Some parents buy just a few essential pieces of nursery equipment for their newborn baby, such as a crib and a stroller. Others purchase the whole kit and caboodle: carrier seat, bassinet, change table, playpen, and more. Here are a few safety considerations when choosing nursery equipment for your newborn baby.
Cribs
Your newborn baby’s crib is one of the most important purchases you will make in terms of nursery equipment. As with most nursery equipment, if you buy a new crib labelled with the initials of your national safety association, you can be quite confident that it meets national safety requirements. However, you need to be especially diligent about safety concerns if your baby will be using a "previously enjoyed" crib. In Canada, crib safety standards changed in September 1986, so you should only use a crib that was manufactured after that date. When choosing a crib, make sure it meets the following safety requirements:
- slats spaced no more than 6 cm apart, so your baby’s head cannot squeeze through
- no missing or cracked slats
- a snugly fitting mattress with no more than one finger width between the edge of the mattress and the side of the crib
- the part supporting the mattress should be attached permanently to the crib frame
- corner posts that are no higher than 1.5 mm, to prevent your baby’s clothing from getting entangled on the posts
- head- and footboards that do not have cutouts where your baby’s head can become entrapped
- drop-side latches that stay securely in the raised position and are not easily released
- screws and bolts that are secure and tightly fastened
Never leave your baby in a crib with the drop side down. Place the crib away from blinds or curtains where your baby can become entangled in the cords. When your child reaches 90 cm or about three feet in height, or can climb over the sides of the crib, they should be moved to a bed.
Do not put large stuffed toys, pillows, bumper pads, or thick comforters into your baby’s crib. Make sure your baby does not have a bib, necklace, or anything tied around their neck. These items can suffocate your child or become caught on parts of the crib and strangle your child.
Bassinets and cradles
A bassinet or cradle should have a sturdy bottom, a wide base, and no protruding staples or other hardware that can harm your newborn baby. The mattress should be firm and fit snugly. The legs of the bassinet or cradle should be sturdy and strong. If the legs can fold, they should have locks to prevent folding while in use. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure not to use the bassinet or cradle if your baby is above the height or weight requirement of the device.
Carrier seats
A carrier seat should have a wide, sturdy base and a non-skid bottom to prevent slipping. The seat should come with an easy to use buckle or strap that secures your newborn baby’s crotch and waist. Carrier seats should not be used as car seats.
Change tables
Change tables need to have safety straps to prevent falls. Choose a table that has easily accessible drawers and shelves. Always strap your newborn baby into the change table and never leave them on the table unattended.
Playpens
A wooden playpen should have slats spaced no more than 6 cm apart. If there are staples, they should not be missing or loose.
If you choose a mesh playpen, make sure that the openings in the mesh are no more than 7 mm wide and that there are no tears, holes, or loose threads. The mesh should be securely attached to the floor plate and top rail.
Never leave your baby in a drop-side playpen with the drop side down. Your baby might roll into the area between the mattress and the dropped mesh side and suffocate. Even newborn babies can roll unexpectedly and become hurt in this way.
Playpens are not designed for sleeping. Do not leave your baby sleeping in a playpen.
Strollers
Make sure that your baby’s stroller has a wide base to prevent tipping. The brakes should securely lock the wheels. The seat belt should be securely attached to the frame and the buckle should be easy to use. Always use the seat belt when you take your newborn baby out in the stroller.
If your stroller has a shopping basket, make sure it hangs low in the back, directly over the rear wheels for stability. If your stroller does not have a shopping basket, do not hang items on the stroller, as this could cause tipping.
Pacifiers
When choosing a pacifier, make sure that its shield is large and firm so it will not fit in your baby’s mouth. The shield should contain ventilation holes so your baby can breathe if it does get into their mouth. Make sure that the pacifier nipple does not have any holes or tears and that the nipple cannot easily break off in your baby’s mouth. Do not attach strings or cords to the pacifier, and never hang a pacifier around your baby’s neck.
Toys
Rattles, squeeze toys, and other toys should be removed from your newborn baby’s crib while they sleep, to prevent suffocation. If you do wish to use a toy in the crib, make sure it has no small parts that could be considered a choking hazard and no strings longer than 18 cm. If the label on the toy has a warning that it should be removed from the crib by a certain age, make sure to do so when your baby reaches that age. Remove crib gyms when your baby is able to pull or push up on their hands and knees.
When using toys and rattles outside the crib, make sure they are made of sturdy construction and will not break apart easily. Avoid toys and rattles that have small parts that can detach and become lodged in your baby’s throat.
Safety considerations for older babies
If your newborn baby is less than one month of age, they are still too young for back carriers and high chairs, and they probably will not need gates or a toy chest yet. Safety considerations for these items will become important as your baby gets older.
- Back carriers: A back carrier should not be used until your baby is four or five months old, when their neck is strong enough to withstand jolts. When choosing a back carrier, make sure it contains a restraining strap for your baby, and that the frame is covered with padding, especially near baby’s face. Also check that the leg openings are small enough to prevent your baby from slipping out, but large enough to prevent chafing.
- Gates: Make sure that the slats are spaced closely enough that your baby’s head cannot become stuck between them. Accordion-style gates are especially prone to causing head entrapment. Also make sure that the gate is strong enough and secured tightly enough to resist the strength of a child.
- High chairs: The chair should have a wide, stable base and a tray that locks securely. If this is a folding chair, it needs to have an effective locking device so that the chair will not collapse when in use. Ensure that the chair has an easy-to-use child restraining strap, and that any such straps are separate from the tray itself. When using the chair, always buckle in your baby, to prevent them from sliding under the tray and falling or strangling.
- Toy boxes: Toy boxes without lids are preferable. If you choose a toy box with a lid, make sure it does not have a latch, which could trap a child inside. A spring-loaded lid is safer than a free-falling lid, to avoid head injuries. Make sure that the toy box has ventilation holes in case your baby gets trapped inside.
Nursery equipment to avoid
Baby bath rings or seats and baby walkers are not recommended for use due to safety concerns. Baby walkers are banned in Canada; it is illegal to import or sell them, even second-hand. If you have one, Health Canada recommends that you destroy it and throw it away so it cannot be used again.