Why are cot bumpers still sold???

[xitedmum]

Walking around the Baby Show (London 20/10/18) I couldn't believe how many cot bumpers were on display. I thought these were a definite no-no. Why are they still sold or does anyone use one and why?? Are they not as dangerous as people made out? Thanks!!

We are still planning on using them, I don’t think they are that dangerous

We got a kind of a fabric wrap around bumper when my son was about 8 months old. He is such a restless sleeper and was constantly banging his head on the bars and it was awful. We wrapped ours so it goes between each bar so it can’t come undone and there are no threads hanging. He still uses it at almost 2 and we’ve been happy with it.

However, they probably shouldn’t be used with tiny babies or if there is any chance they could get tangled in them or choke etc.

Some people just prefer to choose a pretty nursery over safety. Baffles me.

RedneckStumpy

Why? What’s the point?

I've always wondered why they are still on sale. Should just be banned surely?

My OH thinks I'm mad because I still want one for our cot but plan to remove it for sleeping - I just want it for decoration purposes as I think it looks nice Yes, I'm aware that's vain!

Most of my friends use them. We were bought one as a gift by one of those friends and they seemed quite offended that we didn't use it. I didn't want to use it because of SIDS advice but Also, I just never needed it - dd didn't bang into the bars or get trapped in the bars.

I also think the same when I look on Instagram and see various types of bunting tied to cots, hanging above cots, soft toys everywhere - yes it looks pretty but what if that bunting falls down overnight and intonthe cot??

RedneckStumpy why would you bother buying them in the first place.

I even understand items like the Babymoov or sleepyheads which arent advised but serve some purpose in helping a baby sleep. Whats the point of cot bumpers?

We use one on the outside of the cot, as there's a radiator there, so the bumper prevents DD from touching it.

I think it’s very unfair to say some people use them for aesthetic purposes. I’ve known people use them because they are concerned as their baby is regularly hitting their head on the cot bars or getting limbs stuck.

For older babies and toddlers they are totally sound when fitted correctly. Stop being hysterical op.

@TheMagicTorch get a breathable mesh one :) we have a lovely off-white one with pastel green leaves on it.

I fitted one once our DC were older babies and could roll because they were clonking their heads and waking up. I wouldn't put one on with a tiny baby.

After reading the awful story of a 6 month old dying after getting his neck caught in a loose string, I would never have them, and agree they should not be sold.

We had a beautiful set of cot bumpers. Then we attended baby first aid classes and promptly removed them. They don’t have any discernible benefit, and can pose a danger. Having friends who’ve lost babies to SIDS, any risk, however small, was too big a risk for us.

Advice on cot bumpers and safe sleeping here:
www.lullabytrust.org.uk/parents-should-remove-cot-bumpers/

This drives me crazy in shops as well, all the cots are displayed with thick duvet type blankets and cot bumpers. They are unsafe and babies have died from their use, the "my baby was fine" mentality is really scary. Also for older babies I'd rather wake up and settle a baby who has bumped their head or got an arm stuck than risk suffocation or strangulation.

@BelfastSmile is the radiator on? I'd be worried about over heating. (Hope that doesn't sound patronising by the way, I know sometimes these things are necessary due to space/room layout).

I hate that they the still sold, it has been known for such a long time now about the risks they pose(we talked about it when I trained as a nursery nurse 16 years ago. They get away with it because they sell them as a decorative item.

They don’t even look nice IMO- really fussy.

We never had one for dd and we’ve not missed it. The only actual use I could think of for them is when dd would flail in the middle of the night and knock her dummy out between the bars and onto the floor.

Yeah a baby’s cot shouldn’t be next to a radiator that is turned on. We turned ours off when dc were in our room as it was the only place the cot was able to go.

About to have my first and new to this... what's wrong with cot bumpers?

I use one for my 11 month old as it stops him banging his head on the bars. There's no chance he could get strangled by the string bits - they are far too short. I do understand how they can be dangerous for small babies so wouldn't be using one for a newborn - around 7 months or so.

Those saying it’s ok for older babies/toddlers... quite apart from the fact that, no, it still isn’t safe. These older babies and toddlers can use them to step on to climb out the cot and hurt themselves falling/getting up to mischief in their rooms.

@RosiePosies they pose a suffocation risk (baby getting face against fabric, you'd be surprised how much a newborn can wriggle - my DS used to do a 180 in his cot at 2 weeks old and now at 18 weeks wriggles sideways so his head leans against the side of the cot) and also a strangulation risk due to the ties. They can also impact on air circulation through the cot. The lullaby trust has lots of advice as linked by another poster 

There have also been cases of babies suffocating, it’s not just the strings. I’ve never used them with either of mine, I just wouldn’t take the risk, much like I remove thick coats in car seats and cut up grapes. Lots of children are fine - choking and car crashes are also rare, but it’s not worth the risk.