Why do crib sets come with bumpers

Why is action being taken now to protect infants from the potential dangers of crib bumpers? Reports in the Chicago Tribune from late and early alleged that federal regulators had known for years that crib bumpers posed a suffocation hazard but had failed to warn parents of the danger and took the CPSC to task for failing to investigate 17 of the 52 reports it had received over a year span of infant deaths where bumper pads were mentioned but not necessarily ruled as the cause of death.

Twenty-eight of those deaths had already been associated with bumper pads by the agency. The Tribune also found that since the federally funded National Center for Child Death Review has received 14 reports of infant suffocation in which a bumper was relevant in the death.

While the coverage in the Tribune pushed the CPSC to take a closer look at the safety of crib bumpers, local governments also started to act. On September 8, , Chicago became the first city in the U. Less than three weeks later, on September 28, , Maryland became the first state to propose a ban on sales of crib bumpers. Why are bumpers still so popular despite building evidence that they aren't safe?

For starters, many parents believe bumpers prevent injury from a baby's head hitting the sides of a crib, or from limbs getting stuck in the slats. And indeed, bumpers were first conceived to cover the space between crib slats so babies couldn't fall out or get their heads, arms or legs stuck between the bars. As to the question of safety, Moon explains that young babies for whom bumpers are designed, given that many carry a warning suggesting that they be removed from the crib once a baby can pull himself to standing don't have the muscle strength or coordination to fling themselves across the crib hard enough to really injure themselves.

Additionally, she adds, while it is possible for a baby to get an arm or a leg stuck between crib slats, it's virtually impossible to break a limb by doing so—which means that at most, the experience will be uncomfortable and upsetting, but not life-threatening, until a caregiver arrives to help.

Parents also buy bumpers because they think they're supposed to, given that they're sold in crib bedding sets, and because they just plain look good, explains Moon. And there's little question that modern nurseries tend to look cozier or more "finished" with bumpers, but Moon added that if parents stop buying bumpers and manufacturers stop making them, perhaps attention will ultimately be focused on other ways of making a nursery look cute.

Although the general counsel for the JPMA warned that should sales of bumpers be banned, parents might start to jerry-rig their own bumpers, Moon said, "There's always concern that parents are going to create things and make things when they see the need to do that. Our responsibility is to let parents know that some of these products are not safe, and we need to understand that this may be an issue and proactively talk to parents about these concerns so that perhaps they'll be less likely to do things like that.

My hope is that parents learn about these things in prenatal classes, through their obstetrician's offices, through other places like that before the baby is born and before they've actually gone out and purchased these products. As an alternative to traditional crib bumpers, some parents have turned to breathable, mesh bumpers or other bumper alternatives, but Moon said that the AAP does not suggest that parents buy them.

So, why have something in the crib if it's not there for a reason? April 21, More on Product Safety. Safe Sleep Tips. Room-share with your baby for the first six to 12 months: Put her in a freestanding bassinet or a sidecar bassinet next to your bed that allows you to touch and soothe her when needed. Wrapping your baby in a swaddle before placing him on his back on a firm, flat surface can help replicate the soothing environment of the womb so that he sleeps better.

Offer your baby a pacifier. Many babies have a strong sucking reflex and find sucking on a pacifier to be soothing. Research also shows that pacifiers are safe for infants and may reduce the risk of SIDS.

Know that spitting up aka reflux is normal and not necessarily a cause for concern. Do not prop your baby up on a padded wedge or an inclined product for sleep because this can increase the risk of suffocation. If, however, you think your baby is having problems due to reflux such as pain or poor weight gain , talk with your pediatrician. Sharing is Nice.

There are no federal regulations restricting the use of crib bumpers. There are industry standards that companies can follow voluntarily.

For instance, companies no longer sell plastic bumpers and the fabric bumpers are thinner than they once were. Safety experts want crib bumpers banned for sale. But bumpers have been considered such a problem that Chicago and the state of Maryland ban bumper sales in stores.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has advised parents not to use them, including the newer breathable mesh bumpers, and pediatricians regularly warn parents about them. In , Consumer Reports put bumpers on the " 13 dangerous baby products to avoid " list. However, the industry still considers them safe and you can buy them in nearly any baby store. For that reason, study co-author Dr.

Brad Thach , a pediatrician and professor at Washington University in St. Louis, argues more needs to be done. Read More. While babies may be able to bump their heads on the sides of a bumperless crib, infants don't have enough force to cause significant injury.