Cot Bumpers

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whats the general consensus on these?

11 week old DD will be moving into her cot, but when I had my DS2 and DD2, I was advised not to use a bumper but used them with the eldest two..HV has said dont use..but DD is a real wriggler and can move backwards...in her pram and moses basket she ends up with her head against the sides so I dont want her banging her head in the cot, but the HV said they are assc with cot death

DD had them. I was wondering what was supposed to be so hazardous about them.
But tbh, if your baby is a real wriggler she might be better off without them.

Babies having their head under the covers is a risk factor for cot death - a wriggly baby might well manage to get her head under the cot bumper, which would be much the same as having a blanket or quilt over her head, so that's the risk.

I don't think babies hurt themselves by bumping into the cot bars, or the ends, and soon learn not to do it hard.

So, for me, I'd not use a bumper, as there is a risk in using one, and no risk of real harm in not having one.

My dc4 is a real wriggler, moved out of moses basket at aboout 15 weeks, slightly wedged either side with a towel but ended up putting him in travel cot as it has mesh sides so when he has his head bent back at 90 degrees it is in mesh not hard wood! You can get mesh cot bumper liner things,not sure where from though.

I think thats the other thing I thought of..that DD may well get her head stuck under it..doesnt bare thinking about..but she tends to dig her heels in and throw herself backwards..can see her banging her head into bars quite hard..ouch

I might sound a bit heartless (and my DS is way past that age so I probably don't recall quite how worrying babies are), but it's really quite difficult to hit your own head off a flat surface hard enough to cause damage. Falling from a height or hitting a corner are different of course, but the flat sides and bars of a cot are not really hazardous. And she'll learn quite fast that suddenly crashing her head backwards like that hurts, so not keep doing it.

As I say, I'm probably a bit heartless as old age and cynicism have got to me , but I think protecting against the known and very genuine risk of cot death is the important thing here.

I never used one and never had a problem. DS tended to move downwards anyway.

www.safetots.co.uk/Nursery-&-Sleeping/Nursery-Furniture/Cot-Accessories/c87_93_95/p1743/-Air-Cot-Pro tection-System/product_info.html?osCsid=98lbp8uuftfd7hd5ejdns8gp40

Airwrap is the mesh thing.

thanks all..think Ive just saved myself the cost of a bumper..and have peace of mind too

I have small cot bumpers from ikea, less than half the size of normal ones. DS is a wiggler and seems to have now taken to using them as a pillow.

They make no real difference when he bumps his head, as they aren't that padded, but helps to keep his arms and legs in the cot.

I think that FSID at one point did not recommend cot bumpers as they were thought to be associated with cot death because of "rebreathing" which is where the air around the baby doesn't move enough to become oxygen-rich and they end up breathing the carbon-dioxide saturated air. Then this was found to be rubbish (that cot bumpers caused it, I mean) so they now don't advise that cot bumpers are a risk, as long as they are securely fitted and have no trailing strings etc which could get caught around a baby's neck etc.

Both my DS had cot bumpers on. Saying that, they both slept in my bedroom and I was constantly listening out and checking on them. If you do get one, just make sure you fit it securely. I used to tie mine on and double knot it tightly.

I have been told at parentcraft class that the latest recommendation from the FSID is not to use them.

Mesh type are fine though.

I personally wouldn't use them. I thought the risk was that baby could press head against it and wouldn't then be able to lose heat from head and so would overheat.