Bumper pads -- a necessary evil?

[ArtsyMom]

We all know that you're not supposed to use bumper pads b/c of SIDS (less ventilation for baby).

However, our little guy keeps cramming himself in the corner of the crib, bumping his head and waking up screaming.

I'm thinking of putting the pads in but am concerned; especially cuz he sleeps on his tummy. He's got good head and neck control.

Any thoughts?

[kim]

i used bumper pads up until tony was about 7 months. it really helped ease the head bashing and kept the binkies in the crib i wish i'd kept them in longer.

[Isaiah's Momma]

Isaiah's are still in his crib, I figured if his bassinett was ok then the bumper pads shouldn't be a problem. Mine are tucked between the matress and the railing too so there only as high up as they need to be. I plan to leave them on as long as posable too.

[Lora]

I have bumper pads in my crib and so far they haven't been a problem. Patrick is 11 months old now and I did take them out a few months ago for a few nights. He kept banging up against the rails and got his leg stuck once so back in they went. I never really saw them as a problem. By the time we put him in the crib he was able to move around very well and I felt confident that he could get himself out any trouble they could cause.

Lora

[Julie]

This might not be popular, but Jordan had the bumper pads in his crib until we moved him to his big boy bed at 20 months. He never used them as a launching pad, I thought of them more as the paci saver
We tried taking the bumper pads out around 12 months, but he would lose his pacis at night, so it wasn't worth it...

[Amy]

Emily is 1, and has been a tummy sleeper since about 7 1/2 months. We still have bumper pads in her crib, and I will keep them there for quite a while yet. I tried taking them out in December, but she got a foot stuck one night, and was constantly knocking her pacifiers out, so I put them back in.

[Karri]

We used bumper pads w/ Aidan till he moved to a big boy bed at 16 months. We hae bumper pads in the twins' cribs, as well. IMO, if they were truly a danger, they'd be outlawed. Furthermore, don't basinettes & moses baskets pose the same risk?

[JillMelissa]

Originally Posted by Karri

Furthermore, don't basinettes & moses baskets pose the same risk?

ITA. And what about those plastic bassinettes they have the babies in while they're in the hospital? A bumper just can't be worse than that for air circulation!

[SarahK]

Actually, because of the way Katie's Moses basket curves, it is impossible for her to get her face stuck in the bumpers...I checked.

[~Jenn]

We also kept the bumpers in Rory's crib until we moved her to a twin bed...they never really seemed to pose a 'launching' problem, as they just sort of got mushed down if she tried to stand on them (which she rarely did). We also have them in Teagan's crib now (she's 9.5 months), and they've never posed a problem. She sleeps on her tummy, and has for quite awhile. Although they also get stuck down in the mattress, so there's usually only about 3-4" showing.

[Lynn]

Hmmmm...hard call. A few months ago we had DS's mattress propped up to ease his congestion from a slight cold. At one point during the night he got his hand caught under the bumper and slid his head underneath that. Luckily he woke up screaming and we rushed in to see what the problem was. I took it out immediately thereafter, but recently put it back in. He's been scooting a lot in his sleep and wakes himself up when he gets his head wedged in the corner. I'm sure it must hurt
I think for us, it's a worry because we only have ties on the top portion of the bumper. I think I am going to sew some ties on the bottom so that it would be difficult for him to pull it away from the crib rails.

[Nocona]

We kept ours in for a very long time and never had a problem.