Ahead of the arrival of their fifth baby, Jamie and Jools Oliver have shared a photo of their brand-new nursery — and it looks adorable.
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Moms-to-be have expressed serious envy over the Danish Juno cot, the supercute wallpaper and the adorable “I love you” bunting. But one fan pointed out something that’s not so desirable in the nursery: cot bumpers. “Beautiful… but… Ditch the cot bumper for a safer space for your baby,” posted Instagram user hairy_maclairy.
This is a little different from the usual celeb-bashing we’re wearily accustomed to seeing on social media: This person actually has a point. There’s no shortage of research to suggest that cot bumpers are harmful to newborns. A study from the Washington University School of Medicine, published in 2015 in the Journal of Pediatrics, found that 48 infant deaths from 1985 to 2012 were specifically attributed to cot bumpers. Furthermore, 146 infants almost suffocated, choked or were strangled by cot bumpers.
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While there are no federal regulations restricting the use of cot bumpers, there are industry standards that companies can follow — albeit voluntarily. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to not use them (including the new breathable mesh bumpers), and pediatricians regularly advise against them. In 2012, Consumer Reports put bumpers on the “13 dangerous baby products to avoid” list.
Chicago and the state of Maryland have banned the sale of cot bumpers in recent years. In England, where the Olivers live, there is no official guidance on their use, but a leading charity, The Lullaby Trust, has been advocating the removal of cot bumpers.
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There’s no doubt that the nursery for the fifth Oliver baby is completely adorable. But it could definitely lose the bumpers and still be sweet — and safe.
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