Are Crib Bumpers Safe? The Ban and Safe Bumper Alternatives

Updated October 2026

Short answer: no. Padded crib bumpers are not considered safe for babies, and since November 12, 2022 they have been illegal to sell in the United States under the federal Safe Sleep for Babies Act (CPSC). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping bumpers, pillows, blankets and other soft items out of a baby's sleep space (AAP).

We first wrote this post in 2014, when bumpers were still sold everywhere. The guidance has changed, so we've rewritten it. Every Liz and Roo crib bedding set is bumperless, and below are the safe ways we recommend to get that finished, cozy look.

Why are crib bumpers banned?

Bumpers were originally meant to keep babies' heads and limbs from slipping between widely spaced crib slats. Modern cribs must meet federal standards with narrow slat spacing, so bumpers no longer serve that purpose (HealthyChildren.org).

What they do add is risk. A baby can roll against a soft bumper and have their breathing blocked, get trapped between the bumper and the mattress, or become tangled in the ties. The CPSC linked 113 infant deaths to padded crib bumpers between 1990 and 2019 (Cleveland Clinic).

What the ban covers

Under the law, a "crib bumper" includes (CPSC):

• Padded crib bumpers
• Vinyl bumper guards
• Vertical crib slat covers
• Pillows or pillowcases designed to attach to the inside of the crib slats

The ban does not cover non-padded mesh crib liners, or crib rail covers that cover only the top rail and don't cover the slats (CPSC).

Are mesh or "breathable" bumpers safe?

Mesh liners are not banned, but the AAP and most child health experts don't recommend them. Liners can work loose and trap a baby, and older babies can use them as a step to climb out of the crib (HealthyChildren.org). The simplest rule: nothing in the crib but a fitted sheet.

What about braided bumpers?

Braided bumpers are padded, so they fall under the ban. In 2026 the CPSC recalled a line of braided crib bumpers for violating it (CPSC).

Won't my baby's arms or legs get stuck?

It's one of the most common reasons parents look for bumpers. Federal crib standards require slat spacing of no more than 2-3/8 inches (Missouri Safe Sleep, summarizing AAP guidance), which keeps a baby's body from slipping through. An arm or leg may poke out occasionally, but pediatricians consider that far less dangerous than a bumper.

Safe ways to get the bumper look

You can still have a beautiful, finished crib without anything soft inside it:

1. A crib rail cover. A crib rail cover wraps the top rail only, adds pattern and color where a bumper used to, and protects the wood from teething marks. That matters most on convertible cribs, where the front rail later becomes a footboard. Tie the ties in a tight knot before tying a bow, and check them regularly.
2. A crib skirt. A crib skirt sits under the mattress and drapes to the floor, outside your baby's sleep space. It gives the crib the same tailored, layered look a bumper did.
3. A coordinating fitted crib sheet. A fitted crib sheet in a matching fabric ties the set together while staying flat and tight on the mattress.
4. Decor outside the crib. Window treatments, a decorative pillow on the glider and art on the wall carry the nursery theme without adding anything to the crib.

Our bumperless crib bedding sets combine a rail cover, crib skirt and crib sheet in coordinating fabrics, so you get the full look in one order.

What should be in the crib?

The AAP's safe sleep basics (HealthyChildren.org):

• Place your baby on their back for every sleep.
• Use a firm, flat mattress that fits the crib snugly, with a fitted sheet only.
• Keep pillows, blankets, stuffed toys and bumpers out of the crib.
• Use a wearable blanket or sleep sack instead of a loose blanket (Cleveland Clinic).

Frequently asked questions

Can I still buy crib bumpers?
Not legally in the US. Since November 12, 2022, it has been unlawful to sell, manufacture for sale, distribute or import padded crib bumpers in the United States (CPSC).

I have an old bumper set. What should I do?
Take it out of the crib. The CPSC advises parents to stop using padded bumpers and not to sell or give them away (CPSC).

Are crib rail covers safe?
Rail covers that cover only the top rail are outside the scope of the federal bumper ban (CPSC). Choose one that fits snugly, knot the ties tightly, and check the fabric and ties regularly as your baby starts teething.

Is a crib skirt safe?
Yes. A crib skirt sits under the mattress and hangs on the outside of the crib, so it isn't part of your baby's sleep surface.

This article shares general safe sleep guidance from the AAP and CPSC. Talk with your pediatrician about your baby's specific needs.