A Ban on Crib Bumpers + Sleep Incliners is Coming

This past year will be remembered as the year parents got an unwelcome wake-up call regarding inclined sleepers and safe sleep practices. An investigation by Consumer Reports led to a recall of the very popular inclined sleeper, the Fisher-Price Rock n’ Play. That led to other recalls, and eventually to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission developing public service messaging asking parents to avoid all inclined sleeping products.

This all happened after multiple infant deaths, which led to the CPSC commissioning a study proving these sleepers were not safe. Many parents wondered why these studies were not done before the products went to market and why lawmakers had not done more to protect consumers and their vulnerable babies.

Well, new parents might be sleeping better in 2020 because 2019 is concluding with lawmakers taking steps to make sure America’s babies are safe while they sleep. Lawmakers heard parents, and this month the Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2019 (H.R. 3172) received bipartisan support and passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bill bans inclined sleepers and crib bumper pads (which several states have already banned). The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) is pleased to see political progress on protecting babies from dangerous products.

“Pediatricians have long recommended against the use of crib bumpers and inclined sleepers, because they contradict AAP’s own evidence-based safe sleep recommendations. Having these dangerous and unnecessary products on store shelves confuses parents and contributes to sleep- related infant deaths. AAP applauds the House for passing this legislation, and urges the Senate to take it up without delay,” says AAP President Kyle Yasuda, MD, FAAP.

The bill still has to make it through the Senate but if it becomes law babies in every state would be protected from these dangerous sleep products.

“During this holiday season, the House has given a wonderful gift to American families: protection from products that can cause their infants harm,” Rachel Weintraub, Legislative Director and General Counsel with Consumer Federation of America stated.