Crib Pumbers - Friend or Foe?

We have the Breathable Bumpers - you can can them at Babies R Us. They are a little padded, but the baby can put her face against them and still breathe. Plus, they velcro -- no ties and she can't stand on them b/c they're not really plush enough to stand on. We're very happy with them so far.

Mine were the same way. Mine never stepped up on top of the bumper to gain height or try to climb out of the crib. So we left ours in. My oldest was in her crib - with bumpers - until she was 3 years old. She always loved her crib and being cozy against the bumper. We just couldn't bring ourselves to take it out. She never once tried to climb out of her crib. We only took her out because she was ready to potty train at night so we figured she needed access to the bathroom. My second kept his bumper as well. My third is nearly 1 and the bumper is still in her crib. None of them have attempted climbing out. I'm sure if that had been a problem we would have take them out for safety I guess.

Hi Leora

My daughter has slept with the crib bumper cluthched in her hand since she was about 5 months old and able to roll over. I'm not sure if you're concern is her contact with the bumper while going to sleep or if she's climbing on the bumper to gain height? If she's climbing on it, you might want to remove it so she doesn't topple out. If she's moving near it she is probably ok since she can roll, sit, and stand. I feel like once they can move away from it they are safe from any danger that might have been present when they were more immobile. Just my thoughts, if you are very concerned talk to the peds to see what their advice is.

Leora,
Don't believe everything you read, and go with your gut. My son sleeps the same way and after taking his bumpers off for 2 nights when he was 10 months old I put them back up and they are still up and he is 14 months old. He always sleeps against the crib and it protects his head. Go with your gut.
Chris

Hi,
I left my daughter's bumpers in the crib until she was a year old. She rolled over at a very early age and never bothered with the bumpers. So we never felt the need to move them. Also, like you we were afraid of her hitting her head. Now for my son we had to take his out at 7 months because he was pulling them up over his head. Yeah, big no-no. So that's why we took them out of his crib. I would leave them in if she is okay with them and doesn't bother them. Check on her once in a while she should be fine, especially since she is a little older. We also had a sensor montior under their matresses that detects heart beat and breathing that eased us a lot into letting the bumpers stay for a while.
C.

Leora,
I think the issue with the bumpers may not be so much the "climbing out" but the getting caught in them & the ties. They can strangle if they get their heads caught. If you are going to leave them in--make sure they are firmly tied to the crib & not a lot of "give" in them with the ties. If I were you, I would take them out til she's a little older. Your choice! Good luck!