Crib Bumpers - are you using one?

Nikjones08 · July 2012

Just curious - I've been researching the use of crib bumpers and so far what I've found is they are not recommended. However, 2 of my friends who have new babies said they used them with no problems. Even though, the bedding set I picked has the cutest bumper ever - I've decided to buy the package that does not include the bumper.I just do not want to take any chances.

Any feedback on using a breathable bumper instead of the bumper that comes with most bedding packages?

ilenegrace · July 2012

Not using a bumper this time. We used a breathable one with DS.

ngarden01 · July 2012

Nikjones08:

Just curious - I've been researching the use of crib bumpers and so far what I've found is they are not recommended. However, 2 of my friends who have new babies said they used them with no problems. Even though, the bedding set I picked has the cutest bumper ever - I've decided to buy the package that does not include the bumper.I just do not want to take any chances.

Any feedback on using a breathable bumper instead of the bumper that comes with most bedding packages?

They're not saying every child is going to die of suffocation.. but like you said, it's best not to take any chances. I'm sure there's millions of people who have used bumpers and "not had any problems"

I haven't decided yet whether I'll use a breathable bumper. It depends on the bedding and stuff that I pick out I guess.

pamiva1 · July 2012

I would never use a bumper... I agree, they are adorbale, but it's just not worth the risk. We did use a breathable bumper with DD1 and DS when they started to keep pacifiers in the crib just so they would not fall out though. If they don't use a paci, it's probably not necessary.

robyn2201 · July 2012

We did not buy a set because of the bumpers. Instead we got crib sheets andcrib skirt from PBK and the breathable bumper from BRU.

lmb5109 · July 2012

We will not be using normal bumper ever, besides the suffocation aspect, my SIL mentioned that when the baby can stand, they have used the bumper as an aid to get out of the crib.

Haven't decided on a breathable bumper yet.

chicagobridelibby · July 2012

We are not doin one. We are only doing a fitted sheet.

According to guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics bumper pads should never be used in infants' cribs. According to the AAP, there is no evidence that crib bumpers protect against injury, but they do carry a potential risk of suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment because infants lack the motor skills or strength to turn their heads should they roll into something that obstructs their breathing. So, the risks are small, but if your baby is one injured, it isn't worth it.

minervacullen · July 2012

pamiva1:
I would never use a bumper... I agree, they are adorbale, but it's just not worth the risk. We did use a breathable bumper with DD1 and DS when they started to keep pacifiers in the crib just so they would not fall out though. If they don't use a paci, it's probably not necessary.

Yeah they are good for keeping pacifiers in the crib, but that's about it. DS would use his as a step to climb out. I don't plan on using on this time.

MrsT1108 · July 2012

We bought a breathable bumper.

FurBabyMomma · July 2012

We are going with a breathable. Most of my friends use a regular bumper without a problem but I see it as a risk and think that you did the right thing ordering without.

nanabanana06 · July 2012

We are going to use a breathable bumper. This way little limbs cannot get caught.

MommaAmers · July 2012

We didn't use the bumper as intended with DS. We did, however, tie it over the top rail when he was old to chew on the rail to keep it safe from tooth marks. It worked great for that purpose. It probably would have even been helpful there earlier as we have scratches on the crib rail from our belts/jeans buttons/etc. when we bent over to put DS down or pick him up.

KatieKim0815 · July 2012

We used the bumper starting around 8 months (or so?). We LOVE it for this age but only considered using it once DS was WAY past the being able to roll over both ways. Frankly, I don't know how we could do without it (he still uses it). He's a big roller at night and I often find him cuddled up against it or lying on top of it. Baby No. 2 will also use a bumper but only when we can see he/she is ready (closer to a year)

SJHodgson · July 2012

We used bumpers with our 3 year old and 2 year old, and we will with the twins too. We took the bumpers out when they started standing so that they didn't try to climb on them and climb out of their cribs. We went back and forth about using them with our 3 year old and took hers out for a short period of time until she got her foot caught, then we decided to put it back in. I talked to my kids doctors about it and he it is one of those things that he can't tell us to use them, there are risks either way and it is just a person decision.

KatyDidlettes · July 2012

I wouldn't dare risk it. No bumbers even though the bedding set I am getting has the CUTEST ones:

https://www.amazon.com/Skip-Hop-Crib-Bedding-Piece/dp/B003S7556Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1343409683&sr=8-3&keywords=mod+dot

I would have considered it once the baby was older, but the idea of it being easier to crib out doesn't really sell me!

jsoubel · July 2012

Currently planning on using them but, who knows? Maybe I won't be able to once LO is in her crib and I'm across the hall trying to fall asleep and not picture her pressed against the bumper. I found this article (below) interesting because it actually talks about the numbers. Not really convincing that they are dangerous, but, then again, does it need to be convincing?

https://healthland.time.com/2011/01/06/are-crib-bumpers-a-nursery-necessity-cpsc-vets-their-safety-record/

AliceMM · July 2012

I didn't use mine till he was moving around the crib and was strong enough to flip over either way.

A few instances of him banging his head and getting a limb caught (most horrific screams ever) and I put it in the crib. Now he loves it, he sleeps with his back up against it, I never see him in the middle of his crib. I think it makes it more cozy for him.

I plan to do the same thing with this baby. No bumper right away but I'll use it later if she needs it.

BabyFS · July 2012

We needed a regular bumper. My little guy is a restless sleeper and would repeatedly ram his head into the side of the crib. It sounded awful! The breathable bumper just didn't give him enough padding. When he was teeny tiny, he couldn't really move to get near the bumper anyway (and, unfortunately, wasn't sleeping in his crib all that often).

Our bumper isn't so stiff/plush that it would be much of a help in trying to escape from the crib. It just squishes down when he steps on it.

jquirke9881 · July 2012

Didn't use one with DD and won't with these babies either.

lawjjg522 · July 2012

My thought is, For the first few months, They can't roll. they are going to stay how you leave them so whats the problem? Once they start rolling around at the younger ages maybe take it away? Or if you have a video cam watch it at nap times or something to see how much baby actually rolls around.(once baby can)

PeonyPumps · July 2012

We had both the regular bumpers (came with the crib set we were given at our baby shower) and the breathable bumpers (which I am currently still borrowing from a friend). We are still using the breathable bumpers, mainly because I haven't taken them off yet. He still can get his arms and legs around them, but he is mobile enough now that he can get his arms and legs out from between the slats if he does get them stuck in there. I used the breathable bumpers mainly for when he couldn't move around as well but got stuck. We had the regular bumpers in the crib for decoration from when we put the room together until 3 months old when he actually used the crib for the first time. As soon as he began using the crib, we took out the puffy bumpers.

Jacqui105 · July 2012

Will not use them and never did. DD ust now got her leg stuck between the rails last week, for the first time ever. Totally fine without it and not at all worth the risk. But, we also used the breathable crib mattress for the first year, which does have a slight bumper of sorts, all breathable.

orinjuse · July 2012

We got the Skip Hop bedding set that comes with a bumper, but we have it on right now as decoration while we put the nursery together. We may leave it on as a bed skirt though.

ambrlynn8 · July 2012

I hadn't really considered using one or not. Depends on the set we get, I suppose. I had a bumper with DS and nothing came of it. He couldn't use it to climb up, and it kept him from getting his arm or leg caught in the crib sides and screaming, or hitting his head against the side of the crib.

Of course, I also used a sleep positioner and everything turned out fine with DS. Kept him from flipping on his tummy and suffocating himself. Now, those are also thought to be dangerous.

Who knew so much could change in 3 years?

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