Using Bumpers in the Crib

Updated on May 14, 2008
N.D. asks from Salem, NH
30 answers

Hi - I'd appreciate any advice on this. I have a 6 month old daughter and my pedi. told me not to put any bumpers on the crib because of the rsik of SIDS (new research suggested they were a concern). I put away the bumpers. Problem is my daughter keeps getting her arms and legs caught in the crib. Any advice would be great. Thanks

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A.S.

answers from Boston on

The website www.onestepahead.com has a "breathable bumper" that would work. It is made of thin material that a baby could not suffocate from, but it will keep the baby from getting arms and legs caught. I just ordered one for my daughter because we're starting to have the same problem. It's only $24.95 and comes in blue, pink, and yellow.

Hope this helps!

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H.R.

answers from Hartford on

I like the idea of mesh ones or putting them on the outside. I never used bumpers for either of my kids, but they didn't get stuck in it. I think they're more for decoration.

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B.B.

answers from Boston on

Thanks for asking this N.! My 5 month old daughter just started rolling in the crib last night and getting her legs caught in the rails too!! I remember when my first did this and I had bumpers in the crib until I heard about the SIDS risk. I put them on the outside for a while then took them off because I liked to be able to open the door and see her. I do have friends that kept the traditional bumpers on though. I am considering the breathable bumpers. I would think it's pretty scary for them to be stuck - my daughter was stuck upside down with both feet thru the rails this morning. Luckily this phase usually doesn't last too long. Next thing we know they'll be trying to climb out. :-) Good luck!

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L.P.

answers from Lewiston on

We used fabric bumpers in the crib, I think they're fine as long as they're not too "puffy". You just need something to close off those gaps for a little while. Our sons did just fine the the bumpers we used. I hate some of the advice that the nurses/doctors give.

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J.M.

answers from Boston on

I've always kept the bumpers on the crib, but if you're nervous they do sell bumpers made of breathable fabric. That would probably put your mind at ease a bit.

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C.Q.

answers from Barnstable on

Hi N.,
I found some great bumpers on-line that are made of mesh. They let the air circulate through the crib and keep those tender arms and legs safe. I found them on onestepahead.com and I just checked to make sure they still had them. Just do a search on their site for BreathableBaby Crib Bumper amd they should pop right up. Good luck and take care,
C.

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A.K.

answers from Burlington on

N.,
A lot of the risk of SIDS with bumpers is found mainly in thick fluffy bumpers that a child could bury their face in and suffocate.
With my first child I decided to still use bumpers however, I made sure they were thin and tight to the crib. I also tied them about 2 inches above the mattress which left a little room for their noses to stick out... not very easy to suffocate with them higher than their little noses.

I've read some of the other responses... its nice to know they have netting ones. I might consider trying them on the next little one (if I can get my DH on board for more babies).

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B.S.

answers from Providence on

N.,

I always kept my bumpers on just for that reason. Plus, my son snuggles up against them, even now that he's 2 years old. But I understand the risk of SIDS, so I always worried about it. If you'd like to take them off, you can try looking at onestepahead.com for the 'breathable' bumper that they sell. Looks like a tight mesh that's wrapped around the perimeter of the crib to prevent arms and legs from getting caught. Good luck!

B.

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J.C.

answers from Boston on

I have never heard that the bumpers are dangerous!!OMG!!what will they come up with next??My son is 11months,goodness I feel bad I never knew that bumpers were an issue!!Well its too late now-but he did survive!!What age do they say we can use them?B/c I would hate to have his arms or legs get stuck!!Im going to leave mine on I think the risk of sids goes down as they get older!!Im curious to see what everyone else says

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A.Z.

answers from Boston on

Dear N.,

I went through the same thing with my son. One night I was watching him and realized that he would turn his head if he was near the bumper for a while. He moves around a lot.
So I decided to leave it.
I you are concerned, you can get a breathable bumper that keeps the arms and legs in but will let your daughter breathe if her face is against it.

I hope this helps,
A.

