D.C. Area Babies
thoughts on MD crib bumper ban?
DH forwarded me this article from WaPo - apparently they're considering banning the sale of crib bumpers in MD. Thoughts?
Honestly, we had ours in from day one with no problems. At first, he was swaddled/in a positioner so he wasn't moving, and then once he moved, there wasn't anything we could have really done anyway, Now he likes to cuddle and/or fling his limbs over it.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: thoughts on MD crib bumper ban?
While I agree that we are adults who can make informed decisions without those decisions being made for us, the reality is that these bumpers are a hazard, just like blankets and stuffed animals, perhaps even more so. Not just because babies might roll into them and suffocate, but because they might get caught or stuck on the bumpers. There is also some evidence that they may contribute to SIDS because they block the flow of air, causing CO2 to collect. The following link is by no means comprehensive, but it offers a good overview:
https://babyproducts.about.com/od/recallsandsafety/a/bumpersafety.htm
We used bumpers for DD#1 without incident (just 4 short years ago), but when we were setting up the crib for DD#2, DH was adamant about not having the bumpers (he works in the public health and safety industry). I was concerned about DD getting her legs caught in the crib slats and/or bumping into the crib. It turned out that my concerns were unfounded. She moves around A LOT when she sleeps, but I can only remember one time when her foot got caught out of the crib and caused her any discomfort or frustration and she doesn't seem to have any issues bumping into the crib.
The Maryland approach may seem extreme, but IMHO it doesn't seem all that different from when CPSC recalls a particular toy or other product or the FDA recalls certain foods. We generally applaud when the government steps in on those cases to protect the consumer. Isn't this the same?
I'm torn. I understand there are safety risks with bumpers. But it also doesn't seem like a good idea to let your kid bang his head against the wooden crib slats if he moves a lot in his sleep. Maybe they need to start making upholstered cribs.
What's the goal of this potential legislation? If it's to reduce deaths from SIDS, there's a whole host of other factors - like smoking in the home, blankets, pillows - that aren't addressed.
That being said, I thought better of having crib bumpers in when DS was 10 weeks, when I found him rolled into one (he had not moved previously) and took them out. We've had the breathable bumpers since to prevent hands and feet from going between the crib rails. If I had it to do over again, I just would have bought a cute crib skirt and skipped the whole set, since we don't use the quilt or bumpers.
I think that banning the sale won't cause a sharp decrease in SIDS cases, but I do think that banning the sale will shine a spotlight on the issue... which is that these folks want consumers to become informed about bumpers, know the risks, and buy/use them with caution/care. In other words banning the sale isn't going to do a damn thing (there is this little thing called the internet - and you can order bumpers from anywhere in the world!), but it will highlight the issue - hopefully - and make people have a dialogue/think twice/use at their own risk.
PS - with my two girls and the plan for my DS is: I use no bumpers when they're really little and not rolling around, breathable bumper when they do start to roll around, and regular bumpers when they're rolling around so much they're slamming their heads against the side of the crib (and to me, old enough to not get stuck or suffocate in a bumper). When they're old enough to use the bumper as a launch pad to hurl themselves out of the crib, I put them in a regular bed.
Ehh. I think banning is a step too far. What about large warnings in stores or something? We put in C's bumper when he started really rocking and rolling (and once his risk of SIDS and asphyxiation when waaay down) and I've never regretted it.
I'm also curious about numbers. How many deaths are directly related to bumpers? How many are SIDS cases where a number of other factors were at play?
From the article AMH lnked to:
A study from Washington University in St. Louis (PDF) looked at infant deaths attributed to crib bumpers from 1985 to 2005 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.
we also used a bumper with both kids from the very beginning; I think banning it is ridiculous, as anyone can drive into VA or DC and buy one.
We've used breathable bumpers until he was about 12 months, then just took them out entirely. I never wanted bumpers, because I am one of those people that once I know there is a potential risk I have a hard time not worrying about it. I know, this could be said for A LOT of things in life, there is always risk...this was one that I just figured was easy enough to avoid for us. FWIW, he moves a TON and we've never had any issues with the breathable ones or just not using at all. It also makes the sheet a lot easier to change! Honestly, most people I know use the regular ones from day one, so I know we're in the minority and I'm a worrier...
I think a complete ban is silly. But I also think that most people don't know there is any risk associated at all. Like pp's said, I think it just may highlight that parents need to think about it.