| One of the most joyful moments in life is when | | | | care for the crib. Never use a crib with loose or |
| you hold your newborn in your arms. Another | | | | missing attachments or support hardware. Never |
| memorable joyful time is when you celebrate | | | | leave the crib sides down when the baby is in the |
| your baby's first birthday. It is not a constant | | | | crib. Hanging crib toys (mobiles, crib gyms) should |
| joyride until the parents and the infant reach this | | | | be out of the baby's reach. Any hanging crib toy |
| important milestone. The parents and extended | | | | must be removed when your baby first begins to |
| family and friends in preparing for the arrival of | | | | push up on his or her hands and knees or when |
| the newborn in the house put in a lot of intensive | | | | the baby is 5 months old, whichever occurs first. |
| labor, and this continues after the baby arrives. | | | | These toys can strangle a baby. If bumper pads |
| Awareness of current safety tips provided by the | | | | are used, remove them when the baby begins to |
| American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), National | | | | stand so that they can't be used as steps. The |
| Institute of Child Health and Human | | | | crib mattress should be lowered before the baby |
| Development(NICHD), US Consumer Product | | | | can sit alone. The mattress should be at its |
| Safety Commission (CPSC) and Juvenile Product | | | | lowest point before the baby can stand. Children |
| Manufacturers Association (JPMA) will go a long | | | | should be taken out of a crib by the time they |
| way in providing a safe environment for your | | | | are 35 inches tall. Place your baby's crib away |
| baby in your home. | | | | from windows. Cords from window blinds and |
| This is a brief account of the important safety | | | | draperies can strangle your child. Use cordless |
| tips for your baby's sleeping environment; very | | | | window coverings, or if this is not possible, tie |
| well compiled by the First Candle organization, | | | | cords high and out of reach. Do not knot cords |
| which is dedicated to promote infant health and | | | | together. Be sure to inspect every crib your child |
| survival. Providing a safe sleep area for your baby | | | | uses for safety-those at the grandparent's home, |
| is one of the most important things you can do | | | | the baby-sitter's home, or the child care center. |
| to ensure their safety. First Candle, in conjunction | | | | Hammocks and other swinging devices should not |
| with the American Academy of Pediatrics and | | | | be installed onto a crib because the baby may be |
| National Institute of Child Health and Human | | | | strangled. If parts are missing, contact the crib |
| Development, says that the safest place for your | | | | manufacturer for replacement hardware. |
| baby to sleep, for at least the first six months, is | | | | These are some of the Safe Bedding Practices |
| near your bed in his or her own separate space. | | | | for Your Baby: Place baby on his or her back on a |
| Some parents think that bed sharing is somehow | | | | firm tight-fitting mattress in a crib that meets |
| protective against SIDS (sudden infant death | | | | current safety standards. Remove pillows, |
| syndrome). There is no such evidence, in fact, | | | | pillow-like bumper pads, quilts, comforters, |
| there is significant evidence to indicate that bed | | | | sheepskins, stuffed toys, and other soft products |
| sharing increases the risk of SIDS, suffocation and | | | | from the crib. Consider using a sleeper or other |
| accidental deaths. Research show that room | | | | sleep clothing as an alternative to blankets, with |
| sharing i.e. placing your baby in his or her own | | | | no other covering. If using a blanket, put baby |
| separate space near your bed, can reduce the | | | | with feet at the foot of the crib. Tuck a thin |
| risk of SIDS and the potential for accidents such | | | | blanket around the crib mattress, reaching only as |
| as suffocation, falls from the bed, and/or | | | | far as the baby's chest. Make sure your baby's |
| entrapment between the mattress and wall, | | | | head remains uncovered during sleep. Do not |
| headboard, foot board, or other piece of furniture. | | | | place baby on a water-bed, sofa, soft mattress, |
| It is fine to breast feed and bond with your baby | | | | pillow, or other soft surface. |
| in your bed, but when its time to fall asleep, | | | | Please visit the websites of AAP, NICHD, CPSC, |
| protect your baby by placing him or her alongside | | | | JPMA and First Candle for more detailed safety |
| your bed in a separate, safe sleep area. | | | | tips for your baby. You owe it to yourself and |
| These are some important Safety Tips for Using | | | | your bundle of joy. |
| a Crib: Read the directions to set up, use, and | | | | |