Bumpers or no bumpers?

srkm

I am trying to plan the nursery and I am not sure how I feel about using bumpers in the cribs.  I hear from some people that it is a bad idea and from others I hear that it is no big deal.  What do you ladies think?

MrsLnt

We were in the "no big deal" camp. Babies slept swaddled for the first 4-5 months, and then they could roll should they need to move away from the bumper. Also we used Angelcare monitors which gave us some peace of mind. 

I've heard that they should be taken out before the babies use them as a step to get out of the crib, but ours are just starting to do that at 14 months and the bumpers completely collapse under their weight so it's not been an issue for us. I like the way they look and I don't regret using them.  

shadypines

We are planning on using wonder bumpers. Good Luck!

eyelovemascara

I was very against bumpers when I was pregnant--I thought NOOO WAY!! Too risky! And I think the mesh "breathable bumpers" are way ugly, so I just decorated my nursery with cute sheets/crib skirt and no bumper.

Then my babies were born and the only way I could get them to sleep in their cribs was with the super soft carter's bumper, so I caved and used them. They still nuzzle up against it and it helps them fall asleep. I've tried it without bumpers now that they are older, but they freak out because they can stick their legs/arms out of the crib and I guess they don't like it. Sometimes I guess the babies just make the decision for you.

kthappy76

They are no longer recommended, so we are in the nada bumpers camp. 99% of ppl who use them have no issues, and I think most use them for aesthetic reasons. The crib looks less like a baby jail with them, I guess. For us, they seemed an unnecessary waste of money since we weren't doing a theme or bedding set.

CaliDutchGrl

We use the Breathable Bumpers. 

chickaboo1974

No bumpers.  Not only is there a SIDS risk I was more concerned about the stragulation and suffocation risks.  Our cribs only have a crib sheet- my guys still don't get a blanket to sleep with.

SaraDee83

Well, I used them with both of my previous children, but frankly... I think they're more of a nuisance than anything. As your baby/babies age, they tend to start pulling on them & they get all stretched out.... so you're constantly tightening the ties & so-forth. I think I'm about ready to take them out of my daughter's crib. It's a real pain changing their sheets too... b/c the mattress pushes the bumper down & then it gets all stretched out again too. I think I actually ended up breaking a few corner ties w/my son's bumper. *haha*

So, really -- it's up to you. Yeah, they look cute & they do keep the arms/legs from getting stuck between the crib bars (for a small period of time)... but to me, they're more hassle then they're worth.

smcgervey

I read a really good article on bumpers in the doctors office waiting room (still can't find the link online) and basically while the risk of SIDS is rare and whatnot, the chances are still slightly there. 

In a nut shell, there is no reason TO actually have bumpers.  The slats are too small for babies to get stuck in.  They don't roll around fast enough to hurt themselves in the crib.  They are mostly for decoration.  While I probably could fall into the "no big deal" group because I don't get fussy over things, If there is no reason to spend money on them...why do it?

Switzerland87

I'm in the no bumpers camp. I've never liked them anyway. 

MagPie08

No bumpers. IMO, they are way overpriced and a waste of moolah - it's just for aesthetics. 

erniebufflo

No bumpers here. The American Academy of Pediatrics says no, and I'm married to a pediatrician, so he's firmly opposed to using them.

gringa78

No bumpers here.

leebi07

I was in the no bumper camp, but at my shower someone gave me a bedding set that included them.  I didn't use them until around 8 months when we were having a problem with them putting their arms and legs through the slats.  It solved that problem.

TheBachelorette

No bumpers until they could roll.  Then we put in the bumpers because they were getting their hands and feet stuck.  I was afraid they would hurt themselves.

veronicacorningstone

We used the breathable bumpers until they were about a year old, then we put their original bumpers back in the crib because of the padding.  We have one boy who loves to lead with his head.  One more bump and we'll only have to pay for community college for him.  In all seriousness though, I was sketched out at the SIDS risk when they were little, which is why we went with the breathable ones.   They haven't attempted to stand up on them and escape.  I think the bumpers would collapse if they did.