Prenatal Tips for the Second Trimester
Get a crib that meets safety regulations. The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that cribs should have:
- A firm, tight-fitting mattress so a baby cannot get trapped between the mattress and the crib.
- No missing, loose, broken or improperly installed screws, brackets or other hardware on the crib or mattress support.
- No more than 2 3/8 inches, about the width of a soda can, between crib slats so a baby's body cannot fit through the slats
- No missing or cracked slats
- No corner posts over 1/16th inch high so a baby's clothing cannot catch.
- No cutouts in the headboard or foot board so a baby's head cannot get trapped.
Babies can get stuck and suffocate in cribs that are assembled wrong, have missing, loose or broken hardware or broken slats. An infant can strangle when his head and neck become stuck in gaps from missing, loose, broken hardware or broken slats.
If you buy a used crib, check it to be sure it meets all the safety standards that new cribs require. You only need 3 things in your baby’s crib: your baby, a mattress, and a fitted sheet for the mattress.
Newborn baby clothes you will need:
- 3-4 undershirts with snaps
- 3-4 cotton blankets
- 2-3 dozen diapers
- 2-3 one piece stretch suits or gowns
- Waterproof pants and diaper pins if using cloth diapers
Learn more about Your Prenatal Baby: Second Trimester from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.
