bumpers

tSquared1987

So I've heard that bumpers aren't that safe for little ones (suffocation risks)? I am a first time mom so please forgive my "cluelessness". Is this true? I found at Target there is a "breathable safer bumper" which is like a mesh material. That way if they roll into it, they can still breathe through it. Does anybody have experience with these?

Thanks in advance for your help!

bethCT

we use a breathable bumper and it works great.  DD used to get her little arms/legs caught through the crib slats but she is fine now.  Also, the other risk with the traditional bumper is that kiddos can climb up on it and launch themselves out of the crib.  The breathable one eliminates this risk too!

We really went with nothing until we needed it, and then got a breathable one.

this is not a great shot, but you can see a picture of the breathable bumper in her crib here.

RedmondMama

One of the .org websites has a big article on bumpers and why they aren't safe. Part of the hazard is due to the ties on the bumper that can get untied and strangle the baby, and part is the suffocation risk. 

 

Some organizations are trying to ban the sale of baby bumpers, but if you read the numbers, I think less than 5 babies die per year due to bumpers...but really, if there is ANY risk of your babies life, would you take it? I don't care how cute bumpers are, I won't risk it.

 

The baby can't seriously injure itself on the bars, anyway. 

ALY1981

I've read that babies are still getting tangled up in the breathable bumpers.  It says you really shouldn't have anything but a firm mattress and crib sheet in the crib, nothing else other than your little one.

lzybeanie

FWIW, yes I've heard/read the research, but I used a bumper with DD (still do) and will do so with the next one. The research sees 'connections' (but not proof of) to SIDS, so that's one reason it's not recommended. Suffocation as you mentioned is another one. The crib ties are a new theory that I hadn't heard before.

tSquared1987

Thanks for all the info ladies! Although bumpers are really cute, I think I'm going to go with the breathable bumpers. I don't want to take any chances with my little guys. I don't want to be one of the less than 5 mom's that lose their child. So horrible, i couldn't imagine.

Thank you!