I have been told for years by Public Health Nurses that bumper pads are not recommended and could increase risk of infant death. I did not use one for the girl, nor anything else in her bed. When friends and family visited they often commented on how bare her crib looked, and asked why we didn’t have one of those cute bedding sets (we just bought afew crib sheets. A set seemed silly since we would not used the bumper pads or the blanket). I told them all they were not recommended, yet none of my friends would take my advice on this. They all mumbled something about looking into it, but when I went to their homes, the pads were always there. It is funny…they all thought the girl’s crib looked so bare, but I thought their babies cribs looked so stuffy and crowded.
Thoughts? Anyone else who uses cribs not use the bumper pads? Would anyone who uses them re-consider after reading the article?
Kirsten said,
November 10, 2007 @ 2:55 am
i went out and bought “the set”, knowing in the back of my mind I wasn’t too sure about the bumper pad. we used for about 3 months when jack was tiny and didn’t really move. after that i took it out. i heard the same information as you. it makes sense. not only could they suffocate, but when they start to stand they can climb up on the bumper and fall out of the crib.
i think bare is better!
Dina said,
November 10, 2007 @ 2:56 am
i absolutely never used a bumper when DS was teenie weenie. Now i use one because he tends to smush himself right up against the bars and actually got his foot stuck once or twice between the bars before i put in the bumper. I didn’t use them for looks but for function. I took the advice of all the public health nurses i spoke with and didn’t use bumpers. I also tell my friends about not using them while their babies are so young.
The Blogger said,
November 10, 2007 @ 3:07 am
Dina, I was thinking you had not used one, but I wasn’t sure…I don’t see your DS’s room that often. I was thinking more of my “mommy” friends from maternity leave…I was always in their baby’s rooms (to use the change table) and they all used them even though I told them public health was opposed to them.
Be careful with it now that your DS is walking, they are not recommended for older babies either, since they can use them to get higher in the crib and fall out.
The Blogger said,
November 10, 2007 @ 3:11 am
I have heard about mesh bumpers, I think they don’t give any height…
here they are: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007VZVAQ/sr/ref=pd_cp_hg_1/103-5899998-7039040?ie=UTF8&qid=1194664231&sr=8-1&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_r=08N7YC0F0YHC55WXGJ58&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=278285601&pf_rd_i=B0000E6ZC6
though I think if a regular bumper is really soft and does not add much height, it should be okay. Make sure the ties are very tight, so he cannot pull it off, roill it up and stand on it.
karen said,
November 10, 2007 @ 4:34 am
Never used bumpers for either baby for the reasons you cited. Yeah, makes me nervous when cribs look over stuffed. The minimalist look has served us well.
Jeannie said,
November 10, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
I have used a bumper with all 3 of my kids. Nate still has one in his crib. The ties are not too long, and they are tied on the outside. It isn’t a super puffy one, so I am not worried that he will smush into it. Also, he is heavy enough that if he tries to stand on it, it gets pushed down.
I am comfortable with my choice to have it in there.
Dina said,
November 10, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
i had considered taking it out but we lowered the crib to the absolute lowest level possible so there is pretty much no way he could climb out(unless he learns gymnastic type jumps!!) We did that months ago as he is so tall the the 2nd level didn’t seem low enough…if i think there might be a problem i’ll take it out!
dad said,
November 12, 2007 @ 8:36 pm
bumper pads are a death trap!!my friend doug d lost a seven month baby when he got his head between pads and bars on crib.one of the worst places i ever was at this babys funeral.