Did you know that you don't even need bumpers on your crib? Crib bumpers were created for the older cribs. These cribs had slats that were far enough apart that baby could slip through and be injured or possibly hang him/herself. The crib bumpers prevented such a tradgedy.
The slats on cribs are now placed a safe distance apart. I suspect most people don't even know that bumpers aren't a necessity for safety. So, why do we still use crib bumpers? They do keep baby's arms and legs from slipping through the slats as they get a little older. Some parents say that their babies are restless sleepers and bang their head against the crib. This usually occurs as they get a little older and more mobile.
If you asked most parents, they would probably say they like the look. The crib bedding is always one of the most exciting things to create for a client because it's generally the feature of the nursery. Almost every client tells me the same thing when referring to their bumpers, "I want baby to rub up against something soft to comfort them."
What most people don't realize is that there are many groups who speak out against crib bumpers. Their advice to parents is not to use them at all. Though few, there are reported infant deaths as a direct result of crib bumpers. My advice to parents is to do the research and come to your own conclusion. There are tons of resources online and the posts from other parents are invaluable.
AN ALTERNATIVE: The picture above is of a mesh crib bumper. If your decision is to go without bumpers, why not try the mesh? This keeps baby's arms and legs from slipping through the slats and also lets air flow throughout the crib. Think it's ugly as sin? I have some ideas for fabulous nurseries using the mesh bumper! Just shoot me an e-mail: kim@peekaboodesign.com
This is the link to the American SIDS institute. http://www.sids.org/
This article is interesting but, more than anything, I enjoyed reading the 'real-parent' comments at the bottom. http://daddytypes.com/2007/12/03/your_jpma_at_work_are_boomers_to_blame_for_crib_bumpers.php
This is the study documenting the infant deaths/injuries caused from crib bumpers. http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022347607003630