When you have your first child, you spend countless hours preparing. You read everything you can on caring for a newborn, and you plan every detail down to the last stitch of your nursery decor. When your bundle of joy arrives, however, all those plans go out the window. Suddenly you’re scrambling to adjust.
A lot can happen in the first few weeks of an infant’s life. Newborns are extremely fragile and need special attention. Their immune systems are very limited, which means they’re prone to infections and diseases that a new parent might not be accustomed to handling.
If you want to give your baby the safest possible start in life, it’s important that you know about crib safety and how mini cribs impact your baby’s health (read also about crib safety tips for babies). Read on to learn more about mini crib safety and how to keep your little one safe while sleeping at night.
Can you put a newborn in a mini crib?
A baby can sleep in a mini crib from the time they are born until they are about six months old. However, some experts recommend waiting until your baby is ready to roll over and sit up before putting them in a mini crib. This gives their muscles more time to develop and gives them more room for growth.
On the other hand, some parents put newborns in a mini crib right away because it’s convenient and allows you to spend more quality time with your child without having to worry about them moving around. It all comes down to what feels comfortable for you and what works best for your little one.
What is the point of a mini crib?
Mini cribs are a safe alternative to big, bulky cribs. They are typically smaller and easier to move out of the way when you need to take care of your baby. Smaller size also makes them more portable.
Can you use a mini crib as a bassinet?
The short answer is yes, you can use a mini crib as a bassinet. A mini crib has the same safety features as a full-size crib and it’s used for the same purposes. The only difference is that everything is scaled down to fit on a smaller surface area.
A mini crib will have the same height and width measurements as a standard crib. The inner mattress dimensions are typically smaller than those of a full-size crib, but with an adjustable mattress height, it’s easy to get the perfect sleeping environment for your baby.
A mini crib will also have sides that are lower than those of a standard crib, which prevents babies from climbing out of the bed by themselves. This feature allows your little one to sleep in peace without having to worry about falling out of bed at night.
The individual slats of a standard or mini bedroom set also make it harder for babies to stand up and fall through them. While this might not seem like much, it’s important when you consider your baby’s safety and good health during their first few weeks at home with you.
Is a crib safe for a newborn?
A lot of parents are worried about mini cribs for newborns because they’re so compact. The smaller the space, the less room there is for your baby to turn around and move around in bed. This poses a problem when you want your baby to sleep on their back. A baby’s spine can easily be damaged if they’re allowed to sleep on their stomach or sides where they might get stuck.
While a mini crib is not a bad thing, it should only be used once your child has outgrown the bassinet stage. If you have older children at home, consider using an adult sized mattress as a makeshift bed for them. Otherwise, you might want to invest in a full-sized bed for your infant and use the mini crib as storage for when your baby grows older.
** Mini cribs are safe if used properly
The risk with larger sized beds is that pressure points could cause a suffocation hazard. In order to ensure safety while sleeping, it’s important that you always follow safety guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and adhere to strict guidelines provided by the manufacturer of the crib itself.
