AAP Statement on Passage of the Safe Sleep for Babies Act

By: Moira Szilagyi, MD, PhD, FAAP, president, American Academy of Pediatrics

“Last night's final passage of the Safe Sleep for Babies Act represents a monumental victory for children's health and is a culmination of decades of pediatrician advocacy. By banning the sale of dangerous and unsafe crib bumpers and inclined sleepers nationwide, this AAP-championed legislation is a true game changer when it comes to protecting infants from products that have no place in a safe sleep environment.

“The message from pediatricians has long been clear: the safest sleep environment for babies is a firm, flat, bare surface. Despite what the science shows, crib bumpers and inclined sleepers have remained on the market and store shelves, misleading parents into thinking they are safe and leading to dozens of preventable infant deaths. No family should ever experience this tragedy. When this bill becomes law, parents will have the long overdue peace of mind that these dangerous products can no longer find their way into their homes.

“This victory would not have been possible without pediatricians who have advocated for strong infant safety policies at all levels of government, and the consequential impact this law will have on the health and safety of babies cannot be overstated. The American Academy of Pediatrics applauds Representatives Cárdenas and Schakowsky and Senators Duckworth, Portman, and Blumenthal for their bipartisan commitment to protecting infants and looks forward with great anticipation to this bill being signed into law and thoroughly enforced."

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org and follow us on Twitter @AmerAcadPeds