What do you think about bumper pads??

daisytoad · January 2011

I honestly never thought I would be spending so much time thinking about such things, but here I go:

I have heard many mixed messages about bumper pads and was wondering what everyone else had thought. My main point of confusion comes from the argument that they are only to be used until baby can move about independently. If they aren't moving around, why do they need bumper pads? Would it be horrible if we decided not to use anything?

cvl105 · January 2011

If they aren't moving around, why do they need bumper pads? I think it's just for aesthetic purposes at that point...it looks pretty.

Would it be horrible if we decided not to use anything? Not at all! I am not sure we will be getting one either. Seems like a waste of money. If anything I'll get a breathable bumper.

I also don't plan, at this point, to buy a bedding set. Just a skirt and sheets...maybe a breathable bumper. Since you can't use the blanket with the baby and I personally wouldn't hang it on the wall for decoration, it seems like a waste. I'm hoping my Mom can make me a bedskirt if I pick out some cool fabric from a fabric store. I haven't seen too many patterns online that I love.

skrichar · January 2011

I don't plan on using the bumper or the blanket for safety reasons. Since those are the two most expensive items in the crib bedding sets and a complete waste, I'm going to skip the sets all together and get a crib skirt, some sheets and curtains made on Etsy instead. It works out better anyway since we are team green and I've not seem many neutral modern sets that I like anyway (and can afford). This way I can pick the fabrics I like, and get only the pieces I will use.

Turtle143 · January 2011

While the bedding sets are so cute, the more I think about it the more I'm thinking I really won't be getting one. I agree with Chelsea about the fitted sheet and bed skirt more for safety reasons.

But I also thought that if I get a bedding set, I can choose not to have that bumper pad on there. Maybe hang it on the wall for decor instead. And perhaps in toddlerhood when I've converted the crib, I can then put the bumper pads on for cuteness factor.

Again, still doing a lot of thinking

KallieandJustin · January 2011

I wouldn't put a bumer that wasn't breathable in my DS's crib. Honestly, it isn't worth the risk of them getting butted up against the side and not being able to breathe. To me, in the beginning they are there for looks only, however once they can move, a breathable bumper works just fine. Just not a risk I am willing to take to have my LO's bed look cute.

CarlaAndJames · January 2011

We aren't using one. We couldn't find any reason FOR having them when they're tiny, and if we really have problems with LO getting limbs stuck later on we'll look at buying one then.

They're really for looks, because they're so cute, but DH was not on board with that being a reason to decrease safety.

Shann50952 · January 2011

We didn't use a bumper for my first daughter. I only got crib sheet, a bed skirt, and a blanket. I opted not to get a complete set. The reason I got hte blank was for "looks" as I liked to make her crib every morning and I hung theblank over the rail. I think for this baby we will be doing the same thing. I might however get a bedset, but use teh fabrice from the bumpers to make either a valence for the room, or use the fabric to wrap around the crib rail when she gets older....my first daughter started checing the crib rail when she was onld enough to stand and really banged it up.

bestmaid6 · January 2011

We aren't using a bumper, not even a breathable one. I don't see the need for them and I can't justify the purchase, given that they are the most expensive part of a crib set. We'll just stick with a fitted sheet.

MrsEmilyS · January 2011

We aren't going to use a bumper. I don't think they make much sense and they are not recommended for safety reasons.

Amaya84 · January 2011

I saw a lot of posts on why not to use them, for obvious reasons, so I figured I would state why they are good.

The obvious: They help ensure that the baby's limbs do not get stuck between the bars. It happens reguardless of safty standards.

The padded one's I suposed may help the baby not hurt itself if it bumps its head against the railing. It is possible to cause suffiction however.

The mesh ones provide the safty of not getting limbs caught, while preventing suffication concerns.

However, if you do chose to use a bumper here is what so many fail to do. Make sure that the bottom edge of the bumper sits BELOW the top of the crib matress. This way limbs do not get caught between both the bars, matress, and bumber.

DuckDuckGoose123 · January 2011

I don't plan to get a bumper. The cons are more compelling to me than the potential benefits.

skidunks · January 2011

We have one still in DS's crib. I don't know if we'll get another one for this baby. It looks cute. But there was a period when he was learning to roll over but couldn't get all the way back and we took it out because we were afraid he would get stuck up against it. We put it back in once he started banging his feet and head into the crib sides.

Ambeerose · January 2011

I like the breathable bumper just so DS didn't get his leg or arm stuck through the bars. I put the breathable bumper against my face and I could breath fine..so I believe that kind is not a safety issue. Although we did have the regular bumper with the crib set, it was only used a couple of months when DS started moving around.

march2008 · January 2011

We're not going to use bumper bads. If at some point down the road, the limbs really do start getting caught between the slates (does that really happen?? this is my first child), then I guess we'll have to get the breathable type later on.