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September 2011 Moms
crib bumpers or not?
we found out the sex of our baby on thursday(girl!) and are now starting to look at things for our registry. Ive read different things and wanted to get everyones opinions. crib bumper or not?
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Re: crib bumpers or not?
We put them in DS crib when he was 10 months old... Past the point of SIDS threat and when he started really moving and getting his limbs stuck. I felt very confident at that age. He still loves it and snuggles up against it.
Its really a personal decision... If they were that bad they would be banned/recalled. But like I said, we did everything possible to reduce the risk of SIDS (fan running at all times, back sleeping, etc)
I wouldnt use them in the beginning. DD co slept by the time she was in her crib she could roll over both ways and sit up..I felt fine with the bumper on to prevent head bruises and limbs getting stuck.. Breathable are a good idea but they seem to thin if your baby bangs their head a lot..
FWIW bumpers are a PITA for changing sheets etc and she spit up on the bumper at one point and we just never put it back on..
We have a breathable one. I know someone who lost their 18 month old to SIDS (which is called SUNDS after the baby is one). So I'm a SIDS freak and follow every recommendation. DS slept in the Pack and Play in our room for 6 months. Once he went in the crib, the puffy bumper came out. And it's been in the closet ever since. I just won't take the chance.
Not only could they possibly sufficate on the bumper. But it also restricts the flow of air. SIDS experts seem to think that "rebreathing" could be a cause.
Nothing wrong with bumpers. Used them from day one with each of our kids. I don't buy in to the "experts studies" or what this years paranoia for first time parents are. Besides, it's part of the bedding set.
Besides, I hate seeing them all up against the rails of the crib with their little faces squished up against them. At least the bumpers are comfy and soft. : )
We also bought the breathable ones for when the baby is little. The other type came with my bedding set, but we'll see if I ever end up putting it in. The baby will be much older if I do. Like others - I plan to have baby in our room for the first little while.
Hope I don't get flamed for this, but I am just surprised at how many people that are against bumpers for safety reasons are FOR co-sleeping, which the experts also say don't do. I have seen too many babies in my mother's pediatric clinic injured or even killed in bed with their parents. I know most pediatricians advise against it. Its more dangerous than a bumper could ever be. Of course I know there are things you can buy to put in the bed or beside the bed and still be considered co-sleeping which are definitely great.
We personally haven't decided on a bumper or not yet, our son will be in a bassinet in our room until he gets too big for it.
I may get flamed for this, but my personal opinion is just because so and so's other three kids or your friend's kids had bumpers and are just fine does not mean you should take the risk with your own child's life. I had bumpers as a baby, big fluffy ones, and I am just fine, but that isn't the case for everyone. We all probably slept in drop side cribs as well as babies, and we are fine, but that doesn't mean that drop side cribs are safe. Sure, the risk of SIDS is small, but in our opinion, there's not a single risk that's worth it when our child's life is at stake. Two friends very close to us lost their baby girl to SIDS last year at 4 months old, so we mainly feel this way because it hits very close to home for us. Two years ago, I don't think I would have given a second thought to the bumper debate.
We plan on using a breathable bumper. Could something bad still happen to our baby? Of course it could! But, we feel an obligation as parents to do everything we can to minimize the chance of something bad happening...and this is one way we feel we can do that. Everyone doesn't feel that way, however, and it's honestly a personal decision you and your H have to make.
We'll be using breathable bumpers again. I still see DS snuggled up against them sometimes when I go to check on him at night and crib rails wouldn't be as comfy. I don't have any problem changing the sheets with the breathable ones on. We try to do everything possible to keep our LOs safe.
FYI: There is a safe way to bed-share.
My take on crib bumpers is this: If a product of any kind can be a direct casue of death, when used properly, it is absolutely unsafe and should not be used. No question about it.
First of all, using bumpers is not just a SIDS risk. They have caused the death of multiple babies who suffocated on them. The CSPS didn't even investigate bumpers and there is a push now to ban them. We will not be using bumpers. We may look into the breathable bumpers, but only if a need arises (like if LO continually gets linbs stuck inbetween the slats.
Here is some reading:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/health/ct-met-crib-bumpers-deaths-watchdog-20110329,0,4220865.story
https://www.chicagotribune.com/health/ct-met-crib-bumper-react-20101221,0,4018419.story
https://www.chicagotribune.com/health/ct-met-bumpers-20101212,0,3414552.story
https://www.chicagotribune.com/health/ct-met-bumpers-update-20110108,0,3176775.story