Buying Furniture and Baby Equipment

Here we go….

Your baby needs a place to sleep! Your baby will often be unattended

while sleeping, so the bed must be safe…meaning…he (or she) should be safe from falling or choking!

You can assure your baby’s safety by paying attention to four main things…

Make sure the slats are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart

Avoid cutouts in the headboard and footboard

Remove corner posts that could snag clothing

Make sure the crib is sturdy Check it for cracks or loose hardware

DON’T place the crib near a window DON’T hang pictures or shelves above

the crib Don’t use the baby’s crib for clutter

storage…… DO place the crib where you can hear

your baby Do place the crib in a warm, dry room

DO keep your baby’s crib where dogs and cats can’t climb into it unannounced!

DO keep the baby’s room free of dust, debris, and dirt

Your baby will thank you (when he or she can talk)

On June 28th, 2011, new federal regulations took effect that make it illegal for stores to continue selling baby beds with “drop-sides.”

These regulations were adopted because of the documented hazards associated with these types of baby beds. Numerous children have died because of their design.

If you are looking to buy a baby crib, you would be well-advised to avoid this type of crib construction.

More information on the new regulations can be found by searching online for “new regulations regarding baby beds.”

Shelov, Steven P., MD (Ed). (2005). Caring for Your Baby and Young Child . United States of America: Bantam Books.

References