Babies are the most precious and priceless gift that human beings can ever hope for and receive. The thought or knowledge of the expectation of a baby comes with much excitement, preparation, even anxiety, but not forgetting concern. The number one concern when preparing for a new baby's arrival, or even when the baby moves from an infancy to a toddler's stage, is a crib or safe place to sleep. After deciding on the best type or model of crib, whether a Hardwood crib or Metal crib, a Dark or Light colored Hardwood crib, a White Hardwood crib, or a Silver Metal crib, the next very important thought should be your infant's or toddler's safety in your crib of choice.
The temptation to have every possible toy or object that could serve as a source of calm, happiness, alertness, or even comfort to a baby for any parent or caretaker is very real. Family members, friends, well wishers or even strangers, in getting caught up in the excitement of the expectation of the precious new baby, or as the infant progresses to becoming a toddler, feel justified in getting toys or other objects that could lend credence to that joy and excitement. However, it cannot be stressed or emphasized enough that the most important fact that must be ever present in the mind of any adult in whose care an infant or toddler is entrusted, is safety. That brings parents or caretakers to the critical point of what they should and should not have in a baby's crib.
Crib Toddler Mattress
After the crib's mattress has been stripped of the manufacturer's plastic material in which it was wrapped, absolutely nothing except the crib's bedding that should fit snuggly onto the mattress in the first place, should be left in the crib. However, it is safe to say that a crib, especially a dark Hardwood crib that contains nothing but its mattress and bedding, can harbor fear, uneasiness or even discomfort to a baby. For those reasons or concerns, an example of one object that could be suitable as an addition to the crib, is a Mobile Musical Lullaby that is made to be securely mounted or screwed onto the side or back of the crib, with the turn-able section of the lullaby facing down, if it is a model that is made to turn. If the mobile lullaby comes with toys that are made in shapes like birds, teddy bears, frogs, lions, or any other animal caricature, there should be many areas of safety to be aware of. However, here are two.
Make certain that those move-able objects are made from soft material, such as cotton or sponge that are safely and completely covered with flannel or other soft material, and that they are securely attached to the mobile lullaby. Make certain that the lullaby could be mounted sufficiently far above the baby's reach, to make it unlikely for a toddler to reach the caricatures and remove them while occupying the crib that could be left un-attended by an adult. If the crib is not deep enough to allow that kind of safety, then the lullaby should be unscrewed from the crib, and put in a safe place away from the baby. If stepping away for any length of time. Length of time of un-attendance could be the result of the baby finally drifting off to sleep.
Examples of some toys or objects that pose danger to a baby, and therefore should never be placed or left in a crib, are stuffed animals, large or small. Toy cars and trucks. Toy airplanes, caricature dolls such as Superman or Barbie, or baby books that are made from hard material and operate with batteries. A toddler can choke on, or even stop his or her breathing by pushing small objects such as the ball of a computer's mouse or a baby's palm sized stuffed animal or toy into his or her mouth. Likewise, large stuffed animals can cause suffocation if they end up over a baby's face while asleep. Other hazardous objects that must never be placed or left in a crib while it's being occupied by a baby or toddler, are baby manicure objects such as fingernail clips. Baby toiletries such as powder, lotion, any other liquid or gel that are left opened or just partially closed, that a baby can apply to his or her eyes, ears, nose, hair or even swallow. Disposable diapers, or baby wash cloth or towels. A baby can shred a disposable diaper and stuff the shredded bits into his or her mouth which can also serve as another choking hazard or danger. Not forgetting baby clothes. Babies are imitators, and attempting to put on a piece of clothing left in a crib with an un-attended baby, is not beyond his or her imagination, and again, can cause serious harm, suffocation or even death, just by the baby trying to get the garment over his or her head, or accidentally wrapping it around the neck.