Teddy Bears & Extra Blankets in Cribs

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.

For Further Information

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.


© Catherine M. Pruissen

Catherine M. Pruissen is the CEO of About Child Care Consumer Services and developer of child care online. She has published numerous child care related literature, including Start and Run a Profitable Home Day Care, The Daycare Alternative, How to Find Good Child Care, Caregiver Aids: Business Forms for Caregivers and Parents, Income Tax & Record Keeping for Child Care Providers, and a host of workshops and workbooks. She was the editor and publisher of the bi-monthly newsletter, Parent Care, Your Child Care News-line. Catherine was also the coordinator and workshop facilitator for The Child Care Information Centre in Calgary, Alberta, and ran a successful dayhome for eight years.