
of the crib, a crib may be safer. Experts recommend that caregivers prohibit
toddlers from using cribs when they can climb out or when they are 90 cm tall.
Toddler
cribs, designed for children under 3 years old, can be the sweet spot between a
baby crib and two single beds. This strategically designed bed isn't completely
enclosed, but instead has railings to prevent toddlers from accidentally
falling out.
Adjustable
cribs that can become toddler beds are ideal because they help babies feel more
comfortable in their ever-changing sleeping environment. Try not to switch too
early, as a growing body of research suggests it can cause sleep problems.
Make sure the bedroom is
childproof. How
you arrange the furniture will determine whether your child will be able to get
out of the crib. If one side of the crib is shorter than the other, make sure
the shorter side is against the wall. Also, if there is furniture next to the
crib, move it away so that it cannot be used to get out of the crib.
Since
your baby is scrambling, it's important to make sure the room is child-proof in
case your baby rolls out of his crib. Essentials for babies and toddlers
include:
- Bolting all heavy furniture to the wall so they’re impossible to pull down
- Securing cords on blinds or long drapes
- Securing or removing all electrical cords
- Covering electrical sockets
- Installing window guards
- Replacing free-standing lamps with overhead lighting
- Adding finger pinch guards to doors
Avoid children's tents. At first glance, crib tents or other coverings seem to be an effective solution to the problem of escaping babies and toddlers. However, in reality, these accessories are dangerous. Various manufacturers have voluntarily recalled existing tents and stopped selling new ones in response to dozens of reports of product failures.
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