Bumpers

[pdinseattle]

What's your opinion on bumpers? safe or not? if you don't use them, do you worry about the baby hitting its head on the crib or sticking a leg through?

[JElaineB]

I have never used a bumper. They are not recommended by the SIDS Alliance nor by my state's board of pediatricians. My son has never had a problem with hitting his head on the crib. Only once or twice when he was first mobile did he get his arms "stuck" and he cried out because he was startled. He wasn't hurt at all. He quickly learned not to stick his arms out of the crib! (Though now he does it for fun.) Using the Halo Sleep Sacks prevented him from sticking his legs out. Bumpers really are just decorative and a suffocation hazzard, so my opinion is that it is best not to use them.

Jennifer
mom to Jacob 9/27/02

[gamommy2noahnavery]

I used bumpers for my 4 YO DS until my ped told me horror stories re: bumpers. . . needless to say, they came out that day! My DD has never had a bumper in her crib. She hits her head everynight, and never wakes up without at least one if not both legs sticking out... but it doesn't seem to affect her and I feel MUCH safer without them in there.

[ScrapNancy]

We've never had a bumper in the crib for our 8 month old DD. Besides the SIDS concerns, it also makes it easier to get the side up and down and one less thing to worry about cleaning when we have a diaper or spit-up mess! I've not had a problem yet with DD moving around too much in her crib - we've never found her up against the rails or anything like that in the morning, even when she was so active as a newborn we had to buy a halo sleep sack because she kept kicking out of her swaddle and then crying because she was cold.

I know the decorative bumpers can be a great way to reinforce your nursery theme, but we found that our nursery could be themed (Pooh, of course!) with a cribskirt, wall art, crib mobile, drawer pulls on the dresser and closet, and stuffed animals stashed around on shelves and such. And we saved some money (bumpers can be *expensive*) and don't have to worry about the above issues!

Hope that helps!

[Jennamax]

I don't plan to use a bumper in our crib once the baby is here, because of safety reasons.

If you are worried about not having something around the crib, though, here is an idea from Walmart - it is a mesh bumper-type thing that is totally breathable.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?cat=86325&dept=5427&product_id=2233935&path=0%3A5427%3A86325%3A122954

[Jen in Chicago]

I did it for the first month to make the space seem smaller for DS, and b/c Grandma made them. They came out as soon as Jude lost a friend to SIDS.

Jude hits his head on everything and does occassionally get his foot stuck, but it is a small price to pay for safety.

He does not get his feet stuck when he is wearing his sleep sack.

[C99]

We didn't use them -- although I will admit that it's because Nathaniel came early and I didn't get a chance to make them, rather than for SIDS reasons. By the time I had enough time to think about making them, they would have had to come out anyway. Nate liked to sleep with his head smushed up against the slats; it didn't appear to hurt him or leave marks.

[jennifer13]

Wow, I'm feeling really guilty now-- I have used bumpers since day one. When DD was newborn I would put her in the crib shortways so that her head and sides were against the bumper. She didn't move around much then so I didn't worry. Now she often sleeps pushed up against the bumpers. And she loves them- before she could roll over she would lay there and look at the animals on it. I guess by the time she could roll around and have her face against it I wasn't worried because she had so much head and neck control.

That's so sad about Jude's friend!

Jennifer
Mom to Norah 5/23/03

[esianoyam3]

I started out using them, but I took them out when the pediatric GI told us to try putting DD to sleep elevated on her tummy to help with her reflux (I know that sleeping on the tummy is absolutely not recommended in a normal situation but DD was not sleeping AT ALL, and I decided to take the specialist's advice). Now we have absolutely nothing in her crib, just to be as safe as possible.

[peanut4us]

I made bumpers for her crib. We took them out when she learned to sit up on her own. I've never had a problem with her and them. But she wasn't a "corner" baby. She pretty much stayed in the center of her crib. She has gotten a leg stuck through once recently... up to her thigh. So i think they will do that regardless if they are going to, KWIM? Do what you feel comfortable with.

