Bumper or no bumper

Heathbar1810 · February 2011

I have heard mixed reviews on the bumpers in the cribs. I heard from some they are dangerous and others they are safer for baby. Does anyone have an opinion?

twohniyt · February 2011

I've heard the same thing, but it's been nothing official. Just opinions of family and friends with small children.

12bailey18 · February 2011

Everyone seems to have a different opinion on bumpers so you'll just have to figure out what's best for you. We used bumpers from the very beginning. I'm a huge supporter of bumpers for older babies, since I have a little monkey. The bumpers have saved his little head from bumps and bruises. Especially when he was learning to sit up and stand in the crib. He likes to play around in his crib so I'm glad I have bumpers to protect his head. I plan on using them from the beginning this time around too.

eminbmore · February 2011

We used a breathable bumper with my DS and it worked fine to keep him from bumping his noggin all the time, but I never worried he was going to suffocate in it. I also didn't worry that he was going to use it as a climbing apparatus to get out of his crib. We'll probably go that route again.

Neukim · February 2011

No bumper. Why would you even take a chance of SIDS--b/c that is what you are doing using them!

We did use a breathable bumper for my DS when he was 9 months. He kept getting his hands and feet stuck in the rail.

crabbypatty426 · February 2011

We used a breathable bumper, too. We tried to do without one, but he hit his head constantly and he got his arms and legs stuck a couple of times, so that was our compromise. It worked fine, and it collapses down enough when he tries to step on it, so I don't worry about him using it to climb out or anything.

KendraJoette · February 2011

I really like having a bumper, my DD gets her legs stuck between the bars on cribs with out them.... If you are worried about saftey, the breathable bumpers are great, and even if your LO pushes right up against them they can still breathe.

klv · February 2011

We are going to go with a breathable bumper as well.

citychicks · February 2011

Bumpers are dangerous. No bumper.

CCinLove · February 2011

No bumper in our house. You should be able to google the reasons that they aren't recommended (I'm too lazy to find it for you). We used a breathable bumper. We even took that out once DS started climbing out of the crib. He sometimes sticks his limbs through the bars and sleeps with his face smashed against the wood, but it doesn't seem to bother him. Other than aesthetic reasons, I don't know why anyone would use a regular bumper over a breathable bumper. They both do the same job, but one doesn't have the same SIDS risks.

mcginnie86 · February 2011

Bumpers are a huge suffocation hazard, unless you go with a mesh one (breathable bumper). This is the one on my registry:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/BreathableBaby-Breathable-Safer-Bumper-Fits-All-Cribs-Sage/8154353

It comes in a variety of colors, too. Also, no blankets in the crib!

tokenhoser · February 2011

Conclusion

The use of bumper pads may expose young children to the hazards of entanglement, entrapment, strangulation, and suffocation.

Accordingly, it is the position of Health Canada that bumper pads compromise the safety of children with negligible perceived benefits. Therefore, Health Canada recommends that the Canadian public discontinue the use of these products. Bumper pads that continue to be bought and sold on the Canadian market should meet the minimum safety recommendations outlined in this policy.

Health Canada says bumpers kill babies and have never saved any. That's enough for me.

CarlaAndJames · February 2011

https://sids.org/nprevent.htm

"2. Place infants to sleep in a baby bed with a firm mattress. There should be nothing in the bed but the baby - no covers, no pillows, no bumper pads, no positioning devices and no toys. Soft mattresses and heavy covering are associated with the risk for SIDS."

LauraOTR · February 2011

We will not use a regular bumper. Right now, we have one in there that came with the set, but it's just for show. When the baby is born and moves into the crib, we'll use a breathable bumper. It's just not worth the risk to use the big plushy one. Once he is older, we'll see....it's pretty thick, so I'm not sure I'd want to risk him using it to launch himself out of the crib, either.

wintertime_love · February 2011

We use a regular bumper for our daughter and have used since she was born. In my opinion, by the time babies can really roll around enough to get close to the bumpers the risk of SIDS has dropped so much already.

She didn't used a blanket in her crib until after a year, but we always used bumpers and were fine with them.

