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Re-activateWith cribs, our motto is "bare is best," which means nothing in the crib except a crib mattress and tight-fitting top sheet--no blankets, sleep positioners, pillows, or stuffed animals, all of which pose suffocation and SIDS risks. The same goes for crib bumpers.
Crib bumpers are designed to help keep a baby's limbs in the crib, but the risks of using one are much greater than the consequences of possibly getting an arm or leg wedged between crib slats, according to a recent Pediatrics study, from the Washington University School of Medicine, in St. Louis.
The study, which analyzed three U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission databases for deaths related to crib bumper and crib-related injuries from 1985 to 2005, found that 27 children from 1 month to 2 years old died from suffocation or strangulation related to bumper pads or their ties. The study also found 25 nonfatal injuries attributed to bumpers.
Besides suffocation and strangulation, bumpers can also increase the risk of SIDS, says Laura Reno, vice president for public affairs at First Candle, a nonprofit organization in Baltimore dedicated to advancing infant health and survival. "If a baby gets his face against a bumper, he could rebreathe exhaled carbon dioxide instead of fresh air. The lack of enough oxygen could trigger a SIDS incident in babies who are susceptible to it," she says.
To play it safe, keep your baby's crib bare and bumper-less.
See more safe sleeping tips for babies, and our play yards Ratings report for related information.
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