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J.C.

answers from Lewiston on

I also took the bumpers out of my sons crib for fear of SIDS, however if your child can move her head it's ok to put then back in. The major concern of bumpers is when the children are really young and don't have the ability to move their heads if they get close to the bumper

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A.S.

answers from Hartford on

We had the same problem with legs getting caught in the crib when we removed the traditional bumpers. Breathable bumpers turned out to be a great solution. Babies R US sells them, and I remember them being really reasonably priced (~$20). Another bonus is that they are so much easier to deal with when changing sheets!

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E.H.

answers from Boston on

honestly, i wouldn't worry about SIDS with a 6 month old. i thought SIDS was mainly for babies who can't really move in bed. we've had bumpers in my daughter's crib (she's now 20 months) and we've never had an issue. in fact, i think we'd have more issues if we didn't have them. she jumps around like crazy in there and the bumpers really cushion her falls.
good luck.

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R.O.

answers from Lewiston on

I bought the breathable bumper pads online at Walmart.com. They are great! I stopped using bumper pads when my son started to stand up in his crib. Go online and check them out.

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K.C.

answers from Boston on

I know she isn't escaping- but you might want to try a crib tent. It encases the inside of the crib in a net and they can't get their arms and legs through. And it's net- so they can breathe throught it if her presses up against it.

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A.E.

answers from Boston on

Hi N., I think at 6 months your daughter should be able to roll around freely in her crib. I used bumpers in the crib with both my daughters when they were newborns. I used rolled blankets to keep them from rolling. But at 6 months, they are pretty much okay......

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K.A.

answers from Springfield on

like someone suggested, we put bumpers on the outside and it worked great!

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A.M.

answers from Boston on

I never had this problem but I have a suggestion. What if you put he bumpers on the outside of the bars instead of the inside?
-A.

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M.T.

answers from Providence on

I had the same problem with my daughter. We invested in the "breathable bumpers" that Babies R Us sells - they are a little pricy (I think about $30) but they are mesh so if the baby gets up against them they can still breathe through them. It solved our problem. Hope this helps

M.

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L.M.

answers from Boston on

What about breathable bumpers? Can you use those? They are mesh like and allow air to flow through them.

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J.R.

answers from Springfield on

I just heard the other night that they make mesh bumpers pads, not sure where you can buy them put I'm sure you could find them online somewhere. Good luck

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M.B.

answers from New London on

This may sound silly, but we've had great success putting swim noodles beneath the sheets at both edges of the bed...It's enough to kepp our baby from sticking his legs out! Good luck!

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L.M.

answers from Boston on

Hi N.!
I had the same problem, and just tied the bumper pads in the middle. That way if she did get her head into the pads, it would lift up easily to allow her to breathe! All the other straps should be shorter than 6 inches (I think is the recommendation), and tucked away as best they can. She is about to turn one, so it did the trick, or we have been lucky! :) Good luck!
L.

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K.M.

answers from Boston on

I was having same problem with arms and legs sticking out of the crib. I found breathable bumpers at babies r us and they did the trick. They are mesh like and you can breath right trhough them it you have your face up to it.

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N.N.

answers from Boston on

Babies R us sells what they call breathable bumpers. They keep little ones hands and feet inside without the risk of suffercation because they are made out of mesh. Hope this helps you

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J.O.

answers from Boston on

get a breathable bumper. they are specifically made not to increase the risk of SIDS. They are available at babies r us.

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P.P.

answers from Boston on

There are mesh (breathable) crib bumpers that work very well. -P. Pace

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D.B.

answers from Boston on

I say go ahead and put them back in the crib. Both of my children had them in there, my son still does, and they are fine. There are soooo many things now a days that could possibly aide in the outcome of SIDS, how are we supposed to keep them safe from all of them. The truth is that bumper pads COULD possibly increase the possibility, but the reality is that your daughter DOES get caught in the bars without them.

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S.K.

answers from New London on

Hello,
I used a net bumper that I purchased from www.onestepahead.com It worked very well. It just attached around whole crib and kept arms and legs from going through the bars. It was made of white netting and was completely safe as my little ones could breath right through it.
I think it was about $30.00 or so. But worth every penny for the peace of mind.
Good luck,
S.

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