Bumpers...can someone explain?

lily87 · March 2011

Ok, so let me preface by saying I have done little research on this myself...so don't flame me if you know more about this than me...just please share your knowledge.

I have a friend that says that bumpers are dangerous for babies. And, apparently the American Academy of Pediatrics say that the hazards of bumpers outweigh the benefits.

Can someone please tell me, if this is the case, then why are they still sold in stores? Am I missing something?

TheFannins729 · March 2011

the concern is them rolling into them and suffocating. we used them. they do make breathable bumpers. the thing is EVERYTHING out there can be a hazard. so, you can't always assume that just because it's sold in stores that it's safe. there will be people to tell you to never attach toys to car seats, to use the mirrors in cars, to use the roll up sunshades in cars. yet, they are all easily found in BRU. it comes down to research and what you are comfortable doing.

luckygal3 · March 2011

They are fine once you have an older child (toddler) and I think they are still sold because they have been for so long. And companies make more money if you buy a "set" even if you don't use half of what's included in the set.

They are dangerous, as are loose blankets and stuffed animals because it can cause a suffocation risk since newborns are unable to lift their heads.

Not a stupid question at all. Make sense?

camdenfaithful · March 2011

It's not also a risk of suffocation when the baby can roll, but the bumper traps the air in the crib and doesn't allow it to properly circulate and vent. So in addition to the suffocation risk, there's also a risk of elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the crib which could possibly contribute to SIDS.

ETA - I'm not sure why they're still sold. We're not planning on using them, but I know a lot of people still do.

hisaak · March 2011

They can inhibit airflow in cribs ... and act as a suffocation risk if a babe who cannot yet move themselves easily gets caught up against them.

There are breathable bumpers - a much safer alternative in my opinion.

We chose to go bumperless, I wasn't comfortable with the risks of any bumpers. DS is 17 months now, and we have never had issues with his legs and arms getting stuck.

To be honest, I don't know why they are still sold. I suppose they are safe for older toddlers, but I personally wouldn't purchase them.

Geekchick921 · March 2011

luckygal3:

They are fine once you have an older child (toddler) and I think they are still sold because they have been for so long. And companies make more money if you buy a "set" even if you don't use half of what's included in the set.

They are dangerous, as are loose blankets and stuffed animals because it can cause a suffocation risk since newborns are unable to lift their heads.

Not a stupid question at all. Make sense?

The SIDS and suffocation risks go away but then they can use them to climb out of the crib more easily.

I like our breathable bumper and we will use it again with this baby.

memali26 · March 2011

The other ladies have answered your question really well, but I just want to add how much I LOVE our breathable bumper. DD is all over the place in her sleep and would have arms and legs out every slat without it. It also helps prevent her nuks from falling out of her crib at night, LOL. It was so worth the money in my opinion.

Azrayla · March 2011

We didnt use bumbers in the beginning (DD co slept for a long while too) but she likes to wedge herself into corners and rolls/shoves herself into the bars when she sleeps..I put them on to protect her little noggin.. But, she uses them to pull and stand on like Geek said though shes far from climbing out.

marriedfilingjointly · March 2011

Good question. I think the fact that they are still sold says a lot about the power of big business.

Any Canadian moms around? I was reading about bumpers the other night in Baby Bargains and they made it sound like Canada has done a much better job of standing up and saying "no bumpers." I was wondering if you can even buy them there.

LNHinton · March 2011

Lily - I am glad you asked because I am not very educated on this issue either. Thanks for all of the helpful information ladies!

kandg · March 2011

I just wanted to add in that we love our breathable bumper as well. When we stay at my inlaws (they don't have a bumper), DD's limbs always get stuck and she starts screaming.

hisaak · March 2011

marriedfilingjointly:

Good question. I think the fact that they are still sold says a lot about the power of big business.

Any Canadian moms around? I was reading about bumpers the other night in Baby Bargains and they made it sound like Canada has done a much better job of standing up and saying "no bumpers." I was wondering if you can even buy them there.

You can still buy them here. That said, the couple sets I looked at had huge warnings about the risks on them. And all the info we received in prenatal classes and at the doctors' said not to use them.

veronicafvr · March 2011

GREAT question and so much good information. Thank you so much! I will go the breathable bumper route.

eortman · March 2011

We have wonder bumpers that we still use in the crib for my one year old. They were expensive, but they are fantastic. They wrap around the crib bars to pad the crib, but still leave spaces between the bars. Because they narrow the spaces between the bars there is less getting arms and legs stuck. Also, they still work with a standing baby, because they can't be used as a step. We originally got them to prevent head injuries when DS started standing at 5 months and often falling over hitting his head on the bars, but have used them ever since and will use them again with this one.

smorzandoj · March 2011

We used one from 6 months - 9 months because DS was getting his legs caught in the crib rails. Once he began to pull up to standing consistently we took it out and by then he had learned how to sleep in the crib without getting stuck!

lmjt · March 2011

I put the bumpers that came with our set on DS' crib when I first set it up. The first time I went to change the sheets and realized that I had to deal with tying them back on every single time I ditched them. Never had a leg/arm problem either. I'll be skipping the whole crib set this time.

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