Babies and Infants

There have been more crib recalls for baby cribs that have a drop down side.  The mechanism that allows the side to drop down can become weakened or loose allowing babies to get their heads stuck between the mattress and the crib side. 

After hearing of these recalls and the danger a drop down side can pose to babies, I believe a baby crib with a height adjustment is best.  Most cribs with height adjustments use a manual system such as a hook and peg system.  Since the there are no moving parts the crib is more secure.

I have five children, only one is a boy.  Early on, I thought babies were babies. That is to say, girl babies were no different than boy babies.  I had not expected the difference to show up until they were much older.

I was surprised when my son was stronger than any of the girls-right from birth.  Even in his baby crib he was able to turn over sooner than any of the girls.  However, he was harder to potty train.

One example of the difference was the day my neighbor got a piano. We all went over to see.  My little girls, ages two to eight, sat on the piano bench and gently tapped the keys.  They oohed and aahed over the sounds.  My little boy was, age a little over three, lay on the floor on his stomach trying to figure out where the sound came from.

Your experiences may be different from mine, but I expect that all boys are different from girls right from birth.

When you are setting up your nursery, you want to considure your infant’s safety, not just how beutiful the room appears.  Placement of the convertible crib is important.  You will want to make sure the baby is not near a window where there are draw strings or cords that the baby could become entangled in.  Considur where there might be drafts.

It is also a good idea to check to make sure the crib meets US Safety Standards, that it is well built, and does not have broken slats.  A crib made from hardwood normally will last and can be reused, make sure it is put together correctly and all connections are tight.

Experts agree that parents should place a baby on his back for sleeping. Change the position of the baby’s head occasionally to avoid a flat spot on the back of his head.

The baby crib itself should meet current safety standards and the mattress should be firm.  Do not place soft items such as pillows, blankets, and toys in the crib while the baby is sleeping. Any soft item could be a hazard for a tiny infant.

I have found that it is not necessary to have absolute darkness or absolute quiet for my infant to sleep peacefully. What is more important is keeping to a schedule for both nighttime and naps. These times change as the baby grows older.

Sleep is a necessity for everyone.  Some sleep more than others do.  Pay attention to your baby and sleep time will be more pleasant for you both.

The number of adjustments a crib manufacturer builds in a crib determines the height of the mattress in the crib.  A crib may have as few as three or as many as eight height adjustments.

In the crib, mattress height adjustments allow you to set the mattress at a height that is best for your baby.  Set the mattress at the top for a newborn, and then, as the baby grows, lower the mattress. It is important to lower the mattress as your baby grows to keep him from climbing over the rail.

A baby crib built of sturdy, solid hard wood will last for years.  A convertible crib, converted into a toddler bed or into a day bed, also needs to have height adjustments so each can adjust to a height that best suits your child.

I have been talking with a few friends who did not buy the kit that goes with their convertible cribs.  They are now having to check to see if they can still get one for the crib they have.  For this reason I recommend you buy the kit when you buy the crib.

Furniture styles change and so do crib’s.  The conversion kit might not be available when you are ready to start converting your crib.  I would also recommend buying a crib that converts to a toddler bed, not just a day bed.  You will find it hard to find a toddler conversion kit if your crib is not already set for this.

Studies indicate that babies exposed to the TV being on constantly are less able to develop language skills.  Some people think that turning on the TV will entertain the baby even when the baby is lying in his baby crib.

“Audible television clearly reduces speech for both infants and their caregivers within the home and this is potentially harmful for babies’ development,” said Dimitri Christakis, a professor of pediatrics with the University of Washington in Seattle, who led the study.

The study…”found that having the TV turned on resulted in significant reductions in all speech, regardless of whether it was being actively watched or just on in the background.”

A better choice to occupy your baby is a set of natural building blocks.  One of my best investments was in a set of kindergarten blocks.  The young ones would play with them for hours, developing their imaginations and play-acting.

Grandparents may be old and grumpy, but listen, maybe they have learned something you’d like to know. After all, they have lived a long time, and have learned in the process.

Babies grow quickly and soon learn to stand in their cribs.  I learned something from my Grandmother that saved an item I dearly loved from being broken.

Over my infant’s crib, I was going to hang a beautiful porcelain framed picture that I had when I was little. My Grandmother intervened.  “Your infant will be able to reach that picture from her baby crib as soon as she learns to stand and hang on to the crib rail”, she pointed out. I’m glad she did. It hadn’t occurred to me that my picture could be broken.

Besides babysitting once in a while, grandparents may have knowledge you’d find useful.  Just ask, and listen.

Young children spend more time in their cribs than in any other single location. For that reason, cribs should conform to a number of rigorous safety standards. These basic rules of thumb are also applicable to a convertible crib, which can be converted into a small toddler bed as the child grows older. If you are the parent of a young child, be sure that the crib you select falls within the following guidelines.

No operational crib should bear rough metal edges as they put the child in danger. Mattresses should be only slightly smaller than the crib frame – larger discrepancies create pockets where children can get stuck. A paint job should consist of high-quality enamel, not lead paint. Cover any exposed nuts, bolts and screws with a protective plastic coating to avoid injury. By following these general tips, you can help ensure the safety of your child.

Your baby will spend a lot of time during his first few years in a baby crib.  The crib should be sturdy and safe for a baby.  Cribs with drop-down sides have caused harm to babies.  A baby has been known to be stuck between the mattress and the crib side because the drop-down mechanism has become worn and allows the side to become loose.  Or, if the side fails and drops while the baby is in the crib, the baby could fall and be injured.

 Some baby cribs are also convertible into a toddler bed and eventually into a full size bed.  A toddler bed uses the same mattress that was used in the crib, but allows the toddler to get in and out of bed by him.