Crib-Safety Tips

For infants under 12 months of age, follow these practices to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and prevent suffocation:

Place baby on his/her back in a crib with a firm, tight-fitting mattress.

Do not put pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, pillow-like bumper pads or pillow-like stuffed toys in the crib.

Consider using a sleeper instead of a blanket.

If you do use a blanket, place baby with feet to foot of the crib. Tuck a thin blanket around the crib mattress, covering baby only as high as his/her chest.

Use only a fitted bottom sheet specifically made for crib use.

Check Your Crib for Safety

There should be:

A firm, tight-fitting mattress so a baby cannot get trapped between the mattress and the crib.

No missing, loose, broken or improperly installed screws, brackets or other hardware on the crib or mattress support.

No more than 2 3/8 inches (about the width of a soda can) between crib slats, so a baby's body cannot fit through the slats. No missing or cracked slats.

No corner posts over 1/16 inch high, so a baby's clothing cannot catch.

No cutouts in the headboard or footboard, so a baby's head cannot get trapped.

For mesh-sided cribs or playpens, look for:

Mesh less than ¼ inch in size, smaller than the tiny buttons on a baby's clothing.

Mesh with no tears, holes or loose threads that could entangle a baby.

Mesh securely attached to top rail and floor plate.

Top rail cover with no tears or holes.

If staples are used, check that they are not missing, loose or exposed.