Infant Crib Safety

Infant Crib safety is a must for parents. Every year there are many deaths of infants and babies due to cribs. Everything from infant crib design to the mattress has to be looked at in infant crib safety. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has Requirements1 for Full Size Cribs 16 C.F.R Part 1508. “This rule seeks to prevent deaths and injuries from falls, entrapment and contact with parts inside and outside a crib.” You can see the requirements, which are published in the Code of Federal Regulations in Title 16 1508. Any infant crib that does not meet standardized government requirements are deemed hazardous substances under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act 15 U.S.C. 1216(q)(1)(A). They are then either recalled or prevented from being sold.

The first thing to look at is the actual design of the crib. It is suggested that antique cribs should not be used for a baby to sleep in. Decorative corner posts and cut out headboard designs are considered dangerous. Cutouts can trap the infant’s head. The corner posts should be the same height as the end panels or no less than 1/16 of an inch higher than the end panels. No lead paint is allowed to be used to paint the infant crib. The top rails of the crib sides when raised should be 26 inches higher than the top of the mattress support at its lowest position. The slats should have spaces no wider than 2-3/8 inches apart. This is to prevent an infant’s head from getting caught in between the slats.

When the baby is old enough to stand the mattress should be kept in the lowest position. Remove the rails once the child’s height is ¾-higher than the rails.

Mattresses should fit snugly without any gap in the inside of the infant crib. If two adult fingers can fit in between the crib and mattress remove it immediately. Do not keep any plastic film on the mattress. It can cling to the baby’s face and cause suffocation.

It is now believed that there are toxic fumes in mattresses that cause SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Chemical compounds containing phosphorus, arsenic and antimony are found in the fire retardant substance found in baby mattresses. A fungus that commonly grows in the bedding interacts with these chemicals. The results of the interaction between the chemicals the fungus becomes a gas that is lethal to babies. The gas, which is heavier than air forms a thin layer on the bedding that baby breathes in. What happens is while the baby sleeps they absorb lethal doses of the gas, which shuts their central nervous system down. The result is the baby dies in its sleep. This gas leaves no traces in the body so won’t be found in an autopsy.

There are many environmentally friendly, natural, all wood infant cribs made these days. They are made with wood that does not deplete the forests and are painted with natural stains or non-lead pigments. There are also safe non-toxic baby mattresses made with all organic materials as well. With all the dangerous toxins that we have to face daily it is best to do one’s homework and make sure that when purchasing an infant crib that it is the most environmentally friendly, and most organic in materials you can find to start your baby off healthy and safe.

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