Last month, Chicago banned the sale of crib bumpers. Now, the American Academy of Pediatrics has revised its recommendations: It's time to ditch those cute crib bumpers altogether, Moms.
The AAPs prior recommendations, which came out in 2005, advised parents to use only crib bumpers that are "thin, firm, well secured, and not 'pillowlike'" in order to prevent SIDs. But bumpers of all kinds have come under scrutiny in recent years, as cases of baby suffocation deaths have been linked to them.
So the AAPs new stance is:
"Keep soft objects, loose bedding, or any objects that could increase the risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation out of the crib. Pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, bumper pads, and stuffed toys can cause your baby to suffocate. Note: Research has not shown us when it’s 100% safe to have these objects in the crib; however, most experts agree that after 12 months of age these objects pose little risk to healthy babies."
Other new SIDs-prevention recommendations from the AAP include:
- "Breastfeed as much and for as long as you can. Studies show that breastfeeding your baby can help reduce the risk of SIDS."
- "Schedule and go to all well-child visits. Your baby will receive important immunizations. Recent evidence suggests that immunizations may have a protective effect against SIDS."
Check out a complete list of AAP recommendations to reduce the risk of SIDs.
And keep in mind these ideas I've mentioned before for what to do with those adorable but now-defunct bumpers that came with your baby's bedding set: If you have basic sewing skills, you could craft a bumper into a bench cover or pillows (not to be used in the crib) in your nursery. You could also turn it into a window valance. Or you could cut the fabric to fit in frames and use it as wall decor for your baby's room -- my pick since I'm no seamstress!
