Nursery Know How

Nursery know how is part of a series on how to choose the best furniture, bedding, gliders, and much for the nursery of your dreams. So sit back, relax, and let the baby planner do all the work.

Planning ones’ nursery for their new bambino is one of the biggest parts of getting ready for baby. What are your colors, neutral or gender specific, modern or classic furniture, mural or rag rolling? Many design decisions are going to be made, but before you become the next Candice Olsen, let’s bring safety into the picture.

Purchasing a crib is at the top of most expectant parent’s list. There are many styles and colors to choose from in this day and age of design. Before you are set on the crib of your dreams, take these tips into consideration.

12,000 children are hospitalized every year with crib related injuries and an average of 35 children die in unsafe cribs. Because of these numbers, the safety standards for cribs were first enacted in 1973 and again in 1976, then revised in 1982 and again in 1999.

All cribs made sold in the United States must meet government safety standards, JMPA, Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, www.jmpa.com . Without this, do not even consider how beautiful it is, it is not safe!

The slat space must be 2 3/8” apart; a soda can should be able to fit through the slat. Cribs made before 1990 should not be used because the slats are wide enough to injure a child or were built too wide to accommodate a current mattress and may have lead paint concerns.

The cribs must have smooth corners and no corner post extensions more than 1/16th of an inch or decorative cut-outs on the headboard or footboard are allowed due to choking hazards and clothing getting caught.

Most cribs are 27 ¼ “to 25 5/8 “wide. The mattress must be a snug fit in the crib. The mattress support hangers must be secured. Look for metal springs or wood slat platform for mattress support.

Crib entrance is important to consider when you have sleeping baby in one hand, is it easy to maneuver? Static or stationary sides do not lower. A knee push side allows you to lift up and push with your knee and is a quiet option. The hardware is hidden inside the crib posts. The next two options are not as inviting. The foot-bar sides lift up and depress with a foot-bar. This feature is not used as much anymore. A double trigger uses two hands to lower the top portion. A bit cumbersome when trying to lay down the sleeping baby. Also, The plastic hardware can crack when the wood shrinks and toddlers can climb out of the lowered portion if not engaged.

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