News Moms Need

This year we posted numerous recalls on drop-side cribs.  The U.S. Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Inez Tenenbaum, U.S. senators and a parent whose child died from a faulty crib announced on December 15th that the CPSC has approved new federal rules to end dangerous, traditional drop-side cribs.  The new federal crib standards, set to take effect in June, would stop the sale, re-sale, manufacture, and distribution of drop-side cribs and would also prohibit drop-side cribs at motels, hotels and childcare facilities. Drop side cribs have resulted in the deaths of at least 32 infants since 2001.

CPSC’s new federal standards will also make mattress supports stronger, crib hardware sturdier and compliance testing more rigorous.  This is the first time in nearly 30 years that federal crib standards have been updated.

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.

Getting ready to bring your new baby home can be an exciting time.  But with so many different baby products lining the store shelves, moms and dads may feel overwhelmed.  How do you know you’re buying the safest items for your newborn?

The March of Dimes and Consumer Reports have worked together to produce a helpful online guide for baby products. It includes shopping and safety tips for car seats, strollers, cribs, changing tables, play pens, clothing, bathtubs and more.  The online guide can help you make sure your home environment is all set and safe for your new baby.