Are Crib Bumpers Dangerous?
Crib bumper pads are pads that are covered with cloth and tied to the sides of a child's crib or bassinet. For years, parents have believed that crib bumpers keep their child safe by preventing a child's limbs from becoming stuck between the crib slats. Recent studies suggest that instead of keeping children safe, bumpers may actually be harmful to them.
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Entrapment
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It is easy for infants to become trapped between the space where the bumper pad meets the crib. Depending on the type of bumper pad used and the type of crib used, it can be difficult make sure that the pad is fitted tightly against the crib slats.
If there is a gap between the crib and the mattress, babies can get lodged underneath the bumper pad and get caught between the mattress and crib slats.
SIDS Risk
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Soft bedding, including crib bumpers, have been determined to be risk factors for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Soft and fluffy bedding may cause overheating, which can cause SIDS. In addition, the lack of oxygen flow caused by bumpers may cause a baby to "re-breathe" air or breathe in excess carbon dioxide, which has been associated with SIDS.
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Suffocation
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If a baby is placed close to the bumper pads when lying in a crib or a bassinet, he can suffocate. If a baby is old enough to roll over, he can roll into the crib bumper and become entangled in the pad, which can cause suffocation.
Also, a baby's head can become lodged between the bumper bad and another item in the crib such as a stuffed animal or a blanket. If the child can not get enough air or move his head to get air, he could suffocate.
Strangulation
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It's difficult to tie the bumper ties correctly and tightly. A loose bumper-pad tie can get wrapped around a baby and cause strangulation. Bumper ties can also get caught on baby clothing or twist around the clothing and create a safety hazard. To reduce the incidence of strangulation, ties should not exceed 9 inches. Parents should tie crib bumper ties outside the crib to further reduce any risks.
Injuries
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After a baby gets to a certain age, he or she will begin to roll over and move around the crib. It is easy for a mobile infant to get tangled and to sustain injuries. When an infant can pull himself up using the crib slats, he can also climb on the bumper pads. Infants can sustain bruises and bumps from falling after climbing on the bumper pads.
Some infants use the pads to crawl out of the crib. Babies who do this can sustain head, neck and face injuries from falling out of or climbing out of their cribs.
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