Bumper pads or no bumper pads?

PaulaLeo · February 2011

Hi! My six-month-old son just went for his checkup, and while there the doctor gave me a print-out with tips; in it, there's a bullet point advising to remove bumper pads from the crib. So we did. And now he's hitting his head on the crib slats! I am so confused -- should we put the pads back on? Do you use pads? Any tricks? Thanks!

kaylakaylakayla · February 2011

Breathable bumpers.

shebaxric · February 2011

I use the bumper bads. DD is always in a different position in the morning than the one I put her in the night before, so I keep them in there to prevent injury.

CMSullivan326 · February 2011

We didn't use the bumper pad until he was like, 4 months and could roll over/turn his head when needed. It's been in there ever since and he's been perfectly fine. If you're worried about it, do what PP said and get the breathable bumper.GL!

MyLittleSweetPea · February 2011

We use regular bumpers too. I feel very confident that if LO got into a position he didn't like- he would scoot!

cmhicklin · February 2011

The breathable bumpers don't offer any padding. A nurse at the hospital told us they don't recommend bumpers now, but it changes quite a bit. She was around 30, so its not like she was totally "old school"

margotmacomber · February 2011

We used bumper pads on 3 of the 4 sides until DD started rolling around. Now we just use one on the back edge. No rhyme or reason behind this.

mopsie · February 2011

We use bumpers (the regular kind). DD still wears the sleep suit, so she can't really get up close to the sides of the crib.

Alexandra*sMom · February 2011

I have never used or bought bumper pads.

TiaTia · February 2011

We had the bumper pads on the crib just for "decoration" while DD was sleeping in her bassinette in our room. When I moved her to her crib, the pads came off and I replaced them with breathable bumpers...not that she was capable of moving herself anywhere near them. Now that she's able to rotate her body like the hands of a clock, she's bumping her head against the slats. I put the pads back on.

NicoleWright8 · February 2011

I don't think your pedi's recommendation has to do with them suffocating at this age. I think the reason they recommend to take them off now is that once LO can stand in the crib they can stand on the bumpers and use them to boost themselves up when they try to climb out of the crib. We use the breathable bumpers. Although there's no padding to prevent DS from banging his head they're collapsable so he can't climb on them either.