what's the deal with cot bumpers?

[mogwai]

ok not strictly a pregnancy topic!

I've been told not to put a bumper onto the cot until the baby is 12 months old.

But awwww they're so CUTE! I really want to buy one, nesting instinct and all that. Nobody has really explained to me why I can't use one until 12 months. Anyone know?

"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, recent research has shown that they have neither good nor bad effects. Take it out when your baby can get up on hands and knees so they can?t climb out."

from the sids website

If you wait till 12 months...they'll use a cot bumper to shin out of the cot with

its because if the baby moves into it, the baby wouldn't be able to breathe, and because they don't automatally move away like you can, they could suffocate. Also could make the baby hot..

can't see the point of them, they 're potentially dangerous and restrict the ventilation (tiny babies have v poor temp control)

don't see the point either.

we use ours on our toddler bed because DD bangs her head and gets backeyes otherwise!!

glad we bought one in the beginning because otherwise it wouldn't match the bedding, so might be worth buying and putting it away

hmm, conflicting opinions!

I hadn't thought of the idea that baby can look out of the cot if there's no bumper, ambrosia, that's a good point.

Agree I had thought of buying one and putting it away in case it's discontinued.

I suppose the point of them is that they are something else for me to cluck over. Am so clucky. Saw a thrush yesterday when I was stiing in traffic. It had stuff in it's mouth to make a nest and was just staring at me. I actually patted my bump and thought "I have so much in common with that little bird!".

Get a grip girl! I'll give the bumper a miss. What was I thinking????????

Oh dear you do have it bad .
Forget the bumpers. There's lots of other gizmos you can waste your money on.

foget the bumper and get a baby-wipe warmer

I presume the baby wipe warmer is a piss take?

Even that little bird would laugh at the idea..

you think I'm joking? see here

whoa!

I don't have it as bad as some, evidently!

That's hilarous.

banging head on cot is all part of learning about life, risk taking etc imo (not that i'm a meanie mum or anything