[Jacksonvol]

DD is almost 5 months old and we never used bumpers. Out thoughts were : 1. possible SIDS risk; 2. child will eventually learn to sit/stand and they have to come out then anyway; 3. easier to change bedding; and 4. they are expensive! I know some people make their own, but I am so unhandy at sewing, I glued my girl scout patches on! Seriously, DD does tend to scoot around, but I have never caught her with a limb outside the crib. We have also used tightly rolled receiving blankets on either side to "corral" her. Also, I don't know that a baby really can work up enough momentum to hurt itself by rolling into the side. It might startle the child, but I don't think it would really hurt.

[ladythebabygirl]

At what age are you suppose to take the bumpers off the crib and are they really necessary??

Thanks
Mel

[onlyone]

Wow- I'm surprised the overwhelming majority is agains bumpers. I was initially not going to get them, but I've actually been using them since day 1.

My daughter will be a year old in a couple of weeks and I've never worried about SIDS. I know she would definitely have bumped her head pretty hard if it wasn't for the bumpers...

I think it's a matter of what each parent feels comfortable with. Good luck making your decision.
MD

[vikivoly]

I used bumpers too. I think many of us on this board do use bumpers, but we aren't as vocal as those who don't use them. I have a feeling that a lot of bumper users don't post because they don't want to be viewed as a "bad" parent for using bumpers. Plenty of BBB members post their nursery pics and a lot have bumpers in their cribs.

[vpalmer]

I was going to post something very similar to Vicki's comments, but she said it better than I. I have used bumpers since day one and I will continue to use them until we determine that they are unsafe for our daughter. So far they have been great.

Veronica
Mom to Eva
Born on 6-12-03

[ppshah]

We also use a bumper. We make sure they are tied securely. We have never had the ties become undone or any other problems. We tried to take the bumber off at 6 months but DS's leg kept getting stuck. ( He likes to wedge himself into the corner of the crib and sleep LOL!!). He also won't go to sleep if he can see out into the nursery. Now he's figured out how to pull up in his crib so I'm guessing the bumber will have to go soon.

HTH

[athensmom]

I used Bumpers with my first, before I heard the horror stories and never had any problems. Practically, it is a pain changing the bed with bumpers. I haven't used them with my second but, her legs are constantly getting stuck in the slats of the crib. Has any one tried the mesh bumper from wal-mart? It looks like a good idea - not very pretty though - maybe it's just the photo.


Jen
Killan 10/31/00
Eloise 5/20/03

[kijip]

I know the party line is no bumpers and I did remove them once my son was moving around BUT I have never heard any examples/stats on how many babies are harmed by bumpers...and I have a hard time seeing the one I used as dangerous. Please post if you have had trouble or if you know some stats on the actual as opposed to theoretical risks....Thanks. I'll admit I am a pretty unconvinced of the dangers and would like an education...

[toomanystrollers]

I can't find any stats that are narrowed down to bumpers in particular - just deaths/injuries that are classified as "crib accidents" - which could mean a lot of different scenarios.

FWIW, all 3 of ours had bumpers. I tried Neve without the bumpers and it was a no-go. I guess she likes to be cozy and closed-in.

[jennyriver]

we have a bumper on right now, but DD isn't here yet. i bought the whole set before the idea of bumpers being dangerous ever occurred to me. my friends who don't use them have babies that are always getting their legs stuck in the slats, which upsets them and wakes them up, yet they are at an age where putting one in may make it a climbing tool/hazard. i have seen the mesh bumpers and they seem to be a good alternative for the 1st few months, but most will have the same issue (as baby learns to stand, can possibly get a foothold and climb out). SO...today i went on BRU and saw a product called Crib Shield System by Trend Lab (they also make a breathable mesh bumper). the main difference, it seems to me, is the "system" comes up and over the top of the crib sides - leaving no space for baby to get his/her foot into. SO...for now, i have registered for it for a few reasons...1) i'd rather not have DD waking up screaming w/limbs in the crib slats 2) we have cats and once the bumper is out, i can see them jumping right in (i plan on trying to keep them out during nap-time but they are tricky little suckers) (FYI, we are ALSO registering for the crib tent, which should keep pets out and baby IN) and 3) i like that it offers pretty full coverage of the crib (comes up and over the top like a teething rail). the one review on amazon/BRU says it kept coming off of her thick sided sleigh style crib but we don't have a crib like this and i can't imagine it being a problem. sure, DD's crib is gonna look like one big mosquito net when we're done with it but for safety's sake, i think it's worth it. i don't know, though, if it will add the same kind of protection if DD rolled over and hit her head. i think we might just have to wait and see what kind of sleeper she is. it might be bumper for the 1st few months and then switching to the mesh system when she sits up. if you haven't purchased either yet, take a look at the mesh system and see if it appeals to you - i can't see any drawbacks to it, as long as it fits your crib properly.

