Shopping online! Internet indeed is basking in the limelight considering the fact that it gives parents more options when it comes to finding and purchasing clothes and other items for their babies than ever before.
How about Hassles? How about long check-out lines? How about Traffics? And, how about not finding the right clothes for your baby even after those time-consuming, manual searches? This is why online shopping is emerging fast as a channel to bring the products right in front of you, with thousands to choose from. Indeed, the Internet has become an exciting tool that puts vast information just a click away.
Moreover, with the surging competitions amongst the online retailers, good deals, convenience, and choice abound on the Internet. But before you use what the sites has to offer, be “cyber” smart to make the most of your online experience.
Choices and offers at your disposal
Discounts: Interestingly, some of the best discount stores that sell baby clothes are some of the best online retailers. Each online retailer offers direct sales from their web site, and they have pretty almost everything you could need in terms of baby clothing, and offer it all at prices that won't burn a hole through your pocket.
Designer Baby Clothes: Designers are going online at last! From Chic Baby clothing to punk and trendy wears, online shopping offers you much beyond your travel experiences to the outlets.
Just Browse! With literally hundreds of websites offering baby clothes at all price ranges and designed to meet all specifications, just keep browsing –compare pricings, and just pick your choice.
Follow these principles while baby clothes online
· Keep a tab on the kind of material and the quality the online retailer is offering.
· Consider unisex clothes even if you are buying a baby cloth before the baby’s actual birth. This is the beat part of a baby’s cloth.
· Make the most of online offers. Online offers are much below the other offers made by physical retailers because online retailers need not maintain an outlet to showcase their merchandise. Since they are not spending in maintaining a physical outlet, they can offer you products much cheaper.
· Consider the pros and cons of the baby cloth features. You might not end up disappointed upon delivery of the product.
Follow these basic rules while shopping online for your baby clothes
This guideline is not only for shopping your baby’s clothes, but for you to consider while shopping for any merchandize online: Use a secure server and browser with industry security standards before you enter credit card information online; research the target site and verify the companies for authentication through contact information such as business name, address and telephone numbers; avoid using debit cards and consider calling up to take in your orders instead; and print out information on your order when you place it and keep the copies.
Following these tips will protect you from getting ripped while shopping online.
Baby Clothes Online
Baby Clothes: 7 Money Saving Shopping Tips for New Parents
Perhaps the biggest problem with baby clothes is that they don't last. Not because they wear out, but because your baby quickly out grows them.
It's important to plan your baby clothes shopping around the growth of your baby. If you don't, you could be wasting money.
Keep in mind these seven tips while you plan your baby clothes shopping:
1. Wear a Larger Size
People say babies grow fast, and they're right about that. You'll be wasting money if you buy perfect fitting clothes because they'll soon be too small. Buying a larger size will extend the amount of time your baby can wear them.
2. Make a Weather Prediction
Stop and think for a moment about clothes labels that state size in terms of a baby's age, such as 12 or 18 months. Then ask this question: "When my baby is X months old, what will the weather or temperature be like?" Get the answer to this question correct and you'll buy clothes that not only fit, but also will be appropriate for the season.
3. Find Easy To Put On Outfits
Sometimes you'll struggle to dress your baby into an outfit you want him to wear. Outfits that come in several pieces, button from behind or pull over the head may require more of your patience and time. Outfits that come in one piece, open in the front, have zippers, or snap buttons should be easier to deal with.
4. Have Enough for Emergencies
Food can drop on your baby's clothes while you're feeding him. If your baby becomes sick, he might throw-up on his outfit. When a messy accident occurs, you'll need a clean set of clothes ready for your baby to wear.
5. Save at The Clearance Racks
You can save a bundle at the clearance racks. Almost every type of store has these. In addition, if you wait for a big sale you can save even more. Some stores will also markdown the clearance item further at the cash register.
6. Accept Hand Me Downs
Your family and friends may want to give you their children's baby clothes. They may have new clothes that their baby didn't have a chance to wear. If you decide to accept what they are willing to give, you'll save yourself some money, especially if they have clothing you would have bought.
7. Exchange Old Clothes for Cash
Sell the clothes your baby no longer fits into on eBay. eBay is just an example. There are many other ways to trade your old clothes for cash. You may not make as much as you had originally paid for them, however, you'll at least earn some of your money back.
