ICEA Lends Support To N.Y. Crib Bumper Pad Ban

MORRISVILLE, N.C. - June 23, 2016 - PRLog -- The International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) strongly supports S.7041/A.9186, which would ban the sale of crib bumper pads in New York and restrict the use of such pads in childcare facilities or places of public accommodation.

The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends that infants sleep on their backs, alone in a crib on a firm mattress with a tight-fitting sheet, without any soft objects or loose bedding. The Safe to Sleep Public Education Campaign, led by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, describes a safe sleep environment as a firm sleep surface with no pillows, blankets or crib bumpers; no soft objects, toys or loose bedding in the sleep area; and nothing covering the baby's head (https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sts/Pages/default.aspx).

While crib bumper pads are purchased under an assumption that they keep infants safe, they are in fact very dangerous. The Journal of Pediatrics recently reported that in the last six years 23 babies died from suffocation associated with the use of crib bumper pads. Every one of these 23 infant deaths was avoidable. And sadly, many more babies sustained serious injuries from choking on bumper pad ties or nearly suffocating.

The evidence is clear - crib bumpers are dangerous. Until New York stops the sale of bumpers and prohibits their use in infant and childcare settings, infants and children will remain in unnecessary danger in a place, their cribs, where they should be safe.

Join the ICEA in supporting safe sleep environments for all infants and babies. We urge support passage of this bill this year and protect the infants and babies of New York. This bill will save lives and prevent needless injuries.

ICEA is an international organization, headquartered in the U.S.  ICEA has a rich 56 year history of educating expectant and new parents through the evidence-based childbirth education program, birth and postpartum doula program, and through the ICEA website and blog.  As a leader in childbirth education, ICEA promotes freedom to make decisions based on the knowledge of alternatives in family-centered maternity and newborn care.

Contact:
Elizabeth Smith, ICEA Director of Public Policy
www.icea.org
Policy@icea.org
2501 Aerial Center Parkway, Ste. 103
Morrisville, NC 27560
(919) 674-4183
Fax (919) 459-2075