American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released new crib guidelines stating that a bumper pad should never be used in a baby’s crib.  According to the AAP, there is no evidence that bumper pads are needed to protect babies from injury.  Use of bumpers does bring an increased risk of suffocation and strangulation.

The new guideline on bumpers is the result of a 2007 study that found 27 cases of accidental death in children below the age of 2 years that were attributed to bumpers.  Infants can become wedged against the bumper or become tangled in a bumper tie, while older children climb on the bumper in an effort to get out of the crib.

According to the experts, the safest crib for a baby is one that is free from blankets, bumpers and toys and that conforms to safety guidelines in terms of construction.  Read the complete list of AAP crib guidelines on their Healthy Child website.