Should I Remove the Bumpers in the Crib?

Updated on October 27, 2007
C.C. asks from Bronxville, NY
23 answers

The last few nights I found my 5 month old facing the bumper. His body was leaning against it. His face was in the bumper. It seems that he likes to cuddle with it. I am concerned because I don't want him to suffocate. The doctor advised me when he was born that nothing should be in his crib including bumpers. He is moving around a lot and I wouldn't want him to hurt himself with the rails or get his feet/arms stuck. And, I don't want to find his face in the bumper. Should I just remove the bumpers? Any suggestions

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M.C.

answers from New York on

I would say-yes

but I was too scared to get a crib for this reason. We went with the pack-n-play. Very easy to put together and take away. It has extra padding on the bottom and nothing he can get stuck in. Plus is was great when she started standing.

To stay warm she wore a onesie, small blanket (not comforter) and alittle knitted cap.

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J.M.

answers from Rochester on

My daughter was always getting her legs and arms caught in the rails, one night I even had to call 911 to get her out. I was then advised they sell breathable bumpers at BabiesRUs. I bought one and never had that problem again.

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S.M.

answers from Buffalo on

Yes, remove the bumpers. You can't even buy crib bumpers in Canada because of the health risk. But guess what? I've seen great new bumpers that are mesh-like with holes all over them. They still protect your baby from getting his/her feet caught between the rails, but they allow air to move freely through them. You can find them at OneStepAhead.com. I am pregnant now and due in May with my second child and I am definitely going to purchase that crib bumper ahead of time. Hope it works out.

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N.B.

answers from New York on

I wouldn't have any bumpers in my cribs. I don't think he will move around with enough force to hurt himself. They are too dangerous and most of the child health organizations recommend against them because of SIDS.

N.

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J.F.

answers from New York on

At BabiesRUs you can get breathable bumpers. They are made of kind of layers of mesh. $29.99. A year ago they were only white. Either that or try it without the bumper. I don't think he would actually hurt himself, he might be uncomfortable though. Better this than taking any risks. Good luck!

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S.M.

answers from New York on

I would do what you really feel deep down inside. I didn't take out the bumpers until we changed her into a toddler bed. My daughter used to move alot and when I tell you this she would be horizontal in the crib. She would always be against the bumper. When I delivered my daughter I became a light sleeper so certain nights I would wake up and check on her. But when she was always in the bumper by the morning she is in a different position I always made sure that her body wasn't stuck so this way she could move if she wanted to. Do what you feel? If you truly feel uncomfortable take the bumper out.

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S.R.

answers from New York on

Remove the bumpers. Since he's starting to move about a bit, he could get tangled in one. God forbid anything should happen.

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N.J.

answers from New York on

We bought a breathable bumper b/c my son would always bang a limb aganist the crib and start to cry. I think we got ours from WalMart.

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K.M.

answers from Syracuse on

Hi C.. I have 4 children, and my 2 youngest are still in their cribs. I have never taken the bumper pad out until the kids were out of their cribs all together, except to wash it that is. As long as your son moves around on his own, and can turn his head when he needs to I wouldn't worry about the padding. It's really up to you. Also, all of my children have gotten their legs stuck through the bars at one point or another and cried for me to come free them. It never mattered that the padding was there. They just have chubby legs, and couldn't get them back through. haha

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B.H.

answers from New York on

I had the same problem with my now 10 month old. He was FOREVER getting his legs stuck between the bars in the crib (because I had not put up bumpers :). My mother found a mesh bumper that's just for this problem: it's breathable but it provides a barrier so that their legs don't find themselves caught anymore!
I'm sure you can find it at any baby store, or major department store in the baby section.
Hope this helps,
B.

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T.W.

answers from Buffalo on

I have always used bumpers and wont remove it on account of him "suffocating". At the age where they are able to roll, crawl and move around, it isnt necessary to remove them. If he was able to get over to the bumper, he is able to get away from it. I dont have a problem with them. Also, my baby only sleeps in his crib during naptime. At night he's in bed with us. I'm sure many peds wouldnt recommend that either, but research shows the risk of SIDS is decreased by having them in bed, so I dont trust too many peds and their "advice", but thats me.

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J.W.

answers from New York on

Get rid of them! He's not going to hurt himself that badly now on crib.

