
1. Bassinets or cradles are a good option for the first few weeks of the baby’s life to keep him/her within arms reach of you. It is perfectly safe through to put a newborn in a full size crib.
2. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when putting together any crib, bassinet, cradle, or play yard. Follow instructions carefully and make sure all nuts and bolts are secure and tight. Check them periodically.
3. Always use a properly fitted mattress. If two adults fingers can fit between the mattress and slats of the crib there is too much space and this is unsafe for your baby.
4. When your baby is finally big enough to pull to a standing position make sure to lower the mattress to the lowest possible position and remove bumper pads or anything that your child can use to climb on in order to escape from the crib.
5. Never put a crib near a window where any blind cords or drapes can be reached. Also make sure no electrical cords are near the crib, be especially careful or the baby monitor cord.
6. Use tightly fitted crib sheets that wrap completely around the mattress.
7. Make sure that bumper pads are fitted tightly and that the straps are not more than 9 inches long.
8. Keep pillows, toys, especially stuffed animals out of the crib while baby is asleep.
9. NEVER put a baby to sleep on a pillow, waterbed, sofa cushion, or in an adult bed. The safest place for your baby is in the crib alone. There are safe ways to co-sleep. (Co-sleeping is when your baby sleeps with you in the bed.) We will talk about co-sleeping soon.
10. Lastly, do not overdress your baby, put baby in comfortable clothing and try swaddling.
Most importantly, is to always put your baby to sleep on baby’s back. This will prevent the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and is recommend by every pediatrician for the safety of your baby.