Crib bumpers…Is there an answer?

On November 16, 2012, the state of Maryland published a new regulation on crib bumpers. The regulation, which will go into effect on June 21, 2013, will prohibit the sale of crib bumpers in the state of Maryland that fall under the category of “a pad or pads of non-mesh material resting directly above the mattress in a crib, running the circumference of the crib along the length of the interior sides of the crib and intended to be used until the age that an infant pulls to a stand.”

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Assoc. (JPMA) issued the following statement regarding the new regulation: “We disagree with the action taken by Maryland. JPMA continues to work with safety advocates and regulators to ensure the products that our members manufacture meet the highest safety standards. Our fear is that if there is an elimanation of crib bumpers, parents will still want the product and will begin creating there own makeshift bumper as a protective barrier. We are already seeing early evidence of this in social networking forums, and parents need to trust products that are currently available on store shelves that have passed rigorous safety and reliiability tests.”

While the Maryland law does not directly affect Kentucky, what are your thoughts on the bumper issue? Do you feel that bumpers pose a safety hazard? Should their sale be banned?

At Baby’s Room & Kids Too we offer bedding sets with or without bumpers, as well as breathable mesh bumpers that coordinate with any bedding set. We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions regarding crib bumper safety, and hopefully help put your mind at ease.