Summary
If getting the most use out of the clothes you buy for your child is important to you, then the seven tips in this article should help you accomplish this. Take these ideas with you the next time you go baby clothes shopping. You'll feel good about the clothes you buy for your baby and the money you're going to save.
Baby Clothes: A Perfect Baby Shower Gift?
Shopping for baby clothes and accessories can be so much fun, especially when you are shopping for a baby shower gift for someone you love! Baby clothes make great gifts for new parents.
Baby clothing from boutiques are very popular gifts. Many even have gift registries for expectant parents. Most larger towns and cities have these specialty boutiques, but these can also be found in quaint smaller towns, too. The nice thing about boutique clothing as a baby shower gift is that the parents might not want to spend the extra money on clothing for the baby with all the other expenses they will have. Try to pick out something unique. Most parents get plenty of onesies and sleepers!
When in doubt as to what to buy or what size, stick with dresses for girls and overalls for boys. Because I had big babies, most newborn clothing didn't fit my children. I suggest buying size 3 or 6 months, keeping in mind many children wear the next size up from their age. For example, a 3 month old might wear a size 6 months. Remember to think about what season it will be when purchasing bigger sizes. A nice long sleeved outfit won't be used if it would fit the baby in the summer.
Shopping online for baby clothes can get you some really good deals without the frustrations of being at the mall. You're also more likely to get a unique gift online. Shop around for special promotions and free shipping. I like to use Ebates whenever I shop online and get a rebate on every purchase.
Internet shopping is perfect if you can't attend the shower. Most stores with registries make ordering simple. They can, in just a few clicks, have your order shipped directly to the new parents' house.
Baby sleepers and gowns are the most popular baby shower gifts. While necessary, try pairing them with another more unique gift like an embroidered burp cloth, blanket or diaper bag.
Tiny baby slippers always get oooh's and aaah's at a shower. To make a more substantial gift, add a cute little hat and some socks. Infant clothing is almost always a gift parents will get lots of use out of. When possible, always include a gift receipt just in case there was a duplicate gift or if the baby's gender turns out to be different than expected!
Baby clothing can be expensive and fancy or simple and inexpensive. Either way, parents will appreciate the thoughtful and useful gift for their little one.
Baby Clothes: Essentials You Cannot Do Without
The greatest thing about getting ready for a newborn baby is to purchase clothes for the baby. The little dresses are a lot delightful and is capable of softening anybody’s heart at all times. If you have got some concerns in relation to whether you would be a fine dad or mom, simply catch a glimpse of an adorable ‘Onesie’ – whatever thing that fits someone so little just cannot be troublesome!
When buying for new clothes for your baby, you need to keep one thing in mind and that is that your newborn baby will require plenty of the clothes. The main 7 belongings, which your baby’s cabinet has got to have, are given below -
1. Diapers - I cannot even start to let you know about the countless number of diapers that your baby would require, nevertheless simply purchase them in a bulk. Try out the disposable types – they will be less of headache for mom and easy to use.
2. Onesies - These are one-piece outfits somewhat similar to coveralls or overalls and look forward to seeing your newborn baby spend lots of time in Onesies. Pick up Onesies, which can be opened with no trouble and fixed firmly in order that you can switch the baby’s clothes with minimum energy.
Cotton tees - These tees along with cotton skirts or shorts, are perfect for within the house. Do not forget to purchase a lot of tees since they will require repeated changing.
3. Sleep-ins – Sleep-ins are similar to pajamas and sleepers to be worn at night and they are comfy to sleep in and also keep the baby protected from some light wind.
4. Warm clothes - Put in a few warm clothes similar to fleece wear and sweaters in the baby’s cabinet for the reason that they call for lots of shelter from chilly weather conditions.
5. Hats and Caps - Perhaps not a lot of them, nevertheless do purchase a pair of caps in order to keep the baby’s head away from the breeze.
6. Mittens - During winters you cannot do devoid of them, nevertheless set aside a few cotton mittens for the summer season in order that the baby does not graze himself/herself with his/her own nails. Newborn babies at times do that, honestly.
