Now that Levi’s mastered rolling over, I’ve been finding him like this in the morning–on his tummy, and sort of pissed about it. He’s figured out how to get himself into this position but not sure what to do once he’s in it. (Look at his tired eyes. Poor, baby. It was a rough night for all of us.)
Rockin’ and rollin’ in his crib means that Levi is frequently bumping into the railings. I’ve seen and heard him bang his noggin into the sides a couple of times already. All that movement also means he occasionally ends up with an arm or a leg stuck between the rails (when he’s not in his Sleep Sack). These limbs aren’t literally stuck, but since Levi hasn’t figured out how to pull them back in, all he can do he is become hysterical.
Does this mean it’s time to bring back the crib bumper? I’d be happy to do so from a purely decorative point of view (the bumper was the cutest part of our crib bedding set!), but my number one concern is obviously Levi’s safety. Now that he’s rolling over, is he safer with or without a crib bumper?
Did you use a crib bumper? If so, for how long?
I skipped it at this point. I was always afraid they’d get their limbs caught underneath. Or, when they become more mobile, use it as a step to climb up and over the rail.
I didn’t even think about Levi getting his arms and legs caught underneath a bumper. I agree, there’s a short window to even use a bumper before the start climbing on it!
I always kept the bumpers in Parker’s bed. I dont know if I should have or because its is a “choking hazard, a trampment hazard, a smothering hazard” the list goes on. First thing I did once Parker started to move around and was interested in stating up was lowered the crib. Now is as good as ever to do that. You have to do what you feel comfortable with. And what is going to help you sleep at night too!
try it for one night see how you do, see how baby does… if you are not worried about the “hazards” and he does great you have your answer!
Good luck PJ.
Of course I am worried about the hazards! 😉
I totally used a bumper to keep the kiddo from getting an arm stuck or banging his head, until 6 months when we packed up our stuff to move. He slept in/learned how to pull up to standing in a Pack ‘n Play before our things arrived, so we didn’t use it after that.
And then recently I read something like this: http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/18/health/no-bumpers-cribs-sids-parenting/index.html – that bumpers shouldn’t be used at all.
So… no answers here!
Ugh! And tomorrow they’ll decide that all parents must use crib bumpers!
There are so many “risks” we take as moms. For example, the car set specialists say it is unsafe to hang anything from your child’s carseat or have one of those rear facing mirrors bc thy could be projectiles in an accident. Also they do not recommend putting anything between yor child and the strapescof the carseat bc it does not allow the strapes to be tight enough. This being said, I think a coat is approprriate for the winter to protect from the winter over just using blankets and I would prefer Kara to stay asleep at night and not hit her head on the rails. We sated t my inlaws house and they do not have bumpers. Kara smacked her head in to the rails and woke up. That sucked. I used bumpers with Connor until he was able to sit up on his own. Good luck mama cremember whatever you decide is the right decision
I agree with you, Kerry. I’m probably even taking some risks that I don’t realize! And I do fall into the habit of thinking there’s a right and a wrong way of doing things or a good and bad decision.
My son will be 5 months next week and for the last week or so we’ve worried about him rolling around in his crib at night with the bumper. So we replaced our original decorative bumper with a breathable bumper which decreases my worrying at night. It’s a mesh-like bumper with a little bit of cushion to it. The company’s website has a full size one that covers the entire rails of the crib so as babies get older they can’t stand on the bumper but it has yet to be released.
We’re definitely looking into breathable bumpers. Will have to check out the website for the ones that cover the railings completely. Interesting!
We were having the same issue with our little guy! He’s almost five months old now and has gotten less frustrated by ending up on his belly (in fact now it’s his favorite position to sleep in which created a whole new issue…), but we solved the limbs-through-the-rails issue with a mesh bumper…. Doesn’t seem like there is a perfect solution for any of this stuff 😉 Good luck!
I can’t wait for Levi to begin to enjoy sleeping on his tummy! He already likes sleeping on his side, so hopefully he’ll figure out that stomach sleeping isn’t so bad.
Breathable bumpers. Not as pretty but will do the job.
It’s a shame that breathable bumpers aren’t as pretty as the ones that come in the crib bedding set!
RJ was in our room until 6 months. By that time he was rolling all over the place and I went out and purchased a breathable one. So, I feel the bumpers were a waste of money. *Glad it was a gift!* I still have the breathable one in the crib and he just turned one.
we got a breathable bumper at Babies R Us, and put it in once Owen started scooting around the crib, after he got himself stuck up to his thigh!
now that he’s rolling from back to tummy though, we’ve got a whole new issue. he gets on his tummy and then wakes up in a panic because he doesn’t want to be that way but can’t remember how to roll back over – i think because he’s so tired! last night he was up at 3:30am screaming because of it!
i’m sure it’s a matter of days before he realizes what’s up and rolls himself back over and falls back asleep, but these next few days could get rough!
Levi did the same thing when he started rolling from his back to his tummy. He’d wake up in a panic, too! What is Owen’s sleeping schedule when he’s not freaking himself out by being on his stomach?