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?