Baby Clothes: Long and Lean
Confused by the phrase ‘Long and Lean’ following Baby Clothes? Well, this article works both ways to reduce the confusion of those online baby cloth hunters. And surprisingly, most of the optimized searches will disappoint you if you are either searching clothes meant for your long and lean babies, or clothes to make your baby look long and lean! Confusing, right?
For those who have been thinking that buying a baby’s cloth is just a child’s play, note that baby clothes have their whole of rules. And as they begin their growth, you will realize that your baby should be understood in terms of their growth and gender in order to meet their needs. Let us take a peek into what makes these criteria a must for those parents shopping for baby clothes.
The Long and the Lean
It is believed that the condition of birth determines what a child will look like when it grows up. But there is no way to predict exactly the rate of their growth. However, recent studies have claimed that heavy babies tend to grow up fat and long babies tend to grow up tall. But this may be contestable.
Sizing a baby’s clothing: the Long and the Lean
Parents might be often asking: “What do I need to buy for my lean or fat baby?” Though a baby’s clothes comes in sizes shown by months, as in 0-3 months, this question calls in for a different set of solution. How do you know that this is a standard? There are four fundamental flaws in this standard:
1. The sizes of babies vary enormously. And the manufacturers might claim that a particular size is the standard of your baby’s age group.
2. The growth of babies varies, ranging from slow to rapid. And some babies might be double the size of their same age group.
3. The shape also varies. Some children might outgrow their clothes; clothes made for round babies might stop snapping at the crotch well before they hit their supposed limit.
4. Different manufacturers have their own specific standards. This considerably confuses parents while buying clothes for their babies.
So what do we do? Does one need to buy by weight, or size, or age group? A baby’s age stage is the most confusing stage indeed! And, parents will be likely to keep buying clothes to keep up with the alterations in the baby’s growth – size, weight, length, and shape.
The best advice is not to buy very expensive clothes for this stage. You will not be able to keep up with the speed a baby soils the clothes. However, ensure that the clothes are friendly with your child.
And remember that we cannot help the fluctuations in a baby’s growth; while searching clothes for your long and lean baby, or clothes to make your baby look long and lean, just be patient. We all have been through it as babies!
Baby clothing for your little ones
Do you want to shop some clothes for your baby? Mothers do not have to worry for Baby clothes any more. Dressing newborn infants is so much fun.
Your baby will need number of newborn clothing and linen items. Hence it is very important that you prepare yourself in advance for everything. Remember that new born grow very fast. Hence the clothes you will buy for them will quite likely have a very short life. So always buy two to five months older clothing. Here are some tips which will help you to make right choices for your baby.
Things to keep in mind while buying
Always buy enough clothes for you’re newly born to cover the three clothing changes in a day. Always opt for soft material, which are comfortable to wear and remove. Buy durable material, which is washable and long-lived. Buy baby clothes, which are durable else just one wash, would make them useless to wear. Always go for elastic waistbands and trousers. They are more comfortable for toddlers and easily adjustable. Try buying loose clothes they give plenty of room for a child to move his legs, such as leggings and sweats. Buy shapeless heels socks as they grow with your child. Avoid buying patterned socks, as the loose yarn from inside can catch in your baby's toes.
What Baby Clothes to purchase?
Considering the fact that babies grow very fast, you will need to buy:
• Buy around 4-6 undershirts or 'onesies'
• Buy around 3-8 nightgowns.
• Buy 1-2 baby sweaters especially for the winter season.
• Always keep a stock of Baby diapers ready
• Buy 1-2 sets of Baby towels. Since the skin of the baby is soft, always buy soft baby towels.
• Buy couple of pairs of baby socks
• Buy 2-3 blankets to protect them from cold.
Baby Clothes to Avoid
Avoid buying Mobile Baby Walkers: They promise many things but are useless at the end of the day. They can be dangerous for your child and also do not help the child to walk.
Avoid Buying Infant feeders: Avoid feeding Infant feeders for a newly born child. Mother's milk is the best milk at this stage. Do not use solid foods until your baby is able to eat from a spoon. You can also consult your doctor for any information about the same.
Avoid using Swings hanged to doorframes: Avoid using swings, as they might be dangerous for your child.
