Baby and Kids Beds

Beds

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Bedding

Bed Room Furniture

For expectant parents there is so much to do and prepare for. The nursery is just one thing to get ready for baby and it should be a safe place for your baby to find comfort and sleep. During the first year of your baby’s life, they will spend a great deal of time sleeping. This makes the crib one of the most important aspects of the nursery.

Before you buy a baby mattress for your crib, make sure you are using a crib that meets all safety standards. While it might be tempting to make use of a family heirloom, older cribs are not necessarily safe in all regards. The width of the gap between crib slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches to prevent injury and you should be certain that the slats are firmly in place with no chance of dislodging or coming loose from the railing. These are actually standards that are imposed by the Consumer Protection Agency of the FTC and are likely met by newer model cribs.

Once you are certain you’re using a safe crib, you can move on to the baby mattress. You should purchase a new baby mattress whenever possible. It is important that the baby mattress fit the crib tightly, with no gaps between the mattress and the crib. If you can place two fingers between the edge of the mattress and the crib, your mattress does not fit properly and could pose a safety hazard. A properly fitting baby mattress eliminates the risk of baby trapping their head between the mattress and the crib.

Purchase a firm, flat baby mattress for your crib. A soft mattress increases possible risks of suffocation and for the same reason, you should not use plastic wrapping or a mattress cover. A baby mattress is made with a vinyl surface outer shell designed to protect the mattress against leaks. Plastic wrapping or covering only poses a risk of coming loose and causing suffocation. Most baby mattresses also come standard with a flame retardant additive. The FTC recommends this feature as a safety precaution. If you are concerned about the addition of flame retardant chemicals, talk to your selected pediatrician.

When determining the position of the baby mattress in the crib, you can safely install the baby mattress at the highest level for the first few months. However, once baby learns to sit up or pull up into a sitting position, you need to lower the baby mattress to the lowest possible height.

As baby grows, you should periodically inspect the fit of the mattress in addition to the crib. If you purchased a new baby mattress, the mattress should last beyond the crib and into a toddler bed if desired. Make sure you use only a fitted crib sheet that fits the baby mattress tightly. There should be no folds present with a properly fitting sheet. Do not use soft, fluffy bedding like comforters or quilts inside the crib.

A properly fitting baby mattress with the proper bedding installed in a safe crib will provide your new baby with a comfortable and safe place to rest and get the sleep they need for healthy development.

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