Doctors Warn Parents To Get Rid Of Crib Bumpers

CHICAGO (CBS) -- There's a new warning for parents today, doctors are now saying that parents should not put bumper pads in babies' cribs.

When you look at cribs you'll usually find soft padding or bumper pads tied to the cribs to provide a cushion.

But, as CBS 2's Susanna Song reports, the American Academy of Pediatrics is saying it's a bad idea.

The group, based out of Elk Grove Village, said the pads pose a potential risk of suffocation, strangulation and entrapment.

The academy is recommending that babies always sleep on a firm surface, and parents should not add soft bedding like pillows or blankets.

Earlier this month, Chicago became the first city in the country to ban the sale of bumper pads for cribs.

There have been reports of babies suffocating when they rolled up against them and did not have the strength to move away.

But for years, the makers and sellers of the bedding said the pads were a good thing, to help prevent babies from head injuries and entrapment between crib railings.