Check your baby’s crib: Pediatricians warn of sleep risks
Photo: Item that can pose a risk to an infant (Getty Images)
Parents are being urged to check what is in their baby’s crib. During winter and early spring, many families try to make the nursery warmer by adding soft bumpers, pillows, or toys.
Lullaby Trust explains why this can be dangerous.
What parents should pay attention to
Experts emphasize that excessive items in a crib can make a baby’s sleep unsafe.
The NHS warns that crib bumpers can create a risk of suffocation, choking, or entanglement. Although often purchased to prevent the baby from hitting the crib sides, danger arises when the baby starts rolling over or pulling up, grabbing the fabric.
The Lullaby Trust also highlights that the safest crib is an empty crib. There have been cases where babies got tangled in ties or covered their faces with soft objects.
A similar position is held by the Child Accident Prevention Trust. According to the organization, asphyxiation (including suffocation and entanglement) is one of the leading causes of accidents among children under five.
Experts recommend following simple rules:
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Remove bumpers, pillows, blankets, and soft toys from the crib.
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Use only a firm, flat mattress with a tightly fitted sheet.
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Do not cover the baby’s head or put a hat on them while sleeping indoors.
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If needed, use a baby sleeping bag instead of a blanket.
It’s also important to avoid any cords, ribbons, or long ties near the baby.
Specialists stress that the crib should be a place for sleep, not storage.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
