Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Gay Activists Rally Ahead Of Boy Scouts' Ban Vote
How Long Did Neanderthals Nurse? Old Tooth Yields Answer
Deaths Linked to Crib Bumpers Not Always Investigated
Filed under: In The News
Crib bumpers are being investigated as a cause of infant deaths. Credit: Getty Images
Charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issues warnings on hundreds of juvenile products alone each year.
Yet, although the agency has been instrumental in educating parents about sleep safety and mandating ever-stringent guidelines for juvenile products, the CPSC has failed to adequately investigate infant deaths involving crib bumpers, the Chicago Tribune reports.
One of the cases in question involves the 2006 death of 5-month-old Madison Morr, who suffocated after becoming trapped against the bumper pad in the corner of her crib. Although Madison's death certificate clearly lists the cause of death, CPSC regulators have never examined whether her death involved an unsafe product, according to the newspaper.
The Tribune has identified at least 17 other cases where the CPSC did not investigate a child's death when a filed report suggested crib bumpers had been involved. After inquiring into some of those cases, the newspaper discovered medical examiners and coroners actually noted that crib bumpers were involved in the deaths.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has previously warned parents about the dangers of crib bumpers, the CPSC had not backed up the AAP's position. And, now that the CPSC is finally looking at the issue of crib bumper safety, the Tribune reports the commission is conducting its inquiry without having investigated all the infant deaths involving the bumpers.
CPSC spokesperson Scott Wolfson tells the Tribune that the commission is looking to see if there is a scientific link between crib bumpers and infant suffocations, or if other factors -- such as blankets, pillows or medical issues -- were primarily responsible for the deaths.
This logic has proven worrisome to children's health and safety organizations who want to keep bumpers out of cribs.
"If the baby was found with the face smushed up against the bumper pad, then I don't understand the relevance of the pillow or the blanket," Rachel Moon, a pediatrician at Children's National Medical Center and researcher for the AAP, tells the Tribune.
Originally, crib bumpers were made to cover spaces between crib slats that were too far apart, but 1970s regulations mandated less space between slats, so babies couldn't get their heads caught. However, bumpers are still sold as part of crib bedding sets, the newspaper reports.
The Tribune cites a report issued three years ago by Washington University pediatrician Bradley Thach, which concluded that at least 27 infant deaths over two decades could be blamed on bumper pads.
Thach and other experts tell the Tribune they believe suffocations related to bumpers are under-reported because they may be blamed on sudden infant death syndrome if there isn't a thorough inquiry.
The lobbying trade group for the children's bedding industry maintains that crib bumpers are safe and is conducting its own study, the newspaper reports.
Want to get the latest ParentDish news and advice? Sign up for our newsletter!
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
RelatedVideos
-
The Truth About Fertility Drugs
Fertility specialist Dr. Millie Behara and breast specialist Dr. Kristi Funk answer questions about fertility drugs.
-
Reproductive Doctor: Couples Shouldn't Go Into Debt Over Infertility
Infertility treatments are covered in only a fraction of insurance plans across America. Unfortunately, an infertile couple's job situation and geographic location can end up having a huge effect on the future of their family. Guest Dr. Sami David MD joins us to discuss.
-
Vacation Without Your Kids: How to Prepare
Your first trip away from your kids; it will be a well-needed break, right? But as nice as it is, you know you will miss them like crazy. Here are tips for how to make it a vacation for everyone -- while absence is making your hearts grow fonder.
-
How to Teach from Failure
Valorie Burton for Focus on the Family discusses how you can help your child learn from his or her failures so they can persevere in the face of adversity.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 2)
3-30-2011 @ 2:23PM
livelywife said..."Although it's a little scary that recalls for infant and child products are so common these days, parents can at least take comfort in knowing government regulators are keeping an ever-watchful eye on our kids' safety."
The scariest thing is that we are still allowing people with little to no common sense to parent children! "oh, I don't have to worry about my kid, the GOVERNMENT will tell me what is safe, what is not, when to feed, when to change, what to dress them in..." People, pull your heads out of your butts and BE A PARENT. Take responsibility for your mistakes/errors. If you do not choose to inspect your child's bedding and secure it so that they can't get trapped in it, you cannot wait for the government to come into your house every time you put your kids to bed. Give your kids up for adoption and get yourself sterilized.
