How To Set Up A Crib

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The correct assembly of a crib is critical for child safety. To ready upward a crib, you'll need to make sure that all the crib parts are included with the crib and are in working condition. Y'all'll also want to ensure that the crib meets prophylactic standards and has been canonical by a consumer protection agency. After you check that the crib is rubber for your child, you'll need to carefully follow the instructions that came with the crib in social club to get together information technology properly. If y'all take your time, you can ready your infant crib safely and efficiently.

1. 1

   Purchase a crib that meets condom standards. Purchase a crib that has been approved by either the Consumer Product Safety Committee (CPSC) or Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) then that you know it's safe for children. Y'all can typically find this information on the packaging or in the production details.^[1]

   • Read reviews for the crib online before you buy it.
   • If y'all received a crib equally a gift, check online to see if information technology meets safety standards.
   • Exist sure to cull a crib that y'all can commutation if needed, such every bit if it does non see rubber standards or if it does non piece of work for your child'due south room.

2. 2

   Confirm the crib hasn't been recalled. Certain models of cribs are recalled because they are establish to be faulty or dangerous. Buying an unsafe crib puts your child in danger and increases the chances of Sudden Infant Decease Syndrome or SIDS. If yous are buying a used crib or receive a used crib, bank check on the official website to make sure that the model was not recalled.^[2]

   • Visit https://www.recalls.gov to make certain the crib wasn't recalled.
   • Manufacturers will terminate the sale of a crib in stores or online once it'south been recalled.

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3. 3

   Unpack the crib in the plant nursery. Move all of the crib parts to the nursery or the room your child will sleep in. Certain cribs are large once they are fully assembled and it may be difficult to fit them through doorways or up a staircase.^[iii]

   • Most crib parts volition come up in a cardboard box. Move the entire box rather than unpacking it first.

4. 4

   Check that all the parts were included and none are broken. Take the parts out of the box and lay them out onto the basis. Reference the pedagogy transmission and double-bank check that all the required parts came in your package. Wait for chipped, cracked, or malformed pieces. If the piece that came with the crib doesn't expect like what'south in the instruction manual, information technology'due south possible that you got the wrong role in your package.^[4]

   • Mutual crib parts include screws, bolts, headboard, footboard, support spring, and side panels.
   • If you are missing pieces or notice lacking pieces, contact the crib manufacturer and request that they send you new ones.
   • Ensure that all pre-assembled parts are properly constructed and screwed together. Loose pieces could create a gamble for your child.

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1. i

   Have someone aid with the assembly process. It's easier to assemble about cribs with the assistance of someone else. Ask family members or friends if they can help you put the crib together.^[5]

   • Say something like, "Hey, I need to put together this crib for Mikey and I need some aid. Would you mind lending me a mitt?"

2. ii

   Follow the directions exactly. There are several models and brands of cribs that are all assembled in unlike means. Make certain to follow the directions precisely every bit they are in the manual, even if they differ from these directions. Improper assembly of a crib poses a serious wellness gamble to your child.^[6]

   • There may be tips or warnings in the instruction manual that could keep your child safer in the crib.
   • If the directions are missing, you tin can usually visit the crib manufacturer'southward website to find an online gear up of instructions.

3. 3

   Screw the legs of the crib into the headboard and footboard. Concord the legs of the crib confronting the headboard so that the appropriate screw holes match upward. Screw the legs of the crib to the headboard with an Allen wrench or screwdriver. Repeat the process with the other 2 legs and the footboard.^[vii]

   • Many cribs will come with the appropriately sized Allen wrench.
   • Some cribs volition have the headboard and footboard already fastened the crib legs.

4. iv

   Adhere the headboard with the side slat pieces. Y'all should take two side pieces with slats in them. Make sure that the slat is on the correct side, then line it up with the holes on the headboard. Use an Allen wrench or screwdriver to spiral the outset side piece into the headboard. Then, go to the other side of the bed and attach the other side of the crib to the headboard the same way.^[8]

   • There are typically at least 3 screws that adhere the side of the crib with the headboard.
   • Don't plough the screws too difficult or you may crack or damage the frame of the crib. Tighten them enough so they are tight but not embedded in the wood.

