Cot bumpers - dangerous or not?

**Caz1971** · January 10th, 2008, 02:12 PM

I'm a little confused. Went to a big baby store over the weekend and they saying in Australia - you use the cot bumper for the first 6 months but in the states they are saying use it after the 6 months.

Also reading an Aussie pregnancy mag saying not to use one at all cos of SIDS.

Does anybody use them? Will be using them?

Thoughts on this.

Thanks
Caz

**Lynn** · January 10th, 2008, 02:13 PM

There shouldn't be anything in the cot, no cot-bumpers, toys etc. If you jump onto the SIDS website they have info about safe sleeping.

**Caz1971** · January 10th, 2008, 02:16 PM

Ye the toys OK - but this is all new news to me. I guess when I had my first DS (ten years ago) it was different. The baby shops should not be selling them....

**mrsmac** · January 10th, 2008, 02:19 PM

Cot bumpers were allowed when i had DD1 but were out when i had DD2 so it gets confusing doesn't it? Its silly they still sell them too.

**Caz1971** · January 10th, 2008, 02:21 PM

I bought one so think Im gonna return it....

**Lynn** · January 10th, 2008, 02:24 PM

It is a bit silly that they sell them - or is the idea that you put them in the cot when bubs is a bit older???

**Caz1971** · January 10th, 2008, 02:25 PM

Ye cos I always think that the baby can get his little feet stuck in the railing.

**Roquen** · January 10th, 2008, 04:40 PM

SIDS organisation definitely says don't use them so I've decided not to risk it. Just one more thing bub can suffocate with. It's on their website at the moment.

**Erin_25** · January 10th, 2008, 04:47 PM

I'm not risking it as SIDS does say not to use them...though yes I agree "why sell them". I bought some until I found out they are a no, no...waste of money for me. I got over the feet getting stuck issue with a sleeping bag & means I don't have to worry about blankets either.

**Kitt3n** · January 10th, 2008, 04:55 PM

i dont think they are a very good idea, and cmon, its not like bubs totally thrash themselves about in the cot and would hurt themselves? its for our own psycological well being - nice, soft warm cuddly area for baby seems so much nicer thatn a bleak wooden cot - but its not really!

**LuluHB** · January 10th, 2008, 05:40 PM

I got a cot bumper as part of the bedding pack for my DD. I've put it on the wall for a bit of decoration - seemed better than getting no use at all out of it!

**Evie76** · January 10th, 2008, 07:53 PM

I wouldn't recommend one.

For example, Daniel often pushes his way arount the cot and ends up with his mouth pressed against the sides of the cot. Because I don't have a bumper he can breathe freely. If I had a bumper he would have his face buried in it and that would keep me up nights.

I reckon give your baby as much circulation around them as you can provide. I don't have any toys in his cot either - I like to know he is sleeping completely without any possible dangerous interference.

When he is older (still can't sit up by himself but can commando crawl like a demon!) and can sit up I'll probably give him a teddy then. My worry is getting tangled in decorative things that he doesn't necessarily want anyway.

**Evie76** · January 10th, 2008, 07:55 PM

Re: what catrionlee just said:

They constantly bang there heads on anything they can find anyway. A cot bumper isn't going to stop them bumping their bits - usually their heads!!

Funniest thing at the moment is Daniel sitting at the glass sliding door (v thick glass, mind you) watching the dogs outside and he sneezes. He forehead goes "bump" against the glass - doesn't cry, just giggles - weirdo.

**Ozziehoffy** · January 10th, 2008, 09:19 PM

Caz, you can get what they call an airwrap. It's a thin meshy type of material which wraps very firmly around the cot so that they can't get legs and arms stuck. I got one and love it and no more feet sticking out to get stuck.

**widdly** · January 10th, 2008, 09:54 PM

I couldn't bring myself to use a cot bumper because of all the SIDS awareness, but my son just refused to sleep in his cot cause he hated the wooden bars, so i gave the cot away and he slept in a portacot up til recently cause it had fabric sides that were more comfy. I guess it is really up to the individual, you read all the info out there then decide whats best for your bub.

**Mum2SweetCs** · January 11th, 2008, 06:35 AM

At my antenatal classes, the SIDS video recommended to NOT use them at all. Our teacher also said that when the baby rolls and hits something hard, he/she will learn to roll the other way, but with cot bumpers they will not learn how to roll back because they hit something soft.

Also the cot bumpers could get loose when your child starts fiddling with them and then could fall over while the baby is sleeping.

Agreed, dont know why they sell them for if they are not recommended.

**shell_120308** · January 11th, 2008, 07:13 AM

I bought cot bumpers with my linen set and I tell you what I really regret it, not sure why I bought the cot bumper when I knew you can't use it in the cot anyway..... I wasn't going to get it and the sales assistant said I would regret it if I didn't get it, so call it impulse spending. Might just put it on the cot for decoration when we have the baby shower. Mind you I will then get every mum telling me that you aren't supposed to have that on the cot you know..... arghhh

Don't worry I don't plan on using the cot bumper in the cot, no way!!! I don't want my little DJ suffocating :-(