By Michelle Fulcher on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 01:29 pm:
| By Michelle Fulcher on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 01:29 pm: |
Hi there,
I know that cot bumpers aren't recommended because of SIDS and they say babies don't need them, but my baby boy keeps bumping his head. He likes to toss and turn, roll over and even crawl while he is settling down for the night, and everytime I put him down, he'll roll over not knowing that the side of the cot is there and I hear the god-awful "crack" of his skull against the cot and then he starts screaming. I don't use any blankets or pillows, I dress him warmly and give him his favorite "Blankie". What are other peoples opinions on cot bumpers? I am also worried that because he is going to be climbing and pulling himself up very soon that he'll use any bumper I put in to climb out and fall.... but I swear one of these day's he'll give himself a concussion if I don't use them.
| By Amanda on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 08:58 pm: |
Hi Michelle, It’s tricky. And it’s easier for me to say because I don’ use a cot presently, but as Taliver sounds allot like Jesse I’m sure he would let you know if he were in trouble. Jesse used to do the same thing. I swear I have mentioned that roll a thousand times on this site but it worked most of the time. Perhaps you could try using them for daytime naps and just be vigilant checking in on him? Or for nights moving his cot into your room and using a bumper. This way you can tune into his breathing and feel safer knowing if he is in trouble you are just a step away to act if required. I’ve thought about it when trying to devise bed bars for our family bed. I would need them all the way around. I just had an idea - perhaps you could roll up a towel for each length of the cot. This would distance him from the sides. If you could fasten the towels so they can’t unroll would be better but perhaps this could do the trick. OR foam or pad each individual rail. This way if he hits his head they’re softer but with a gap in between he can still breathe if pushed up against the side. Tough one, I think if none of these suggestions take your fancy just try the bumpers out for a few days and see if it helps him and how they work out and then decide. But of course its easy for me to say. Anyway hope this helps. Amanda
| By Kimberley on Thursday, June 2, 2005 - 06:18 am: |
We haven't used bumpers but put pillows next to Elsbeth when she was in the cot. In the bed she has pillows either side of her. Will have to try the roll. Maybe try the bumpers out as Amanda says. cheers Kimberley
| By Michelle on Thursday, June 2, 2005 - 08:25 pm: |
Well, I did end up using the bumper, and haven't had a problem at all. It only goes around 2 sides, which are against the wall anyway. He only usually hits his head when he is trying to get to sleep and then after that he is okay, and I can put my hand between his head and the bar on the two open sides if I see it coming....it was just with the wall sides I couldn't reach in enough to do that.
He actually doesn't do this much any more so I might watch him a few days and then take them off again.
| By Jennifer D on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 04:33 pm: |
Hi, found your website today and am in absolute awe.Hi to all the 'me's' out there (I really am not alone)has been very helpful reading all the bits and pieces.I have an 11 week old baby boy who i am trying to move into his cot from bassinett.. The times I have put him in, when I check on him he has a leg either side of a rail - am worried my little wriggle worm may hurt himself, am sometimes cosleeping, which works well, but have put him back in his basinett, when the cot sleeps would usually occur until i figure out this cot rail bizzo, without the use of bumpers????? Is growing very fast, will be too big for bassinett probably in the next couple of hours. Any ideas?????????
| By Michelle on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 07:30 pm: |
Hi Jennifer, welcome!
Congrats on your bubba too! Its always nice to meet another like minded person : )
I think for your situation, rolled up towels might be the go, that way it will hamper him getting into the legs out the rails position, but still have lots of air-flow.
Its lovely that you are co-sleeping some of the time as well!!
For some reason when my son was that age, I had it in my mind that he 'must' learn to sleep in his own bed. I feel so silly now, but thats the wonder of retrospection, right?
He still sleeps in his cot at night, but comes into our bed for naps, and if he is a bit unsettled due to teething or whatever during the night. And of course, for that lovely early morning feeding!
Anyway, what I'm trying to say here, is be easy on yourself!! Do whatever works and whatever gets you the most sleep!
Best Wishes
Michelle
| By Amanda on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 09:11 pm: |
Welcome Jennifer! Agree with everything Michelle said - rolled up towels are easy and should do the trick for now =))
Absolutely agree do what ever works and keeps you and bubbas happy. Take care and congrats your the birth of your son. Amanda
| By beck on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 04:49 pm: |
hi jennifer congrats on your bubba. i don't really know about cots never having owned one (we co-slept with our three - the youngest still in our bed) but i have read about bumpers etc wouldn't towels be similar to bumpers? sorry no real help but wanted to say hi
beck
| By pinky on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 08:10 pm: |
Hi Jennifer,Welcome.
