Bumper or no bumper?

Babin5359

Is there a need to even buy a bumper? I've read so many horror stories online that I think I have decided against one but is there a time/age where they are actually safe/helpful?

tamarnina

We've never used one and never felt the need to do so. If I really wanted one, I would get a mesh one when the baby was older.

MrsG1019

Nope!! If you're gonna get one -- use one of those breathable bumpers. Keeps little arms and legs from being traped in the crib rails but doesn't chance suffocation.

creativesoul83

don't have one or plan on having one if end up needing one we would definitely get the mesh kind

emoxymoose

DS, around 6-7 months, would roll around so much and play that he got his limbs stuck between the rails all the time. I bought a breathable mesh one secondhand after that.

I still have it but don't plan on using it unless it becomes an issue again. They're a giant pain in the butt.

abbyful

No question about it: no bumper. They are unnecessary and unsafe.

Maelara

Nope, no bumper. The risk far outweighs anything else. To keep DDs limbs from getting in the slates we use a sleep sack. Works great.

wildflower75

I used a very thin breathable bumper until my DD started standing up (around 8 mos) and we got a thicker one. My DH and I were very scared about her hitting her head. She was sleeping through the night at 2 months though...

Babin5359

Thanks everyone!! All of these companies make the big puffy ones look so pretty and tempting but definitely not worth the risk!! Will be going mesh if at all!!

absolutelymaybe

Just a heads up the American Pedriatics Association has not said mesh bumpers are safe. It advises against them, too.

kaimee27

No bumper for us!  If our LO ends up being a mover and gets her arms/legs stuck in the slats a lot, then we may get a mesh bumper, but other than that we'll be foregoing the bumper.

missnacholover

We will get a mesh one if needed.

mander82

Now I am torn between registering for a mesh one or none at all. Hmmmm

momtojad

We went breathable at 9 months, but then took it down because it facilitated climbing out.

jaminjeff

We used a breathable mesh bumper until he was about 14 months old.

MmmPopcorn

We will not be purchasing one. They appear to be more trouble than they're worth, and with so many organizations recommending that parents NOT use crib bumpers, I'll just save myself the worry.

PineApple85

lissydee said:

We kept ours that came with the bedding set. My boys were not in the crib until well past 6 months (we're co-sleeping with me prior to) and by then they could roll front to back, lift, move and turn their heads no problem that leaving the bumper didn't seem like a problem (and wasn't). They were all over the place and helped protect their heads from banging on the rails.

This.  DS did extend his legs quickly and suddenly in his sleep on several occasions and the cushiony bumper saved his head.  Anyone considering a bumper, I would say hold off until you feel that you need it - not all LOs toss and turn so much that they need it - and if you do need it, it isn't an expensive purchase that'll make it hard to get at the time you determine you'd like to try it.

mb314

tamarnina said:

We've never used one and never felt the need to do so. If I really wanted one, I would get a mesh one when the baby was older.

This.  DS never got his arms/legs caught in the bars, so we never bothered with bumpers.  Denfinitely you don't need one before the baby can roll around, and they're not considered safe unless they are mesh.

phdprocrastinator

Maelara said:

Nope, no bumper. The risk far outweighs anything else. To keep DDs limbs from getting in the slates we use a sleep sack. Works great.

Even her arms?  

We used swaddles and then sleep sacks, but DD went through a period of getting her arms stuck in the slats right after she started rolling/moving.  We got the breathable mesh bumpers and used them for a few months. We took them out when she started pulling to stand, as I read stories of kiddos using the bumpers as a step to climb out of the crib (and this can happen super early - search youtube for videos!  They're crazy!).  

But I wouldn't worry about getting them until you need them.  As is evidenced by the quote above, some people never need them.  If it becomes an issue, you can run out and get them practically anywhere, or amazon with two day shipping.  

Celticlass6

I'm not planning on getting them at all. I'd be too freaked out and worried. If I find later on that baby gets limbs stuck between slats, then I'll consider a breathable mesh one from Amazon.

NLJ82

So...I had no idea this was even an issue O_O

Lord help me.

meeshybee

I put them on when the kids started getting really active in the crib, maybe 6 months or so. I remember specifically with DD1 having to take it out when she was older because she was using the fluffy bumper to try to climb out of the crib.

Babin5359

Thanks everyone, very helpful