Experts say baby cribs are most safe when they are pretty bare. Toys, heavy blankets and crib bumpers in a baby's sleep space can pose a suffocation risk and may even elevate the risk of SIDS. Safe sleep products have flooded the market in recent years. Here, I've chosen some of my favorite products for a safe and restful baby crib. Note - placing baby on his back to sleep is the most important step in safe sleep. Always put your baby on his back unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
1. Halo Sleep Sack
Safe sleep experts no longer recommend putting blankets in baby cribs due to the potential for suffocation, and also because rebreathing of exhaled air, which can be trapped under loose blankets, has been linked to SIDS cases. The Halo Sleepsack is a wearable blanket that will keep baby warm but cannot bunch around the face like a regular blanket can. Available in fleece and cotton, the Halo Sleepsack can be worn over baby's regular pajamas.
2. Starlight Support Crib Mattress by Moonlight Slumber
Starlight Support mattresses exceed all current and planned Federal standards for fire safety and meet California's new open flame resistance standards, as well, thanks to an internal fire barrier. An extra-firm side is perfect for infants, while the softer, memory foam side provides a comfy resting place for weary toddlers. Completely antimicrobial, this mattress line features welded seams and a premium moisture-proof ticking that doesn't feel at all plasticky.3. Halo Secure-Fit Crib Sheet
Ill-fitting crib sheets can slip off the crib mattress and pose a strangulation hazard for baby. The elastic in older fitted crib sheets can break down, making it more likely the sheet could slip loose. The Halo Secure-Fit Crib Sheet addresses this problem with a unique wrap-around design that is secured with Velcro underneath the mattress. The Secure-Fit crib sheet resists bunching and can only be removed by lifting up the mattress. Machine washable and dryer safe.4. Angel Care Movement Sensor
This under-the-mattress-pad sensor system detects even the slightest movements from your baby and sounds an alarm alerting you to check your baby if he or she is perfectly still for more than 20 seconds. This safe sleep product will help new parents rest easier! Includes two monitor units, and also works as a traditional baby monitor so that you can hear when baby wakes up.5. A Safe Crib
With all of the great baby cribs on the market today, I couldn't possibly pick just one to name as my safe sleep pick. There are some guidelines to follow when choosing a crib for your baby, though. Check out "Before You Buy A Baby Crib" for helpful tips on choosing a crib that provides a safe place for your baby to sleep as well as the modern convenience features parents love.6. Crib Shield Breathable Bumper
A crib bumper is actually not a necessity for safe sleep, but some parents still worry about their baby's legs and arms poking through the sides of the crib. Regular padded bumpers, however, reduce air circulation and increase the risk of rebreathing stale air, plus they pose a suffocation risk. For parents who insist on a crib bumper, this mesh Crib Shield bumper provides a safer alternative. Mesh sides allow air to flow through the crib but keep baby's limbs contained inside the crib.