Albany – Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-88) is proud to announce that A.4151A/S.4055-B, legislation she authored, was passed by the New York State Assembly on Wednesday.

The bill would ban the sale of crib bumpers pads and restrict their use in child care settings. This bill will prevent the deaths of and serious injury to infants which have been attributed to the use of crib bumper pads.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Institute have both issued warnings regarding the dangers of crib bumper pads and have urged parents not to use them. Bumper pads pose a risk of death or serious injury because babies can get caught in the fabric and suffocate. In fact, the Journal of Pediatrics published a study reporting that 23 babies died in the United States between 2006 and 2012 from suffocation associated with the use of crib bumper pads.

Despite their danger, crib bumper pads remain for sale in New York, and are often showcased in store displays and included in baby bedding sets which gives parents the false impression they are safe to use.

“One of the most horrifying things that can happen to a parent is suffering through the death of an infant,” Paulin said. “And if that death is caused by a crib bumper, the parents would have to live with that for the rest of their lives. They put their child in a crib, thinking they had done the right thing and created a safe environment for the baby. This legislation will ensure that infants will be safer in their cribs.”

David Carlucci (D-38) sponsors the bill in the Senate.