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P.M.

answers from New York on

I never used a bumper, and my son always moved around a lot in the crib and never hurt himself. I think you should take the bumper out, however if he like to cuddle with something you my want to give him a little blankie at nights. I did this as well. My son always loved cuddling with a blankie, wash cloth, burp cloth... So I loosely knitted a very soft blankie (a little larger than a baby wash cloth) and he loved it. I ended up knitting many of them, since we had to always have them, and they get dirty fast. I have to warn you, my son is still pretty attached to them and he's 22 months. I let him have it since it's not harming him, the only drawback is that I'm still knitting them since he's pretty rough on them.

C.V.

answers from New York on

Hi C.,
My daughter used to do the same thing at about ur sons age. She would burry her face into it and sometimes I would find her head under it, but she always got out or moved when she needed to. If your son is rolling over and moving fine I dont see much to worry about. I took off the bumper when my duaghter was able to sit up on her own and pull herself up. Its up to you but if he moves around alot and is especially all over the bars I wouldint take it off just yet. He should be fine!

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Q.F.

answers from New York on

seriously, this is a personal choice. my friends have had ALL their kids with the bumpers, and I've had my daughter with the bumpers since she's 1st been in the crib. i had her with me in bed until she was 6 months old and starting to crawl off the bed. the ONE thing about bumpers that i don't like so much, are the flimsy ones. mine is so stiff that if i were to line it up on the floor the way it would sit in the crib...it's still in the up-right position...while all my friend have the flimsy ones that will just crumple. while mine is stiff, it's still soft to the touch. i could be completely wrong, but i just felt that the softer ones were easier to get tangled in. my daughter LOVES to sleep with her face snuggled into ANYTHING, and now that she's sleeping with a pillow (since she's been about 1 yr) she sometimes likes to put that over her head to sleep...i ALWAYS go in once i realize she's no longer moving/tossing around and is asleep to take it off...and sometimes just remove it completely from the crib, but it's just the way she likes to sleep (i can't blame her...i do it too sometimes myself!). as for the bumpers, if you're worried about it, then take it down, or replace it with one of those more sturdy ones, they're thicker so they don't fold over if they happen to un-tie. and just easier for ME to be comfortable with having in the crib. but like i said, this really is a personal preference.

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J.A.

answers from New York on

Definitely remove the bumpers! They are more hazardous than having your child get his leg caught in the slats or hitting his head. I had the same concern with my daughter when she was smaller but felt more comfortable without the bumpers. The worst thing that happens is that she gets her leg or foot caught in there every once in a great while and wakes up..but that's about it.

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D.F.

answers from Albany on

Don't you think a little bang into the crib rail is better than suffocating??? Remove the bumper pads !!!!!
I really don't know why they still sell those things !

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G.D.

answers from Philadelphia on

Bumpers aren't necessary, but if you are afraid of him getting stuck in the railing you should buy the "breathable bumpers". This way you have the protection from getting stuck and he can still breathe if snuggled up with them.

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N.A.

answers from New York on

If his face is really pushed up against the bumpers I wouldn't take the chance. I had the same problem when m lil one was small , she was a lil one that moved a lot when she slept and I would find her up against the side of the crib with her limbs hanging out. I had a problem with the same conflict. Here is how I decided, and this may sound a ltille harsh.... but, I would rather her little arm get stuck then her to suffocate! it may sound like a weird way to think about it but.... this is how I decided. If they get stuck in the rails you will know becasue they will cry but, if they push up against the bumper you may not know untill its too late. Hope this helps you decide.

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S.N.

answers from Syracuse on

Hi, I have a 22 month old daughter and I never put anythnig in her crib. My peditritian told me not to put anythng in her crib except a blanket until she can actually ask for it.
I never had a problem with her limbs gettting caught in the spindals until she was about 15-18 months old and thats because she was trying to get out of her crib (which she never managed). So I took the front of her 3 in 1 crib off and I never had a issue since.

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L.C.

answers from Buffalo on

I hate crib bumpers. They can be really cute, but are expensive and HAVE to be removed. I have been a nanny for years before having my own child and I never let of the families I worked for keep the bumpers passed the point where the baby was rolling. There is a solution though. Babiesrus has a breathable bumper. It will prevent the baby from sticking their arms or legs through, but it is not thick like most bumpers. The con to it is that if your crib does not have bars on all sides it wont fit right. Our crib is solid on one side so I just have the smaller piece of the bumper on the side with the gate. Hope that helps. Good luck

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J.S.

answers from New York on

Once they start rolling around I think its time to remove the bumpers.

Jenn Smith
www.stayinhomeandlovinit.com/jennsmith34

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N.M.

answers from New York on

O.K. C.,
If the doctor told you not to have anything in the crib then yes take the bumpers out. Nothing ever comes before your child being safe.

N.

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