When Does a Baby Not Need Bumper Pads?
Bumper pads are long fabric strips, often fluffy, that fit around the inside of a crib. The original intent was for decorative flare and bumping protection. Consumer safety experts contend that bumper pads are not safe for babies of any age.
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General Safety Guidelines
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Not only are baby bumper pads not recommended, there is evidence they actually cause harm to some infants, according to Healthy Children Magazine. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that if you do use bumper pads, they should be thin and well-secured.
Crib Safety
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Some parents feel bumper pads protect a baby from falling out of cribs with wide slats. In this case, parents should buy a new crib with slats closer apart than the width of a soda can rather than bumper pads to protect their baby, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
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SIDS
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Bumper pads can cause suffocation and have been linked to sudden infant death syndrome. Because of that, doctors suggest never using bumper pads or pillows in the crib, according to Healthy Child Care America.
Newborns
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Newborns lack the ability and coordination to move themselves away from things that could inhibit their breathing, like bumper pads. Even if babies can't yet roll over, they may be able to wiggle their way around cribs, making bumper pads potentially dangerous.
Over 6 Months
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After 6 months of age, the risk of SIDS is much lower, as most babies can roll over and control their bodies. Because of this, bumper pads aren't needed for bump protection.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of David Goehring
