Baby cribs must meet federal
safety standards. These include:

• Slats should be spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches (60 mm) apart.

• All slats should be
  intact, not missing or cracked.

• Mattress should fit
  snugly. This means less than the width of 2 fingers between the edge of the
  mattress and the side of the crib.

• Mattress support should be securely attached to the head and footboards.

• Corner posts should be no
  higher than 1/16 inch (1.5 mm). This is to prevent clothing or other objects
  worn by a child getting caught on them.

• The head and footboards
  should have no cutouts. Cutouts might let the baby’s head become trapped.

• Drop-side rail cribs are no longer considered safe.

• All screws or bolts that
  secure parts of the crib should be present and tight.

• The crib should not be
  placed near drapes or blinds, the CPSC says. This is because a child could
  become entangled and strangle on the cords. When the child reaches 35 inches in
  height, or can climb or fall over the sides, replace the crib with a bed.

According to the CPSC, the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the National Institute of Child Health and
Human Development, soft bedding may play a major role in SIDS (sudden infant death
syndrome). These groups offer the following advice for infant bedding:

• Place your baby on their
  back on a firm, tight-fitting mattress in a crib that meets current safety
  standards.

• Remove pillows, bumper
  pads, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, and other soft products
  from the crib.

• Don’t use blankets for a
  newborn baby. Instead use appropriate-weight sleepwear or a sleep sack.

• Check that your baby’s
  head stays uncovered during sleep.

• Don’t place your baby on a
  waterbed, sofa, soft mattress, pillow, or other soft surface to sleep.

These small beds are helpful and
portable in the first few months. The CPSC recommends following the manufacturer’s
guidelines on weight and size of the baby in determining who can safely use these
products. For safety reasons, look for a bassinet or cradle that has:

• A sturdy bottom and a wide
  base so it won’t tip over

• Smooth surfaces. This
  means no staples or other hardware sticking out that could hurt the baby.

• Legs with strong locks to
  keep it from folding while in use

• A firm mattress that fits snugly

Changing tables are a convenient
place to change your baby’s diaper. Always use straps to prevent your baby from
falling. But straps are not a substitute for constant supervision.

These provide enclosed areas
where a baby can nap or play safely. The CPSC recommends never leaving a baby in a
mesh playpen or crib with the drop-side down. Even a very young baby can roll into
the space between the mattress and loose mesh side and suffocate. Use only playpens
that meet federal safety standards. These include:

• Drop-side mesh playpens or cribs with warning labels to never leave the side in the
  down position

• Mesh with a small weave
  (less than 1/4-inch openings)

• Mesh with no tears, holes, or loose threads

• Mesh securely attached to top rail and floor plate

• Top rail cover has no tears or holes

• Wooden playpen with slats spaced no more than 2 inches (60 mm) apart

• If staples are used in
  construction, check that they’re firmly installed and none are missing or
  loose

These are helpful in taking
babies on outings. The CPSC recommends always securing the seat belts when using the
stroller or carriage. Never leave a child unattended in a stroller. Keep children’s
hands away from pinching areas when stroller is being folded or unfolded, or the seat
back is being reclined. For safety reasons, look for a stroller or carriage with:

• A wide base to prevent tipping

• The seat belt and crotch strap attached securely to the frames

• A seat belt buckle that is
  easy to use

• Brakes that securely lock
  the wheels

• A shopping basket that is
  low on the back and directly over or in front of rear wheels for stability

• Leg hole openings that can
  be closed when being used in the carriage position

All states have laws requiring
babies and children to travel in an approved car safety seat. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration offers advice for choosing a car safety seat. These
include:

• Buy the car seat well before your due date.

• The simplest and least
  expensive model often will work as well as one with fancy features.

• Choose a seat that you find easy to use and that fits in your vehicle.

• If you choose a convertible seat, try it facing both toward the front and rear.

• Look for a seat you can use as long as possible that faces the rear.

• Always put your baby in a
  car seat in the back seat. According to the AAP, babies and toddlers should
  ride in a rear-facing car safety seat for as long as possible. This is often
  until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their seat. Check your
  safety seat instructions. Most convertible safety seats have height and weight
  limits that will allow children to ride rear-facing for 2 years or more.

• If you buy an infant-only seat, you will need a convertible seat later. Most babies
  need to use rear-facing convertible seats as they get larger, because they outgrow
  their infant-only seats before age 2.

• When you purchase a car
  seat, follow instructions on correct installation.

• Nearly every car seat and
  most vehicles made since Sept. 1, 2002, are required to have the lower anchors
  and tethers for children (LATCH) system. The LATCH makes it easier to install
  the child seat correctly.