Lately, many parents come into the store and say some
version of, “I thought bumpers were bad, or illegal. Am I not allowed to have a
bumper anymore?” I’ve heard the worry in parents’ voices for quite some time.
They’re worried because they’re afraid bumpers are dangerous, or because they
like the idea of a bumper and they’re afraid they’ll no longer get to use them.
In light of that, we’d like to ease your mind a bit! Here’s Dana’s take on the
use of bumpers in cribs…
The nitty gritty: Safety
has always been our number one priority. I keep a safety binder in the store
with information related to sleep safety, including SIDS and bumpers. I believe
it’s important for us to have a safe sleep environment for our babies. I also
believe it’s important for us to educate ourselves beyond the headlines. In
2007 there was an article written about the correlation between bumpers and
SIDS – and it planted a seed. The results were actually brought into question,
but that has now gotten into people’s minds, and it’s gotten into the media. The
risk statistics for bumpers are very low. There have probably been a total of
20 cases in the last 20 years that there may potentially have been a
correlation between the bumper and the death of a baby. That being said, there’s
usually another issue – something else in the crib. It’s not a child getting
caught under a bumper, it’s when there’s something like a sleep positioner, a
heavy blanket, adult pillows, etc. Those are the more problematic pieces that
parents should be more concerned about.
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| Newport cottages crib with 3 piece bedding set including bumper |
How we like our
bumpers: We believe bumpers can and should be used safely. Bumpers should
be tall, thin, non-pillow-like and tied securely to the top and the bottom. They
play a role – to keep kids’ limbs from going through the slats on the crib.
They also create a softer, cozier environment. They keep your tiny newborn from
being placed in a sterile looking crib up against wooden slats.
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| Thin bumper, with secure tie |
The legal side: The
Maryland legislature has put up a proposal to ban bumpers, and now they’re
looking for public comments. We have provided comments, the JPMA has provided
comments, and many others have weighed in on both sides of the issue. The JPMA
would like for official standards to be put in place, but many officials
believe that instead of giving people guidelines, it’s easier to just say they
should not use bumpers at all. At this point, there are no legal issues with
bumpers.
What this means for
your crib: We follow the JPMA safety standards for bumpers. We recommend
you do your research, decide what works for you, and we’ll work with that. I
can design you a fabulous crib set with or without a bumper!
Did you or will you
use bumpers in your crib? What do you think of the Maryland legislature’s
proposed ban on bumpers?
I use the breathable bumpers as both of my kids got their legs stuck between the slats before installing the bumpers. They are very thin and I now don't have to worry about a leg out of the crib. My son's has baseballs & footballs on them which give him something to look at.
ReplyDeleteMy son is 8 months old and we have used a crib bumper from day one. I am NO expert, but have thought about this a lot -- the utmost safety of my child is #1. I find the scare of bumper use to be exaggerated. I wonder if the deaths from bumpers were actually a result of a baby with other problems (sickly from something), or from the bumper not being affixed to the side of the crib properly, or the baby being left unattended for a period of time. When my baby was really young, he wasn't moving around enough in the crib to get mysteriously stuck in the bumper. As he did start moving more, he became strong and vocalized if he ever found himself in an uncomfortable position. My crib bumper is tied tightly to the slats on the crib which provide the softest barrier for my little guy to roll about and get to sleep. All of this is done of course under my careful eye, I also have a video monitor with sound for when he is in his room alone. Here's a pic of my crib: http://instagram.com/p/OrJRIHwVTO/ Dana did help design the ensemble and I just love it. (No this isn't a sponsored post. :) I just love Daisy Baby and find it important to support local businesses, especially from someone who is so passionate about what she sells.)
ReplyDelete-Katie
I used a bumper with my daughter (almost 3) and also plan to with my youngest once they move to their crib. If anything, the bumper kept my oldest from hitting her head as she was a VERY active sleeper! I was never worried that she would get caught as the bumper was ALWAYS tied tightly to the crib at all times. We also kept a video monitor in her room should we need to look in on her. Use one, don't use one- totally your choice but please don't make a panicked decision.
ReplyDelete