Why Are Cot Bumpers Banned?

This is a big NO NO!

If you want a bit of history: bumpers were fitted to almost every cot before 1991. The supposed advantages were that they stopped draughts and prevented your baby from banging its head against the side of the cot.

Cot bumpers made a cot look comfy and nice, with some stunning padded designs.

Then Came the Back to Sleep Campaign

The Back to Sleep campaign was a milestone in preventing so many cot deaths.

Now bumpers are banned. They're considered dangerous because:

• Your baby could get its head underneath them, creating a suffocation risk
• Limbs could become trapped
• The strings were considered a strangulation risk
• A bumper stops airflow to the cot

Bumpers can also be considered a climbing aid, allowing your baby to escape from their cot! (Alex Honnold syndrome!)