Is it safe to put bumper pads in cribs?

Question

Is there a certain age that it becomes ok?

My baby keeps scooting up and hitting her head on the bars and it scares her.

Answer 1

I chose not to use bumper pads after reading about suffocation risks and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that bumpers not be used for safety reasons. When one of my twins started bumping into the slats and, more typically, getting limbs stuck between the slats, I purchased the breathable mesh bumpers that others have mentioned. While they don't provide a great deal of padding I have found it is enough, and if your child does have an issue with sticking limbs between the slats the bumper does just the trick for that.

Many babies move around a lot in their sleep and/or like to sleep with their faces pressed against the edge of the crib -- personally, I would not feel comfortable with my babies having their faces pressed into a bumper. So many of those bumpers have way too much padding, besides! The statistical chances of something horrible happening are small, I'll grant you that, but they do happen....and if one of my kids was to suffocate because of sleeping pressed into the bumper.....to say "I could never forgive myself" doesn't do it justice, as any parent knows. By contrast, neither kid is going to split her/his head open by bumping into the crib slats. As they get older you'll find they fall into those slats headfirst often enough (when they're learning to sit on their own, or to pull up), and the presence of bumpers doesn't mean a whole lot when the baby falls down into the slats sideways.

If you do choose to use them, it's likely that you'll have to remove them all too soon -- most bumpers that are padded enough to make you feel like it's functioning as a head protector are also firm enough that a baby can climb up on them, and when that happens, out they should come.

Incidentally, unless a bumper is really seriously padded I don't think it makes much of a difference with head bumping -- it cushions the noise, so parents feel better, but that's (with many of them) about it.

Answer 2

I never had an issue with bumper pads. I once read an article saying they were dangerous, so I tried it without for awhile but baby kept banging her head and getting her legs and arms stuck in the bars. So I put it back up.

After I converted the crib to a 3-sided toddler bed, I continued to use the bumper pad. I simply cut off one side and sewed up the seams so it was only covering the 3 remaining sides of the bed.

Answer 3

Ahhh - the baby bumper mystery! Ok, well, when your infant can roll over there is a HUGE risk for SIDS with these - however, if you have bars on your crib, your going to want one. There are kinds you can buy that tie on and stay put and leave a gap along the bottom, so should your baby roll against the wall, there will be a gap for the air to escape - this is what i have used and I would recommend no other! Good luck!

Answer 4

I think they are fine. I had 5 children, and I used bumper pads for all of them. I had them in the bed when I brought the baby home. Just make sure to keep the tie strings on the outside away from the baby. I always tied them in the back on the outside. Some think they are a pain in the butt as you have to take them off when changing the sheet. So what? They are cute and do serve a purpose. I think I took the pads out when they started to try climbing out of the crib. It made for a small "step" for them to make their exit. Make your baby happy and get one. Good luck and congrats on having a beautiful, healthy baby.

Answer 5

Mine has had them in her crib since day one and she still has them in her crib (she is 10 months). They are tied on very securely and she does not ever mess with them. She rolls all over the place and I know that she would hit her head on the bars if I take them out. I feel that she is safer with them, because they protect her poor head. It depends on the baby. If the baby is constantly pressing her face into them, then no, they are not safe. if the baby (like mine) keeps hitting her head off the bars, then yes.....they are very safe.

Answer 6

Right now, my daughter is two, almost three months old. And I am using bumper pads. I believe that as long as they are securely fastened to the crib...that its ok. BUT...I think that once the child starts being able to PULL on them...which may loosen the ties...that it will increase the risk then. but, as a mom, use your instincts...and do what YOU, not anyone else, feels is right!!!

good luck!

Answer 7

My daughter just turned 4 months last week and has just started to roll over from both ways. My husband and I just decided last night to take the bumpers out, I would wake up in the morning and find her face smashed against it. Kind of scary. So I think the other mom that answered this question is right. Just use them for the first couple of months, once they start rolling over take them out, I would say you could use them again about 9 months of age.

Answer 8

In the hospital they told me they were fine until the baby starts moving themselves around the crib or rolling over, if they can move with the strength of there legs it needs to come out because they can suffocate on it.

Answer 9

Only use the breathable bumper pads. Make sure they are mesh or other breathable material, not the big padded type. Also, make sure they are tight enough to stand up, but lose enough that they will give and fold down if the child tries to stand on them to crawl out.

Answer 10

yes it is safe. i recommend it. ive had bumper pads in my daughters crib since she was born and they help- she scoots all over and likes to be in the corner with her head up against the bars so they help make it soft for her to be comfy. just make sure you secure them properly and they work great!! hope this helps.