To bumper or not to bumper STM help

Munchie2.0 · December 2013

In our baby class last night they said not to use bumpers...

After looking over parent reviews, I am even more confused...

LO won't be in her crib for a couple of months...

We can put the bumpers on later (when she starts rolling/pulling herself up)

I know for every parent it's different, so just looking to see what your reasons were for using/not using bumpers.

AnnikaD20 · December 2013

Bumpers have been linked to an increased risk of SIDS, so most people don't use them anymore. They're actually being banned from being sold in some states.

That being said, if my DS is anything like some of my friends babies who spend the whole night getting various limbs wedged into the crib slats and then screaming like they're about to be eaten by wolves, I may opt for the bumper. By the time they're that mobile, the risk for SIDS is a lot lower anyway.

MamaP19 · December 2013

We didn't use them until DD started crawling and would bump her head on the slats. I think we had them on her crib for 2 months. The teething rail cover though is priceless..

ETA: Had DD's crib not been immediately next to our bed in our room I wouldn't have used them.

SweetPeaKate · December 2013

We used the breathable bumpers just to prevent DS' arms/legs from getting stuck...but then he managed to flop around so much that he would get his arms/legs above the bumper and it didn't matter anyway. I personally think they are overrated and essentially unnecessary.

angiek1 · December 2013

You can get breathable bumpers or you can get the bumper covers for each slate. We didn't purchase one for DD#1 and won't be for DD#2.

jldubb0626 · December 2013

We only use the breathable. They work just as well as the regular bumpers at keeping arms and legs from getting stuck. Regular padded bumpers have also been listed as a suffocation risk, something I rather not take my chance with.

LexGator · December 2013

No bumpers for us. The AAP recommends against using them. If you are concerned about head bumps or an arm getting stuck between the slats, then get breathable bumpers.

4lilmunchkins · December 2013

I used them for all 3 of my kids but they're older (15, 11, 7) with no problems. Safety guidelines are different these days. This poor baby doesn't have a nursery, she will be rooming with us in a pack n play until we move (she will be 4-6mo.) Once we have a crib I'll only buy fitted sheets for the mattress, the rest of it (bumpers, quilt, etc.) is just for looks IMO.

OSUWifey09 · December 2013

Our crib set came with a bumper, and we'll just use it for decoration until she goes into her crib [I anticipate she'll be in a P&P or bassinet for a bit]. After that, we'll switch to a breathable bumper. I used a breathable one with DS because he was such a wild sleeper. He still is.

valigrl21 · December 2013

We didn't ever use then with dd#1 and don't plan to with this one.

buckeyebride22 · December 2013

I used them for DS when he was rolling over. We actually just took them off because he puked in his crib. Limbs haven't been an issue, but he has bruises already. He sits up and slams back down a lot in his sleep. Use your judgement. I don't have any for this LO, but if she is like her brother I will make some.

ach298 · December 2013

We used breathable mesh bumpers for a while after DS moved into his crib when he was constantly waking up screaming due to his legs and feet getting stuck in the slats. Then we moved in with our inlaws for a few months and he went back to sleeping in a PnP until we moved into out new house. When we finally set the crib back up, I left the mesh bumpers off and he did fine pulling his arms and legs back in without waking.

We will use them again with this one if he has similar sleep issues, but will try without in case they end up totally unnecessary.

cnwilbur1030 · December 2013

We used them with DD with no problem. This time we got the mesh ones.

RobynLovesDano · December 2013

I've always used one with DS, and never had a problem. He's one of those who still gets his foot caught in the slats, and loses his mind until you rescue him lol. I think I'll get a mesh one for DD though, to be extra cautious

ac1259 · December 2013

I didn't use them with DD but when she hit like 10-11 months she did start putting her arms and legs through the slats. She's only gotten "stuck" once and it was fairly minor..I probably won't use them this time either. I definitely plan on getting the teether crib cover this time though! DD1s crib looks like it was attacked by a beaver!

JuliaH21 · December 2013

We put a mesh bumper on DD's after she started getting limbs stuck and waking up upset. She still moves a lot in her sleep. I've actually put the mesh bumper back on her crib now that she has the toddler rail because she got her leg stuck one night. She didn't fuss until the morning, but I think it was like that a while, her whole leg was blue and she had bruises on both sides from the slats.

I got another mesh bumper for this LO, just in case she moves around like her sister.

glitzandglitter · December 2013

I didn't use them with either of my boys. We most likely won't get any this time either. If I think we need them later on we will get the breathable ones. The ones that came with our bedding my MIL cut up and made them into short curtains for above the windows in the nursery (I can't think of what they are called)

moosebaby2011 · December 2013

We got breatheable bumpers because of the safety issues with the traditional bumpers, but ended up taking them out once DS was old enough to stand. He was trying to use them as a step stool and we didn't want to give him extra help climbing out of his crib.

katags · December 2013

Can I ask another question? Bassinets all seem to have cloths sides to them. How is this different than using bumpers?

ach298 · December 2013

JennR82 said:
I didn't use them with either of my boys. We most likely won't get any this time either. If I think we need them later on we will get the breathable ones. The ones that came with our bedding my MIL cut up and made them into short curtains for above the windows in the nursery (I can't think of what they are called)

Valances?

jldubb0626 · December 2013

katags said:

Can I ask another question? Bassinets all seem to have cloths sides to them. How is this different than using bumpers?

I don't use a bassinet, but I would assume it's different in that that you wouldn't be using it at an age where a child could roll over and get stuck to the side of it like older infants can in crib.

caraconner · December 2013

I got the mesh bumper. They can breathe without any issue, but can't get any limbs through. It's nothing fancy by any means, but it's white and the crib is white... Works for me!

waterlily2k2 · December 2013

We used a regular bumper for DS. He did fine. But I did get a breatheable bumper for this one. My feelings are we got lucky we didn't end up with problems with DS, so I'm not about to push our luck with this one. And the peace of mind knowing that he won't break a limb getting them stuck in the slats is worth it to me.

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To bumper or not to bumper STM help

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