When do i lower crib mattress

It may be hard to believe, but that tiny, sleeping baby you just brought home from the hospital will become mobile before you know it. You probably noticed when you were putting together your baby's crib that there are different mattress-height settings. Most parents opt for the highest mattress setting when their baby is a newborn to make the ins and outs of the crib less strenuous on their backs. But as babies grow, parents begin to wonder when do you drop your crib mattress?

The American Academy of Pediatrics AAP recommended that you lower the level of the crib mattress when baby is able to sit or stand up. And crib and mattress manufacturers agree. The website for the Dream On Me company noted that the time to lower the mattress is when your child begins sitting up. The exact time you'll need to switch to this setting will depend on how fast your baby grows.

This is the setting you should be eyeing when your baby shows he or she can stand up on his or her own or at least push up on his or her own. You never know when they'll get to the next stage and try to make their way over the rails when you're not looking. Babies are pretty fearless, so you want to be one step ahead of them all of the time. It's important to be aware of when your baby's crib needs to be lowered to avoid injury. Every year , 10, children are taken to the emergency room for crib-related accidents, with many related to children falling out of their crib.

Many children fall out of their crib because they are tall enough to stand up and get out. TJ Gold of Tribeca Pediatrics says she advises parents to lower the crib before they think they need to.

As you consider these recommendations, also keep in mind that the AAP recommends that the crib rail is at least 26 inches from the top of the crib mattress. This is for your baby's safety. It's important to note that you don't have to drop the crib to the lowest point right away. As long as you are lowering it enough to meet safety standards and safety guidelines, you can do it gradually. It counts to know how active your baby is and what he or she can do.

This will be the best indication of when to lower your crib. You may have to do it sooner than recommended if your baby is developing at a faster pace. She says when this has happened, it's usually been because the child was already standing up in the crib holding on and the crib had not been lowered.

Also, keep in mind that you should never be using a crib with a drop-side rail. The American Academy of Pediatrics deems these to be unsafe and they should be avoided. As you look at when to lower the crib, you may have heard of some people lowering the mattress to the floor.

This is pretty uncommon and should only be done if your crib was made to do so. Review the manufacturer's instructions to see if this is even an option. In most cases, dropping the crib to the lowest setting is sufficient. If they need it any lower, they should probably be in a toddler bed. Since all cribs are made differently, you'll want to consult the assembly instructions for details on how to lower your specific crib.

But, there are some basic rules that most cribs follow when it comes to adjusting the mattress level. As you're lowering your baby's crib mattress, this is also a good time to make sure other safety precautions are in place. About 10, children younger than two years old per year are taken to the emergency room, of which Hence, knowing when to lower crib is highly important as a parent.

It makes their crib even safer when the time is right as your baby grows. For newborns under 5 months, always keep the crib mattress in the highest position. This position is safe as long as your baby can not sit up. This setting is best used for babies somewhere between 5 and 8 months of age. At that age most babies start moving on their own. This includes rolling, sitting unsupported, and pushing themselves onto their hands and knees.