Bed safety

Preparing for baby can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a confusing time. Turns out there are many bedding sets and cute bedding boutiques that sell ADORABLE bedding for your child’s crib–but those items are not even safe for your child. Just because they are available, does not mean they are safe to use.

When it comes to children’s bedding, “Bare is best.” This means that there is a fitted (that actually fits) crib sheet on a mattress (that does not have gaps between it and the sides) in the bed. There should be no pillows, no blankets, and no bumpers.

Bumpers have proven to be such a hazard, Chicago banned the sale of crib bumpers in all Chicago stores in 2011.

“The City Council approved the ordinance in response to Tribune investigations that found federal regulators have received reports of babies suffocating for years but have failed to warn parents or investigate all deaths.”

“Nancy Maruyama, of SIDS of Illinois, said safety advocates frequently tell parents not to put anything soft in a baby’s crib. Yet bumpers are soft, and parents think, “If (stores) sell it, it must be safe,” she said.”

“The city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection will enforce the ordinance, responding to complaints and checking for products during inspections of stores. Retailers who violate the ordinance can face fines up to $500 for each violation.”

Chicago Tribune, September 9, 2011

The one exception to the bumper rule is the mesh/breathable bumpers. These are not there for cosmetic reasons, but often parents choose to add these when the kids are a little older and they are loosing their pacifiers, they are bumping their heads, or they are getting arms/legs stuck between the rungs. Though these may not really be a safety concern, if parents want a solution to them, these are the only safe option as far as a barrier around the crib.

Blankets are also a risk to children. After going through the SIDS training myself (in 2011) I was told we were not allowed to have blankets in the daycares–even swaddle blankets. Nothing was allowed in the cribs that the child was not wearing. This is where parents are investing in velcro swaddles, wearable blankets, and zipadee zips. We did not send our children to daycare, but we chose to skip swaddling with a blanket and do velcro and then zipadee because 1) it was easier than figuring it out in the dark 2) I was anxious about doing it wrong.

Other rules for cribs, bassinets, and pack n plays:
* Rungs should not be able to fit a can between
* Mattress should fit to the sides
* Drop sides are not longer considered safe
* Make sure child cannot crawl out
* Make sure child cannot pull anything dangerous in
**Including monitor and blind cords

Now that the bed is set up, it is also important to note that child should be put in the bed on their backs.

If they are able to freely roll on their own, children can
1) Be left if they roll to their belly–this means baby has good control of head and body to roll back as well
2) Child should be removed from a swaddle and put in a swaddle transitioner or wearable blanket so their arms are able to assist them in their rolling.

Other Items that are being used for sleep but may not be recommended:
*Dock-a-tot, Snuggle me Organic
* Rock n Plays (Read AAP recent call for recall, Recall has been issued 4/12/19)
These are not intended for sleep or sleep unattended. Parents and the companies themselves will tell you to use your transgression if choosing to use these items.
*Safe sleep statement by Dr. Diane Arnaout (Facebook)