...ditch the bumpers? Actually, it's safest just to skip them in the first place. Since every crib set seems to be sold with these cushy borders, it's easy to assume that they serve a purpose. They don't. They're a waste of money, and what's more, they can pose a real risk to your baby. The First Candle/SIDS Alliance is against the use of bumpers (and any other kind of soft bedding in the crib, like a blanket), since they're a suffocation hazard and a SIDS risk. If your baby burrowed her face into the fabric, it could decrease the amount of air she can breathe.

What you need to know: If you really have your heart set on a bumper (we know, some are hard to resist!), avoid the thick, puffy kind. Opt for a thin, firm one with no fewer than 12 ties, which should be well secured to the crib. Remove it when your child is 4 months or as soon as she can roll over.

Plus:

71 New-Mom Truths