When is it safe to put the bumper pads back up on the crib?

Question

My baby is almost 6 months old now. I've heard that you should keep the bumpers off until 1 year because of SIDS, but now she is moving around so much at night.

Two nights ago she was rolling in her sleep and her forehead hit the wooden side rail of the crib. Thankfully she's okay, but I'm scared this might happen again. She's so active - even when she's sleeping!

It has me wondering if it's okay to put the bumper on now?

Answer 1

I wouldn't bother. They aren't running at full speed and hitting the bars. Rolling into the bars isn't going to hurt them at all. I was going to put them on after my son got about 8-9 mo but I didn't because my neighbors kid untied his and was using them like a rope (still tied at one end) to try and stand. I have also heard of some kids using them as a step (although they'd have to be pretty thick) to get up higher and try to make it out of the crib. I decided not to put them on for either of my kids. No regrets. It made it easier for us to play peekaboo and to get pictures of them asleep.

Answer 2

Don't bother with the bumpers. They're not safe. Anyway before you know it she will be pulling to stand in her crib and she'll use the bumper as a stepstool. It's not worth the risk of her falling out of the crib. I know you're worried about her rolling around and hitting her head on the crib rails, but babies don't move fast enough in their sleep to injure themselves that way. It's not like she's being forcibly pushed against the crib. Her natural reaction will be to back off if it hurts her in any way.

Answer 3

actually bumpers are never recommended to be in the crib regardless of age (same with pillows and blankets, in fact nothing but a fitted sheet and the baby is recommended)

Health Canada recommends in their "Crib Safety" fact sheet that bumper pads never be used. This position is supported by the Canadian Paediatric Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics and The Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths. The rationale behind this statement is that bumper pads, and other products such as quilts, duvets, sheepskins, pillows, stuffed toys, and position maintaining devices, affect the flow of fresh oxygen around the infant and can also pose a smothering hazard if the child's face is in close contact with them. The American Academy of Pediatrics, in their position paper, hypothesis that certain infants may have a maldevelopment or delay in maturation in a part of their brainstem involved in ventilatory response, chemosensitivity and blood pressure responses. When these infants become compromised (physiologically) during sleep (perhaps from overheating or lack of oxygen as a result of being in contact with or too close to one of the above listed products, or a combination), they are not able to arouse themselves enough to prevent hypoxia and death. The re-breathing of air may in fact be a contributing factor.

Bumper pads were first introduced many years ago as a method of protecting infants from head entrapment in unsafe cribs where the slats were too far apart. Since 1986, cribs are manufactured with slat widths that are impossible to get an infant's head trapped in. Therefore, the bumper pads are no longer necessary. As well, many years ago when bumper pads were first used, infants were dying as a result of SIDS, but the research as to why this was happening was not as advanced as it is today, and researchers had not yet discovered the link between bumper pads and re-breathing or decreased air flow. Luckily, we have that information today from a vast body of scientific research, and it is very important that we convey this information to parents who question the recommendations.

Parents will also often comment that if they do not use bumper pads, their infant's hands, feet or legs will get stuck in the slats. This in fact can also happen with the use of bumper pads, as baby's can get their feet, legs etc. lodged in between the slats either above or below the level of the bumper pad. Although it is possible for the infant to get their hands, leg, etc. caught in between the slats, this event will not result in any serious injury. In fact, the infant will either dislodge the body part themselves, or will make a noise so that the parents can respond and help to remove the part. On the other hand, the risk with bumper pad use is much more serious and can in fact result in the death of the child.

It is also important for parents to be reassured that the risk of sustaining a bruise or injury to the head if the infant rolls into the side of the crib s next to non-existent. The force that would be required to cause such damage is not possible for an infant to produce.

Answer 4

I used bumper pads with my first daughter, who is 3 now. I never had any problem until she could pull up. Then she would use the pads to stand on and try to get out of the crib.
If your child is 6 months old, I think you will be ok using them. The older he/she gets, the less the chance. And just think...in 6 more months, you won't have to worry about it at all!

Answer 5

Well I know there is always a risk . For evrything these days. i used a bumper pad for all 3 of my kids untill they learned how to crawl around the crib and grab things. then i took it out thinking they might rap themselves around it. But it's all really up to you . what you feel is ok and how you feel about things. Use your mother instincs . Thats what i do . Only you can really decided what you should or should not do with your baby when it comes to her/his safety and in life . just be carefull and safe at all times.

Answer 6

i'd rather not put them on. im always scared that theyll get tangled up in them and not be able to breath. rather than bumper pads, i just had more of those long and round baby pillows and place them around the edge of the crib. my 2nd child is now 7 mos and things worked out well for both my kids

Answer 7

then take them out again when she stands on them and boosts herself over the side onto her head! bumper pads sure are cute in the bed and make you look like the ultimate in safe mommy but why? I never have figured that one out. I doubt she is hitting hard enough to break the skin on her forehead.

Answer 8

I would think that as soon as they can hold their head up on their own she should be fine. I had my sons bumper in his crib with he was 5 months and he did beautifully. He is a wiggler too.

Answer 9

i bought a breathable bumper at babies"r"us because my daughter would put her face in all the other ones, i love it she'll be 1 soon and its still on her crib.

Answer 10

never you are never suppose to use them in the first place it is a SIDS risk but if you want to use them now its fine cause she is old enough to know that she cant breathe and move it will be fine now but i never used them and my daughter never hurt her self on the bars good luck bye