Cot bumpers - pretty or useful? Both or neither?

[wobblyweeble82]

Do cot bumpers have a purpose? Are they just decorative or do they have a use? Will they make my DD feel secure or are they just for aesthetics? Can somebody please explain why or should or shouldn't buy one as DH and I can't make our minds up!

I don't think they're very safe TBH, the baby could get squashed up against them.

We never used them. I rather my dc's bumped their heads.

oooh useful becuase of the vomit you see! It doesnt spray/leak/drip out of the cot onto the floor....the bumbers contain the vom you see.

Also when they begin rolling around, its softer on their little body parts than the wooden rails as they wedge up against them.

defo useful!

dangerous. unneccesary.

never had a problem with spraying vomit either (ewww mrsnesbit)

Ha ha mrs nesbit - never thought of them as vomit catchers before!

They're not advised for under-ones due to the risk of suffocation/strangulation if baby rolls against it or if a tie comes loose and the bumper is over the baby's head (I think, however I might be wrong about that) Then when your baby is mobile then there's a chance they can use the bumper as a 'step' and climb up on it. Seems to be a very small window where they're OK (if any at all!)

We haven't bothered, DD is 17mo. We thought it was unnecessary and it's quite nice for her to be able to see out of the cot without getting up, especially before she could sit by herself :)

I don't think you're supposed to use them until baby is 6 months or so. We have one which was given to us - it looks nice and is useful for blocking out the light from the landing iyswim, and also DD can't see past it when she's lying down so we can creep past her room without being seen.

Have a sneaking feeling she's using it to wipe her nose on as well

Same applies for overflowing poo...specially the runny stuff....

I bought them for ds1, then I read on the labels that they weren't suitable under 12 months, by which time you don't need them!

At best, pointless and a waste of money. At worst, dangerous.

I wouldn't bother.

We had them but I took them out when I realised how hot and stuffy they made the cot. I'd also heard the suffocation thing - even if baby doesn't actually become "tangled up" in it I can see how they may restrict the amount of oxygen available... won't be using one this time.

I use one down the side of the cot so 8MO DD doesn't stick her legs through the bars at naptime (at night she's in a bag)

A blanket tucked under the mattress would work just as well TBH.

You don't need one.

Soon she's going to pull herself up and I'll have to get rid of it.

All my 3 have had one. ds2 still uses his.
I like them as it stops their legs getting stuck in the bars, it makes it more comfy when they roll into the sides. It used to stop ds1's dummy falling out through the bars.
It is highly unlikely it would come undone as it is tied on with about 15 ties . It goes around the entire (oval shaped ) cot. And the ties are not long enough to go round a neck. They are only just long enough for me to tie them on in a double knot.

Thanks for your opinions folks. Can I ask what the difference re lack of air flow/oxygen is between a Moses basket and a bumper?

Pretty not useful. Not overly dangerous IMHO.

Told at antenatal classes not to use them due to risk of suffocation/strangulation

Not pretty. Rarely useful.

FSID now say that latest research indicates cot bumpers have neither good nor bad effects. You do however need to ensure they remain in good condition and do not have any trailing parts. Also, they recommend you cease use at c 6 months, as they really do aid small escapologists.

I never had one. They struck me as neither use nor ornament. But if you're flush and you like how they look, then go for it.

i didn't use the cloth ones, but still have 'airwrap' ones on ds's cot at 22months. sorry can't do link on phone, you can always google i guess. :)

they are lightweight padded mesh so they're safer. they just velcro on and slide down when climbed on so not so good for escaping.

i just got them to avoid the legs through the bars and the indentations from DS sleeping right against them as he likes to do!

indentations on his head, not the bars i mean.

Thanks everyone, much appreciated

Thanks for the link sleepywombat - will delve further into that. If they're as dangerous as most of you are suggesting it beggars belief how they're still on sale. I think we're going to leave it and then if tanglement becomes an issue or she HATES the cot or is getting draughty (sp? don't think I've ever written that before?!) we might look into the air wrap ones.

This is probably going to sound stupid but can you use them on the outside of the cot - for the blocking-out-light / things-not-falling-out benefits but without the danger of suffocating?

Speaking as someone who's bought 2, now doesn't want to use them inside the cot if they're dangerous, and doesn't want to chuck them out.

Otherwise I shall have to find another use - wall-hanging maybe!