Crib bumpers

Q: Are crib bumpers safe?

In the past, choosing crib bumpers was part of the fun of decorating a nursery. They were also considered a safety feature, because there was a chance a baby’s head could slip through the slats of older-style cribs. Now, because of a new study, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents skip the crib bumpers altogether.

No matter how cozy they feel, or how gorgeous they look, bumpers may actually put children at greater risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, suffocation or death—especially for newborns or smaller babies, says Cheryl Alexander, developmental care program manager at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa.

Alexander, a neonatal intensive care nurse, says babies could possibly wedge up against, or get tangled up in, the bumpers. This is especially dangerous as an infant becomes more active, yet is not quite strong enough to turn away or wriggle out of a dangerous position. The AAP recommends that parents keep the crib clear of stuffed animals, pillows and other soft toys. Also consider the following, says Alexander:

  • Buy crib sheets that fit snugly around the mattress.
  • Check to be sure there are no broken or missing crib slats.
  •  All parts should be free of splits, cracks and other defects.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that cribs made after 1999 meet current guidelines requiring the slats to be no more than 23/8 inches apart. Not sure about yours? Try to pass a soda pop can (vertically) between the slats of the crib. Properly spaced slats will not allow the can to pass through.