When you are setting up the nursery for your baby, one crucial step is the placement of the crib. The location you choose should be safe and comfortable for your little one.
Due to space constraints, many parents are tempted to place the crib under a window. But, can a crib go in front of a window?
In this article we will be answering this question, plus discussing the potential safety hazards of placing a crib near a window. Additionally, you will learn some important crib placement safety tips, including for placing it in front of a window.
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Can a Crib Go In Front Of or Under a Window?
Yes, a crib can go in front of or under a window, but there are many safety concerns.
For instance, crib placement next to a window is not recommended once your baby is moving around or pulling himself up. You can make arrangements for it to be safer for your baby to sleep near the window, but it’s best to avoid it if you can.
Reasons To Not Put a Crib In Front Of a Window
There are several important reasons (safety hazards) why you should not place the crib in front of the window. Let’s discuss them now.
1- Blinds / Curtains
When you place the crib in front of a window, the blinds or curtains are within your child’s reach. Once your baby is moving around he can try to pull down the curtain, which is very dangerous. Objects like curtains, blinds, curtain poles, or window decorations may fall on your child.
Moreover, your baby could be exposed to cords and wires from window coverings. Babies can reach and get entangled in these cords. If there are cords or wires on your window coverings, placing the crib under the window would pose a serious strangulation risk.
2- Glass & Screens
In the case of an accident or strong pressure, window glass may get shattered posing a risk of severe injury to your child. Events like earthquakes or storms may easily shatter window glass.
Older or faulty glass could easily shatter. A tree or utility pole near a window increases the risk as well.
Moreover, window screens are not designed to provide protection against falls. These factors make it dangerous to place a crib near a window.
3- Not Recommended By Medical Professionals
Placing the crib in front of the window is also not recommended by medical professionals.
According to healthychildren.org:
“To prevent the most serious of falls and to keep children from getting caught in cords from hanging window blinds or draperies and strangling, don’t place a crib—or any other child’s bed—near a window.”
Similarly, WebMD states:
“Never put your baby’s crib near a window. Babies and toddlers can get caught in drapes or window blind cords — even fall through window screens.”
4- Sleep Disruption
Placing a crib in front of a window could also cause sleep disturbances. Your baby may be exposed to direct sunlight. The window glass may also cause a glaring effect.
The brightness and noise near windows prevent your baby from resting properly. It may also cause him to have trouble falling asleep.
5- Window Opening Risk
If your baby sleeps near a window, it gives him access to the window mechanisms such as levers and handles. Your little one may accidentally open the window if he gets curious.
6- Insects
Small holes or spaces in the window could allow small bugs and insects to come into the nursery. If your baby is sleeping near the window he has increased exposure to bugs coming inside, and in turn to getting more bug bites.
7- Climbing Hazard
Children are curious creatures. Your baby will try to climb out of the crib. An open window adds an additional hazard. The little one may try to climb out of the window as well.
8- Temperature Fluctuations
The temperature near windows fluctuates more. These fluctuations could cause your baby to be more uncomfortable when sleeping. It could also negatively affect his health.
Crib Placement Safety Tips
Your baby will be spending a lot of time in the crib unsupervised. You will want to make sure that the crib is placed in a secure position.
This will ensure that your baby remains safe while you are not there. For help placing your crib in a safe spot, here are some very important safety tips for crib placement and location.
- Near parents: Place the crib in an area where it is easy to supervise your baby. I recommend placing the crib in a position where you can see it when the nursery door is open. It’s optimal to have the crib in a spot where you can reach your baby as soon as possible when entering the nursery.
- Stable floor: Put the crib where the floor is stable. Placing it on an uneven surface is not recommended.
- Away from window: It is recommend to place the crib at least 2 to 3 feet away from windows.
- Away from wall decor and hangings: There should be no wall hangings or decorations above the crib because they could fall on your baby.
- Away from air conditioner and/or heater: Your baby may be uncomfortable or get sick more often through exposure to very low or very high temperatures.
- Away from electric equipment: Keep any electrical equipment in your baby’s room away from the crib. There should be no electrical cords or wires near the crib either.
- Whole crib visible on baby monitor: If you have a video baby monitor, it’s best to be able to see the whole crib on the baby monitor. Install the camera in such a place that you can easily view the whole crib.
- Safe distance from other nursery furniture: Furniture such as toy shelves, dressers, and bookshelves should be away from the crib. This prevents your child from climbing on to the other furniture or grabbing things from them.
- Away from direct sunlight: It’s best for your baby’s comfort to place the crib in an area where there is no direct sunlight during the day.
In addition to these tips, it’s important to check the crib from time to time to ensure that it remains safe for your baby.
How To Safely Put a Crib In Front Of a Window When You Have To
Placing a crib near a window is generally not the safest option and and not recommended. But, it is not uncommon to have no other option.
For instance, I have twins and they share a room. For safety reasons, twin sleeping arrangements involves no crib sharing after the newborn phase.
With two cribs in a room, one of those cribs did get placed in front of a window. Additionally, my son has a very small room and his crib was also partially in front of a window out of necessity. If you have no other option, here are some important safety guidelines to follow.
- Cordless Blinds – Investing in cordless blinds removes the risk of your child being entangled in cords that are attached to blinds. If you do have blinds with cords, you can securely fasten the blind cords in a way that your child cannot reach them. To do this, get and install child safety blind cord holders.
- Window Guards – These prevent the window from opening too wide. There should not be enough space for your baby to climb out of the window.
- Blackout Curtains or Shades – Using nursery blackout curtains or shades will block the sunlight. Your baby’s sleep will not be disturbed due to the room being too bright. Moreover, blackout shades help reduce temperature fluctuations near the window.
- Inaccessible Window – Check how high the window is from the top of the crib mattress. Ideally the window should be inaccessible for your child. You can drag the crib one to two feet away from the window to make the window inaccessible, if needed.
- Bug-proof Window – Thoroughly check the window for any small holes or openings where insects could come inside. Fill in holes and replace screens as needed.
- Inspect Window Regularly – It is very important to regularly check the window for safety. If any window parts are broken or faulty, repair or replace them.
If you can avoid putting a crib in front of a window – that is preferred.
You might be tempted to place your baby’s crib in front of or under a window, but this crib placement is not recommended because of a number of safety hazards. Your baby may get entangled in blind cords or accidently pull down window coverings.
Additionally, placing a crib near a window may put your baby’s sleep habits at risk due to fluctuating temperature, brightness, and noises. If possible, it is best to place the crib at least 2 to 3 feet away from windows where there are no hanging objects, cords, wires, sunlight, or severe temperature fluctuations.
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