Ugh...bumpers...

JCM052707 · February 2009

It seems like this would be discussed a lot, so sorry, but I haven't seen any threads on it since I've been lurking here for a couple weeks...

I can't decide if I want to spend the money on the bumper. My bedding is being custom made on Etsy and I can choose what I want. I'm def. doing sheets, crib skirt, and I am decided on if I want to do a bumper and/or quilt as well...

I know I won't use the quilt at first or for awhile, but I think it'd be nice to have - they're so cute and thin by this seller. And bumpers - in the pics she has it really "makes" the set look adorable, but I always figured I'd never use one. But at first, when they're so small and swaddled in a crib, they don't move at all, right? And then when they're much older, the SIDS risk is so low that it's probably OK, do you think? (just kind of that inbetween stage...

I don't know..I really go back and forth and if it's worth it or not. What are your thoughts???

here are some pics of her work (my patterns/colors are different than any shown here, but I love them all!) so you can see the cribs with and without bumpers and quilts.

The whole set:

No bumper

It seems so much cuter w/ a bumper and I'd like to use one if it's not too dangerous. the price dif. is between $215 and $325 dep. on the bumper or not.

HotDish! · February 2009

Given the price difference I would pass on the bumper but I do think it looks better with. We have always used one with DD and I think it has saved lots of bruises on her head.

JCM · February 2009

Of course bumpers make the bedding look very cute. I have read that if the bumpers have ties on both top and bottom it makes them safer. We are going to use them but as soon as the baby is able to move on it's own I am pretty sure we are going to remove them. We are taking the additional SIDS precautions such as placing a fan in the room for air circulation and keeping the nursery around 68 degrees when baby is in there.

#3itwillbe · February 2009

With all of our kids I LOVED the look of the bumpers but I was not willing to put them at risk for a look. They do not have good reviews as far as safety and I think you can do other things to the nursery that will complete the look without increasing any safety risk.

JCM052707 · February 2009

HotDish!:
Given the price difference I would pass on the bumper but I do think it looks better with. We have always used one with DD and I think it has saved lots of bruises on her head.

I'm not totally concerned about the price difference as long as I know I will/can actually use it. I just don't want to get it if I will NEVER use it, you know? Did you ever stop using it when DD started first moving around?

It seems like everyone used bumpers for so long and now all of a sudden people freak out about them, but I wonder what the actual risk is, esp with either a tiny newborn that isn't moving at all or a little older baby who's risk of SIDS is very declined....

HotDish! · February 2009

She still uses it and she`s 18 months old. The one night I took it off to wash it she woke up in the middle of the night with her leg stuck in the slats of the crib and had a big bump on her head the next day. We have it tied on the top and bottom and it`s tucked in between the mattress and crib.

#3itwillbe · February 2009

P.S. I just wanted to mention that while most babies take a while to roll or move, "some" do it early. You just can't predict that kind of thing. Also that I have a very active 1st child who climed out of her crib at 17 months but she was never hurt from not having a bumper. #2 has been more regular in the frame of activity and he also never hurt himself without one.

grinsandgiggles · February 2009

We're not using one. I've heard cases of baby's burying their heads into them, some from mom's on here. It's not worth it for a crib to be cute for us. We are going to use a breathable bumper to keep limbs inside the crib, not the cutest, but at least I can sleep better at night.

Oh, and my niece started to roll over at 2 weeks. By accident of course...not really trying, but you'd hate to have a baby roll over and them not be able to roll back...Plus, not all baby's like to be swaddled, so the arms will be free, making it easier to roll.

niki81 · February 2009

I've used bumpers ever since she started to creep in her crib. I was paranoid about her hitting her head. I know it's recommended not to use them, but oh well . . . it was my choice as a mom, and I'm comfortable with it.

BTW - they do add to the overall look of the bedding set:-)

HotDish! · February 2009

I would recommend using a sleep wedge for DC when they are little so they can`t roll over, it made me feel much better at night.

mfransdell · February 2009

I love Etsy! Ive ordered so many adorable blankets/hats/mittens ect I didnt even think of the bedding!