Baby Crib Advice and Tips
Congratulations! You have just learned that you are having a baby. Whether this is your first or not you need to look at cribs. Do you have one already? Is it an antique? A second hand crib whether antique or not needs to be carefully looked at. This is for the safety of your new baby.
The screws, bolts, and/or other fasteners should all be in place. Are they loose? Will the position of the mattress hold under your baby's weight? It is imperative that this be tested before you put your baby in the crib. Take something that approximates the weight of your baby at about 4 months old. Bounce it off the mattress to be certain it will hold its position. If it doesn't it could cause serious injury to your baby or worse.
When setting up the nursery (if it isn't already up) consider very carefully where you will place the crib. If you place the crib near a window and you have Venetian blinds, either shorten the cords or anchor them somewhere that your baby can't reach and get a hold of them. If it all possible avoid placing the crib near the window. As your baby grows into a toddler and s/he attempts to climb out of the crib; s/he could possibly fall which could cause serious injury to your baby.
Blankets and your baby are not necessarily a good mix. With the incidents of SIDS today, you want to be sure to do everything that could possibly put your infant at risk. It is more advisable to put your baby to bed in a sleeper. If you absolutely have to have a blanket on the baby, tuck it tightly around and under the foot of the mattress with your baby's feet touching the footboard. Also you don't want to put the blanket any higher on the baby than up to his chest as that will help prevent him from slipping under the blankets and suffocating.
Bumper pads are a great concept but unless they are secured properly, there is a risk of your baby slipping between the mattress and the bumpers and possibly suffocating. If you use them they should be anchored in at least eight places one at each corner of the crib and at least two spaced evenly on each of the sides. There should be a total of 16 ties in all, for the top and bottom.
Mobiles are a nice addition and look adorable but... the caution here is that if you use a mobile as soon as your baby starts to sit up on his own the mobile should be taken down to prevent your baby from getting tangled in it. Also make sure that it has no small removable parts that your baby could choke on.
If your crib is second hand no matter whether you had for a previous child or you got it from someone else check out the mattress carefully. Make sure there are no cracks or holes in the mattress covering. Make sure too that the mattress properly fits in the crib. Here again, your child could slip between the mattress and the sidebars or the end boards and suffocate. The mattress should fit snugly in the crib. Now the sheets you use in your baby's crib should also fit properly and not slip and slide. Sheet anchors are available that hook on the sheet under the mattress and keep it in place.
The position of the mattress is imperative for your child's safety. Most parents put the mattress at the highest position when the baby first comes home because it is so much easier to change him in that position. As your baby becomes more active you will want to lower the mattress accordingly. Once your baby is able to pull up to a standing position put the mattress in the lowest possible position and to be sure your baby is safe, measure the distance between the top of the side bar and the mattress. In the lowest position the distance of the top of the side bar should be no more than 26 inches above the mattress. If your child's head is over the side bar or they climb out of the crib, it maybe time to move your child to a regular bed. Some cribs are convertible into beds tat will grow with your child.
The crib itself should be looked over for things that might put your baby at risk. Have you seen those cribs that have ornate designs carved into the end boards? They are beautiful but they pose a danger to your child. Your child could get his head or arm and leg caught and sustain an injury. The simpler the design of the crib the safer your child may be.
Since approximately 1974 federal safety guidelines for cribs state that the slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. This is to prevent your baby from getting his head stuck between the slats. This could cause injury to your baby but it would necessitate the removal of some of the slats and that alone would compromise your baby's safety.
Baby Crib Safety - Frequently Asked Questions
The crib is where your baby will spend a lot of their time and you want to be sure they are safe. Below are some of the questions (with the answers) that are asked about crib safety. Topics such as mattress position, how to place your baby in the crib, and general safety standards are discussed, as are other issues. If you need further information you can search the Internet and visit baby furniture stores.
Q. Are there safety standards for baby cribs?
Yes there are some very exact standards for your baby’s crib. In 1974 it was made law that cribs should no longer be painted with lead based paint. It was discovered that the ingestion of lead (from any source) could cause learning disabilities and other difficulties in young children. The slats of the crib must be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, this is to prevent your baby from getting his body or head stuck between the bars causing injury or strangulation. The side bar should be 26 inches above the mattress when it is in its lowest position. If your child is more than an inch taller than the sidebar it is time to move him into a regular bed.
