Put your baby crib together in the nursery. After crib assembly, it won't be easy to move it from room to room.
Read all the assembly instructions carefully.
Check the crib weekly for loose bolts or hardware, sharp edges or rough spots.
Check mattress support hooks regularly. If even one hook becomes loose, the crib poses an entrapment hazard.
Keep the crib assembly instruction booklet under the mattress, on top of the mattress support. You'll know where it is if you ever need to contact the manufacturer.
Stop using the crib when the baby is 32-35 inches tall (or sooner if the baby is learning climb out of the crib!)
Don't place the crib near window drapes or blind cords.
Make sure lamps, climbable furniture, and other items are out of reach of the baby.
Make sure that the fitted crib sheet fits securely, with no slipping off at the corners.
Never place pillows in a crib. These pose a suffocation risk for infants, and a climbing risk for toddlers.
Don't use comforters in the crib. Babies under a year old should be sleeping in a crib with only a fitted sheet, and no other bedding.
Dress your baby in a one-piece sleeper instead of using a blanket.
Crib bumpers are not necessary. If you do use them, make sure that they're flat and firm (not pillow-like), and that the ties are less than 9 inches long.
Remove crib bumpers when the baby is 4 months old, or beginning to get on his hands and knees.
Remove any mobiles or crib gyms when the baby is 4 months old, or beginning to get on her hands and knees.
Read over these
recommendations
from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding the safest infant bedding.
Choose a firm crib mattress with squared corners. There should be less than 2 adult finger-widths between the crib mattress and the side of the crib.
Always send in the product registration card that comes with every new crib. By returning the card, you ensure you'll be notified if your crib is recalled.
Crib assembly is best completed before the baby arrives, if possible. You'll want to make sure that the crib has no missing parts and is in working order.
We're committed to compiling excellent and thorough baby crib assembly recommendations. Please contact us (using the contact form below) if you have assembly tips we should add to this page!
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