Mesh Crib Bumper Safety

The crib is an essential component of any nursery.

Preparing the nursery for your new arrival can be an exciting time. The cornerstone of the nursery is the crib, as it is where your child will, hopefully, spend many restful hours. When choosing a crib and crib accessories, it is important to consider safety issues as well as aesthetics. Crib bumpers are believed to pose serious health risks to infants, however, mesh crib bumpers are designed to address many of those safety concerns.

What is a bumper?

The green crib bumper provides padding and covers crib slats.

Crib bumpers are pads that line the interior sides of a crib. They are generally about eight inches high, and often come as part of a complete bedding set. Bumpers are usually attached to the crib by strings or ribbon, though there are some that attach with snaps or hook and loop fasteners. Traditional bumpers are thick and plush, but more recently thin mesh bumpers have gained in popularity.

Why use a bumper?

Bumpers prevent little feet from slipping through crib slats.

Many parents use crib bumpers to prevent their children from getting head, hands or feet caught between the slats of the crib. The padded bumpers can also provide protection for babies who might hit their heads against the hard sides of the crib. Bumpers can also help keep toys and other small items from falling out of the crib. Some parents just like the way bumpers look.

Concerns

Recently, crib bumpers have been deemed unsafe by many groups and organizations. One of the primary safety concerns is the risk of suffocation. If a child were to get his face wedged up against a thick bumper, he could suffocate. Additionally, there are concerns that the ties and ribbons used to secure the bumpers in place can cause injury and death. For the older child, the bumper can be used as a step to climb up the sides of the crib and tumble out.

Mesh versus padded bumpers

Mesh bumpers can be a safe alternative to the padded bumpers. Thin mesh bumpers are "breathable", thus reducing the risk of suffocation. For parents who want to cover the slats of the crib, mesh can be a much safer alternative. The mesh bumpers do not protect against head bumps on the hard sides of the crib; however, it is unlikely that a small child could hit her head against the crib with enough force to do any permanent damage to herself. Consumer Reports suggests that if you are going to use a crib bumper, you should use a mesh bumper instead of a padded one.

Safe Installation

Hook and loop fasteners can eliminate the need for cords.

In order to ensure that your mesh bumper is not hazardous, there are some key installation issues to consider. First, make sure that the bumper is securely attached to the sides of the crib. A baby can get tangled in a loose-fitting bumper and get injured. Also make sure that all ties are short and securely fastened. Loose, dangling ties can lead to strangulation. If possible, find bumpers that secure with snaps or hook and loop fasteners to avoid the cord issue altogether. Finally, remove the bumper when your child is old enough to start climbing the sides of the crib.

References

• Consumer Reports: Crib Safety