Newborn Babies: Getting Ready at Home

Baby cribs must meet federal safety standards. Follow these standards to keep your baby safe:

• Slats should be spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches (60 mm) apart.

• All slats should be intact, not missing or cracked.

• Mattress should fit snugly. This means less than the width of two fingers between the edge of the mattress and the side of the crib. Only use the mattress provided with the crib.

• Mattress support should be securely attached to the head and footboards.

• Corner posts should be no higher than 1/16 inch (1.5 mm). This is to prevent clothing or other objects worn by a child getting caught on them.

• The head and footboards should have no cutouts. Cutouts might let the baby's head become trapped.

• Drop-side rail cribs are no longer considered safe.

• All screws or bolts that secure parts of the crib should be present and tight.

• The crib should not be placed near drapes or blinds, the CPSC says. This is because a child could become entangled and strangle on the cords. When the child reaches 35 inches in height, or can climb or fall over the sides, replace the crib with a bed.

• Correct assembly of cribs is very important. Follow the instructions provided. Make sure that every part is installed correctly. If you are not sure, call the manufacturer for help.

• Don't use cribs older than 10 years or broken or modified cribs. Babies can strangle to death if their body passes through gaps between loose parts or broken slats while their head stays entrapped.

According to the CPSC, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, soft bedding may play a major role in SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). These groups offer the following advice for infant bedding:

• Place your baby on their back on a firm, flat, tight-fitting mattress in a crib that meets current safety standards.

• Remove pillows, bumper pads, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, and other soft products from the crib.

• Don't use blankets for a newborn baby. Instead use appropriate-weight sleepwear or a sleep sack.

• Check that your baby's head stays uncovered during sleep.

• Don't place your baby on a waterbed, sofa, soft mattress, pillow, or other soft surface to sleep.

These small beds are helpful and portable in the first few months. The CPSC recommends following the manufacturer's guidelines on weight and size of the baby in determining who can safely use these products. For safety reasons, look for a bassinet or cradle that has:

• A sturdy bottom and a wide base so it won't tip over

• Smooth surfaces. This means no staples or other hardware sticking out that could hurt the baby.

• Legs with strong locks to keep it from folding while in use

• A firm, flat, mattress hat fits snugly

Changing tables are a convenient place to change your baby's diaper and dress your baby. But falls from a high surface can be serious. Follow these recommendations:

• Choose a sturdy, stable changing table with a 2 inch (5 cm) guardrail around all four sides.
• The top of the changing table pad should be concave, so that the middle is slightly lower than the sides.
• Always use the safety straps to prevent your baby from falling. But straps are not a substitute for constant supervision. Keep at least one hand on your baby at all times.
• Never leave your child unattended on the changing table, even if they are strapped in.
• Keep diapering supplies within your reach, but out of your baby's reach. Don't let them play with a powder container. If they open and shake it, they are likely to inhale particles of powder. This can injure their lungs.
• If you use disposable diapers, keep them out of your child's reach. Cover them with clothing. Children can suffocate if they tear off pieces of the plastic liner and swallow them.

These provide enclosed areas where a baby can nap or play safely. The CPSC recommends never leaving a baby in a mesh playpen or crib with the drop-side down. Even a very young baby can roll into the space between the mattress and loose mesh side and suffocate. Use only playpens that meet federal safety standards. These include:

• Drop-side mesh playpens or cribs with warning labels to never leave the side in the down position

• Mesh with a small weave (less than 1/4-inch openings)

• Mesh with no tears, holes, or loose threads

• Mesh securely attached to top rail and floor plate

• Top rail cover has no tears or holes

• Wooden playpen with slats spaced no more than 2 and 3/8 inches (60 mm) apart

• If staples are used in construction, check that they're firmly installed and none are missing or loose

These are helpful in taking babies on outings. The CPSC recommends always securing the harness when using the stroller. Never leave a child unattended in a stroller. Keep children's hands away from pinching areas when stroller is being folded or unfolded, or the seat back is being reclined. For safety reasons, look for a stroller with:

• A wide base to prevent tipping

• The seat belt and crotch strap attached securely to the frames

• A five-point harness with straps over both shoulders, hips, and between the legs. Always secure the harness whenever your child goes for a ride.

• Brakes that are easy to use and securely lock the wheels

• A shopping basket that is low on the back and directly over or in front of rear wheels for stability. Don't hang bags or other items from the handles of your baby's stroller. They can make it tip backward.

• Leg hole openings that can be closed when being used in the carriage position

All states have laws requiring babies and children to travel in an approved car safety seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers advice for choosing a car safety seat. These include:

• Buy the car seat well before your due date.

• The simplest and least expensive model often will work as well as one with fancy features.

• Choose a seat that you find easy to use and that fits in your vehicle.

• If you choose a convertible seat, try it facing both toward the front and rear.

• Look for a seat you can use as long as possible that faces the rear.

• Always put your baby in a car seat in the back seat. According to the AAP, babies and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car safety seat for as long as possible. This is often until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their seat. Check your safety seat instructions. Most convertible safety seats have height and weight limits that will allow children to ride rear-facing for 2 years or more.

• If you buy an infant-only seat, you will need a convertible seat later. Most babies need to use rear-facing convertible seats as they get larger, because they outgrow their infant-only seats before age 2.

• When you purchase a car seat, follow specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions and read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to correctly install the car seat.

• Nearly every car seat and most vehicles made since Sept. 1, 2002, are required to have the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system. The LATCH makes it easier to install the child seat correctly.