Your opinions on bumpers?

[ToughhGal]

I have heard sooo many different opinions on bumpers. So, what are your personal opinions/experiences/recommendations on them?

Thanks ladies

 

[bumpbear]

I never got one. They look super fabulous but I knew I would kick myself for picking aesthetics over my child's safety if something terrible happened. Yes, my kids crib looks a bit bare because all there is is a fitted sheet, but I chose a nice printed one to add a bit of pizazz. I also hang a beautiful quilt over the edge for decorative purposes which I remove every night (even now, 25 months later!). I'd rather that than have something horrible happen. There is the option of a nice valance that you can go for these days as kids bedding companies are slowly catching on to the fact that people are turning away from bumpers.

My sister's kid used to sleep with her legs and arms twisting out the bars and used to wake frequently because of this when she turned etc, so she bought a breathable bumper in the end which was a good solution. They're not particularly attractive, but not ugly either if you need one to protect baby's limbs.

 

[Unexpected212]

They look lovely but I've always been recommended against them by midwives and health visitors.

So I didn't use one last time and I won't this time

 

[the why bird]

We used a breathable one when she went through a phase of sticking an arm through the bars. They are just a mesh so no suffocation risk, no ties to get tangled in and if baby tries to step on them they just fold down so it doesn't help them climb out.

I wouldn't go for the padded style because I've heard they are a suffocation risk, even though all the cute bedding sets seem to come with them!

 

[MummyToAmberx]

I used bumper with baby 1 and 2 was never told otherwise or any risks.

Not sure what ill do this time x

 

[moter98]

I didn't use one until baby was old enough to move around and get arms and legs stuck between the bars. At that point I used a breathable mesh one. I would not use a standard padded bumper. The concern is SIDS risk. From what I've read, bumpers can cause not enough oxygen to circulate and cause suffocation. The risk is small but there. Baby could also get stuck in it and suffucate. Again, risk is small but there.

 

[modified]

If the cot set I like has one, I'll use it but only the ones that just cover the head end and a few inches each side. Baby will be foot to the bottom, not near it. It's how my mum and sister done it. When baby is old enough to scoot about, it'll come off at night.

 

[Pixiedust22]

I never knew there was a risk with bumpers, I thought they were for baby's safety! Thanks for the information.

 

[messica]

Save for the stiff mesh ones once a baby becomes mobile, bumpers are considered incredibly dangerous.

Anything in the crib with baby is - all blankets, pillows, stuffed animals etc. To reduce the risk of SIDS just a plain sheet on a firm mattress is what's recommended.

Here is a link to a great article that explains why, and references the AAP's position on the issue: https://www.parenting.com/article/sids-prevention

 

[BigAl]

Never used a bumper last time, not getting one this time. I would get a mesh one if this baby is more of a wriggler, but not otherwise.

I'm not sure what the point of them is, other than to look pretty? So it's not even worth a small risk of overheating/suffocation/sids etc.

 

[NotNic]

We did use one and still do. There are definitely a SIDs risk, however my son continued to move and wedge himself between the bars causing some nasty bruises and on occasions twisting so hard that I needed to force his leg out. We didnt use it as a newborn but became necessary for us.

 

[ToughhGal]

Thank you ladies! This question popped in my head looking at bedding sets. One cute bedding set didn't include them for once! So, just may get that one. And breathable ones if necessary

 

[messica]

With my first two I just took the bumper pads and turned them into decorative throw pillows. It was super easy, super cute and those pillows were great lumbar and arm support while nursing! Later on I was able to throw them on their toddler beds

 

[ToughhGal]

With my first two I just took the bumper pads and turned them into decorative throw pillows. It was super easy, super cute and those pillows were great lumbar and arm support while nursing! Later on I was able to throw them on their toddler beds

That sounds like a brilliant idea!

 

[Maybe1daysoon]

I got one of those BEAUTIFUL "bed in a bag" sports themed crib sets, that are WAY too expensive... I didn't get to use any of it. I won't be wasting my money this time. Although I could see how a FTM would want one, my best friend told me not to buy one and I still did... I think it's just one of those live and learn things.

 

[Ambermichelle]

I'm a FTM so I don't have any opinions, but I think I'll be using a mesh one for my baby

 

[MrsT&Ben]

Didn't use one with my 1st and won't with this one the risk factor is just to high for my liking.
I dont know why companies insist in including them with bedding sets!!!

 

[Jinga]

I didn't use one with my son due to the suffocation/SIDS risk and won't be using one for the second baby. He wasn't the type to stick his limbs through the bars so we didn't need anything anyway. For bedding, I skipped the bedding set since infants can't use most of it and instead spent the money on some great looking fitted sheets from Pottery Barn Kids.

 

[notmommyyet]

We had a breathable bumper for my daughter and that is what I will be using for this one as well

 

[SisterRose]

I did use one with my first, nobody ever informed me of any risks. This time I haven't used one after hearing they're a potential SIDS risk and I feel guilty for using one with DD even though she's fine. The bumper that came with a set I bought is still in the packet in the closet. I was especially put off using them after finding a group on facebook started by a woman who lost her 9 month old son to cot bumpers, she's petitioning to get them banned.