Sadly, several documented infant deaths have been specifically attributed to crib bumpers. Many professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Health Canada, and the First Candle SIDS Alliance, strongly discourage the use of bumper pads. These agencies believe that the risk of using crib bumpers outweighs the risk of not using them. Despite the warnings, many parents continue to use bumper pads. The following guidelines will help parents select safer options for bumper pads.
Mesh Bumpers
Mesh bumpers are becoming a popular and much safer option to traditional crib bumpers. This breathable material allows air to circulate to baby while keeping his limbs contained within the crib. BreathableBaby markets two products, the CribShield System and the Breathable Bumper. These products have many features that make a safer option to traditional crib bumpers. The CribShield covers the slats of the crib from top to bottom. However, the CribShield can only be used with standard slatted-style cribs. The Breathable Bumper will accommodate a wider variety of crib styles, but does not cover the entire sides of the crib.
Advantages of BreathableBaby Mesh Bumpers
- Traditional crib bumpers should be removed from the crib when baby begins to pull up or stand. This extra padding may provide the baby with the extra boost needed to escape from the crib and suffer an injury from a fall. BreathableBaby's product can remain in the crib throughout the child's development.
- The breathable fabric reduces the risk of suffocation, re-breathing, and nasal/oral compression.
- Mesh bumpers secure with velcro rather than dangerous ties. Documented deaths have occurred due to strangulations by bumper ties.
- These products are able to be machine washed and dried.
Selecting Safer Traditional Bumpers
Infant deaths caused by crib bumper pads have been grouped into three different categories. The bumper pad is either attributed to the baby's death by coming into close proximity to the mouth and/or nose, by causing the infant's head to become wedged between the pad and another surface (the majority of cases), or by the bumper pads strings becoming wrapped around the neck.
This information provides the knowledge that can help parents be selective in choosing traditional bumpers. Parents should be clear in understanding that regardless of safety standards, traditional bumpers pose greater risk to infants than using mesh bumpers or using no bumpers at all. Researchers Thach, Rutherford, and Harris firmly state that crib bumpers do not in any way prevent infant deaths (2007). However, if parents chose to ignore the safety warnings against bumper pads, at the least, they should be sure to scrutinize their crib bumpers for the following points.
- Crib tie length. Crib ties should be between 7 and 9 inches long. Ties shorter than 7 inches can not be tied securely. Ties longer than 9 inches have a greater potential to cause strangulation. Authors Denise and Alan Fields investigated crib bumpers and looked specifically at the length of the ties. 12 out of 22 popular brands currently being sold do not meet the voluntary code of federal regulations set by the American Society for Testing Materials. If parents find their ties exceed 9 inches, they should cut the ties to the industry standard length.
- Crib tie placement. Crib bumper ties should be located on the top and bottom of the bumper. Denise and Alan Fields also found that ten popular manufacturer's only have ties at the top of the bumper pad. There should be 12-16 well-sewn ties located along the top and along the bottom of the pad to help ensure proper placement of the pad. If a crib bumper has an insufficient number of ties, parents should strongly consider securely sewing on additional ties.
- No overlap or gaps. The crib bumper should fit the crib precisely without gaps or overlapping. Overlapping and gapping likely will increase the risk of baby becoming entrapped in the padding.
- Not "pillow-like." Unfortunately, this aspect is very subjective. Parents may differ how they judge this standard. Thach and others explained that if bumpers are too firm then they run the risk of exerting force back on the child's mouth and nose. This may lead to oral and nasal compression which could cause asphyxiation. Padding that is too soft or too thick can contribute to asphyxiation through re-breathing air. The bottom-line parents who wish to use traditional bumpers should make sure that the batting is thin and neither too firm or too soft.
Parents can be assured that bumper pads are not a necessary bedding item. If crib bumpers are desired, parents should know what to look for in order to improve infant safety. However, professionals agree that the safer crib is the crib absent of bumper pads.
For a detailed explanation of the research and statistics on crib deaths associated with bumper pads, please review Crib Bumpers and Infant Safety: The Danger of Bumper Pads to Babies (Editor's Choice Award Winner). For related reading: Safe Crib Sheets Made with Quality: Infant Bedding Buying Guide.
References:
American Society for Testing and Materials. "Standard consumer safety performance specification for infant bedding and related accessories, 2000, voluntary safety standard for bumper pads." 15.07. Code of Federal Regulations. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 2000.
Bradley T. Thach, MD; George W. Rutherford, JR, MS; and Kathleen Harris. "Deaths and Injuries Attributed to Infant Crib Bumper Pads." Journal of Pediatrics 2007;151:271-4.
Fields, Alan and Denise. Baby Bargains. Windsor Peak Press. 2008.
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