Comments on: Crib clutter warning

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:12:34 +0000

It’s not just a matter of having “too many things” in a crib; it’s a matter of not having anything in the crib besides the baby and the blanket, or better yet the sleeper bag mentioned above. I used to work for the local coroner, and we received two children who needn’t have died. One was an infant who scooted around during the night, and managed to get her face up against a bag of diapers. The other was an infant who fell asleep on daddy’s chest… then daddy fell asleep… and the child somehow ended up in a position that didn’t allow him to breathe. For a parent to hold a sleeping baby is fine, of course, but only if the parent is awake. Otherwise, babies should sleep on a flat surface, free of clutter of any kind.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:15:21 +0000

I never had anything in my kids’ cribs. Not even bumpers. My husband thinks it looks lonely. It does, but the boys can’t tell the difference. As for what you really need. I wish I listened to all my mom friends, and didn’t buy so much junk. I did love my baby bjorn, and a backpack carrier given to me as hand me down. Truth be told, the hand me downs tend to be what I used regularly.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:22:01 +0000

I have a 15 month old (15 months today, actually) and she has never had anything in the crib with her. She slept swaddled and in a bassinet for the first 5 months and then swaddled in the crib for another 3 months and since then she has just been akimbo in the crib sans blanket. She sleeps in footie PJs and we put a small space heater in there to keep the room a desired temperature and keep her warm. It is best to keep things out of the way for little ones. It is safer and there are fewer distractions from actually sleeping. Our doctor said it best when he said that babies will live in routines parents set for them. So, whatever you choose, your baby will work within if that is the routine.

By: Naomi

Naomi — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:56:54 +0000

Not putting anything (ie toys, blankets and even bumpers) in the crib has been drummed into us here in Australia. Since the SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)and Kids Safe Sleeping Campaign began in the early 1990’s it has saved the lives of over 4,000 Australian babies and reduced the rate of SIDS by 84%. Their website shows how to make up your baby’s crib and lots of other great safety information. http://www.sidsandkids.org/cot.htm

By: mummyhc

mummyhc — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:24:05 +0000

Regarding baby basics, I’d say…
.GOOD: a baby tub with a foam bath bear (Walmart, BRU) to stop them from slipping around, a super-comfortable place to nurse (a wide, well-padded glider), nighttime lighting for your nursery, a well-equipped changing station.
.ALMOST USELESS: wipes warmer (they burn the bottom layers of wipes and make your room smell funny), baby ear thermometers (get a flex tip digital from Walmart for $8 and take a rectal), Diaper Genies are a waste of money (refils), plus they’re ugly. Why keep the poop in the room? Use grocery bags in a small trash basket (coordinating with your nursery of course) and carry out daily….

By: Lady S

Lady S — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:08:17 +0000

I want to point out that this article mentions children under 5.

Some friends just lost their 3 year old to a toy/bed accident. I don’t know all the details, but I know it involved a bunk bed and a toy with a pull string.

I hope parents (I am not one yet) remember that the danger does not stop when they become toddlers.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:47:00 +0000

M.R. – I would say two. One on the pillow and one in the wash. I had just the one cover, and when it needed to be washed, I would have loved the extra one.

Poop, spit up, pee, snot and coffee happen…(the pillow makes a great reading pillow when you are past the nursing stage, thus the coffee!)

By: Michelle Wagner

Michelle Wagner — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:44:45 +0000

@Hayden – each baby (and parent) is different, but the only thing you _really_ need is a carseat (if you drive), diapers & wipes, some clothes (but they grow so fast you shouldn’t buy many), and a place for the baby to sleep (that could be a crib, bassinet, co-sleeper, etc.) All the other items are personal preference. Example – I “needed” a double jogging stroller when I had my second kid and my friend “needed” a sit & stand stroller (which you can’t jog with). There are lots of registries try to convince that a bunch of junk is essential, but it’s not. The best adivce I can give is what my sister told me: “try something; if it works, swear by it. If it doesn’t, try something else.

By: M.R.

M.R. — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:42:45 +0000

This is a serious question: How many slip covers does one need for a Boppy (horseshoe shaped pillow)? Most of my friends have registered for SEVERAL of these. As a non-parent, I don’t understand if this is truly necessary.

By: Michele

Michele — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:12:12 +0000

My baby hated the crib so much, we ended up using the crib for blanket and stuffy toy storage. My daughter never slept in it. She slept with us.

By: Hayden Tompkins

Hayden Tompkins — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:27:46 +0000

What would you suggest is most important in terms of stuff for your newborn? Also, what do you think is pretty useless that people still get?

By: tod hilton

tod hilton — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:57:03 +0000

I didn’t use the blankets very much in the crib (and agree with your recommendation to keep it free of stuff), but they were undeniably useful for swaddling my daughter. She loved it and the swaddling helped her relax tremendously which meant less crying (a very good thing).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaddling

By: whyioughtta

whyioughtta — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:11:17 +0000

I’m 8.5 months pregnant and appreciate this tip very much. I’ve heard that a good solution, instead of blankets and quilts, is to have baby sleep in one of those bunting-bag thingies that are like a little shirt on top but a sleeping bag on the bottom. They function as a blanket but can’t bunch up around the baby’s face.