Q. Are there some hazards in my baby’s crib that I need to be aware of?
Your mattress must fit snugly in the crib; an ill-fitting mattress could cause your baby to slip between the mattress and the side bar causing suffocation. The mattress height should be able to be adjusted into at least three different levels. When your baby becomes more mobile you will want to put the mattress in the lowest position to prevent your baby from climbing or falling out. The slats should be tight, loose slats could pinch little fingers. Do not put the crib near a window to prevent your baby from possibly falling out or becoming tangled in Venetian blind cords.
Q. What are some historical facts about the crib?
Here is a short chronological time line of crib facts:
1973 - The standard for crib slats was to be no more than 2 3/8th inches apart to prevent your baby from slipping through or getting their head stuck. Also, double latches for drop-down sidebars were to become the norm.
1976 - The standard for cutouts in the crib end panels are presented. The end panels must not have any decorative cutout designs. Children were getting their limbs or heads caught causing serious injury or death.
1978 - Cribs must now be painted with non-toxic finish.
1981 - Two models of cribs with cutouts are recalled.
1988 - A voluntary standard addresses mattress support hardware, failure of glued or bolted connections, drop-side latch failure and loosened teething rails.
1990 - No corner posts or projections can be more than 1/16th of an inch above the drop-side.
1998 - California and Washington mandate that hotel cribs must meet the same standards
set for full-size cribs
1998 - Portable cribs must now meet the same standards as full-sized cribs.
Q. How can I tell when my baby is ready for a regular bed?
When your child stands more than a couple of inches taller than the sidebar with the mattress in the lowest position. If your child is climbing out of the crib, for his safety put him in a regular bed.
Q. How should I put my baby to sleep in his crib?
Place your baby on his back or on his side for sleeping. Use one piece sleepers rather than blankets. Your baby could slip under the blanket and possibly suffocate. Remove all pillows and toys as well, in order to prevent suffocation.
Q. Is it safe to cover my baby with a blanket?
A blanket sleeper will keep your baby sufficiently warm while sleeping. If you absolutely need to use a blanket, tuck it in around the bottom of the mattress. Place your baby with his feet toward the end-panel and the blanket should go no higher than his/her chest.
Q. Is a mesh sided crib safe to use for my baby?
Yes, a mesh crib is safe provided the mesh is less than 1/4 inch in size, smaller than a tiny button on baby’s clothes. The should be rips, tears, or loose threads. If staples are used to attach the mesh they must not be exposed and the mesh must be securely attached to the top rail and the floor plate.
Q. Can I safely use bumper pads in my baby’s crib?
While bumper pads are not necessary, they can safely be used. They must be very close the edge of the mattress and properly secured. The bumpers must be flat and not puffy, as your baby could get stuck between the bumper and the mattress and suffocate.
Q. What can I do to keep my baby’s crib safe?
In order to keep your baby’s a safe place, you should make sure to all connections are secure and that there are no broken or missing parts. Regularly, check the teething rail for splits or cracks. Make sure the mattress spring support and your crib will withstand your baby’s increasing mobility. The mattress itself should have no splits, tears, or holes.
Q. How can I tell when it’s time to lower the mattress?
When your baby becomes more active, when s/he begins to pull himself to a standing position or when he sits up alone it will be time to lower the mattress to prevent your little one from either climbing out or falling out.
Q. Can I hang a mobile over my baby’s crib?
Mobiles and crib gyms can be used to entertain your baby but when your child is able to get on to their hands and knees or pull themselves up. This will prevent your baby from becoming entangled in them.
In Conclusion
Making sure your baby’s crib is safe, is an ongoing to task. Proper positioning of the mattress, making sure all connections are secure and that there are no loose slats that could pinch little fingers will help to keep your baby’s crib a safe place for him to be.
Be sure to place him in the crib on his back or side and dress him in a sleeper rather than using a blanket. Keeping these tips in mind will help keep your baby safe and give you some peace of mind.
Baby Cribs - Finding The Right One
Before you go looking at baby cribs you should determine your budget. A good idea is to have a price range to work with. This will allow for more choices in the long run.
