Pamela H in Texas Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Okay, I have never heard of this issue and certainly have never seen it.... My littlest two, especially the 18month old, keep getting their legs (thighs) caught in the bars of their cribs. They are big kids so no doubt that plays a part. My 3 and 4 yr olds are so skinny they couldn't get stuck of they tried. Anyway, last night, Little Man got his leg so stuck, I couldn't get his leg out. I had the four yr old run and get my son. My son couldn't do it and he couldn't get it out with me either (like him trying to pull the bar and me lifting). So I ran to get hubby. Hubby ended up breaking the bar to free the kid! We are not allowed to use crib bumpers but you wouldn't use them with kids these ages anyway. His sister has only gotten stuck twice to the point we had to help her out. She can usually get her leg out. But we have freed him many times. I just don't understand! My kids didn't get stuck. I mean, yes, my kids were in toddler beds by this point, but....seriously, we make our toddler beds out of the cribs so it'd still be soemthing he could do! Is this more common than I realized? I hate that we had to break the crib to free him :( ETA: We also draped blankets over the 3 sides not against the wall so he'd be less likely to do it. However, that wouldn't have been allowed just a few days ago (kids under 18mo can't have a blanket) and I've never seen or heard of parents doing so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Okay, I have never heard of this issue and certainly have never seen it.... My littlest two, especially the 18month old, keep getting their legs (thighs) caught in the bars of their cribs. They are big kids so no doubt that plays a part. My 3 and 4 yr olds are so skinny they couldn't get stuck of they tried. Anyway, last night, Little Man got his leg so stuck, I couldn't get his leg out. I had the four yr old run and get my son. My son couldn't do it and he couldn't get it out with me either (like him trying to pull the bar and me lifting). So I ran to get hubby. Hubby ended up breaking the bar to free the kid! We are not allowed to use crib bumpers but you wouldn't use them with kids these ages anyway. His sister has only gotten stuck twice to the point we had to help her out. She can usually get her leg out. But we have freed him many times. I just don't understand! My kids didn't get stuck. I mean, yes, my kids were in toddler beds by this point, but....seriously, we make our toddler beds out of the cribs so it'd still be soemthing he could do! Is this more common than I realized? I hate that we had to break the crib to free him :( ETA: We also draped blankets over the 3 sides not against the wall so he'd be less likely to do it. However, that wouldn't have been allowed just a few days ago (kids under 18mo can't have a blanket) and I've never seen or heard of parents doing so. Mine got their legs stuck like that a couple of times, but we never had to break the crib. They were/are all on the skinny/small side. Poor little guy! Can you put him in a pack and play to sleep? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elm in NJ Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 My son has gotten stuck a few times also. But he is so skinny, I just have to twist his leg a bit and he is out. I removed the bumper when he was 6 months but he has only gotten stuck a few times though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathkath Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Mine got their legs stuck like that a couple of times, but we never had to break the crib. They were/are all on the skinny/small side. Poor little guy! Can you put him in a pack and play to sleep? yes i was going to say p&p. Our 3rd spent most of his crib time in a P&p in our closet ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_JWM Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Could you try thin pieces of cardboard, plywood, or plexiglass? You know - assuming you have these just laying around! What about weaving nylon strapping through the bars like a basket? Poor kids! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I don't know how to keep it from happening, but I used to keep lotion in my daughter's bedroom for when she wedged her (then) chubby little thighs between the bars. They would pop right out if I slathered lotion on her. Fortunately for her, at almost-14, she no longer has those chubby, soft little legs. Sniff sniff. Terri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeaganS Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 My almost a 1 year old gets her legs stuck enough to where she needs help several times a week. We sometimes wonder if she does it on purpose. She usually puts her legs way in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 My older kids did it all the time, but not to the point of needing to break the bars. My younger two have been pack n play babies. It's a non-issue that way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HLDoll Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I don't know how to keep it from happening, but I used to keep lotion in my daughter's bedroom for when she wedged her (then) chubby little thighs between the bars. They would pop right out if I slathered lotion on her. Fortunately for her, at almost-14, she no longer has those chubby, soft little legs. Sniff sniff. Terri My 3 boys all had very chubby thighs and would regularly get their legs wedged in the crib bars. We also used baby lotion to lube up the leg and squish the fat back through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2bdeutmeyer Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 