News Moms Need

I love watching my little girl sleep in her crib! She looks like an angel, all peaceful and quiet – nothing like the silly, giggly goose she is when she’s awake.

When we first set her crib up and laid out all the crib bedding, I couldn’t wait to see how it would brighten up her room. But I wasn’t quite sure about the bumper. It looked so cute, but was it safe?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has new sleep safety guidelines for baby and now says a big fat NO to crib bumpers.  The AAP says loose bedding, like crib bumpers, and soft objects, like stuffed animals or pillows, put babies at risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), suffocation and strangulation.

The AAP guidelines highlight other ways to reduce the risk of SIDS, like:
• Put your baby to sleep on her back.
• Use a firm crib mattress.
• Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib.
• Have your baby sleep in her crib in your room.
• Offer your baby a pacifier at night and during nap times.
• Avoid overheating your baby. Overbundling or using too many layers can overheat your baby.
• Breastfeed. Breastfeeding has shown to lessen the risk of SIDS.
• Don’t smoke, use drugs or drink alcohol.

We’ve posted about cribs being recalled several times in the last few months (post 1, post 2, post 3). This time, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling over 2 million cribs, both drop side and fixed side, made by 7 different companies. These cribs pose a safety risk to your baby such as falling, getting stuck or suffocating. The cribs being recalled were sold between 2000 and 2009 and were made by the following companies:

• Child Craft (now know as Foundations Worldwide): 866-614-0557 or cribsafetyinfo.com
• Delta Enterprise Corp.: 877-342-3418 or cribrecallcenter.com
• Evenflo: 800-356-2229 or safety.evenflo.com
• Jardine Enterprises: 800-295-1980 or jdservice.biz/Safety-Notices
• LaJobi: 888-738-5676 or safetyinfo.lajobi.com
• Million Dollar Baby: 888-673-6488 or themdbfamily.com/safety
• Simmons Juvenile Products Inc. (SJP): 877-342-3439 or cribrecallcenter.com

If you have a crib made by any of these companies, contact the company for a free repair kit. In the meantime, the CPSC asks that these cribs not be used until you receive the free repair kit. Visit the CPSC Web site for more information. Learn more about buying a safe crib for your baby.

So many of my girlfriends are pregnant and everyone’s excited! One of my friends and her husband are in the process of turning their spare bedroom into a baby room. They’ve been clearing out the extra furniture and are ready to buy some new baby furniture. If you’re in the market for new baby furniture, it’s important to pick something that not only looks good, but is safe.

Cribs, for example, are an essential purchase. Baby is going to be spending lots of time getting her zzzz’s, so it’s important her sleeping area is safe. In the last year, there’ve been many recalls on drop side cribs (cribs with sides that go down). Another recall was just issued yesterday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) because the drop side can become loose, leaving baby to be stuck between the mattress and the drop side. This can cause baby to suffocate. When buying a crib, try for one with sides that don’t move. They’re more stable than drop side cribs.

If you’re looking at car seats, try to buy a new one if you can. That way, you’re sure that it’s never been in a car crash. You also want to look for a model with a five-point harness (two shoulder straps, two leg straps, and one crotch strap). It’s the safest for baby.

To learn more about buying other safe baby products (like play yards, strollers, bathtubs and more) read our Safety for Baby articles.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recalling over two million Stork Craft drop-side cribs because the drop-side can detach. The detachment can create space between the drop-side and the crib mattress, where a child can fall or become entrapped in the space, which can lead to suffocation. The CPSC urges parents to immediately stop use of the drop-side crib and request a free repair kit by contacting Stork Craft at (877) 274-0277 or www.storkcraft.com. In the meantime, parents should find another safe sleeping environment for baby until the repair kit arrives. Do not attempt to fix the cribs without the free repair kit.

The recall involves Stork Craft drop-side cribs made between January 1993 and October 2009. The recall also includes Stork Craft drop-side cribs with a Fisher-Price logo and made between October 1997 and December 2004. For more information, visit the CPSC Web site.

Learn more about choosing a safe crib for your baby.

My daughter went to a baby shower last weekend and when we touched base on the phone last night, she told me about all the fun and helpful things her friend had received.  There were hand-knit blankets, mobiles, a swing, diapers and towels and pajamas with feet… and a set of pretty bumpers for the crib.  “Aren’t those a bad idea?” she asked. 

The answer is yes, they can be dangerous. Newborns and small infants do not have the motor skills needed to pull themselves free if they become stuck between the bumper pad and the side of the crib or a toy. There have been accidental deaths caused by suffocation or strangulation attributed to bumper pads and they are no longer recommended.  Soft fluffy bedding also can be a hazard and is on the “do not use” list.

The March of Dimes and Consumers Reports have joined forces to provide great information on safe products for your baby.  You can read about crib shopping (buying a new or used crib) and crib safety tips  on our website.