How to Make a Crib Safe for an Older Baby

As your baby gets older and begins to turn over, sit up, and pull herself up, her crib may no longer be the safe zone that it once was. It is important to change the crib as your baby changes. Remember that your older, more active baby will now be able to grab her mobile, pull on her crib bumpers, or chew on her crib rails. Here are some tips about how to make a crib safe for an older baby.

Instructions

    • 1

      Lower the mattress. As your baby gets taller, she will be able to pull herself up. Be sure to lower the mattress as far as it can go. This will prevent her from flipping over the railing. Also, regularly check the mattress supports to make sure that they are not coming loose. If you baby is very active in her crib, she may be able to push the mattress down if the supports are loose.

    • 2

      Remove the bumpers. Once a baby can move around, crib bumpers can become dangerous. He can get an arm, leg or even his head stuck between the bumpers and rails. He also may learn to untie the bumpers or even use them to stand on and climb over the crib railing.

    • 3

      Do not leave toys or large stuffed animals in your baby's crib. He can pile the toys on top of each other and use them to scale the railings. Toys and large stuffed animals can also pose a danger to your baby while he is sleeping. He may bang his head on hard toys and large stuffed animals are a suffocation risk.

    • 4

      Avoid using pillows or comforters in your baby's crib. This not only removes a potential cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)---your baby may also be able to pile up blankets and pillows to stand on in her crib.

    • 5

      Do not put a canopy over your baby's crib. He may be able to use the canopy to pull himself up. There is also the danger that he will pull the canopy down. This can present a strangulation or suffocation risk.

    • 6

      Place the crib far enough away from other furniture and window treatments. Your baby may be able to use other furniture to help her escape from her crib. If there are any curtains or blinds within reach, she may be able to use them to pull herself out of the crib. These also, of course, can lead to strangulation. Be sure that all cords and tie backs are well out of baby's reach.

    • 7

      Install a teething rail. When your baby is able to pull himself up and he starts teething, he may begin chewing on the crib railing. A teething rail is a sturdy, plastic sleeve that will slide over the railing to protect it from your baby's newly emerging teeth.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Protect Your Baby from SIDS
      01 of 10 Keeping Your Baby Safe As a parent, your first priority is the safety of your baby. To put your mind at ease and help you get the rest you need, we have expert advice and tips on making sure your baby is sleeping in t
    • How to Convert a Crib to a Daybed
      Converting a crib to a daybed depends on the type of crib that you have purchased. Some cribs can not be converted because of the way the manufacturers made it, while others can convert three or four times until it becomes a twin or full-size bed. Wi
    • Do Babies Need Extra Sleep When They Are Sick?
      When you’re feeling under the weather, you probably just want to stay in bed all day. This is normal, since sleep is how your body heals itself. It is also normal to anticipate this behavior in babies who are sick, according to Lauren Boston. S