| A Few Suggestions for Transforming Child Nursery Bedding as Your Little One Grows Older |
| Written by Dorothea Frankson | |||
| Saturday, 29 August 2009 16:07 | |||
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Although buying crib bedding is an easy task, it is important to understand a few safety guidelines. Many different child safety groups have recommended which brands to buy and how to correctly use crib bedding. These safety guidelines are designed to promote safe sleep for infants, who are too young to defend against many of the dangers of suffocation.
It is important to keep well-understood safety guidelines in mind when making the simple decision on bedding for the infant. There are many organizations that review and recommend safe ideas for crib bedding. These safety guidelines are designed to promote safe sleep for infants, who are too young to defend against many of the dangers of suffocation. It has been said that babies should solely sleep on their back, with no other soft objects surrounding them. For safety purposes, babies should not be surrounded with any items in their crib, regardless of the lack of aesthetics. If you follow this guidance, the only materials in the crib should be the mattress and fitted sheets. If using a blanket in the crib, it should be kept away from the infant's face by being firmly tucked into the foot of the mattress and reach no higher then the chest area. Crib bumpers are unlikely to interfere with a baby's breathing if the bumper is tightly attached to the crib rails, but many doctors advise against them anyway to remove the risk entirely. There are several alternative bumper designs that eliminate these problems. People are uncertain about the role played by crib bumpers, as illustrated by their inclusion in most modern sets of baby bedding. Parents should use crib bumpers at their own discretion, as there is variable information regarding the safety of their usage. Follow the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations on minimal bedding until the baby is at least one year old and able to clear bedding away from his or her own face. It may still be necessary to adjust crib's contents to prevent injuries prior to age 12 months. You must bring the mattress to a lower height, and take out anything that can be used to climb up, by the time your baby can pull up and even before he can sit up. A crib bumper is easily used as a foothold; it should be removed to keep the baby from climbing out of the crib. SIDS becomes much less likely after the baby's first birthday, and more bedding can be added to the crib to make it comfortable and look better. People use comforters and bed skirts to enhance the nursery decoration. Child-sized fuzzy blankets are great for snuggling as well as providing warmth. Most toddlers like having a cuddly toy in bed to snuggle with and provide comfort overnight; however you should stay away from pillows until your child is almost two years old. About the Author: Dorothea is a writer and researcher on parenting and family issues. She also works part-time as a freelance writer for Your Baby Bedding.
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