Discussions

I am a first time mom, and was wondering peoples thoughts, opinions, and their own experiences with the use of bumper pads for their babies crib? I have heard many different things, good and bad, so just wanted to get some others opinions

I used them from day one with my son. Never had any issues at all. They were in his crib until the day he moved to a big bed.  
 
With my daughter (second child), I didnt use them at first. It wasn't that I consciously didn't use them, I honestly think I just forgot. Anyways, after she started moving around, she was constantly waking up in the night, always against one of the crib rails. I thought maybe she was constantly bumping her head or body into the rails, which would hurt or be uncomfortable and wake up. I put the bumpers in and she started sleeping better. Could be coincidence, I'm not sure. Once she was about a year and a half old, I took them out of her crib because she would just sit and play with them instead of actually sleeping.  
 
In my experience, they've been a good thing. I know others will disagree and even criticize using them; however, you'll unfortunately find that to be the case for most parenting choices.

I used the breathable bumpers first, then once my kids got bigger switched to the softer ones. Now she’s a year and a half and I took them off a while ago, she just played with them

There is a thing called “survivors bias” which means in short term - “I did it and nothing happened so they must be okay” I have done extensive research on safe sleep and ensuring that I follow the ABCs of sleep. Baby should always be (A)lone on their (B)ack and in their crib with nothing in it besides a fitted sheet. Crib bumpers are not safe and the mesh ones are a strangulation risk. There is just no reason to use them whatsoever, so why risk it? A lot of parents fear that their child will get their leg/arm stuck in the slates, but that is better than the alternative. There are going to be differing opinions everywhere and for everything once you become a mom. But this isn’t really an opinion, it’s fact. I strongly search you join Safe Infant Sleep on Facebook, it is strictly evidenced based by reputable sources. Good luck and congratulations.

Never used them with either of my kids. My kids move around lots while sleeping and never had any issues with banging into the sides. My daughter once got her leg stuck (I got it out easy) while she was awake. But never any other issues. Didn’t want to take the risk.  
 
It’s like when someone says I’ve driven drunk and never had an accident. Just because you never did doesn’t mean others haven’t suffered bad effects from it.

Never used them after doing much reading. Never had a problem with a leg etc getting stuck. I did use "sleepsacks for them to sleep in though.

Not safe, according to the American Association of Pedatricians, Health Canada, and the Canadian Pediatrics Society.  
 
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/reports-publications/consumer-education/your-child-safe/sleep-time.html  
 
https://www.parenting.com/article/sids-prevention  
 
https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/safe_sleep_for_babies

If they are able to flip around, they shouldn't suffocate on them, and frankly you shouldn't need them until they're rolling over anyway, because (for tiny babies) if you place them on their back to sleep, they can't roll around.  
 
I do agree that newborns should be placed on their backs to sleep. Once they get a bit older though, and are able to move around, bumper pads are fine.

Once again, that’s opinion not fact. You are not qualified to say “they are fine” hundreds of reputable sources say they are not. They are also a strangulation risk NOT just a suffocation risk, and the strangulation risk factors in more so when they are mobile and moving around. Not trying to be rude, just being honest.

You hit the nail on the head! I LOVE this analogy. Unsafe sleep is like running a red light, maybe you’ll get hit by a car, or maybe you won’t. Maybe something bad will happen, maybe it won’t. But most of us, would still not risk running that red light because we would not risk our own lives, the same applies for unsafe sleep situations.