What can I do with crib bumpers?

Crib bumpers are pads that line the inside of a crib. They are meant to prevent babies from getting an arm or leg stuck between the crib boards, or to protect them against rolling their heads into the hard slats. They are also sometimes used to keep pacifiers from falling out of the crib.

Why are crib bumpers no longer used?

The Safe Sleep for Babies Act now prohibits the manufacture and sale of padded crib bumpers. Even mesh or “breathable” crib bumpers pose a risk of entrapment and strangulation, and older kids can use them to help climb out of a crib, causing a fall.

Why you shouldn’t use a crib bumper?

Using a crib bumper pad may put your baby at greater risk for suffocation, SIDS, strangulation, and even falls. Bumper pads also can reduce air flow, lead to rebreathing stale air, and cause overheating. Additionally, child safety organizations recommend against crib bumpers because they pose a risk of suffocation.

When can crib bumpers be used?

Before 4 to 9 months old, babies can roll face-first into a crib bumper — the equivalent of using a pillow. There’s certainly a theoretical risk of suffocation. After 9 to 10 months old, most infants can pull themselves to a standing position, and use the crib bumper as a step to fall out of the crib.

Can you use crib bumpers after 1?

Crib bumpers are not designed to be used for babies who are 1 year old and below. Your child needs to be more than a year old if you’re planning to use crib bumpers. There are many crib bumpers available these days with mesh designs and breathable fabrics.

Do you really need crib bumper?

Bumper pads are of little use in keeping a baby safe, according to the AAP. They may appear to be a great way to protect your baby, but crib bumpers increase an infant’s risk of accidental suffocation and entrapment.

Are mesh crib bumpers banned?

President Biden signed the Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021 on Monday, outlawing the manufacture and sale of crib bumpers and certain inclined infant sleepers.

Are crib bumpers safe for 18 month old?

Statistics show baby crib bumpers in particular can pose serious—sometimes fatal—risks for infants. Data from the CPSC shows that between 1990 and 2019, 113 babies died in incidents where a crib bumper was used in the crib. Between 2008 and 2019, another 113 babies were injured or involved in bumper-related concerns.