Old family cot... How do I put bumper on it?

[Nancysmum4]

hello We are using the old family Cot ( Edwardian)drop side. It's wonderful. I've also fallen in love with Millie and Borris mama's and papa's cot bumper. But will this even work ( or any bumper in fact) with our cot? Please advice!! Thanks

I would include a photo but I don't know how to!

Why are you using a bumper? I thought they were no longer considered safe.

Lead paint too?

There are mesh bumpers that wind between the bars of the cot. As Hooty says padded bumpers have safety concerns

You don't put a bumper on it they are not safe. Are you sure the cot is safe, have you measured the distance between the bars?

I didn't think drop side cots were the done thing now?

I wouldn't bother with the bumper, a)the safety concerns and b) they are a faff.

Thank you for all concerns. To drop the side of the cot, both sides need to be pressed. It is not something baby could do. Also the rungs are spaced evenly and not wide enough for babies head. The cot has had many babies in it,all of which are grown up now, so what is the problem?

I'm confused, the amount of babies that have been in the cot is nothing to do with the risk of cot bumpers.

I believe they say bumpers increase the risk of sids due to overheating and I know one little boy died from getting his neck tangled. The advice is not to use them.

If you really want a bumper get an air wrap. We used one to stop DD getting her legs stuck in the bars! Traditional bumpers are a SIDS risk.

The risk with drop sides is not to do with how easy it is to open the side. It's to do with potential faults in how it is assembled due to the cot being built, taken apart and rebuilt again, possibly incorrectly, for subsequent children. Obviously if the child can make it drop that would be a risk in itself.
Are you putting your baby to sleep on its front, and weaning at one month, as earlier generations did both of these too?

Hello. I think the OP is getting a hard time! We have a fabulous 1930s (or perhaps older, it was first used by our family then) cot which we use for DD at my parents. My Dad has refurbished it - sanded and painted with non harmful paint. The bars are a safe distance apart and flat rather than round and the drop side seems very safe - it sounds similar to what you describe. I was sceptical about using it for DD before I saw it but it really is a thing of beauty and safety and so no reason to think the OPs one isn't similarly fantastic.

You will need to get a new mattress for it and you can get these made quite cheaply - current standing is new mattress for EVERY baby. We found babymattressesonline.co.uk/ brilliant, just don't get too carried away with all the options!

On the bumper situation they are not advised anymore. Some use the soft air mesh ones to stop little arms getting out but the "matching" padded ones are no wise also you'll struggle to get it working on the dropped side. I honestly think that shops shouldn't sell them.

Here is the info from lullaby trust:

Cot bumpers can pose the risk of an accident to your baby once they begin to roll and move about the cot. There have been a number of cases in the UK and abroad where infants have become entangled in the ties and material, or fallen from pulling themselves up on the bumpers. A simple mattress in your cot with no loose bedding or bumpers is the safest sleeping place for a baby.

Hope that helps

My HV yold me that there was a problem with sir not circulating property where a cot bumper installed.

Nancy saying the cot have had lots if babies in it that have come to no harm is like saying people used to have four kids in the boot of a Volvo who came to no harm.

Nancy if you are happy to use the cot and feel its safe then that's your choice. New matress is a must and make sure the bars are flat, evenly spaced to regulation, ensure any paint on the cot is non-harmful, though I'm sure you have checked all this.

honestly though I wouldn't get a bumper, they aren't worth it.

good luck with the baby

Make sure the drop side can't be pushed out from the bottom iyswim. We had an old dropside and it was dangerous for this reason - the baby could easily have pushed the side of and got their head stuck (obviously not when newborn!). I'd also be inclined to sand it right back and revarnish/paint it. Lead paint in particular can cause serious damage.

Well doneon you all judging when all I was asking about was a cot bumper. Thank you to those who made me aware of those safety issues regarding the bumper. As for my cot, I am very aware of the concerns for some drop side cots, I do not need judgement from other mums as though I'm putting my baby at risk. I have checked it over 5 months ago before my daughter was born and can say it fits all safety guidelines. I have not simply made my judgement based on many children who have used it and been fine!!! I'm deeply upset that some mother felt they had the right to assume this. So unless it's something supportive maybe don't respond to posts as it can be quite upsetting l.

I came on here for support from other mums and instead leave feeling victimised.

Nancy please don't feel bad, I'm sure people are just expressing concern at the cot and are probably a bit direct in the way the type. I'm sure you wouldn't actively put your baby in harm, so please don't worry.

like I said if you are happy it's safe and have researched thouroughly then that's fine.

No one's judging :)

But you have asked a question about how to fit a bumper, when bumpers are not considered safe.

It's not unreasonable for people to double check that if you don't know that cot bumpers aren't safe, that you also are aware of the safety risks of old cots.

Just looking out for you :) As long as you have done your research and addressed the safety aspects (which, tbh, the fact you didn't know about bumpers might make people think you haven't), then fine.

Are you still going to get a bumper?

Nobody's judging you, people are just giving advice on cot safety that's all. It's very common for new mums to not be fully aware of cot safety. When I had my first baby I went out and bought a lovely matching bumper and duvet set, I was so excited to make the cot look all lovely. It wasn't until I went to antenatal classes that I was told that bumpers and duvets were unsafe (though I wasn't planning on using the duvet until baby was older). I took both straight back to the shop and got my money back. I don't know why shops continue to sell them.

I agree with others that, on the basis you didn't know about bumpers you may not have been aware of the dangers of drop-sided cots and lead paint. They're really just trying to help.