What are Crib Bumpers? Crib bumpers are lengths of padded fabric affixed to the sides of a crib with ties or Velcro.  Bumpers were commonly used to prevent the baby’s head from becoming trapped between crib slats, and to prevent the baby from hitting its head or body on the hard wooden sides of the crib. Origin of Crib Bumpers Crib bumper pads were once used to protect cribs where the slats were wide enough that a baby's head could become trapped between the slats.  However, today all cribs sold in the United States are required to have slats close enough together to prevent this problem. Some parents use crib bumpers to prevent the infant from bumping into the crib slats, or to keep the baby’s arms and legs from becoming trapped between the railings.  However, according to most reports, it’s practically impossible for an infant to be injured merely by hitting the slats, and most babies can remove their arms and legs from the slats themselves. Finally, parents often purchase crib bumpers purely for aesthetics – they often complement the bedding set or the nursery décor.  Today, many crib sets come with matching bumpers. Injuries Caused by Crib Bumpers Crib bumper pads can cause injuries such as suffocation, strangulation or death.  Similar to a pillow or thick blanket, if compressed against a child’s nose or mouth, crib bumpers can restrict oxygen intake, causing the infant to suffocate.  In addition, infants can become entangled in the ties or the material, or become wedged between the bumper and crib, restricting air flow and causing asphyxiation. Help if Your Baby Was Killed or Injured by a Crib Bumper At O’Hanlon, McCollum & Demerath, our products liability attorneys understand that your infant’s injuries, even death, may not be your fault.  Our expertise and experience, combined with our highly trained staff, make us uniquely well-equipped to handle even the most complex products liability claims. For preliminary questions about your case, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.  If you suspect your infant was injured or killed by a crib bumper, and need to talk to a seasoned team of professionals, please contact us immediately for a free consultation.

• Crib Bumper Products
• Crib Bumper Deaths
• Crib Bumper Products Liability Claiams Explained
• Crib Bumper Frequently Asked Questions

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