5. 5

   Install the mattress support jump. Normally, cribs volition have back up springs that hold up the mattress. Place the spring up against the headboard and side slats and screw information technology in with the advisable screws.^[9]

   • Typically, the mattress support spring will exist attached to both the headboard, side slats, and footboard.

6. half-dozen

   Connect the footboard with the side slats and support bound. Line the footboard up with the side slats and then that the screw holes friction match upwards. Place the screws into the holes and employ your Allen wrench or screwdriver to tighten them into the side slats first. Then, finish attaching the mattress support leap to the footboard of the crib. Ensure all the screws are tight earlier moving onto the side by side step.^[ten]

   • Typically, there volition exist three screws on each side of the footboard that attach to the side slats.

7. seven

   Identify the mattress down on top of the back up spring. The mattress should only be about 6 inches (15 cm) high and there shouldn't be empty spaces on the sides of the mattress. Printing downwardly on the eye of the mattress with your mitt to make sure the crib is secure. It should not bend or break when y'all apply pressure.^[11]

   • If there is space around the mattress, y'all should buy a bigger mattress that fits the crib properly.

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1. 1

   Ensure that the mattress is house and tight fitting. If y'all can fit more 2 fingers in between the mattress and the crib, the crib is unsafe. Your child could become wedged in betwixt the crib frame and the mattress. Measure the inside of the crib frame and purchase a mattress that fits it perfectly.^[12]

   • Ensure that the sheet or mattress protector is tight fitting also.

2. ii

   Don't put pillows, quilts, bumpers, or stuffed animals in the bed. These items pose a suffocation and strangulation hazard for immature infants and children and should non exist put in the crib while the baby sleeps. Don't allow the babe sleep with whatever of these items until they are at least 12-months-erstwhile.^[13]

   • Keeping blankets, bumpers, and other soft items out of the crib volition also reduce the chances of Sudden Baby Death Syndrome.^[fourteen]
   • Utilise sleep sacks instead of blankets to keep your baby warm. These are clothing blankets that go over their pajamas.

3. 3

   Ensure that the spaces in the slats are greater than ii.37 inches (half dozen.0 cm) wide. Your child could get their arms, legs, or caput stuck if the surface area in between the slats if they are also wide. Measure the spaces in between the slats with a tape measure or ruler and ensure that they are less than 2.37 in (6.0 cm) broad.^[xv]

   • Brand sure that in that location are no large holes in the headboard or footboard or your infant could go stuck in them.
   • If the slats are too large in your crib, purchase another one.

4. 4

   Don't identify the crib near windows, draperies, or blinds. Placing the crib near a window could create a falling hazard for your kid. In addition, things like draperies, blinds, and curtains create a strangulation chance for a kid.^[sixteen]

   • Keep the crib away from the wall because it'due south possible that your kid could get wedged between the wall and the crib.

5. 5

   Put the baby to sleep on their back. Putting your child to sleep on their dorsum reduces the likelihood of SIDS. Practise non put your child on their side or breadbasket because it increases the likelihood of suffocation.^[17]

   • Do not put your baby to sleep on their side because they could roll over on their stomach.

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Add New Question

• Question

  When should I transition my baby to a crib?

  

  Julie Wright is a Marriage and Family Therapist and the co-founder of The Happy Sleeper, which offers sleep consulting and online baby sleep classes. Julie is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in babies, children, and their parents, and the co-author of ii best selling parenting books (The Happy Sleeper and Now Say This) published by Penguin Random House. She created the popular Wright Mommy, Daddy and Me program in Los Angeles, California, which provides support and learning for new parents. Julie's work has been mentioned in The New York Times, The Washington Mail, and NPR. Julie received her preparation at the Cedars Sinai Early Childhood Center.

  

  Parenting & Baby Sleep Specialist

  Expert Respond

  To help transition your baby to their new crib, endeavour introducing them to it during the day. Yous can have some playtime in the crib or sing and talk to your baby while they're in the crib to aid them develop positive associations with it.

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