TheLastCall · February 2011

No bumpers. It's just not worth the risk to us.

kimbo1216 · February 2011

Ok. I completely understand the worries about bumpers. That being said, IMO you need more info before deciding. For example, when will your baby be in the crib? From the beginning? Or later on? We are using a bassinet the first few months and do not plan on using the crib much at first. By the time we do, I am not worried about the bumper as she will be strong enough to move if she is in a bad position or something of that nature.

Also, SIDS =/= suffocation. They are 2 different things. SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant. Chance of SIDS severely decreases at 6 months and then again at 1 year. Experts do not exactly what causes it. They only have theories about what causes it and how to prevent it--nothing steadfast.

Remember, at one point not to long ago, it was considered dangerous to put a baby to sleep on his/her back for fear of choking. Face down was the preferred method. Now, face down is wrong and face up is right.

All in all, you must take the info presented and decided what is right for you and your family.

tokenhoser · February 2011

kimbo1216:
All in all, you must take the info presented and decided what is right for you and your family.

Don't forget to consider the source of information. Every time this "debate" comes up, one side brings experts and studies that look at huge numbers of child injuries and deaths... and the other side brings "well, my other kids survived".

I just don't see how this is an opinion issue. It's not like choosing a paint color. It's like choosing whether to have a kid wear a bike helmet or use a carseat.

kcnurse77 · February 2011

I am a nurse that work in OB/GYN and have attended a lot of seminars/educational training on SIDS. Bumpers pads are not recommended. I will not use them. They are not necessary. People tend to get caught up in the crib decor and all the fluffy crib sets that are more for decor than anything else. Bottom line is: Bare is better! On one handout we distribute listing the risk factors for SIDS it shows a baby in a crib with only a crib sheet on it. No loose blankets, no bumpers, just a baby and a crib sheet. Looks bare, but research is telling us that is the way to go. True - SIDS is a diagnosis of EXCLUSION, meaning they dont really know what caused it but they excluded several other reasons, However, since we have been asking people to do certain things such as baby on back to sleep, bare crib, non-smoking home...the rate of SIDS has gone WAY down.

jkylie · February 2011

we use a bumper with my now 1 yo. However, this might not last much longer bc she is using it as something to climb on to get out her crib.

We have had a bumper in since day one but DD didn't go to her crib until 6 months. I believe the risk is when babies can't roll on their own, sit up etc. When DD was 6 months she was rolling both directions and sitting up so the i feel the risk time has passed.

Depending on how soon we moved LO #2 to the crib, we might not sure a bumper and instead use a breathable bumper.

tokenhoser · February 2011

KateB1984:
tokenhoser:
kimbo1216:

All in all, you must take the info presented and decided what is right for you and your family.

Don't forget to consider the source of information. Every time this "debate" comes up, one side brings experts and studies that look at huge numbers of child injuries and deaths... and the other side brings "well, my other kids survived".

I just don't see how this is an opinion issue. It's not like choosing a paint color. It's like choosing whether to have a kid wear a bike helmet or use a carseat.

Um, no, it's not. In the USA approx 1 infant dies per year in which the bumper pads are a 'factor' (meaning there could be other factors too like pillows or stuffed animals in the crib, etc). This is of over 4,000,000 babies born annually. It cannot be compared to not using a carseat.

Odds of your baby suffocating with the crib bumper: 1 in over 4,000,000. Odds of being hit by lightning: 1 in 576,000. I think it's entirely a parenting decision. If your kid sleeps better not getting limbs stuck, go nuts.

Personally, we skip them because I love being able to stick my head in the doorway and easily check on the baby in the crib, without having to go right in and look down into the crib to see.

Tell me about odds when it's your kid that lost the bet.

MissLMS · February 2011

wintertime_love:

We use a regular bumper for our daughter and have used since she was born. In my opinion, by the time babies can really roll around enough to get close to the bumpers the risk of SIDS has dropped so much already.

She didn't used a blanket in her crib until after a year, but we always used bumpers and were fine with them.