The main concern you should have whether you are buying a new crib or a used one. The crib must meet government standards. When you put the crib together be sure to so following the manufacturer’s directions exactly to ensure the greatest amount of safety for your child. It should also be used properly.
Safety concerns include the mattress. The mattress must be firm and tight fitting and there should be no missing or broken hardware. There should be no missing or loose slats. The slats should not be any more than 2 3/8 inches apart - about the width of a soda can. There should be no cutouts in the foot or headboards. If there are corner posts they should be no more than a sixteenth of an inch above the foot or head bar.
Drop sides on a crib is very convenient and is probably the most used feature on any crib. Fixed sides do not have the drop down feature and is great for tall people or those who will only be occasionally using the crib.
Most parents opt for a single drop down sided crib that allows them to easily lift baby out of the crib and to place him in the crib. This is especially convenient if your crib is placed against the wall. Double drop down sided cribs are a popular option among those parents who have room to place the crib so it’s not against the wall.
There are several ways in which drop sides can be lowered. There is the knee push lever and all you have to do is lean your knee against the crib side and it will drop. This is convenient if you have your baby in your arms.
The knee push sides may be the most common type available. Another common type is the foot bar. You balance on one foot and push the bar down with the other to lower the side. There is the double trigger drop mechanism. There are levers on both ends of the crib and you need both hands free to use them. You squeeze the triggers and then the side will drop. The problem with this type is that if you have the baby in your arms it will be next to impossible to operate.
The wheels on a crib are a great asset because it makes the crib easier to move to clean under or retrieve dropped toys as well as changing bedding. Make sure the casters are strong and turn easily. If you don’t think you will need them you can put them aside in case you change your mind.
There are adjustable mattress heights available on all cribs with the exception of the cheapest models of cribs. The three position option is available and is the wisest choice. Two height position are acceptable. Single height mattress is not a safe choice because as your child grows the mattress should be lowered to prevent him from climbing out of the crib or toppling out of the crib.
You should look at the mattress supports as well. Some have vinyl straps that could wear out and break others have metal bar supports which is a better option. The best option however is a metal spring system where the entire mattress is supported and is the most durable of the three options.
Baby Cribs - Safety Is Key
You have just learned that you are expecting a baby. Even if you have other children, you must take a look at cribs. Is the crib you already have an antique? You should look carefully at your second hand crib whether it is an antique or not.
The safety of your new baby makes this necessary. The screws and/or other fasteners such as bolts must be in place and not loose. It is of the utmost importance that this is tested before you place your baby in the crib.
Take something that is almost equal to your 4-month-old baby's weight. In order to be certain that it will hold its position bounce it off the mattress. If it doesn't your baby could be hurt seriously or worse. When you set up your nursery, if it isn't set-up already, seriously consider where you will place your crib.
If you have to place the crib near a window with Venetian blinds, you can either shorten the cords or anchor them to prevent your baby from reaching and getting hold of them. Avoid, if possible placing the crib near the window. As your baby grows into a toddler and begins to climb out of the crib, s/he could become seriously injured in a fall.
Blankets are not necessarily a good idea to use with your baby. Be sure that you avoid anything that could put your baby at risk, especially in the light of SIDS incidents today. The most advisable way to put your baby to bed is in a blanket sleeper.
Make sure to tuck the blanket tightly around and under the foot of the mattress with you baby's feet touching the footboard if you must have a blanket on your baby. You also want to help prevent your baby from sliding under the blanket and suffocating by not putting the blanket any higher than his chest.
There is a risk of your baby slipping between the mattress and the bumper pads causing suffocation, if bumper pads, which are a great concept, are not secured properly. Bumper pads if used should be fastened in each of the four corners and evenly spaced on each of the two sides. There should be sixteen ties in all, eight for the top and eight for the bottom.
Although mobiles are nice additions you need to take a precaution to prevent your baby from getting entangled in it. It must be removed when your baby starts sitting up by himself. You must also check to see if there are small parts that are removable that your baby could choke on.
No matter is your crib is second hand or one you had for a previous child, or you got it from someone else, the mattress must by checked out carefully. The mattress covering should be checked for any holes or cracks.