DS has done this twice now! A first for me too. The lotion like a pp mentioned is the trick to getting it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbecueMom Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 We had to use KY jelly to get my oldest son's leg out of the crib a couple times. He had bad bruises the first time because we were half asleep and after 10 minutes of pulling and tugging we thought of lubricant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 We had to use KY jelly to get my oldest son's leg out of the crib a couple times. You know, one of these days, he is going to be mortified when you tell this story in front of his friends. ;) Terri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbecueMom Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 You know, one of these days, he is going to be mortified when you tell this story in front of his friends. ;) Terri LOL, my mom turned bright red when we told her the story. I told her it was the stuff we used for the boys' rectal thermometer, but I don't think she was convinced. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butterflymommy Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 We had this happen a lot too-- I don't use the big cribs anymore, I only use playpens for babies over ~4 months and a folding/ portable crib (bars are closer together) for the newborns (before they can move around much). I think those big cribs are very dangerous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I had the same problem with all five of my kids. They kept getting legs stuck in the bars. I finally solved the problem with my youngest but getting one of those "breathable" crib bumpers. They don't have the risk of regular ones because they are just mesh and they aren't strong enough to be used to climb out. I kept it in until she was out of the crib and never again had a problem with stuck legs and arms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butterflymommy Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Could you try thin pieces of cardboard, plywood, or plexiglass? You know - assuming you have these just laying around! What about weaving nylon strapping through the bars like a basket? Poor kids! Any kind of jerry rigging with cribs is VERY dangerous-- I would not recommend it at all. Nylon strapping would be a strangulation risk if it ever got loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I would use a playpen instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tabrett Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Why can't you use a crib bumper? This happened to my dc all the time. I took a mesh crib bumper and wove it between the bars. It was the only thing that would help. At 18 months, I would take your dc out of the crib and use a toddler bed. Mine were calling out of a crib by 18 months:lol:. I put a gate at the door of their room to keep them contained. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela H in Texas Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share Posted August 12, 2011 Oh goodness. I've never heard anyone complain about it. I keep lamenting how somehow I got the only kids that do this. Glad that isn't true! Of course, he's driving me batty as he does it so often and then he has the highest pitch squeal of a scream. Anyway, Tabrett, crib bumpers are illegal for foster homes. My kids were out of cribs by 18months old. They were also *my* kids so knew I meant business by that point. But even now, I don't think I'd take a birth child, unless super easy, out so early. Maybe I'm just too old and lazy? I don't know. But there is no way on God's green earth, I'm not using a crib for this kid. I have enough trouble with the other 3 kids back there! (btw, I have FOUR kids who don't sleep through the night. I can't have a 3, 4, or 5 yr old in a crib but if I could, I might consider it. The only one sleeping well these days is the 6month old!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kchara Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 We cosleep, but when they get to the point where they *need* a bed of their own, we use exclusively pack-n-plays, for that very reason. You don't need a bumper (the sides are soft, they're not going to bump their heads), and the sides are mesh, not bars, so they can't get anything stuck. It's worked well for 4 kids so far! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I have never heard of this happening. My son hurled himself over the top of the crib at 18 months. Is it an old crib? I thought they were made so kids couldn't get stuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 (edited) (btw, I have FOUR kids who don't sleep through the night. I can't have a 3, 4, or 5 yr old in a crib but if I could, I might consider it. The only one sleeping well these days is the 6month old!) Do the cribs help sleep through the night? :confused: Is it becuase they feel safe in confined places? I just never thought about it. Edited August 12, 2011 by sunflowers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zillymom Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 DD got her leg stuck in between the crib slats last month - thank goodness for Crisco cooking spray!