Crib safety has come a long way over the past 10 years. Many of the cribs being manufactured today are substantially safer than older cribs. And we’ve learned there are several things that parents should (and shouldn’t) do to keep babies sleeping safely. Here are some of the most effective crib safety tips, from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
• Never place pillows or thick quilts in a baby’s sleep environment. It’s one of the best safety tips around, but it can be hard to do because you want your baby to be comfy. However, they all pose suffocation hazards.
• Do not use a crib with gaps larger than two fingers between the sides of the crib and the mattress.
• Carefully assemble a new crib. Mistakes in assembly can pose safety risks. Not sure about something? Call the manufacturer’s toll-free consumer help line. Check for any recalls, especially if you’re getting a secondhand crib or one that you used with another child years ago.
• Don’t use an old crib. At the very least, pass on any crib that’s 10 years old. If in doubt, get a newer one.
• Don’t place a crib near a window with blinds, curtain cords or baby monitor cords — they all pose a strangulation risk.