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Preparing a Safe Room for the Baby

12 May 2024

When preparing a room for the newborn who is about to come home, various decisions are made regarding room decor, colors, and choice of items. However, the paramount consideration should always be the baby’s safety. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully observe the following principles to ensure their well-being:

  • Location: your baby’s bed should be in the parents’ bedroom until the age of six months at least, and preferably until one year old. The bed must be empty of all items, such as crib rings, crib bumpers, etc.
  • All items in the room, including the bed, the mattress, and the toys, should bear an Israeli standard mark
  • Make sure there are no strings, cables, or ropes near the baby’s crib or bed to prevent any risk of entanglement
  • It is important to prepare a convenient and safe diapering area for your baby where all the necessary supplies are kept together so that you do not have to leave the baby's side while diapering them. To prevent falls, it is even recommended to diaper the baby on the floor.

Preparing a room for the arrival of a new baby is an exciting task for many parents. Exploring both physical stores and online websites, you can carefully select items ranging from the bed to decorations. Creating a checklist of essential items for the baby's room allows you to make decisions about colors and room decor. However, the paramount consideration should always be the baby’s safety.

Observing the following principles will make the room safer and more comfortable for our babies.

Standard mark

It is essential to ensure that all items you select for your baby’s room bear an Israeli standard mark with a safety certification mark (for example, a bed, a mattress, and accessories). Bearing a standard mark (HE) is a sign that the product has been safety-inspected.

Selecting the location of the bed

It is recommended to have your baby’s bed in your bedroom until the age of six months at least, and preferably for the first year. Studies show that the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is lower when a baby sleeps in the parents' room (but not in the same bed). Another option is to use a sidecar crib, which is a crib with an open side panel that can be attached to a parent's bed. This allows parents to care for their baby at night without getting out of bed. This keeps the infant protected while they sleep.

Heating and cooling the baby’s room

The safest options for heating the room include a radiator or air conditioner, and for cooling, an air conditioner and ventilator. It is crucial to ensure proper ventilation by keeping a window slightly open. Additionally, avoid pointing the heater or air conditioner directly at the baby.
You can read everything about the heating and cooling of babies’ rooms here.

The bed

  • Location of bed: if you are using a separate bed instead of a bedside crib, it is best to place it next to the interior wall of the house, where it will be less cold. It should also be in a well-lit and well-ventilated area.
  • Closed bedside panel: to avoid falls, the bedside panel must always be closed, and the bed wheels locked.
  • Bed arrangement: the only things that should be in a baby’s bed are a well-fastened sheet and a blanket. To create a safe sleep environment, do not leave pillows, toys, dolls, crib rings, or crib bumpers in the bed. It is also advisable to avoid placing a balloon near the bed, so it does pop and scare the baby.
  • No strings and cables: it is essential to make sure there are no strings, cables, or ropes near the baby’s crib or bed to prevent any risk of entanglement.

Diapering

It is important to prepare a convenient and safe diapering area for your baby where all the necessary supplies are kept together so that you do not have to leave the baby's side while diapering them. To prevent falls, it is even recommended to diaper the baby on the floor.
You can read everything about the correct, secure, and comfortable practices for diapering here.

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