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tabrett Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Oh goodness. I've never heard anyone complain about it. I keep lamenting how somehow I got the only kids that do this. Glad that isn't true! Of course, he's driving me batty as he does it so often and then he has the highest pitch squeal of a scream. Anyway, Tabrett, crib bumpers are illegal for foster homes. My kids were out of cribs by 18months old. They were also *my* kids so knew I meant business by that point. But even now, I don't think I'd take a birth child, unless super easy, out so early. Maybe I'm just too old and lazy? I don't know. But there is no way on God's green earth, I'm not using a B crib for this kid. I have enough trouble with the other 3 kids back there! (btw, I have FOUR kids who don't sleep through the night. I can't have a 3, 4, or 5 yr old in a crib but if I could, I might consider it. The only one sleeping well these days is the 6month old!) I'm sorry. I didn't know about the foster child rules. If it helps you feel any better, my 4,6 and 7 year olds are horrible about going to sleep. I used to try to sit outside their rooms in the hallway till they fell asleep. This didn't work at all. I finally gave up and let them all crash in the playroom while watching tv. It became their "bedroom". It was the only way I could get some sleep because they actually stayed in the room till they fell asleep. Unfortunately all my dc only need 9>hours of sleep, which is the same as me. I never get any down time. I know you probably can't do something like that because of foster child rules, I just thought it would help to know that you are not the only one with problem sleepers.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meggie Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I have never heard of this happening. My son hurled himself over the top of the crib at 18 months. Is it an old crib? I thought they were made so kids couldn't get stuck. I think it's supposed to be their heads that can't get stuck anymore. Unless the walls were solid wood, something could get stuck if they made it so the slats had to be closer together (arms, fingers, toes) Do the cribs help sleep through the night? :confused: Is it becuase they feel safe in confined places? I just never thought about it. I think she means it would be easier to contain them so they couldn't go wandering about at night. OP, both of my kids were regularly getting themselves stuck. Pigby the chubby child and Digby the skinny little peanut. Chuck is in a pack and play, so she doesn't get stuck. Once Digby's leg was threaded through the bars, his thigh was going out, his shin was going back in and his foot was out. It was the middle of the night when he started screaming and I couldn't see well and I thought his leg was broken. Oh my gosh, that was so scary. Eventually they seemed to learn. We thought about getting a crib tent, because it looks like it has a mesh covering to go around the crib. But I couldn't tell exactly and wasn't going to spend so much money on it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 (edited) I had a baby who did this a lot. We used something like this. It wasn't that but a similar idea. I can't find the one we used anymore. I also don't know if these are safe or allowed for foster kids. I felt it was safe at the time but the one we used isn't manufactured anymore so maybe it was recalled or something! Edited August 12, 2011 by sbgrace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 My oldest two both got their legs stuck several times especially my oldest dd(she was a chub). I never had to break the bars though. My younger two are skinny minis so no issue there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I would not modify the crib in any way, as that could make it dangerous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5kidsforME Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Every one of my kids have gotten their leg stuck in the crib. 2 of them multiple times. I swear with one of them it was a nightly occurencefor a while!! :glare: Stinker. They were all chubs. Baby lotion, vaseline or butter is a quick easy fix. I would never use a crib bumper. I have heard they could cause SIDs and never felt like it was worth the risk. I always thought they were for decoration but maybe I am wrong...? No crib should ever be modified. IMO it is not worth the potential (unknown) risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I'm still stuck on the blanket thing. Why can't kids under 18 months have blankets? What do you do when it is cold? Granted DFW probably doesn't get as cold as northeast Maine but still it does get cold enough to snow once every 10 year or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linders Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 My little sis broke her leg when she was 9 months old doing this. Got the leg between the bars, then somehow hooked her ankle around another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5kidsforME Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I'm still stuck on the blanket thing. Why can't kids under 18 months have blankets? What do you do when it is cold? Granted DFW probably doesn't get as cold as northeast Maine but still it does get cold enough to snow once every 10 year or so. My kids always have used a blanket. My aunt made every one of them an afghan type planet so even if they pulled it over their head there were holes in the blanket. It was breathable. I have never had a problem. I guess someone could say I took unnecessary risk doing that though. With SIDs they say, if a blanket goes over a babys head or their faces are smooshed into one, they don't/can't pull away from it to breath. At some point they reach an age that if they can't breath they move around until they can breath. That is why they sell those blanket gown thingies now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.thumb.jpg.bc80ba616e40e55a2fd485c5996f4456.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.