This morning’s Today Show report on cribs and baby safety reminded us that despite the American Academy of Pediatrics caution to “not use pillows, bumper pads, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, other soft products, or any objects that could increase the risk of suffocation or strangulation”, major stores continue to market and sell these items without warning parents-to-be of the dangers.
Shame on them.
The new book Smart Mama, Smart Money, offers this simple advice:
“When it comes to most tiny-tot gear, we’re in favor of hand-me-down and flea market finds, but there are certain items you should not buy secondhand. Topping the list are car seats, cribs, and baby bedding.
You must buy a new crib. In June 2011 the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued stringent new safety standards. These new regulations require sturdier construction, stronger hardware, and more rigorous product testing for all cribs. Drop-sided cribs may no longer be sold. When you go out shopping make certain that you choose a crib with the following labels: 16 CFR 1219 (full-size cribs) and 16 CFR 1220 (non-full-size cribs).
Buy the least expensive well-put-together crib out there (think IKEA), but splurge on an organic mattress. Yes, you need to buy a new mattress, one that snugly fits inside the crib. Baby will spend more time in the crib than anywhere else, and the less he is exposed to off-gassing and fumes from mattress components like formaldehyde, phthalates, polyurethane foam, PBDEs and other chemicals, the better.
As for bedding, buy 100 percent cotton sheets with a high thread count, full elastic bottom, and no nylon in any of the stitching. These will be washed and rewashed, so you want them to hold up over time, with no dangerous shrinkage or unraveling in any place. Buy Buy Baby (Bed Bath & Beyond for minis) and the Land of Nod (Crate & Barrel for minis) have cute sheets at all price points. Think of it this way: Since baby bumpers and quilts are now verboten as smothering hazards, sheets may be the place to liven up baby’s room with a spot of sweet or zesty color.”
Smart Mama, Smart Money: Raising Happy, Healthy Kids Without Breaking the Bank
“Jack-of-all-trades Hoffman (Bitches on a Budget) compiles the tips and tricks she’s learned in her careers as marketer, mother, and writer to produce an all-in-one guide to frugal parenting. Written to other mothers in tone, but not gender-specific in content, this valuable tome offers suggestions on how to survive the giant-plastic-stuff phase of infancy (buy a used stroller, but a new crib) and paying for college, though the bulk of her advice is focused on the many years between. With two of kids out of college and on their own, she confidently dispenses advice on topics ranging from clothing choices to sex-ed, but manages to do so in a chatty, friendly voice that is never overbearing. Food is a large part of any family’s budget, and Hoffman discusses MyPlate, organics, and “smart shopping” with equal ease. She also provides a brief overview of financial management basics including budgeting, insurance, and credit cards, and her advice about helping kids distinguish “wants” from “needs” is astute and practical. In addition to everyday tips, Hoffman also offers tried-and-true insights into developing strong relationships with one’s children–in the end, “a smart mom never loses sight of what her kids really need: unconditional love, safe boundaries, and room to play.” Informative, entertaining, and applicable, this is a must-read for “smart mamas” and papas. (Mar.)”
