I am worried about SIDS. Are crib bumpers safe to use?

Another popular item is the crib bumper. Most SIDS experts say nothing should be in the crib with the baby, not even bumpers. But many parents use them because they think their baby will bump its head against the slats, headboard, or footboard of the crib unless bumpers are in place. We think many parents also are afraid that their baby will get a limb stuck through the crib's slats, so they put bumpers around the inside to protect against this. However, by using bumpers in the crib, parents run the risk of their infant putting his or her face against the soft bumpers and rebreathing the carbon dioxide that is exhaled. This is a process that researchers term "rebreathing." Rebreathing is dangerous in that the longer it continues, the baby gets less oxygen and more carbon dioxide. The result is suffocation. Any soft, fluffy item in the crib can cause rebreathing and eventual suffocation, whether it be a pillow, stuffed toys, a quilt, etc. The SIDS Alliance does not object to parents using bumpers, as long as they are the kind that are thin and firm. They do not at all recommend the soft, fluffy variety of bumpers.

As a reminder, this information should not be relied on as medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice of your child’s pediatrician. Please read our full disclaimer.