Crib Bumpers: Soft and Snug--or Deadly Decor?
November 1st 2007When preparing a nursery, most parents buy bumper pads to soften the sides of the crib and to add a decorative touch. Traditional thinking has been that bumpers protect infants' heads from the hard sides of the crib and prevent arms and legs from becoming stuck between crib rails. The AAP recommends that if bumpers are used, they should be thin and firm.1 They advise parents to avoid pillow-like bumpersand to remove them when the child is pulling to stand.2 However, a study recently published in The Journal of Pediatrics may lead us to rethink what we tell parents about the dangers of decorative bedding.
Sudden Cardiac Death Warning Signs
October 29th 2007Sudden cardiac death (SCD) should not be a surprise. The young athlete who drops dead during a game and the teen who is found dead in bed one morning seldom die without warning signs. The problem is the physicians, coaches, and parents who fail to recognize the warnings.