[tinkerbell1217]

I know I am in the minority, but I used bumpers with DS and DD years ago (they are teenagers now) and NEVER had a problem at all. In fact, when I washed them and did not have them in the crib for naptime, my DD and DS would both hit their heads on the crib and get legs stuck all the time. Of course, not as newborns, but by 3 months they were rolling around and I hated it when I would not have the bumpers in. By the time they were old enough to pull themsleves up in the crib or sit up, the bumpers came out.

I know they are not recommended, but its solely a personal decision I believe. It depends on your child too. Mine happened to need them.

And, as bad as it sounds, I HATED the way my cribs looked without them! Shame on me, I know, but I like bumpers and for me they served a real purpose!! They worked for me with no problems so I will use them again!

Kelly
9/22/2004

[ChrisRapp]

I am expecting my first and haven't decided yet what I'll do, but I remember seeing a "safe" bumper set on a website, maybe babystyle? I think it was called the "safe and sound" bedding set and it came with a sheet, a crib skirt, and a pretty flat-looking bumper. That might be an option worth considering.

[sarsah]

With DS#1, I didn't use bumpers, mostly because I sewed his bedding (crib ruffle, curtins, etc.) myself and didn't have the time or energy to make the bumpers. He did just fine without them.

For DS#2, I ended up buying his crib bedding and it came with a bumper. I set up the crib in advance and put the bumpers in because they looked nice. I thought at the time that I would remove them after the baby was born, but never did -- we've been using bumpers for the past 11 months with no problems. When he was very little, I would turn him widthwise in his crib to make the space seem smaller. Now that he's older and sitting & standing, I suppose the bumpers should really be removed, but he seems to fall asleep better with the bumpers in his crib because he can't see out the sides while laying down. He hasn't tried to use the bumper for a step (yet) and I really don't see how this is much of an issue since the bumper will smash down, maybe giving him an inch or two of a 'step'. Maybe when he's taller it will be important, but now when he stands, the crib rail is just barely at his chin.

Personally, I think bumpers are ok and would use them again for any future children we have. But then again, I am one of those people who thinks a lot of the safety ratings are 'over the top'. After all it's amazing my husband & I survived this long. We grew up without car seats -- sitting on someone's lap in the front seat and slept in a crib with slats wide enough to get my head stuck.

It's really a personal choice, I think. Use them if you want to and feel they are safe or don't use them if you don't want to or don't feel they are safe.

Sarah......mom to Jason (5/25/00) & Devin (5/12/03)

[InTheBiz]

i think if you have the over-sized, thick bumpers<like wendy belissimo> that it might be a little more problematic but if you see some of the newer bumpers, you might change your tune....hoohobbers makes an awesome, gorgeous bumper.....thick but not too think...straight up and down.these are maybe an inch in width with great ties.where ties should be....no overhang of fabric....zip-off liners to make washing easier...and really pretty patterns....

i used a bumper with both of my children and like the above poster, have yet to read a story or anything else to substantiate the sids issues with bumpers.....i tried taking the bumpers off at the suggested age of 5 months for my dd<7 years old now>
my daughter was a mover and a roller and would every night get her limbs caught between the rails...so i gave up and put them back on....she's fine.....i'm fine...we're all fine...
but to each his own....you are allowed your opinion and i guess had i heard of this 7 years ago i would have joined in the hysteria,too....glad i didn't...i was a nervous nelly as it was.