Bumpers! No. For decades, many crib bedding sets were sold with bumper. The idea was to keep a baby’s limbs from slipping between the crib slats or a baby’s head from banging against the sides.
But there’s no evidence that crib bumpers prevent injuries. And reports show that they can lead to suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment. Some bumpers also reduce the flow of fresh air in your baby’s crib, which is considered a contributing factor in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
If your baby is mobile and you’re concerned about their limbs getting stuck between the slats of the crib, consider zipping your baby into a safe and cozy sleep sack.
Bumpers on cribs
The safety standards for cribs require that the slats be close enough together (2 3/8 inches or less) so that a baby’s head can’t get wedged between them. That’s all the more reason to make sure that your baby’s crib meets safety requirements.
If you have crib bumpers, remove them from your baby’s crib and dispose of them.
And to reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS:
- Use a firm sleeping surface. Put your baby to sleep on a firm, flat mattress with only a fitted sheet under them. (It’s okay to put a thin, tight-fitting mattress pad under the sheet to protect against diaper leaks.) If your baby sleeps in a play yard or bassinet, use only the pad that comes with it – no extra cushions or padding.
- Keep your baby’s sleeping space empty. Don’t let your baby sleep with soft bedding, crib bumpers, loose blankets, stuffed animals, or pillows. They can lead to suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment.
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