Safety, standards and latest innovations for the baby's room

Categories: Baby's Room

In the baby's room, creating a reassuring and soothing environment is essential for parents, but this room must also be perfectly safe for your child's security. Over the years, safety recommendations have continuously evolved to guide parents more precisely regarding the risks faced by little ones. So what are the criteria for choosing a baby bed to ensure safe nights? What other points should you be mindful of in your child's room? Let's explain!

The first months: co-sleeping or cradle?

During the first 6 months of life, baby is particularly fragile and requires constant attention. Indeed, there is what we call sudden infant death syndrome that concerns all babies. Linked to several factors, this risk is especially present during the night. Therefore, the WHO provides several recommendations to parents to limit this risk.

Indeed, the World Health Organization recommends that parents share the same room with baby during the first 6 months, but not in any way. It is then possible to opt for:

  • A cradle in the parents' room: Smaller than a crib, it provides more containment and security. The cradle should be placed near the parents' bed so they can easily respond to baby's needs throughout the night.
  • The co-sleeping crib: The co-sleeping crib is a specific cradle that is placed as an extension of the parents' mattress, like a bed extension dedicated to baby. Access to the child is even more simplified and even allows parents to avoid getting up, which can be appreciated during breastfeeding.

However, regarding bed-sharing with baby, the WHO warns parents about very real risks of suffocation, crushing, falling, or overheating. Sharing the same room is therefore recommended, but sharing the same bed is not advised.

Choosing the right baby bed

Once baby is over 6 months old, parents can consider putting them in a crib so they have more space. This can remain in the parents' room for some time if baby needs it, or it might be time for the child to sleep in their own room.

Therefore, several recommendations should be considered when choosing the right baby bed.

The format

A baby bed can take different forms depending on parents' preferences. These include:

The convertible baby bed: The convertible baby bed allows transformation from a baby crib to a child's bed. It's therefore a more sustainable piece of furniture over time.

The classic baby bed: A standard crib, most often in 70x140 cm or 60x120 cm format.

The Montessori baby bed: Very close to the floor, it allows even very young children to gain autonomy in getting up and going to bed, and limits the risk of falling.

The combination baby bed: This is most often a convertible baby bed combined with other elements to create an all-in-one piece of furniture.

Selection criteria

Whether you decide to opt for a convertible baby bed or any other format, there are several criteria to consider to ensure your child's safety.

  • Choose a new or recent model to ensure it benefits from the latest safety standards in its manufacturing.
  • Preferably choose a physical or online store based in France or Europe so that the furniture has the CE marking (guaranteeing compliance with European manufacturing standards).
  • Choose brands specializing in children's furniture design to benefit from well-thought-out furniture.
  • Benefit from French expertise with a baby bed made in France.
  • Ensure that the wood used for your convertible or other baby bed is FSC or PEFC certified (from eco-managed forests), like our Archipel convertible baby bed for example.
  • Prefer a baby bed with water-based paint and/or varnish, without solvents.

How to make the baby's room safe?

Finally, beyond choosing your baby bed, you'll need to secure the entire room to provide your child with a perfectly safe environment. Therefore, several recommendations should be followed such as:

  • Properly secure all furniture that needs to be attached to the wall to prevent the risk of tipping over.
  • Make sure the room is healthy (no mold or other issues).
  • Heat the room to about 18°C and check that the humidity level is between (45% and 55%).
  • Protect outlets with appropriate covers.
  • Don't leave anything dangerous within baby's reach.
  • Avoid leaving electrical cords hanging (from lamps for example) that the child could pull on.
  • Place a non-slip net under the rug if there is one.
  • Only provide toys suitable for your child's age and store away the rest.

By maximizing your child's environment safety, you reduce the risk of incidents in the baby's room.