Ok, about to be new mum - please talk to me about cot bumpers!

[Bouncingturtle]

I have a bumper for lo's cot, fortunately our bedroom is big enough for a full sized cot so baby will be sleeping in it from birth.
I have had conflicting advice as to when I should use a bumper, first I read that you shouldn't use one after baby can sit up un aided, now somewhere else it says don't use until baby is a year old!! Please help!
TIA

waster of money
don't bother

not sure why I did for ds1, more cash in the tills for BabysRUs, I think

It was only a cheap one from Ikea - couldn't believe how much they cost from Mothercare!

Bouncingturtle, please don't use your cot bumper with a newborn.

There is a very small but very real danger that your baby may get his/her head stuck up against it and (because newborn's neck muscles aren't strong) be unable to move away. This could lead to suffocation.

Once your baby can hold up his/her head, bumpers are OK - as long as you tuck the strings well out of reach.

Great, thanks for that, shall remove it.
Good job I asked on here!!

agree with porpoise

also we used ours once lo was in her cot at 6 months and we used it to shield us from her veiw as we have an ironwork piece in the middle of our footboard

to be honest it was just for decoration more than anything

Agree with everyone - expensive, un-necessary and dangerous.
Don't know why they're sold TBH.

Agree with porpoise and dressedup... though will say that once ds was in his cot properly (and not in moses basket), and he could hold up his head, he really needed it, as he was constantly clunking his head against the side of the cot (he rolled over onto his side quite quickly), so it was definitely more than decoration.

it helps keep baby warmin the winter. ie, if youhave onein her cot, then shewill be warmer, than without.

ds2 was bornin th emiddle of a major major heat wave. spent his early life in just a vest, andno bumper,

Take it back to Ikea. They look pretty enough I suppose (though cots are lovely anyway, all made up with blankets etc.

BUT

• serious risk of baby overheating when tiny as POrpoise explained (overheating known to be a cause of cot death)

• not allowed to use then once baby can pull him/herself up as they can use them to climb out of cot with, falling to floor.

Should be banned IMO.

And a bumped head (Which does happen a ;lot whne they are first moving around) is rarely serious. Cot death/falling from 5ft height both are.

the SIDS website says they have neither good or bad effects re: cot death so if you want to use it then to do.

from SIDS website:

Can I use a cot bumper for my baby?

In the past, there were concerns that bumpers might make babies too hot, increasing the risk of cot death. However, research has shown that they have neither good nor bad effects. Take it out when your baby can get up on her hands and knees so she can?t climb out. Make sure there are no trailing strings or ties.

Your lo would be more enclosed with restricted air flow in a moses basket then they would be in a huge cot with bumpers (in my opinion anyway).

p.s. I didnt have a bumper for any of my lo's.

Seona,
I know for a fact that FSID is planning to re-issue its advice, following this study, amongst others

never had one for my 3 and they haven't had any serious bumps - it's only wood isn't it?

Can't take it back, as unpacked, but it was only £8 anyway so not bothered if I don't use it. Thanks to all for the advice.