Nursery Product Safety Standards and SIDS Prevention
/For the first two months of your baby’s life, they will sleep between feedings for about 30 minutes to 3 hours at a time. They’ll wake up for about 2 hours before going back to sleep.
Having your baby sleep in the same room as you can lower their SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) risk by 50%. Use a separate sleeping area near your bed for at least the first six months. You can use a sidecar / co-sleeper, bassinet, or crib to make feeding easier.
Be sure your crib meets all current safety standards. It should have fixed sides (not a drop-down type), narrow slats (no more than 2 3/8 inches apart), and a firm and well-fitting mattress. You should only be able to fit 2 finger widths between the crib mattress and the frame.
Babies should not sleep in car seats, strollers, bouncy seats, swings, etc. Babies who sleep upright are at higher risk of suffocation if their heads tip over. The majority of sitting-device-related infant deaths occur in nontraveling situations under the supervision of a parent or guardian. If the baby falls asleep in a sitting device, move them to their crib as soon as possible and place them flat on their back to sleep.
A note on swing use to soothe a fussy baby: generally, swings can be used at birth and until baby weighs about 25-35 pounds. For babies younger than 4 months, use the most reclined swing position to prevent suffocation.
There are gaps in public knowledge on safe sleep-environment practices. Educate your child care providers such as baby-sitters and non-parental family members too.
Crib and SIeep Safety
Don’t place anything in the crib but your baby and a fitted crib sheet.
Place the crib away from windows and furniture that could pose a risk if the baby attempts to climb out.
Mobiles can cause strangulation. These shouldn’t have any small parts, ribbons or strings. Big-box retail stores likely meet current safety standards - use caution if DIY or shopping Etsy - and remove the mobile when baby can push up on their hands and knees.
Never hang anything on the walls above the crib.
Many cribs have adjustable heights so you can lower the mattress as your baby gets taller, making it more difficult for them to climb out. Lower the mattress level down one notch when baby can sit upright and again when he learns to stand. Once your toddler reaches 35 inches in height, it's time to move out of the crib.
Install a ceiling fan to help prevent SIDS.
Nursery Safety
To avoid tipping over, secure furniture to the wall studs using dry-wall screws.
Do not use furniture with glass doors.
Keep all furniture away from windows to prevent toddlers from wanting to crawl toward the window.
Be sure all cords from blinds are high enough that your baby cannot reach them.
Do not use curtains with fancy beaded or decorative pieces that could pose a choking hazard. Get first aid instruction: an illustrated guide to choking for children ages 1 to 12, and infant CPR and first aid for choking.
Avoid floor lamps. Hide or secure cords for table lamps (and baby monitors).
Use plastic outlet covers on all unused outlets.
Use a baby gate at the doorway to prevent crawling or toddling out of the bedroom.
Use child-proof drawer locks to prevent toddlers from crawling into open drawers.
Be careful with toy chests! REMOVE THE LID COMPLETELY or make sure they have spring-loaded hinges, are ventilated, and can be opened from the inside to prevent suffocation if your toddler crawls inside.
Install a smoke detector and test it regularly.
Childproofing the Rest of Your Home
There are many actions you can take to protect your baby now and later when they are mobile. By installing safety devices, following safety standards, and checking for product recalls, you can prevent an injury or accidental death. Babies rely on adults to keep them safe. Sign up for recall notifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission at CPSC.gov.
