Cot Bumpers: Are They Safe for Newborn Babies?

 

Baby cot bumpers are cotton pads that surround the edge of the crib to keep your baby’s head from falling through the slats of their crib. Although they seem like a great addition to your baby’s nursery, you might want to think twice.

 

According to experts, baby cot bumpers are a hazard, and even deadly for babies. There’s even a law in the United States that prohibits the manufacturing and selling of crib bumpers.

 

To give more context about this matter, we’ll go over what you need to know about baby cot bumpers and how you can make a safe sleeping environment for your baby.

 

What are the risks of baby cot bumpers?

 

Thinking of getting a Baby cot bumper set in Singapore for your baby’s nursery? Here are the reasons why you shouldn’t!

 

Using a cot bumper may put your little one at higher risk for suffocation, strangulation, and falls. It’s not just cot bumpers, though, even other crib accessories like pads and liners carry risks too.

 

Let’s go over each of the risks of using a baby cot bumper set in Singapore.

 

 1. Suffocation or SIDS

 

Suffocation is one of the most significant risks because babies are unable to move themselves away from hazards like crib bumpers. Babies can’t voluntarily roll from front to back or vice versa until they reach 4 to 6 months of age.

 

If an infant is in a face-down position in any kind of soft material like cot bumpers, they won’t be able to move themselves out of this position. This sets them up for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and other sleep-related deaths.

 

 2. Strangulation

 

Strangulation is another potential risk that comes with using cot bumpers. Infants can get entangled in the bumper and its ties, or worse, can get between the bumper and the crib.

 

Even mesh crib covers and cot slat covers carry a certain risk of strangulation and suffocation.

 

 3. Falls

 

Many parents tend not to remove cot bumpers even if their baby can already stand up on their own in the crib.

 

The problem is that the cot bumper can provide a foothold for your baby to climb out of the crib and fall, especially if you’re not watching. Older toddlers can even use the cot bumpers to assist themselves while climbing out of the crib, which could lead to injuries.

 

What can you do to keep your baby safe while sleeping?

 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), parents don’t actually need to put anything inside their baby’s crib at all.

 

The easiest thing that parents can do to keep their babies safe while sleeping is remove the cot bumpers and any other crib accessories that can pose a risk to their infant’s safety. Remove everything, including mesh bumpers and slat covers.

 

 1. Put your baby on their back to sleep

 

Whether it’s an afternoon nap or a nighttime slumber, you should always place your baby on their back, at least until they turn a year old.

 

Just a friendly reminder that you don’t need to move them if they roll over in the middle of the night!

 

2. Give your baby a firm sleeping surface

 

Regardless of whether your baby is sleeping in a cot or a bassinet, there should be a firm, tight mattress to support their entire body while sleeping.

 

Plus, keep in mind that the sheet should be designed specifically for your baby’s mattress!

 

3. Put your baby’s crib in your room

 

If the space allows for it, allow your baby to sleep in a cot in your room for at least 6 months, but better if you keep them there for the first year of their life.

 

 

 

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