Reply
3-30-2011 @ 4:51PM
warren said...'livelywife" pay no attention to this bully Beth, she's just upset that if you encourage others to take control of their lives she might have to actually act like a parent and won't have time for "Happy Hour" and her regular dose of "$lut$ in the City". And you wonder why kids act like they do when this individual bashes you for your comments!!!! She's nothing but a bully, "yea you Beth". Brings to mind the anger I've been feeling lately over the fact that I've been riding a motorcycle for almsot 50 years and can run circles around most anyone. And yet I come in to Tucson, need an Arizona license so I go and pass the written with flying colors and fail royally on the ''skills", BUT, you'd have to see the skills course. A moped, a cushman eagle, a small bike would have no problem AND what most of the guys I spoke with said they had to take in to pass the test rather than the big Harley or V Star 1100. Most people in government and or making laws and or in control, REALLY SHOULD NOT BE!!!! This is why I more than agree with your comment "livelywife", good post, ignore the morons that bash you for your comments, or I should say, "the Bullys", because that's all they are.
3-31-2011 @ 2:13PM
livelywife said...@warren: Thank you! :)
3-30-2011 @ 3:33PM
Beth said...WOW! "livelywife". You're a complete idiot and you sound really stupid in your comment. Maybe you should read the article over again. This time with your eyes opened! You make yourself sound like a basket case that should have her own children put up for adoption or be sterilized! What a whack!
Reply
3-31-2011 @ 2:12PM
livelywife said...Pardon me??? How, exactly, ms. Beth (and maryyy), do I sound like an idiot? How, exactly, do you determine that, because I have successfully raised both of my children to near adulthood now, I am the one with little to no common sense?
FYI, I DID read the article folks, and I saw (yet again) people blaming the product for their own lack of parenting skills. And, worse yet, physicians compounding that. My whole point is that, if you have children, you have accepted a responsibility to that child. Your responsibility includes, but is not limited to: assuring your child's safety in every situation, feeding, dressing, changing, providing medical...etc...the list goes on and on. So, I guess the truth must really bother you two, if you cannot handle the simple, direct statement: If you cannot have the common sense to check the safety of your child's bedding, then you are waiting for the government to step in and over regulate yet ANOTHER aspect of our lives.
3-30-2011 @ 3:44PM
maryyy said...Beth...I'm going to have to agree with you.
Reply
3-30-2011 @ 3:52PM
Frances Duffy said..."livelywife" is not an idiot or a total whack.....just brutally honest! Too many people today abdicate their responsibilities,it's always someone else's fault! Personally, the way todayscribs are made, crib bumpers are superfluous, but if you choose to use the, then use them wisely.....one that little one starts moving around,get rid of them! It is tragic enough to lose a child for any reason, but to know that you could have prevented it must be devastating! So wise up folks start thinking for yourselves and don't wait for the government to tell you to do or not do something! And above all start accepting responsibility for YOUR actions and teach your children to do the same, it'll be a better world!
Reply
3-30-2011 @ 5:02PM
warren said...thank you Frances for verifying "livelywife" isn't a total whack. These women bashing her are just your typical Sarah Palin hating left wing Liberal bully's who have to be told what to do and when to do it. It's at least encouraging to see an occasional woman that doesn't fall into that category. Intelligent watchful mothers of the past weren't without fault of course, we all run to the phone and leave something on the stove and have it burn, BUT, they relied more on their brains and abilities than most of the women of today.
3-31-2011 @ 2:14PM
livelywife said...Thank you, Frances! :)
3-30-2011 @ 4:47PM
Mary said...I used crib bumpers with both of my sons and never has a problem. I think that deaths due to crib bumpers may have to do with the type of fabrics covering them and how soft the padding is with regard to the fabric covering the bumpers. The bumpers that I used were covered with a washable bright plastic/vinyl fabric that was pulled very tightly around the padding. If a baby rolled against it they would not be able to push their face into it hard enough to have it completely cover both their mouth and nose. They could be easily wiped down and sanitized if the baby made a mess. The only seams were in the corners, and they had large ties for for tying into place. Lots of bumpers are large and covered in soft fabric like cotton and polyester that can stretch when damp. If a baby were to roll against those types of bumpers, its warm soft breath could be enough to make that area of the bumper more pliable and result in a baby suffacating.
Reply
3-30-2011 @ 5:14PM
LESLI said...(rolls eyes)
"Yet, although the agency has been instrumental in educating parents about sleep safety and mandating ever-stringent guidelines for juvenile products, the CPSC has failed to adequately investigate infant deaths involving crib bumpers, the Chicago Tribune reports."
