Baby's Legs Between Crib Slats

Updated on December 13, 2006
K.L. asks from Shreveport, LA
12 answers

My 13 month old has been sleeping on her own now for four months. She was fine at first, but lately she's been rolling and tossing around so much at night that she wakes up - sometimes twice in a night - with a leg wedged between the crib slats. I have to free her and then soothe her back to sleep. Poor baby!

We used to have crib bumpers, which prevented this, but I had to remove them because she was using them for leverage to try to climb out of the crib. Does anyone have any ideas of other ways to block off the slats so she won't get her sweet little legs caught?

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A.P.

answers from San Antonio on

I have that exact same problem. My eight month old thinks that it is a joke to stick his legs out of the crib. He likes to see my jump up to help and does it every time he sees me not paying attention. I like the breathable bumper idea. The crib is down all the way and still he uses the bumper to try and get out. Lately he has been lifting up the bumper so he can get his legs out. Argggg. Little buger. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one out there lost.

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J.G.

answers from College Station on

go to www.onestepahead.com and search for Breathable Bumper. It's the perfect solution!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.

answers from San Antonio on

try attaching the bumper pads on the outside of the crib. I never had that problem but maybe the leg wont go through if the pad is there to block it from the outside.

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K.M.

answers from Dallas on

I think it might be time for a toddler bed.

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C.

answers from Houston on

I see someone already suggested the breathable bumper. It is definitely the perfect solution. I know I'm not ready to move my daughter to a toddler bed. I like having her confined right now (the little trouble maker..hahaha). The breathable bumper is just a mesh layer that attaches to the rails so that her leg can't go through, but there is nothing to climb on.

Good luck!!
C.

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L.H.

answers from San Antonio on

Hi K.
My husband and I avoided the crib when our son was born because we were worried about the slats. I polled many of my friends and found out that a lot of them actually skipped the crip all together. We put our son to sleep in his pack-and-play. The sides are mesh and there is no way he could squish a leg through it. He slept in it from about age 3 months until age 19.5 months - we are starting to sleep in a "big boy bed" now. I was worried the mattress wasn't soft enough, so I put one of their (Graco's) quilted sheets with a fitted sheet over it in there. Never bothered him once. He has some stuffed animals and a pillow and his favorite blankets as well. They won't knock it over either. Oh and he is like your daughter, I bet the kid uses 10 different sleeping positions every hour. I've even caught him asleep with his legs up on the mesh.

Good luck!
L.

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M.M.

answers from San Antonio on

I don't have any advice for the crib situation. However, I have a little girl who is about your little girl. I am looking for a playmate, and someone to talk to every once in awhile. I read your "about me" and thought maybe we could let the girls play and get out of the house. Let me know.

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J.F.

answers from Lafayette on

I have a 9 month old boy who is doing the same thing? Of course we worry that his legs or arms will get stuck. We have a breathable bumper we have started to use, but he is now pulling it off since he has started to pull himself up. We also have lowered the bed. I like the idea of using the bumper on the outside of the crib. So I will try that.
I would have posted all this as a request, but saw that K. was already having this issue.

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S.P.

answers from Abilene on

I say give a toddler bed a try. If she sleeps well on her own and will fall asleep by herslef, you might be able to get away with it this early. You can always put a baby gate up at her door so she can't get out and wonder the house.

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N.

answers from San Antonio on

My son did it also so I but the bumper pads up at night. But finally I had to put him in a big boy bed also. I belong to a playgroup of you would like to join please feel free to email me at ____@____.com

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C.I.

answers from Austin on

My son did the same thing. I had to take out the bumper for the same reasons. He still managed to get out of his crib tho! My son had chubby legs when he was a year old and often got them stuck in the crib slats. I even thought he had broken his leg it was wedged in so bad... So we decided to put him in his big boy bed. He LOVED it! He's been in his bed for over a year now. Just recently I've been having problems with him wanting to get into my bed tho.. but he still loves his big boy bed.

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L.

answers from Houston on

It's time to lower the level of the mattress. Most cribs come equipped with a ladder type piece attached to all four posts. You just take the mattress out, lower the board, put the mattress back. You can put the bumper pad back on. Your child can still stand on it, but because the bed has been lowered, she's not reaching way over the rail to where she can climb or fall out.

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