Crib bumpers 'should be banned all together,' say experts

To keep your baby safe, some experts are warning parents to keep bed bumpers off the crib.

Marlyand proposed banning crib bumpers this week and parents are scratching their heads over whether to buy the cute cushions - or demand state lawmakers forbid them.

Safety experts advise folks to skip them regardless of the law.

"Parents are shocked when I say the best crib is an empty crib," said Debra Holtzman, author of "The Safe Baby." adding "I've been saying this for years. There is no safety reason to have crib bumpers."

The Maryland Health Department on Tuesday called for a ban on crib bumpers after its task force found they can suffocate babies. If approved, it would become the first state to enforce such a rule. Chicago banned crib bumpers earlier this month.

Tom Treanor, owner of All-Star Baby Safety in Levittown, LI, argues there should be a national ban on the bumpers.

"They should be banned all together," he said, noting he warns clients not to buy them. "Cribs are not pretty without bumpers and blankets but they are not safe for children."

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating the issue but the trade industry representing the popular bedding counters it protects newborns from head injuries.

The New York City Health Department recommends babies sleep on a firm mattress with "no soft bedding," including bumpers, pillows and stuffed toys, to lower the risks of suffocation.