WHATEVER! They neglect to point out that they change their "safety guidelines" often enough to cause concern that they even have any scientific facts. When my son was born 15 years ago, they insisted a baby should sleep on their side, 11 years ago when my daughter was born, they insisted a baby should sleep on their back. When I was born, a baby should be placed on their stomach. Sorry, true facts, backed up with real science wouldn't have changed that much. My guess is they back whoever is paying their bills.
Reply
3-30-2011 @ 4:50PM
Saddens Me said...This is part of the reason that I don't believe in leaving a baby unattended to 'cry it out'...
Reply
3-30-2011 @ 5:01PM
Mary said...All of my relatives and I always put babies in a baby gown and then burritoed them up tightly in a light-weight receiving blanket with mostly just their head sticking out, so that they would feel as secure as if being held, and them laid them on their side to sleep. Those babies were wound up so tightly that they were not going anywhere in that crib for those first few weeks no matter how much they may have tried to move. Never lost a baby in our family by doing so.
Reply
3-30-2011 @ 5:09PM
warren said...Maryyy, you and Beth should hook up then go out and beat up bag ladies or something. And you wonder why this world is in such turmoil and disarray!!! "Livelywife" makes some very valid comments and you come in and bash her, call her names, and put her comment down. You and anyone like you are the problem in our society and I personally would love to send you to a deserted island kind of like Lepers.
Reply
3-30-2011 @ 5:19PM
Lynn said...I am a nurse who works with families who have lost babies due to unsafe sleep. This is a tragic issue.
Thank-you for the video on safe sleep and bumpers. HOWEVER, you show a baby in a positioner in your video and state "How to lower the risk of SIDS" on top: PLEASE state that positioners of any kind are not recommended by the AAP or CPSC since they are made of soft bedding and they contribute to infant deaths. Since there is no warning about positioners, your video misrepresents safe sleep standards of nothing in the crib, but the baby. Please delete the video of the baby in the positioner or clearly state that positioners are hazardous!
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml10/10358.html
Thank-you!
Reply
3-30-2011 @ 5:44PM
Wilbur said...Perhaps this is just a matter of survival of the fittest. Maybe these babies weren't smart enough to roll over when they put their faces into the baby bumpers and couldn't breath. There are segments of our population that shouldn't be having babies in the first place. Take groups like the tea party for example. Dopey people having dopey babies. Some of these people are barely functional. It's not at all surprising that some babies don't have the same basic instincts that most of us have. Look at Sarah Palin's baby, Trig, for example.
Reply
3-30-2011 @ 7:48PM
smapplebee said...Men like you, Wilbur, are the reason there are so many women raising their babies alone.
3-30-2011 @ 7:48PM
Chantelle said...Since the safe sleeping guidelines have been introduced in Australia, the SIDS rate has dropped dramatically. Bumpers and quilts are for decoration only and should not be used for sleeping. Yes they look nice, but not worth a baby dying. Newborn babies have been known to roll and can get their babies shoved up against a bumper. I hear comments about my kids were OK with them, but evidence shows they are a significant risk. Here is an excerpt from the website (www.sidsandkids.org/safe-sleeping):
The campaign has been developed in conjunction with researchers from Australasia and internationally and provides information about the evidence around sudden infant death syndrome risk reduction (SIDS) and fatal sleeping accidents.
Since it’s inception in the early 1990’s, the campaign has reduced the incidence of SIDS by 85% saving over 6000 babies lives. Vigilance is still required in delivering our Safe Sleeping message to the broad community as sadly the cause of sudden infant death syndrome remains unknown with more research into the cause still needed.
How to Sleep your Baby Safely:
1. Sleep baby on the back from birth, not on the tummy or side
2. Sleep baby with face uncovered (no quilts, pillows, lambs wool, bumpers or soft toys)
3. Avoid exposing babies to tobacco smoke before birth and after
4. Provide a safe sleeping environment (safe cot, safe mattress, safe bedding)
5. Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping environment next to the parent’s bed for the first six to twelve months of life
This is our kids lives we are talking about. Why would anyone take the risk??? I have four friends that have lost babies to SIDS. It is a horrible thing to experience and most of them blame themselves.
Reply
3-30-2011 @ 8:00PM
smapplebee said...If a baby sleeping on its back spits up, it can choke and die. It happened to my cousin's baby.
A baby placed on its back can develop a bald spot and a flat area on the back of the head. It happened to my friend's baby.
3-30-2011 @ 9:13PM
Jeri said...Smapplebee, your comment is the smartest I've yet to see on this topic in a very long time.
Thank you
Reply