Cot bumpers - are they neccessary?

[nixnoo]

Have just forked out for a Stokke Sleepi cot (although it was a good deal on e-bay it is still £££££) - and now need to get all the extras, the bumper is £39! Is it needed?

NO! We have one but only as it was a gift. They aren't very padded anyway so are just for effect. You could make one yourself.

NO ... in fact some people say they shouldn't be used at all

have never used one .. for either of my 2

Not at all. Go spend the money on chocolate instead!!!

We bought one when expecting dd...we didn't use it due to safety worries when she was tiny BUT now she is almost a year old we have started to use it as she tends to bang her head on the cot sides and top. IMO worth it...ours was a m&p one.

no.

mine liked to look out of the bars

I used them years ago with my kids but I thought they had fallen out of favour because of safety concerns, also with the back to sleep campaign, you put your little one near the foot of the cot so the head end where you would put your bumper is empty until they are quite big. The fears are probably not without foundation, as I remember my son somehow getting his head under one! I think they are really a decorative thing.

I would do without. I dont use them for my granddaughter because of above reasons. If you suddenly get the urge a few months down the line you can pick one up.

Nope, never had one.

No it isn't. Generally they are not advised by baby safety 'experts'

No, we bought one, but never used and took it back a while ago and exchanged it for a high chair!

thank you for all your advice, didn't realise there was a safety issue too! Hmmm....more chocolate

there is actually no link between cot bumpers and sids - they have neither good or bad effects:

From \link{http://www.sids.org.uk/fsid/question.htm\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, 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.

p.s. I never used one either

never used them,they can't see the room if you use them...pointless imo