Crib safety
I'm a shopaholic, so I thought I would enjoy buying baby items when E. and I were preparing for J.'s arrival.
Boy, was I wrong. There were so many choices and so many things to consider, namely safety concerns.
Besides buying a car seat, choosing a crib took the most time because of the research involved in finding a safe but affordable one.
With increasing crib recalls, The Wall Street Journal offers some insights into what makes a crib safe. Forget those drop-side cribs. Buy a crib with sturdy fixed sides, according to an expert interviewed by the WSJ.
Most of the cribs recalled since 2007 have involved "drop sides," which slide up or down. The safety commission voted last week to ban the design—popular for years because of its perceived safety and convenience—and to tighten other crib standards, including those for safety testing, wood quality and mattress support.
The story notes that consumers may see higher prices as a result. In fact, I don't recall seeing a crib that cost less than $300.
How much more are you willing to pay for additional safety features and eco-friendly features such as wood with low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde, which is classified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization, as the story notes?
Comments
Any suggestions out there for a fixed-side crib that a short person (5'1) could actually reach into at it's lowest mattress setting?
Posted by: Claudlaw | July 21, 2010 1:26 PM
Claudlaw: Why not get a stool? It works for my 2 yo when he needs to wash his hands at the sink...
Posted by: Herbert | July 21, 2010 2:18 PM
A stool may get you up to the top of the rail, but it doesn't help you reach down into the crib to place the baby in without dropping them from a distance. I plan to continue to use my practically new drop side crib with my next child. I guess I'll use some extra caution, but I think a complete ban on drop sides was just too extreme. Perhaps they could insist on reasonable manufacturing standards and sturdier parts. The devices are all just plastic now. Old style drop sides had a solid metal bar that the side slid on.... much sturdier.
Posted by: Debra | July 21, 2010 3:17 PM
Our crib was about 175, has a drop side and has never had a problem. I agree that banning drop sides is stupid. My mother in law is not strong and really depended on that drop side to get the baby out when she was babysitting.
Posted by: Kayris | July 21, 2010 8:27 PM
Also, I find it interesting that the AAP recommends babies not sleep in their parents beds and instead sleep in a crib for "safety reasons." How safe is a crib that might collapse at any moment?
Posted by: Kayris | July 21, 2010 8:29 PM
Combine real safety concerns regarding cheaply produced baby good (lead, cadmium, cheap hardware etc.), add to the the fear campaigns/marketing aimed at (especially) educated, first time parents, and you will find that overall the price of even average quality/design baby goods is astromonica!. I thought I'd pursue the solid wood cribs made my the Amish (a la Baby Bargins). Great safety and quality but at $1150.00 I just can't justify it. Don't even start me on the products that aren't really needed, but are touted as must haves, by the books.
Posted by: KBS | July 23, 2010 7:57 AM
Yes crib safety is important and it is hard to find cheap cribs unless you buy used,.which you may not know what that crib has been through. This site also provides some child safety around the home...:
http://www.ikidssafety.com/child-safety/childproofing-home.php
Posted by: aleshia | July 26, 2010 12:48 PM
This is an extremely informative read on choosing a safe baby crib. Baby crib is a small bed for infants. And while we choose one for our baby, it is very important to be aware of the safety factors. These are:
a) Distance between vertical bars and opening of end walls shouldn’t be more than 60 mm.
b) Crib bars must be intact.
c) Height should be sufficient enough for the baby to climb.
d) There should be no foot holes.
It’s also important to check the store from where you’re buying the crib i.e. their reviews along with customer feedback and business ratings. I purchased Davinci Kalani Crib from Ababy.com after a lot of research.
Posted by: shirleyrod | August 31, 2010 5:50 AM