Baby Gifts: 7 Tips To Determine What´s Safe and What´s Not

Whether you are preparing for your own nursery or buying a baby shower gift, knowing which products are safe can be a challenge. No one wants to invite trouble into the baby´s room, so here are some tips to be sure you choose a gift that is not only special but safe for the baby.

What´s Safe?

Age-Appropriate: Take note of the toy manufacturer´s guidelines listed on the product and follow them. They are not casual suggestions, but important in the determining whether the design or skill level will be a good fit for the child.

Quality Construction: Durable products made of molded plastic, wood or non-toxic materials are a safe choice. Inspect clothes, blankets and plush items to make sure they are sewn securely with double-stitched seams. Check for reinforced tails on stuffed animals and that they don´t have buttons, yarn, ribbon or anything that could be taken off and placed in the child´s mouth.

Good Condition: New or slightly used toys should be in good condition with no missing or broken parts, peeling paint or frayed areas that could pose a danger. Remember, a toy doesn´t have to be "used" to be in poor condition. Even new toys that have been over-handled in the store can be a threat. Inspect toys carefully.

What´s Not?

Size-Appropriate: This applies to the size of the child vs. the size of the toy. Reconsider an item that is too heavy and may pose a problem if it fell on the child. Another possible threat comes from toys that are intentionally purchased bigger than needed, like skates or bikes, so that the child can have room to grow. However, a bike that´s too big may leave the child struggling to keep up and open the door to danger.

Crib Care: Doctors now recommend that soft bedding and toys not be used in infant cribs to prevent suffocation hazards. Fitted sheets and cozy sleeping bags are suggested instead. Stuffed toys and blankets are still great gift ideas, but are best when used outside of the crib.

Choking Hazards: At young ages, most children discover the world around them by putting everything in their mouths. Avoid items that are smaller than the size of the child´s mouth until at least 3-years-old. Here´s an easy way to identify items that are too small for the child: If it can fit through a toilet paper roll, it´s too small and could present a choking hazard.

Magnets: Magnets may be small, but they are powerful. Avoid toys that include small magnets that can fall out or be swallowed. Even two magnets (or a magnet and a metal object) can cause problems in the intestines, resulting in twisting, pinching or blocking if not discovered quickly. In 2007, the Consumer Products Safety Commission named magnets the #1 hidden-home hazard.

Remember, these are only general guidelines. Always take the child´s specific needs and developmental skills into consideration. Even though the toy with moving parts may be recommended for a 4-year-old child but your child still puts items in his mouth, it may not be the right toy for your child.

This article was brought to you by CornerStorkBabyGifts.com, an online retail company specializing in boutique-quality baby gifts and baby shower favors. We are also dedicated to providing informative articles on pregnancy and prenatal health, infant and baby health, infant and baby safety, parenting skills and strategies, child abuse and other topics of interest to mothers- and fathers-to-be, parents and the public.