As far as bumpers go...they ARE cute, butyour baby will be cuter and it's not worth the risk if you are worried. I would go with the quilt though. DC can use it later one and it would be cute to drape over the crib or a glider in the meantime.

renogaw · February 2009

I skipped it originally due to the SIDS risk. First Candle recommends not having anything but the baby in the crib. DD started rolling over shortly before 3 months (2-4 months is the highest risk period for this reason). When she started really moving around the crib we bought a breathable bumper for $20. That stopped her from getting her limbs stuck out of the crib and it does a nice job keeping the pacifiers inside also (bonus!) She was 11 months old the first time she tried to use it to climb out. Thankfully it just collapses, she can't stand on it. If she was able to stand on it, I think she'd already have gotten out (she's 12 months now)

I plan to do the same with the next baby. Babies do things out of the blue and I don't want to risk it. Buy some cute clothes with the money instead

Mama Angelina · February 2009

We're not using one for safety reasons, because the damage from a bumped head is a lower risk to us than what can happen with a bumper. That said, I think the complete set is cuter than the other set. However, they also have plain white walls in those photos and I think when the nursery is decorated and walls are painted sometimes the bumper actually makes the crib look a little overdone. Don't know what your bedding looks like but those are busy patterns and from a design point I would go for less= more and opt for no bumper or a fancier bumper with simple bedding. I do like the patterns though, who is the Etsy seller if you don't mind me asking?

Traycee1242 · February 2009

I would get the bumper. I wouldn't feel like you are putting your child at risk either... you have quite awhile before they roll over (you can use a wedge like ppl suggested)

There are studies for everything.... they are all contradictory as well. I really don't believe that bumpers can suffocate a child... maybe the ones made years ago but the ones today are much thinner, breathable, etc.

GL... and yes I'd like to know the name of the etsy seller as well

JCM052707 · February 2009

MamaAngelina:
We're not using one for safety reasons, because the damage from a bumped head is a lower risk to us than what can happen with a bumper. That said, I think the complete set is cuter than the other set. However, they also have plain white walls in those photos and I think when the nursery is decorated and walls are painted sometimes the bumper actually makes the crib look a little overdone. Don't know what your bedding looks like but those are busy patterns and from a design point I would go for less= more and opt for no bumper or a fancier bumper with simple bedding. I do like the patterns though, who is the Etsy seller if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks, I think I feel the same way the more I think about it. You all are right, it's not worth it. Here is the seller:

https://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6471859

penguingrrl · February 2009

My daughter is 18 months old and we've had a bumper in her crib since day 1. Now she's in a toddler bed (which is her crib converted) and we still have the bumper around the 3 sides because otherwise I'm worried that her limbs will get stuck in between the slats! I know they're controversial, but I feel like it has saved us many bumps and bruises and stuck limbs!

**Gretchen** · February 2009

We won't be using one.

Bumped heads and stuck limbs aren't too high on my list of worries. SIDS is.

schmoodle · February 2009

I'll probably get one because most of the bedding I like comes in sets, but I'll only put it on the crib for decoration until the baby sleeps in it. Once the baby goes in the bumper will come out and I'll probably either just stow it or try to think of something else to do with it.

Also, from my understanding, SIDS isn't the only concern with bumpers, another is that when the baby is bigger and can stand they can climb on it and there's a risk of them falling out of the crib.

TimsMayBride · February 2009

JCM052707:
I wonder what the actual risk is, esp with either a tiny newborn that isn't moving at all or a little older baby who's risk of SIDS is very declined....

I think there are 2 issues being confused - SIDS and suffocation. SIDS is unexplained, whereas suffocation is, well, explained. The SIDS risk with bumpers has to do with decreased air flow and a build up of CO2 - has nothing to do with whether the baby is moving around or not. From the all-knowing wikipedia:

"The presence of bumper pads in a crib may also be a contributing factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). These products may reduce the flow of oxygen rich air to the infant in the crib. Furthermore, proposed theories indicate that the rebreathing of carbon dioxide plays a role in the occurrence of SIDS."

That said, we are using a bumper. Due to the design of the crib, we will use a 3 sided bumper until the mattress is lowered.

GypsyEsq · February 2009

We're using a bumper in the crib and one in our cradle as well -- we're having both custom made. I'm getting extra ties on both the top and the bottom. I think this is just one of those issues that parents have to decide and there isn't really a wrong answer. Many people use bumpers and many people do not.

Kflie83 · February 2009

I am sooooooooo glad you brought this up. I've been meaning to for a while now and keep forgetting. I first heard negative things about bumpers a few weeks ago and it just broke me heart! I LOVE the way bumpers look. I agree that so many things have been just fine for years, and then all of a sudden it's a huge no-no. I think I'm going for a bumper and will probably just use the wedge to make myself feel better.

Chrisy-Wyobride · February 2009

I will never put a bumper in my child's crib...I had a very scary incident w/ one the very first time I put my oldest DD in the crib to sleep (& it was only a nap). Babies can move (scoot, not even roll all the way over) from birth & lots of babies can break out of a swaddle or don't like being swaddled. Not worth the risk at all IMO.

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