Cot Bumper

[MichelleM]

My little one bangs his head & arms against the side of his cot, and I have been very tempted to tie the cot bumper along the side of the cot that he hits, but seem to remember hearing that bumpers werent to be used below a certain age.

Has anyone used bumpers this early - 3 1/2 mths?

Thanks

I did, with no problem, but I don't know what the official rules on this are. A saleswoman at John Lewis once told me that even the "official" opinions are mixed, and it just depends on who you ask.

I used a cot bumper from day 1. I think the worry is that the ties come lose and bumper may fall onto babys face or that baby could become tangled in the ties.

I just made sure it was secure, and checked it on a regualr basis.

It is my understanding that cot bumpers aren't recommended under 1 year for 2 reasons:

1. they may prevent ventilation around the baby, causing overheating and may be a factor in cot death
2. baby may become entangled in it and unable to get free

I honestly don't know how valid these reasons are, but I have never used cot bumpers

I used from day one

i heard all the reasons why not to use one and i never did,the thing i dont understand is why they still sell them then..????

At first I read the point about preventing ventiltion around the baby, and I though valid point. But then what about moses baskets, wooden cribs with solid sides and those cribs with drapes and stuff? Surely they must have a similar effect?

Yeah, but the solid side of a crib doesn't have the warmth of a bumper. I never got them, because was told not under a year case they pressed up against & over heated, but not over a year in case they got tangled etc. So when then?

dunno what to suggest as an alternative.

We were told not to use them until over 12 months. They also recommend removing crib drapes before a year old too for sleeping. We didn't bother with them although DD was forever hitting the cot sides, still does!

I can't understand why bumpers are still sold of all the health professionals say not to use them though.

I used cot bumpers early -- but not as early as 3.5 months, but probably by 6-7 months. Because my babies were bumping their heads & waking themselves up. You can get cots that have mesh sides, might be better....

My cot death leaflet said not to use them before 12 months as the idea is when they're little they could get their head stuck against the bumper and overheat. They're too small at that age to move and cool down.

DS (14 months) shifts all round his cot through the night so if I were to use cot bumpers it would end up looking like a padded cell!

Have you tried/ thought about using a Grobag? It might restrict your DS a bit and he might not bang his arms or head. Just a thought.

Thanks for all your replies - I wont put the bumper up now. Now cant understand why they are sold either!
DS is in a grobag, and it has definitely helped his night-time sleep, but I still wake up several times in the night to hear his head/arms bouncing off the rails. Maybe it sounds worse than it is.
Anyone else's baby "headbanging" as well & have you found any other solutions?

My mum bought a pack with cot bumper and quilt when DD was born. Neither have been used as I was told not to until 12 months. I then read in the mothercare catalogue that Bumpers should not be used when your child can sit unaided. I asked in Mothercare as I was confused when I could use it and was told by the staff that bumpers could be used from day 1.

I think GF says that they can be used till baby can sit unaided. I've used them from day 1 with no problems. But like Gem 13 says, now he rolls all around the cot and can end up anywhere it is looking a like I may as well remove them.

Have you tries rolling up a towel or sheet and running that around the inside of the cot? This prevents dd from banging her head against the bars in her sleep, thoough she still thrashes her arms about a bit...this doesn't seem to wake her up, though!

Thanks Tissy, have now put towel along the side he hits, so at least his head has something soft to bounce off!