can someone explain the crib bumper controversy?

ragazza19

I am getting conflicting reports from all over the board.  What's everyone's take on them?

Brian&Nikki

I asked my pedi - and he actually said that the chance of a baby suffocating becuase of the bumpers is just so minimal and not likely.  He did say the real risk with bumpers is when babies can start to pull themselves up and use them as a lift to jump out of the crib.  That's when they are truly dangerous.  He told us regular or breathable bumpers for now - really doesn't matter.

JARbaby

For me the choice came down to the "what if"

What if my child were the one in a million who something happened to with a bumper in the crib? Could I forgive myself? No.

I got the breathable and it is just as good, C was pulling up at 5 months and putting her foot on the breathable at 6. It slides down so does not give any assistance in climbing out.

 

crazy4norm

The chance of suffocating probably is minimal.  However, I have met quite a few people who's kids have stuck their heads underneath the bumper and got stuck.  They just cried until mom or dad came and rescued them.  But my friends did remove the bumper after that started happening. 

Reebs S

They increase the SIDS risk by potentially not letting fresh air cirulate - the baby's CO2 hangs around.

August112007

I am not even going to bother with them.  They are a hazard eventually.  I understand infant dont really move around for the first few months but it will be one less thing to worry about.

mrskeller825

I've read that it's the CO2 build up that is a problem, but that if you have a fan in the room to improve the circulation, that should remedy that.

brideofaussie

My take is that I'm not risking my child's safety for the sake of a good-looking nursery.

I'm not getting a bumper at all.  If I find our baby is getting stuck in the crib I'll buy a breathable one.

madhatter2003

I used a regular one with my DD until she could pull up (they hadn't made the SIDs connection then).  Now we have a breathable one as she DOES get stuck, but it collapses when she tries to stand on it.

For baby #2 I'll just go straight to a breathable one. 

plumag

Most pp covered the basics of each side.  There is still no clear reason for SIDS deaths.  We do know that the number went down by half in the US when folks started laying their baby on their backs to sleep and one current theory is about CO2 circulation...but it's still unexplained.  The most recent study to be published was that a fan running or an open window is correlated with lower SIDS risk but I don't remember it ever thus negating the bumper issue. 

 Anyway, it really comes down to your choice and how you feel about all of this often overwhelming (and sometimes contradictory) information.  For me there is no question - I'll follow all suggested guidelines.  And yup - DH thinks it's a little overboard but it doesn't matter - it's important to me.  So nothing like that in the crib for me, baby always on her back, no loose bedding, etc.  It makes sense to me to do anything and everything.  I had a god-daughter die of SIDS at 2 months old and that really affected my opinion on a lot of these issues.  Do what makes you comfortable.

aldyn

There are enough experts out there recommending against them, that I really can't understand why anyone would use them.

Yeah, they're cute, but they're certainly not worth risking the safety of my baby over!

Mjmksb04

I had a regular bumper but realized I would be way too paranoid about it so I broke down and switched it for a mesh/breathable bumper. The "what ifs" just didn't seem worth it even though the risk is minimal.

ragazza19

Thank you for all the responses.  This has helped sway my decision that is just not worth the risk either way.  Looks like I will be taking out the bumper and making a vallance  (sp?) out of it.  Thanks again!!

SarahMay77

We aren't using a bumper.  I never did buy a full bedding set, so I like the way the crib looks w/o even a breathable bumper.