The mattress must fit in the crib properly. Your baby could slip between the mattress and side or end bars and suffocate if you are not careful. The mattress should be snug in the crib. The sheets you use in your baby crib should fit properly and not slip and slide.
There are sheet hooks available that attach to the sheet under the mattress and keep it in place. Placing the mattress in the proper position is extremely important to your baby's safety. When the baby comes home most parents put the mattress in the highest position because it is easier to reach the baby and change him.
Lower the mattress according to the growth and activity of your baby. If your baby can come to a standing position in the crib the mattress should be put in the lowest position and to add to his safety you should measure the distance between the mattress and the top of the sidebar.
There should be no more than 26 inches from the top of the side bar to the mattress when it is in the lowest position. Moving your child to a regular bed might be a good idea if your child is climbing out of the crib or his head is above the side bar.
There are convertible cribs that become beds and grow with your child. Inspect your child's crib to be sure there is nothing that will put your baby at risk. The ornate designs carved into the end boards of cribs are beautiful but could pose a hazard to your child. Have you seen them?
Your child could be injured if his head, arm, or leg get caught in them and possibly sustain an injury. A simpler design may increase your child's safety. Safety guidelines from 1974 for cribs state that slats should be no more than 2 and 3/8th inches apart; to keep your baby from getting his head caught between the slats.
Your baby's safety could be compromised if getting stuck caused him injury and necessitating the removal of some slats.
Baby Cribs Safety - Better Safe Than Sorry
It is a sad fact but one we have to come to grips with, not all baby cribs are safe. Baby cribs are supposed to keep your baby safe during sleep but did you know that when badly constructed or improperly assembled a baby crib can be a serious hazard to your child? No matter how expensive the baby crib is parents should use caution when choosing a crib for the nursery, and should follow instructions to the letter.
One of the biggest mistakes some people make is they "assume" that all cribs are safe, but whether you are using a brand new baby crib that you just bought a couple of months ago from a reputable store or recycling the one that you used for your older kids, or a second hand one from a garage sale it is important that you closely inspect the crib for hazardous possibilities as they may be lurking in places that you would not even consider remotely dangerous! Here are some tips that can help keep your child safe in a baby crib.
Close inspection
When buying a baby crib or when you are about to use one, make sure that everything is in place and there are no broken or bent parts. Sharp edges, missing joints and small removable parts in baby cribs can also be dangerous as they can be choking hazards.
Side edges and protrusions can also become strangulation hazards as blankets, necklaces and shirts can be caught. Never buy or use cribs that have these flaws.
Follow the instructions
Never believe that for one-minute you know everything about baby cribs just because you have used one before. And no matter how much knowledge you think you have, it is still imperative that you read the manual and instruction guide.
In addition to providing the step-by-step guide on how to set-up the baby crib from the box, the manual will also contain some tips on how to properly care for your crib and to avoid accidents while using it.
Non-toxic finishes
The baby cribs finish should be made with non-toxic materials that are recommended for young children. As babies’ body systems, especially the immune systems are still developing, it is important that they be protected from chemicals and toxins in the environment. When buying a used baby crib, make sure that the finish is sound and not flaking or peeling, also if it looks like it has been refinished you may want to find a different crib as it would be impossible to know for sure whether it was refinished with a child safe non-toxic material.
Drop sides
Though the dropside mechanism in baby cribs can be very convenient, it can also spell disaster if not working correctly or the latches are not secure. Be sure that when you do put your baby inside the crib, you have raised the drop side and the latches are secured. Some parents may remember to raise it up but forget to secure it, which can lead to accidents.
Keep the crib uncluttered
Remember that the more things inside the baby crib, the greater the chances of an accident, I'm sure you're generally aware that anything can be a potential choking and strangulation hazard. To help avoid this, keep the baby crib to a bare minimum, only placing things that are absolutely necessary like a pillow and a blanket. Toys inside the crib are okay if your baby is awake and playing under supervision, but always remember to remove them when sleeping. Parents are also advised to avoid placing dangling toys on the side of the crib as loose straps may capture your baby and create a strangulation hazard.
Check for alerts and call-backs
The Consumer Product Safety Commission lists safety tips, alerts and call-back warnings on baby cribs on their website at www.cpsc.gov and should be followed.