Babies

New Law Raises Safety Standards for Infant Cribs

Babies should be sleeping safely under terms of a new law that prohibits making or selling padded baby crib bumper pads and inclined sleeping products for infants.

President Biden signed the Safe Sleep for Babies Act (H.R. 3182) into law earlier this month. It was passed unanimously in the Senate on May 3 of this year and passed the House on June 23, 2021. It was introduced by Representative Tony Cárdenas (D-CA).

“Parents and caregivers can breathe a sigh of relief now that President Biden has signed our Safe Sleep for Babies Act into law,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “Families will finally get the peace of mind that comes with knowing the sleep products they purchase for their newborns are safe. This new law will save lives and protect our kids by banning life-threatening crib bumper pads and inclined sleep products from store shelves.”

Dozens of children have died in incidents involving padded crib bumper pads, which experts say increase the likelihood of suffocation or entrapment. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received 113 reported fatalities involving crib bumpers from January 1, 1990, through March 31, 2019.

Over 100 babies have died in infant inclined sleep products like the recalled Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play. The CPSC has recalled many versions, but older models are still in circulation so parents should be careful about buying or accepting second-hand products. Babies sleep safest flat on their backs in a crib, bassinet, or play yard with nothing in the sleep space.

“For decades, consumer, health and parent groups have decried the sale of these dangerous products,” said Nancy Cowles, Executive Director of Kids In Danger (KID). “We thank the families and organizations who have worked so hard to keep children safe and look forward to the end of these deadly products on store shelves and in our nurseries.”