!#7# Baby Cribs and Baby Crib Accessories You Shouldn't Use

!±8± Baby Cribs and Baby Crib Accessories You Shouldn't Use

When you're shopping for essential items for your newborn baby it can be tempting to purchase every little thing that you see. However, there are many purchases related to your baby's crib and nursery that are totally unnecessary and even dangerous. When it comes to purchasing a crib, simple is always better. You may be attracted to beautiful cribs with all kinds of ornate details and scrollwork but infants and toddlers can strangle themselves within seconds if their clothing becomes caught. Someone in your family may also be encouraging you to use a crib that has been passed on through many generations. However, older crib models may not meet today's strict safety standards. Many experts recommend not using baby cribs produced before 2000. There should be a manufacture date printed somewhere on the crib which is required by law. If you can't find the date the crib is probably too old. You're better off purchasing a new crib if you're not sure about using a used crib. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Sleep positioners should also not be used in your baby's crib. These devices are usually made of foam and are used to position babies so they can sleep on their back. However, child safety experts warn that use of these positioners can actually close off the child's air passages and cause suffocation, despite marketing claims that they actually help your infant sleep better. No tests have been done on these devices to prove they have any benefit so save your money.

Do not place soft bedding, blankets, stuffed animals, or pillows in your baby's crib. The only thing that should be in the crib besides your baby is a mattress, mattress pad, and a fitted sheet. The addition of soft bedding can increase the risk of suffocation. Instead of using a blanket it's usually better to dress your baby in a footed sleeper with light layers underneath. Wearable blankets are also available. Remember though, you don't want your baby to get too warm as this can also cause respiratory problems and stress. Crib bumpers are also generally not recommended. However, if you decide to use them, mesh bumpers are the best options as they still allow air to flow through all sides of the crib.