Making sure crib is safe

[SoonerTexan]

At almost 7 months old, N is sleeping in her crib for the first time--she's been in a co-sleeper or our bed until now, so I'm anxious!

I got an amazing steal on her bedroom furniture via Craigslist ($125 for Land of Nod dresser and Delta Jenny Lind Crib in perfect condition!), but I have a few concerns. First of all, the crib is drop side. I'm not too worried about this because I can order a conversion kit.

This was enlightening too--we totally put the mattress stabilizer bar on upside down!

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10273.html

But my biggest worry is her getting caught/tangled in the sides. It seems like the mattress isn't tight enough against the bars of the crib, but I checked and it is the correct size. Is this normal? I can put a (breathable) crib bumper on it, but that really isn't going to solve the problem.

Anything else I should be aware of?

[moonlight]

how much space are we talking about?

I'm not sure what to say. DD's crib mattress is super tight in the crib. It's a pain just to change the sheets.

[HouseofWool]

I apparently suck as a parent because my kids had a crib where the mattress wasn't tight against the sides and never worried about it. They didn't get caught and both lived to tell the tale.

[Deebs]

Is the gap smaller than a can of pop? Push the mattress into a corner, and check he largest gaps. Also, make sure the slats are that narrow as well.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Do you have sheets on it or did you just toss the mattress in to see? Put a mattress protector and sheets on to see if that makes a difference.

[MrsK]

Yes, also, try layering sheets. We put on a mattress cover, waterproof topper, sheet, topper, sheet, topper. (We do this so we don't have to change the whole bed if someone wets the sheet or gets sick in the middle of the night; just remove the top sheet and topper.) By the time we have all that, the matress barely fits.

[ladymoreta]

Another plug for these sheets. They're awesome for MOTN sheet changes! http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000RJ9TCY

When they released the no-bumpers recommendation, they said no to breathable bumpers, too. We had some for DS, but I haven't put them on for DD. She gets her arms and legs stuck between the slats pretty often.

[moonlight]

Is there a age limit to the no bumper rule? I used a bumper since she was about N's age. She's 2 yrs old and still has them. No need to do anything about it now, right?

[ladymoreta]

When they get older, the risk is them using the bumpers to climb out, but if she's not doing that, I wouldn't worry. Do what works!

[moonlight]

She hasn't done that yet. I'm keeping her in there for as long as I can!

[ms.conception]

My crib mattress wasn't tight - and after 6 months when they were rolling over on their own and moving around, I put bumpers in - so that their legs would get wedged while they slept - and i'd still do it. I believe it's much more of a concern when they're not able to move out of the position as little babies. My kids have slept with comforters, loose blankets, pillows etc.. from 1 year on - and I've kept them all in cribs until age 3/3 and a half. When they started climbing, I put a crib tent on.

[SoonerTexan]

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Still hard to see but that is the space with a mattress cover and sheets.

No breathable bumpers either? Why not?

[GreyhoundsRUs]

No breathable bumpers either? Why not?

The nurse during our safety class said its because they can get themselves caught if there is a little tear. We have no bumper, and A used to get stuck all the time, but seems to have the hang of it now

[SuzySunshine]

I had bumpers in both of my kids cribs - not at first, but once they could roll both ways easily I put them back in because otherwise they would wake themselves up CONSTANTLY hurting themselves on the sides or getting an arm or leg stuck in the side. I think the gap you have looks fine, if you could get your fist in it then I'd be worried about her getting her head caught.

[ladymoreta]

I'm such a Debbie Downer, but crib tents are being recalled now. Waaah waaah waaah... Again, do what works. It only takes a few cases to cause a recall, and you know what your kid needs. I'm just providing info because these are recent changes, that have happened in between DS and DD being born, so it's not exactly common knowledge. I don't know anyone whose kid was killed or injured from bumpers or tents, so your odds are probably fine.

ST, I think the gap is okay, and if you do put a mattress cover on it under the sheet, it'll fill in even more.