Can you have bumpers in a crib

Just be sure to stop swaddling your baby before they start rolling over on their own. At that point, turn to a sleep sack to help your baby stay warm at night. The good news is that swaddles are multi-purpose and you can continue using them long after your newborn outgrows them. Once your baby outgrows swaddling, put these blankets to use as a changing pad, stroller cover, burp cloth, nursing cover, or light blanket.

A bassinet is convenient because of its small size, which makes it easier for your baby to sleep in the same room as you. The drawback is that your baby will outgrow it within a few months. Part of the idea behind crib bumpers is that they keep your baby well away from the crib slats and any limb entanglement. Instead, simply ensure that the crib slats are no wider than two and three-eighths inches apart.

While opting for hand-me-downs is a great idea for clothes and other baby items, a crib is something you may want to consider buying new. As we mentioned, a new crib helps ensure that it is up to current safety standards.

Plus, a used crib might appear to be in good condition but have loose or missing pieces. If you want, you can get a professional to do the assembly. Or do it yourself. Just be sure that you follow the instructions carefully and inspect the crib thoroughly after.

Once the crib is assembled and ready to go, check the fit of the mattress inside the crib. The mattress should fit snugly without any big gaps between it and the sides of the crib.

For tips on how to choose the right crib mattress size, read our article here. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your baby sleep in your room for at least the first six months of their life and ideally the first year. This is called room-sharing. That said, keep in mind that how long you room-share is a personal decision for each family, and your lifestyle and family dynamics will affect your decision.

While room-sharing is recommended, sharing your bed with your baby known as co-sleeping is not considered safe. While your baby needs tummy time during their waking hours, when you put them down for a nap or bedtime, they should be on their back, not their side or tummy. Louis looked at infant deaths attributed to crib bumpers from to and found that 27 children under the age of 2 died due to strangulation or suffocation by bumper pads or their ties.

The study also found another 25 children who were injured but not killed by bumper pads. Often, parents do not remove the bumper pads once their baby can stand up in the crib. The bumper can provide a foothold that could allow your baby to climb out of the crib and fall. Toddlers also may use bumper pads to assist climbing out of crib, leading to falls and injury.

Some major children's safety organizations have suggested that parents remove crib bumper pads from baby cribs. This statement was released alongside an analysis of fatal and non-fatal incidents involving bumper pads. These incidents happened between and Meanwhile, some states like Maryland and Ohio have already banned the sale of crib bumper pads while other states have legislation pending that would ban their sale.

Because many infant safety organizations as well as the AAP recommend that nothing be inside the crib at all, the safest route for parents and babies is to remove crib bumper pads altogether.

This recommendation also means that even breathable or mesh bumpers as well as slat covers should not be used either, according to the AAP.

There is no evidence that these various types of bumper pads and slat covers provide any type of benefit. Meanwhile, if you are concerned that your baby might get cold in the middle of the night, don't be tempted to use a blanket or sheepskin. Instead, consider dressing your baby in a onesie and a sleep sack. You also should make sure that your baby's room is at a comfortable temperature.

Each year, more than 3, babies die suddenly and unexpectedly while sleeping. Most of the time, these deaths are the result of SIDS, suffocation, or strangulation. Consequently, the AAP offers a number of recommendations on how to create a safe sleep environment.

Here's what you need to know about implementing safe sleep practices. If you are currently using a crib bumper pad, you should remove it right away. These products, while cute, are not safe for your baby. When it comes to your baby's crib, they really don't need any extra stuff. Your best bet for a safe sleep space is to choose a cute crib sheet, dress your baby in pajamas or a wearable blanket, and leave everything else out of the crib.

Doing so will help prevent an accident while sleeping like suffocation, strangulation, or SIDS. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. That's not to say that a child can never be injured by the crib slats. Laos says. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of a SIDS or sleep-related infant deaths. You might have seen products that are marketed as eliminating the chances of suffocation. But doctors don't recommend using those, either.

What's more, as kids get older, the risk of SIDS lowers, but they can use some bumpers as leverage to try and jump out. To lower the risk of SIDS or other sleep-related injuries or deaths, experts recommend taking these precautions:. Product Reviews. You might be tempted to turn to crib bumper pads as a solution—but are crib bumpers safe? The short answer: No. Keep reading to find out what experts say about crib bumper safety and what alternatives you may want to use instead.

In this article: What is a crib bumper? Are crib bumpers safe? Crib bumper alternatives. To keep their little ones safe, some parents used to turn to baby crib bumpers, which were thought to provide a protective bubble for baby when in the crib. Crib bumpers were and sometimes still are marketed as stylish additions to a nursery.

Certain retailers may promote crib bumper pads as the perfect complement to your nursery design, but the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission CPSC do not agree—in fact, experts have been warning of the risks of crib bumpers for quite some time. A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics concluded that crib bumpers are unsafe because they can suffocate or strangle an infant. Read on to learn more about the dangers associated with crib bumper pads and why you should avoid them.

The answer is a big, resounding no. The concern is that an infant could suffocate if their nose and mouth get trapped under or against the pad—and the danger is real.

Statistics show baby crib bumpers in particular can pose serious—sometimes fatal—risks for infants.