14 Month Old Bumping Head on Crib Rails

I have had the bumpers on since the day they got into their crib, about 3 mos old. I always raised it up a bit so there was air about an inch below it in case their face pressed up against it. 14 mons is fine for the bumpers. They worry about SIDS usually in their first year but they don't move much in their first few months and mostly they worry about them rolling over onto their face. I think you will be fine to add bumpers, just no pillows or heavy blankets yet.

good luck!

W. M'boro, TN

When my son started rolling around he would sleep face down in the corner of the crib. It scared me to death. So I tried the mesh bumper pads. He would wake up crying because he would bump his head. We just went back to the bumper pads that we had used since we had put him in his crib at 2 months old.

Get a crib tent. It has the mesh fabric that goes around the crib rails so it would cushion her a little without being dangerous.

Hi Lisa,

Bumper pads are the only way to go. At 14 months old she won't hurt herself, but will keep her head from getting bruises.

M.

They say not to, but i do. My son is 13 mos and does the same thing. He also won't sleep without them on there. I guess it's more comforting to him. I think he is old enough to wake up and turn his head if he was having trouble breathing.

I know they say to remove the bumper pad when child is able to sit up, but I think the majority of people actually leave them on. We took my daughter's off only because I'm paranoid. If you're not concerned with her using it as a ladder to climb out of the crib then put it back on, and I'm sure she'll be fine.

I always used the bumper pads, too. I agree with all the moms who say to go with your instinct. If you stress over everything you see in the news, you'll go nuts! One thing that may make you feel better....you can get the video camera monitor. Mount the little camera high on her wall and then you'll have the screen in your room. If you ever start feeling nervous, click the screen on and take a peek....you'll see that she's sleeping cozy with some cushion on that little head! =0) They are a little expensive, but worth the peace of mind. Really.......don't worry about using a bumper pad, it'll be just fine.

My 2 and 1/2 year old is still living with bumpers in her crib. She was always a mover when she was a baby but she also loves the soft patches on the bumper. so it gives her some comfort. I know what they say but I think as long as its secure and she is not trying to climb out then I think you should be ok.

I had the same problem with my youngest. Her Dr. told me as long as they do not tie at the bottom (most don't) bumper pads are fine until they can climb on them to get out.

This is a trick I learned from my mom. Use a silk scarf or a thin cloth diaper (not pre-folded) or cheese cloth, or some other lightweight breathable soft fabric, fold it loosely lengthwise, so that it is a bit more narrow, and then drape it along the top of the baby's head. Not over her head, just so that she feels something against her skull.
I used that with my kids, and they stayed put in the middle of the crib, and we never used (not needed) crib bumpers. And if they start playing with it and pull it down over their face it is okay, as long as it is indeed a lightweight and breathable fabric.

I would think at 14 months bumper pads would be ok. My daughter was almost in a toddler bed at that time. Is your child mobile and walking? I guess I always had bumper pads but my child also started sleeping on her belly at 4 months because she just would end up that way. It scared me to death but she just wouldn't sleep any other way. I don't think "they" really know anything. "They" can't even make up their minds about egss!!!

My son does this as well. We do have a bumper pad on. It's one I made myself and not very thick or fluffy. The bumper pad warning, I thought, was for small infants that would not be able to raise their heads if the pad got over their face. A child of 14 months should be able to do this. As long as you make sure she can't get tangled up in it, I would think the bumper pad would be the way to go.

I just wanted to point out that "they" say not to leave the bumpers in for child that age because they can stand on them and may be able to use it as leverage to climb up and fall out.

My son's not old enough to do this yet, so I don't know if it's truly a possibility or not. I just don't want your little one to get hurt!

Leave the bumper pad in the crib. Your child is big enough that she is probably not going to get stuck in the pad. My son sleeps pretty much the same way your daughter does, and the bumper pad has been in his bed since birth, no problems.
Also, I don't mean to be mean but I have to point out that pack-n-plays don't have a supportive enough mattress to be used on a continual basis. They are meant for travel and occasional use. I know this info is coming a bit late, but if there is ever another child consider simply putting the crib in your room not the pack-n-play.
T.

put the bumper pad in the crib, just make sure that it is secure to the slats and tuck the bottom of the pad between the rails and the mattress.

Please, don't always listen to what "they" or "the experts" say. Society has gotten to where we are trained not to trust our own instincts anymore and not to trust our own judgment. You are her mother. You know what your baby needs and what is best. I believe that most of what "the experts" say about things like that are for people who are just seriously lacking in intelligence and common sense. You are a wonderful mother. Be confident in your choices and decisions. Your daughter is one, so she's not going to smother herself. The only thing you need to watch out for is to make sure she doesn't try to climb out. And then.. the bumper pad is really not going to hinder or help much. Once she can climb out, you can just move on to a toddler's bed with rails. I think that you are a very bright woman and respect you for making the right choices for your children, as well as seeking advice about things you are uncertain of. Good luck!

E.,
I agree with all the other mothers, my son is almost 18 months old and he still has bumper pads in his bed. I keep them tucked around the mattress but it is just a comfort for me to keep him from bumping his head and waking himself up in the middle of the night. Don't worry about the safety issue at her age she should be fine.

We used regular bumper from 12 months but if you're not comfortable with it what about this http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...

Hi why and who says no bumpers in the crib? My 2 girls 3 1/2 & 16 months and everyone I know has always used bumpers to prevent just what you are talking about.
I say use the bumpers if it will help her little head.

I think it would be ok to leave in bumbers at her age. make sure they are tied secure.

we still use bumper pads on our crib; and he's 2. As long as she's not trying to climb out I leave them there. Our are a little loose so they collapse even when you try to push down on them with your hands as if you're a little foot stepping up on them (we did that to see if it would give him leverage).

Go with your instincts; no one knows your daughter better then you :)

i used a bumber pad in my daughters bed from the day she was born. i just pushed the bottom edges down between the bed rail and the sides og the matress. this kept it secure so it didn't move and she couldn't get her face under it and smother and also kept her from hitting her head while she slept. she is in a toddler bed now but it still kind of a wild sleeper...i'll lay her down in one directiona nd go in to check on her later and she's flipped the complete opposite way.

Leave the bumper pad on the bed. My four kids all had the bumper pad on the bed until they graduated out of the crib to a big bed. My kids all learned how to climb out of the crib--bumper pad or no bumper pad. None of them ever got any bruises or broken bones climbing out of the crib.

I agree with the others! She's old enough at this point to roll over and move away from the bumper pad. I used them with all three babies for the same reason.

The risk of SIDS decreases dramatically when your baby can rollover and such and decreases even more after age 1. If it was me, I would put bumper pads in. My daughter had them in her crib and we have never had problems.