Are Crib Bumpers Safe?

07 Mar Are Crib Bumpers Safe?

Setting up the crib for your baby is an exciting process for new parents. However, many parents aren’t sure about what should and should not go in that crib. One of the biggest questions we get as medical experts have to do with crib bumpers.

These popular, cushioned objects claim to provide a level of safety for delicate babies while they spend time in their crib. However, no matter what the claims behind these bumpers are, they are not safe and should not be in any baby’s crib.

These crib bumpers can easily get detached and pose a serious risk for babies. There should be nothing in the crib with your baby other than a mattress and a fitted sheet or mattress cover. All your baby really needs to sleep comfortably is a flat, soft surface. This means no crib bumpers, no thick blankets, and no stuffed animals.

We stress this because of the potential suffocation issues that crib bumpers present. While most parents have heard about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS, and crib death, many do not realize that over the past decade there have been so many new, unsafe devices, being marketed to parents. Because of products like this, such as crib bumpers, suffocation has now surpassed SIDS as a leading cause of death in infants.

So, this means that many well-intentioned parents who may think they are adding crib bumpers to make their baby’s crib safer and more comfortable could accidentally be putting them in harm’s way. And it isn’t just crib bumpers either. Issues with suffocation have been linked to positioning devices, thick blankets, and even certain types of swings.

So, even though you may think cute crib bumpers are an “Instagrammable” addition to your baby’s nursery, they should be avoided. There are plenty of other ways to help bring a sense of fun and style to your baby’s crib without crib bumpers. Focus your creative talents on furniture, accents walls, light fixtures, and that adorable nursery theme you found on Pinterest—but leave the crib as bare-bones as possible.

Here at Continuum Pediatrics, we do not recommend using crib bumpers. If you have questions about crib bumpers and other safe sleeping practices, contact us directly at 817-617-8600 to schedule an appointment today.