by Dorothea Frankson
Baby memorabilia does not belong in the ‘throw-away society’ of today, we tend to hold on to many of their items. Even so, when you are expecting a baby, people can’t wait to pass on their cribs and crib bedding. Babies can be a big financial drain to a family, thankfully offerings of cribs and bedding can help keep those costs in check, and always remember to thank the giver. Always make sure before you choose to use any bedding and crib for your child, that they are safe and won’t harm your child.
Whether it is a Moses basket or a crib, your baby’s first crib is the most memorable. While you are refinishing your used baby crib, take the time to make sure it will be safe for your baby. Even if the baby bedding looks untouched, when you receive it you should inspect it for safety. If you are using a wicker cradle, check the ends to make sure there are no loose or broken bits and that all the connections are secure, and always use a new mattress because these wear out quickest. While baby believes everything should go directly into the mouth, protect your infant by checking the skirt when fitting for loose threads or other choking hazards.
Baby can be very mischievous so be certain that if within reach your child cannot get hold of material that has any loose threads or other choking hazards. The Juvenile Product Manufacturer’s Association (JPMA) in the USA and British Standards(BS) in the UK concerned about the safety of baby furnitures, warn that new furnitures and bedding should be bought for the crib if possible. The products displaying either the JPMA stamp of endorsement or the BS ‘Kite’ symbol have been put to the test to ensure that they satisfy all of the proper safety standards.
I have no problem with second-hand baby things as long as you make sure that they are perfectly safe - it isn’t environmentally sound to throw away good furniture and baby bedding. Since your baby will be in his or her crib for extended periods of time it is important you spend the time inspecting it. You need to take all the necessary precautions to ensure your babies safety and well being. To maximize safety in your baby’s bedding, follow these points. Before anything else, you want to make sure there is no chipped, loose, or dangerous paint and no jagged edges that your baby’s clothes will get caught on. The bars of the crib must be closer than 2 and 3/8 inches apart and the header and footer boards should not have any holes. Then the baby is free from any accident. The joints and fixings should be tight .Otherwise the crib will wobble. It should only take one hand to raise and lower the side rail. Once raised, it should be fully secured. The mattress should be solid and clean and the side rails of the crib should be no less than 22 inches higher than the crib mattress.
I will always buy a new, snug fit mattress for a new baby. Nursery bedding may cause babies to suffocate, so you have to be careful to tie the strings of the bumper tightly or don’t use a bumper at all. Babies under the age of 12 months should not have access to the following in their cribs: duvets, quilts, sheepskin or pillows, while use of these items could cause overheating. Keep a thermometer in the room, and try a mixture of blankets and sheets. Babies learn faster than we can observe sometimes, so it’s important to take preventative measures such as placing the crib far away from cords, lamps, blinds or curtains, or any other item the baby could climb or pull into the crib with them.
Always remember your children grow up quickly so it is great to have a wonderful, safe, and fun time with your child.
About the Author:
Dorothea is a writer and researcher on parenting and family issues. She also works part-time as a freelance writer for
Your Baby Bedding.
