crib bumpers?

kerby1013 · December 2011

Who out there will use crib bumpers? I have been reading that it can hurt/suffocate the baby and that moms are recommended not to use them.

UsafWifey09 · December 2011

I am going to use them. They never caused problems with my daughter.

nanabanana06 · December 2011

I have the breathable ones in DDs crib cuz she gets her legs stuck of there isn't a bumper.

annarach · December 2011

I'm going to use one. Most of the mom's I babysit for use them with their children so I don't see an issue. I'm more concerned about my child getting their arms or legs stuck in the crib than I am suffocation.

dragossoul84 · December 2011

I plan to use them until my LO can pull him/herself up then switch to the breathable ones to keep the baby from using it to climb

mrs+harlow · December 2011

I'm using them until rolling begins and then switching to breathable. I'm more concerned with feet and arms getting stuck/pinched in the crib than suffocation.

theseaword · December 2011

Not using them. I haven't researched breathable ones yet, but a definite "no" to regular bumpers.

angelfire02 · December 2011

We're going to use the Breathable ones. I have watched many kids who have used them and had no problems, but it's just a risk I don't want to take. It will also be a lot cheaper to buy just a sheet and a crib skirt that matches rather then a whole set.

ljtvirkus · December 2011

Check out the breathable bumpers.

KatFCo · December 2011

We'll be using either nothing or breathable bumpers. Although lots of parents have used regular bumpers with no problem, there's too much research that shows it can easily become a tragedy (btw, I got my information from the pediatricians at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH. The also recommend against sleep positioners)

ASmallWonder · December 2011

UsafWifey09:
I am going to use them. They never caused problems with my daughter.

That's the most absurd argument. I could drive around with my child unrestrained and have him be fine - that doesn't mean it's the safe choice. Bumpers reduce air flow. Most children are ok with that but some children are not. Some children lack the reflex to wake up if they aren't getting adequate oxygen and there's no way anyone can know if their newborn child is one of those or not and the fact that your daughter wasn't is irrelevant.

HuskerBabyB · December 2011

I plan to use the bumper.

theseaword · December 2011

theresat858:
Why would anyone risk it? I just don't understand... If you really want the decor, put the bumper below the mattress or up on the wall or something. Why would you risk having anything soft in the crib with your baby?
ETA: Yes, maybe you've had no problems with it with your other kids, or you have friends who use them... but that just reminds me of when our mothers said "now, if Bobby jumped off a cliff, would you follow him?". Seriously. The American Association of Pediatricians and other medical organizations recommend against them for a reason. A bruised arm or leg is nothing compared to a dead child because they suffocated on your 'pretty bedding'. Sorry to be blunt, but that's how I see it.

Agreed. Does this apply to breathable? Haven't researched.

mommabear17 · December 2011

theresat858:
Why would anyone risk it? I just don't understand... If you really want the decor, put the bumper below the mattress or up on the wall or something. Why would you risk having anything soft in the crib with your baby?
ETA: Yes, maybe you've had no problems with it with your other kids, or you have friends who use them... but that just reminds me of when our mothers said "now, if Bobby jumped off a cliff, would you follow him?". Seriously. The American Association of Pediatricians and other medical organizations recommend against them for a reason. A bruised arm or leg is nothing compared to a dead child because they suffocated on your 'pretty bedding'. Sorry to be blunt, but that's how I see it.

All of this. WTF would you risk it? Why? What is a good reason to use a crib bumper that outweighs the risk to your child? Your baby is going to roll into things, fall, bump their heads slightly, etc. etc. That is part of being a baby and learning and gaining movement.

I get so aggravated that I can't find bedding sets WITHOUT crib bumpers. There's a reason that places like Chicago have made it ILLEGAL to sell crib bumpers.

DrRx · December 2011

annarach:
I'm going to use one. Most of the mom's I babysit for use them with their children so I don't see an issue. I'm more concerned about my child getting their arms or legs stuck in the crib than I am suffocation.

Really???? Why would a bruise concern you more than possible death?

https://www.cnn.com/2011/10/18/health/no-bumpers-cribs-sids-parenting/index.html

allisonmarie22 · December 2011

From what I can gather, one of the biggest issues here is the re-breathing of carbon monoxide. To alleviate that issue why not just use a ceiling fan in your nursery to recirculate the air? I don't get it.

I haven't made a final decision on whether or not to use bumpers, but honestly this whole "OMG, bumpers are the devil," argument just seems overblown to me. The studies I've read indicate that approximately 27 infant deaths were attributed to crib bumpers between 1985 and 2005 (out of roughly 80 million births total). I just really think it's a big freak out over basically nothing.

DrRx · December 2011

allisonmarie22:
From what I can gather, one of the biggest issues here is the re-breathing of carbon monoxide. To alleviate that issue why not just use a ceiling fan in your nursery to recirculate the air? I don't get it.
I haven't made a final decision on whether or not to use bumpers, but honestly this whole "OMG, bumpers are the devil," argument just seems overblown to me. The studies I've read indicate that approximately 27 infant deaths were attributed to crib bumpers between 1985 and 2005 (out of roughly 80 million births total). I just really think it's a big freak out over basically nothing.

I think the reason is that when you weigh the risk (death) versus the benefit (Preventing a bruise? Not really sure why people use them otherwise), to me anyways, it's just not worth it.

I just don't understand why so many people are so adamant about using them.