Expecting a baby and preparing a room for her must be one of the most beautiful experiences. It makes everything seem so real, doesn’t it? Well, it makes the worries for her well-being a bit more real, too. The first questions start to arise, such as should you put her crib in front of a window?
You may have already placed her crib there and it looks like one of the many adorable nurseries you’ve saved on your Pinterest board for inspiration. You imagine your little one sleeping while sunlight shines down on her…
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but no matter how beautiful it looks, it might not be the best idea to place it next to the window.
As a parent or a parent-to-be, you probably feel plenty of responsibility to create a safe environment for your baby. Decorating your little one’s nursery can be overwhelming, especially when everything suddenly seems like a potential hazard.
Well, keeping your little one’s crib in front of a window is definitely one, and for many reasons that we’ll mention here. Together, we’ll find out why is keeping a crib in front of a window a bad idea, what you can do about it (if it’s absolutely necessary), and what are some better ideas for crib placement.
Reasons why you shouldn’t put a crib in front of a window
Placing your baby’s crib next to a window carries several risks to the safety of your little one. You can’t always keep an eye on your baby, and accidents sometimes happen. Because of that, you should take all precautions to avoid them as much as possible.
Unfortunately, injuries that would’ve never crossed your mind do happen, such as curtains falling or your little one getting caught up in cords. We’ll list some of the most important reasons why you should consider putting your baby’s crib somewhere else.
1. The risk of strangulation
Once your baby’s a few months old, she’ll want to touch everything. And I mean everything. Most of the time, she’ll also want to taste pretty much anything that comes into her little hand. Because of that, our little ones often get entangled in things.
Although they’re great at getting tangled, they’re not so good at getting out. Placing your baby’s crib in front of the window might lead to her getting tangled up in a cord, which could lead to some serious injuries.
Even if you install cleats that you can use to wrap the cords, there’s still a chance for your baby to reach them. If you have any strings in your house, make sure you don’t put the furniture that your little one can climb anywhere near them. Especially not in their room.
2. The fluctuation of temperature
Even if you think your windows have good insulation, that isn’t always the case. If you put your baby’s crib near them, you’re putting her at risk of developing cold and other health-related issues.
You can try it yourself during winter. Stand near a window for a few minutes and you’ll start noticing how much colder that part of your home is. In winter, your baby’s room might become colder, and her crib would be the first one to be affected by it.
On the other hand, the direct sunlight in the summer might make your baby’s crib too hot. Overall, it’s best to avoid it altogether.
3. There’s a risk of the window breaking
Whether it’s due to the differences in temperature, a bird flying into it, or a kid throwing a rock at the glass, your nursery room window can shatter. This is especially dangerous if you live in an area that’s prone to earthquakes.
If your baby’s crib is placed too close to the window, the glass could go all over it in case it breaks. Although there are some ways you can prevent this from happening, such as installing a UV filter that can stop glass from shattering, it’s best to be safe and place the crib somewhere else.
4. The risk of curtains falling down
If you’ve placed your baby’s crib in front of the window, there’s a high chance you also have curtains or blinds on it. Although it might seem like a good idea because it protects your little one from direct sunlight, there’s another potential hazard that comes to my mind – the risk of them falling down.
It’s not unusual for blinds to fall down on their own. Since your baby will be placed right below the window, she’ll be directly affected if this incident happens, which could seriously harm her or even obstruct her breathing.
5. The risk of bugs
I hate to even think about insects crawling into my little niece’s crib. Whether it’s my fear of bugs or the fact that they could bite or sting her, I don’t know, but one thing is for sure – I’d do everything to prevent that from happening.
You might believe your windows are perfectly sealed, but even the tiniest crack can be enough for insects to get into your baby’s room. Not only could they make her crib their new home, but they could also bite your baby, which could lead to discomfort or even allergic reactions.
6. Your climber’s at risk of falling out
Although your little one might be a peaceful newborn now, in no time she’ll try to go up pretty much everything you can think of. Putting her crib in front of the window can be really dangerous, as she’ll probably try to climb it at some point.
Our little ones have no sense of danger. Because of that, we have to think for them most of the time. When they see a window from their cribs, they’ll cry to climb it even if it’s open, without any sense of the possibility they might fall out and seriously injure themselves.
To avoid giving your toddler any crazy ideas, it’s best to avoid putting her crib near the window, even if moms with cute Pinterest nurseries think it’s a good idea. Your baby’s safety comes first.
What if there’s no other solution?
However, if there’s absolutely no other solution and you must put your little one’s crib in front of the window, there are things you can do to still keep her safe. Here are some ideas:
1. Put the crib diagonally
If there’s no plain wall in your nursery and you have absolutely no other chance but to place your little one in front of the window, try positioning her crib diagonally. That way, your baby will be placed far enough not to be able to climb it. It won’t look too bad, either.
2. Check the height
If you must place your little one’s crib in front of the window, check its height first. If your window is positioned higher up, then this arrangement in your nursery might not be that big of an issue.
Sure, there’s still a chance for bugs to come in and the problem of temperature fluctuations, but at least your baby won’t be able to climb the window and injure herself. If your window is lower, then we recommend you try and think of a better solution.
3. Babyproof your window
Of course, just like everything else in your house, the windows in your little one’s room need to be baby-proofed. Examine them and seal them shut. Make sure that the frame has no holes where bugs can pass through.
Lots of old windows are drafty. If that’s the case with yours, make sure you repair it as soon as possible, especially if winter is coming soon. This will make a lot of difference in how your baby sleeps and the overall safety of her environment.
If you can, get windows that have tempered glass. That way, you won’t have to worry about them breaking at any point.
4. Cordless blinds are the way to go
Cords and strings are a big hazard in a home ruled by a toddler. If they’re anywhere near your baby’s crib, they become even more dangerous. Because of that, it’s best to avoid having them altogether.
If you’re looking for a good alternative, we recommend getting blinds that have wires instead of cords. They work in a similar manner, as you use them to lift or lower the blinds.
Where’s the best place to put a crib
So, if not by the window, then where should you put your baby’s crib? Well, there are plenty of options, but two stand out the most: along a wall and in the middle of the room.
A plain wall with no cords or outlets would be an ideal place to put your baby’s crib. If there’s no outlet-free wall in your room, we recommend baby-proofing it before putting your little one’s crib next to it.
If you’d like to keep your nursery trendy and your baby totally safe, put her crib in the middle of the room. You won’t have to worry about any hazards we’ve mentioned before, and you’ll be able to decorate the rest of the nursery however you’d like.
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