How to Prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) - Skip Crib Bumpers, Stuffed Animals and Pillows

iVillage

Hi Mama! (or mama-to-be!)

"Tell us your stage and we'll customize the site just for you! Or" Sign In. Sign Out

Hi Mama! (or mama-to-be!)

"Tell us your stage and we'll customize the site just for you! Or" Sign In. Sign Out
Getting Ready

Trying To Conceive

Am I Pregnant?
1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks 5 weeks 6 weeks 7 weeks 8 weeks 9 weeks 10 weeks 11 weeks 12 weeks 13 weeks 14 weeks 15 weeks 16 weeks 17 weeks 18 weeks 19 weeks 20 weeks 21 weeks 22 weeks 23 weeks 24 weeks 25 weeks 26 weeks 27 weeks 28 weeks 29 weeks 30 weeks 31 weeks 32 weeks 33 weeks 34 weeks 35 weeks 36 weeks 37 weeks 38 weeks 39 weeks 40 weeks 41 weeks 42 weeks
1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks 5 weeks 6 weeks 7 weeks 8 weeks 9 weeks 10 weeks 11 weeks 12 weeks 13 weeks 14 weeks 15 weeks 16 weeks 17 weeks 18 weeks 19 weeks 20 weeks 21 weeks 22 weeks 23 weeks 24 weeks 25 weeks 26 weeks 27 weeks 28 weeks 29 weeks 30 weeks 31 weeks 32 weeks 33 weeks 34 weeks 35 weeks 36 weeks 37 weeks 38 weeks 39 weeks 40 weeks 41 weeks 42 weeks 43 weeks 44 weeks 45 weeks 46 weeks 47 weeks 48 weeks 49 weeks 50 weeks 51 weeks
1 year 13 months 14 months 15 months 16 months 17 months 18 months 19 months 20 months 21 months 22 months 23 months 3 years 3 ½ years 4 years 4 ½ years 5 years 5 ½ years
5 years 6-7 years 8-9 years 10-13 years 14-18 years

How to Prevent SIDS: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Worried about sudden infant death syndrome? Here's how to help keep your baby safe (15 Photos)

Sally Farhat Kassab and Holly Pevzner on Mar 8, 2013 at 5:36PM

chime in now

Single View
View All

Skip Crib Bumpers, Stuffed Animals and Pillows

Image Source/Getty Images

a Sally Farhat Kassab and Holly Pevzner on Oct 14, 2010 at 3:53PM

All that cute stuff looks great in catalogs, but it's dangerous for wee ones. While you may think you're preventing bangs and bruises with a crib bumper, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says there's absolutely no evidence that bumpers prevent injuries. In fact, a 2007 study found that crib bumpers caused suffocation or strangulation in some baby deaths. And in 2011, the AAP changed its stance on the matter, saying bumper pads -- no matter how thin, firm or well-secured -- should never be used. (In fact, a 2012 update in Pediatrics in Review noted that soft materials under, on top of or near an infant may increase SIDS risk 21-fold.) Once your child is over one year old, adding in a pillow, a blanket or a stuffed animal to her sleep environment is likely safe.