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By
Catherine M. Pruissen
Did
you ever imagine that the cute teddy bear or comforting
security blanket in your baby's crib could be dangerous?
"The truth is, soft bedding products could be
hazardous if used improperly," warns the Juvenile
Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA).
"The
safest sleeping environment for infants is on a firm
mattress in a crib which meets current mandatory and
voluntary standards. Use only a fitted crib sheet,
mattress pad, and/or waterproof pad between the sleeping
baby and the crib mattress," advises William
L. MacMillan, JPMA President. "Extra pillows,
blankets, and plush toys may look comforting in the
crib but should always be removed during the baby's
sleep time."
JPMA
reminds parents and child care providers to place
full-term, healthy babies to sleep on their backs
or sides and not to place infants to sleep on top
of soft surfaces not specifically designed for infant
sleep. JPMA made this recommendation in accordance
with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Public Health Service
(PHS) and other agencies.
"There
is absolutely no suffocation risk to infants when
nursery products such as cribs mattress, mattress
pads, quilts, comforters and bumper pads are used
according to manufacturers' recommendations,"
says MacMillan.
If
you have any questions about safe sleeping practices
for infants, call the U.S. Public Health Service at
1-800-505 CRIB or the SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
Alliance at 1-800-221-7437.
For
a free brochure on safe selection and use of juvenile
products, send a stamped, self-addressed business-size
envelope to: JPMA Safety Brochure, 236 Royte 38-West,
Suite 100, Moorestown, NJ 08057.
JPMA
sponsors Baby Safety Month each September to help
educate parents and child care providers on the safe
selection and use of all baby products.
JPMA
is a national trade organization of more than 250
companies in Canada and the United States. These companies
manufacture and/or import infant products such as
cribs, car seats, strollers, bedding and a wide range
of accessories and decorative items.
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