In the Nursery, Little Things Can’t Take Care of Themselves

You’re furnishing a nursery for a new baby. What factors should you consider when selecting baby equipment?

Parents often assume that all items designed to be used by babies must be safe. But about 57,000 infants are injured each year from the use of baby products.

Parents should take special care when selecting an infant’s crib, changing table, stroller and highchair.

Begin by taking a careful look at the baby’s crib. The slats should be no more than 2 1/4 inches apart, and none should be missing or cracked. There is the potential to have the baby’s arms, legs or torso (but not the head) slip through the slats.

To prevent clothing and cords from becoming tangled, corner posts should be no higher than 5/8 of an inch. Do not use cribs with cutouts in the headboard or footboard. These can risk head entrapment.

The mattress should fit snugly. Babies can suffocate if the head or body becomes wedged between the mattress and the side of the crib.

You know the mattress is too small if you can slip more than two fingers between the edge of the mattress and the crib side.

Cribs made before 1978 may be coated with paint or varnish containing dangerous amounts of lead. If using an older crib, refinish it using lead-free paint designed for use on baby products.

Plastic wrapping or bags should not be used to cover mattresses or pillows. The plastic film can cling to a child’s face and cause suffocation.

When the baby can push up on her hands and knees or has reached 5 months of age, all toys strung across the crib should be removed. At this age, babies can reach up to a hanging toy and fall over it or become entangled in it. This can lead to injuries because they cannot disentangle themselves from it or support their weight on it.

For changing, select a table with drawers easily accessible without leaving the baby unattended. A baby can roll off the table if left alone only a few seconds.

Highchairs should have waist and crotch straps that work independently of each other. Parents should use them on their children all the time. Children have died after becoming stuck when they slid down between the tray and the highchair.

Not all baby gates are the same. Parents should choose a gate with a straight top edge or an accordion-style gate with V openings no more than 1 1/2 inches in width, to prevent head entrapment.

A gate does not take the place of careful parental monitoring. A gate alone will not deter an infant from climbing the stairs.

The choice of a stroller is also important. A wide base prevents tipping. Test the brakes. Seat belts and crotch straps should fasten securely to the frame. The seat belt should be easy to fasten and unfasten.