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In the crib, safety shouldn't be an issue - right? After all, they are designed especially for babies. The crib should be the one place where Mom can leave an infant unattended without having to worry about it - even the Best Moms need a few minutes break every now and then...


BUT, according to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) statistics, over 12,000 babies are injured and 50 die in the US each year in crib accidents, (excluding SIDS deaths) due to a lack of baby crib safety.


Cribs that do not meet crib safety standards, have been associated with strangulation, laceration, amputation, entrapment, suffocation, falling and SIDS.


So how do you know if the crib that you trust with your little one's care is going to keep him or her safe?


There is some comfort in the fact that federal law mandates that all baby cribs sold in the United States must conform to The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) baby crib safety standards.


In addition, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certifies baby cribs that meet, or exceed, voluntary crib safety standards issued by the American Society for Testing and Materials. These standards are stricter and safer than the mandatory baby crib safety standards promulgated by the CPSC.


Therefore, the safest baby cribs are those with JPMA certification.

Look out for this when you are on your crib-hunt.

{Sorelle Sophia 4 in 1 Convertible Crib}

On this page you'll find the most important infant safety standards for your baby's crib. It's the only place you will ever leave your baby completely alone. Make absolutely sure it's 100% safe.

• Read all the assembly instructions carefully and follow them closely. In particular, make sure the drop rail is installed the right way up.
• The crib must be sturdy, not wobbly, when you try to shake it.
• Slats, spindles, corner posts and rods must be less than 2 3/8 inches apart at all points and there should be no loose slats.
• The crib should have metal mattress supports. They are stronger than wood supports (important for withstanding a jumping toddler!) Absolutely no plastic!
• The drop-side latches should require 2 distinct actions (or a minimum force of 10 pounds with one action) to release the lock.
• If a knee-bar mechanism is used to lower the crib side, it must not be able to be tripped by toddlers crawling under the crib.
• Lower the baby crib mattress to the lowest level when your baby can stand.
• Use a baby crib safety teething guard to prevent splinters.
• Always send in the product registration card that comes with every new baby crib. By returning the card, you ensure you'll be notified if your crib is recalled. Take a look at our crib recall report to make sure.

That takes care of the main crib safety standards, but there are far too many to list them all here. In addition there are many other factors that contribute to your baby's sleeping environment such as:

• Where the crib is placed in the nursery room.
• The crib mattress.
• The crib bedding.
• The temperature of the baby nursery.
• How you put your baby down to sleep.

All of these factors are important for the well-being of your baby. The best way to make sure you have everything covered is to use a checklist when you are setting up your nursery.

I urge you to take nursery and crib safety seriously and give your delicate, little newborn the environment she deserves so that she can sleep safely.

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