11 weeks! It is a beautiful age isnt it?
What a healthy, active baby you have.
There is a product called a Safe-t-sleep wrap - I have heard varying feedback from parents re the effort of using it but basically it keeps baby on his back in a secure position -maybe worth a search if the towels dont work - a mum in one of my classes had bought a 'roll' that she had seen used at a sleep clinic to help her bub stay in position.
Good luck and enjoy,
Pinky
| By Amanda on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 10:14 pm: |
We used a roll for Jesse and it did help when he was littler but when he was stronger it didnt keep in from moving about - it (the roll) would just go with him. I have seen the safe t sleep and thought the idea was a good one as they cant actually go wondering in the roll like Jj did lol. Probably the way to go if you are concerned about bumpers or the towel idea. Is your bubbas a hot one? Jesse was and is a very hot baby - so the only problem I see with the safe t sleep is heat concerned. Although not sure what its made of but I would imagine they would have to account for this. Worth checking out. Here you go http://www.safeaus.com.au/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?product=safetsleep and http://www.babyshop.com.au/cube/view_product.php?product=18130-2689 Good Luck
| By Kimberley on Saturday, January 7, 2006 - 07:12 pm: |
Hi Jennifer
congrats on your bub too!!! I've found using a pillow helped. Elsbeth always loved snuggling up to it and liked and still does, sleeping on her side - with a pillow against her back and one in front of her. I always made sure her nose/mouth was clear. We co-sleep at night and I spoon Elsbeth (and so does hubby as he's made me add - when's he going back to work?????). I remember being told by my sister many years ago, that baby's noses and faces are flat to allow them to breathe while at the breast. This goes with finding that Elsbeth wasn't bothered by having the pillow in front of her, yet as I said, I made sure she had sufficient air flow. I guess what I found Elsbeth liked, was feeling like she was being cuddled and even like she was at the breast. Good luck with it and enjoy your little man, Kimberley
| By Jennifer D on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 01:41 pm: |
Hi Again Everyone - what an overwhelming response - THANKYOU!!!!!!! Will give the towels a go, as we are in Sunny and very hot Qld.I think the wrap might be a bit too hot.(Just moved from Melbourne b4 bub was born - miss Melbourne terribly!!!!!
A note to Pinky - told my husband that I was going out the day of finding your website to buy your book and he told me his mum had bought it for me and was posting it up. She has had 7 kids & has read alot of your work & says it is good advice!!!!! She has 4 kids under 10. I have a almost 3 year old sister-in-law.
Once again THANKYOU to all of you and I look forward to reading all about your little people and will keep you posted with Henry's progress.
| By Amanda on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 02:42 pm: |
Yay good for you Jennifer. Sounds like you have wonderful support. Yes please do keep us all posted on yours and Henrys progess. Take care Amanda
| By pinky on Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 11:04 pm: |
Hi Jennifer - thanks for the feedback -what a great family - say 'HI' to your MIL. Must be fun having little siblings in law so close in age to your baby - at least your MIL will still know how it feels to be a mum of littlies.
"Homesickness' is a bitch isnt it? Hang in there. Are you in Brisbane or somewhere else?
Pinky
| By Jennifer D on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 08:50 am: |
Hi Pinky & everyone - yes in Brisvegas (as the locals call it).
Have met some new mums at a 'New parents group' - which is nice. Goes for 6 weeks, but hopefully will keep in contact with the girls afterward - they are all really nice.
Removed the towels from Henry's cot last week to test the waters and whamo, no more problem. YAY!!!! Thanks girls.
Now to make decisions about the solids bizzo???? Will read your forum on that subject. 4 or 6 months???? He thinks it is funny when we eat and is very interested.
Henry is great!!!! 16 weeks now & growing fast.
S.I.L. - 10 years old arrives next week from Melb.to meet nephew Henry. I can't wait!!!!!
A piece of HOME!!!!! (Sanity - for the weekend)
| By Pinky on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 08:40 pm: |
It will be fabulous to have a 10 year old sil to help entertain Henry. Enjoy!!
Re solids -around six months is recommended now - your baby wil let you know when he's ready.
Sounds like you are really enjoying Henry - great!! Enjoy your SILs visit too.
Pinky