Better late than never (or so I hear….). Back in July I wrote about our new Nursery Bedding Sets we offer and down at the very bottom, mentioned I’d blog about bumper pads at some point. Well, the time has come! According to Health Canada (among other sites such as First Candle / National SIDS Alliance) the use of plush or cloth bumper pads is not recommended for a number of reasons:
- bumper pads decrease the oxygen rich air flow to a sleeping infant
- bumper pads that are not form fitted to the crib create a suffocation hazard as an infant can wedge their head between the crib and bumper pad, or the bumper pad may fall on the infant (in this situation newborns are unable to lift or push dangerous objects away from them to ensure proper breathing).
- bumper pads with strings or ties can create entanglement and strangulation hazards
- bumper pads that are used in a crib when a child is able to roll over or sit up unassisted can be used as a climbing mechanism once the child pulls to standing
All that being said, ones argument might be; “But my baby will get their leg caught or hit her head!”. In actuality, bumper pads were not intended to be used once baby is able to roll or sit unassisted. And even if baby did roll and hit her head, baby does not have enough strength to injure themselves in this manner. As for a limb being caught, the severity of this is likely discomfort or a possible bruise. If you are worried about the above issues there are safe alternatives. Mesh bumper pads will keep sufficient air flow through the crib and are available at most local retail stores. As for Winifred Babies stance, we have decided not to offer bumper pads in our Nursery Bedding Sets. The cons seem to out weigh the esthetic pros here and in our experience, there are many other finishing touches you can add to your Nursery to create that perfect tranquil room for your new baby!
To view the official statement issued by Health Canada visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
** Although many of our blankets are a “crib size” and we offer a crib blanket in our Nursery Sets we never recommend using loose or quilt like bedding with a newborn. Always research proper sleep methods and use our bedding when baby is able to roll over, lift their head, and move around on their own.
Questions or feedback about this topic? Please email us!