This exactly. DD is in her converted toddler bed now and still has the bumper wrapped around the edges. I think it's almost like a security blanket for her when she curls up to go to sleep.

dvsness · February 2011

I used a regular bumper for DS and will be using one for the new baby as well. Suffocation was never a concern since he was able to roll and move by the time he was using the crib instead of the PnP's bassinet in our room. By that time, I was more concerned with him getting a limb stuck.

kimbo1216 · February 2011

tokenhoser:
KateB1984:
tokenhoser:
kimbo1216:

All in all, you must take the info presented and decided what is right for you and your family.

Don't forget to consider the source of information. Every time this "debate" comes up, one side brings experts and studies that look at huge numbers of child injuries and deaths... and the other side brings "well, my other kids survived".

I just don't see how this is an opinion issue. It's not like choosing a paint color. It's like choosing whether to have a kid wear a bike helmet or use a carseat.

Um, no, it's not. In the USA approx 1 infant dies per year in which the bumper pads are a 'factor' (meaning there could be other factors too like pillows or stuffed animals in the crib, etc). This is of over 4,000,000 babies born annually. It cannot be compared to not using a carseat.

Odds of your baby suffocating with the crib bumper: 1 in over 4,000,000. Odds of being hit by lightning: 1 in 576,000. I think it's entirely a parenting decision. If your kid sleeps better not getting limbs stuck, go nuts.

Personally, we skip them because I love being able to stick my head in the doorway and easily check on the baby in the crib, without having to go right in and look down into the crib to see.
Tell me about odds when it's your kid that lost the bet.

Thanks Kate! And no it's not the same thing. Car seats are required by law. If they really feel bumpers are that unsafe, shouldn't they outlaw producers even making them in the first place? Just a thought.

Tokenhoser--I'm sorry if you've had a loss. I have not personally experienced that, but my cousin has. I know what it can do to a family. I know it's the hardest thing she's ever been through. Hands down. I also know that you still have to decide what is right for yourself. I personally wouldn't put a newborn into the crib with a bumper. But as they get older and are stronger, I don't see the problem.

But like I said, to each their own. All we can do is what we feel is best for LOs.

tokenhoser · February 2011

I fully expect bumpers to be outlawed within the next 5 years. Kind of like that drop-side crib thing. I assume most of you also think that's no big deal? I mean, the odds are totally in your favour that nothing bad will happen, and convenience is clearly more fun than safety.

IrishEyes0530 · February 2011

kimbo1216:
Ok. I completely understand the worries about bumpers. That being said, IMO you need more info before deciding. For example, when will your baby be in the crib? From the beginning? Or later on? We are using a bassinet the first few months and do not plan on using the crib much at first. By the time we do, I am not worried about the bumper as she will be strong enough to move if she is in a bad position or something of that nature.
Also, SIDS =/= suffocation. They are 2 different things. SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant. Chance of SIDS severely decreases at 6 months and then again at 1 year. Experts do not exactly what causes it. They only have theories about what causes it and how to prevent it--nothing steadfast.
Remember, at one point not to long ago, it was considered dangerous to put a baby to sleep on his/her back for fear of choking. Face down was the preferred method. Now, face down is wrong and face up is right.
All in all, you must take the info presented and decided what is right for you and your family.

This. I have not decided 100%, but we will most likely be using one. Our LO will be in our room for the first few months, and won't be in the crib anyway. The "recommendations" are always changing. My mom used them with us, my grandparents used them, etc..

etude de la vie · February 2011

We will be using a type breathable bumper. it is soft and plush and they can't get their arms/legs stuck and not a SIDS risk.

https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4255626

tokenhoser · February 2011

KateB1984:
Sure we could play within walking distance of home (it's not worth the risk! Cars cause WAY more deaths!) but at some point you need to not freak out about absurdly unlikely scenarios.

Some experiences offer a trade off between risk and benefit.

And some, like drop side cribs and bumpers, offer no benefit. How much risk is appropriate for no benefit at all? For me, none, because there are safer, better, easily accessible products.

It's just laziness and ignorance that leads to using products that can hurt your kid and offer no measurable advantage.

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