When you bring your baby home from the hospital, one of the first things you need to get is a crib. You’ll need all the right accessories including sheets and lots of cozy blankets for when it’s time to put them down for their naps.
Another thing you will definitely need is a bumper pad . No matter how good you think your baby is at sleeping on his own, he won’t be in that tiny little bed without some kind of padding in case he rolls off or gets tangled in the crib sheet which could happen easily with such a small space to sleep in. Crib Bumpers not only keep babies safe but also add an extra layer of cushioning. If you’re worried about SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), they can help reduce the risk because it’s another layer of protection.
Baby Crib Bumpers with ties are generally considered safer than those with fabric loops. The ties mean that you and your baby cannot get tangled in them and strangled. You may think that your baby won’t be able to move around very much in his crib but he most likely will start rolling over when he figures out how wonderful it is and with a bumper pad, this could come with some risks. Babies tend to push up on their legs when they roll so if there is anything for them to push against, it will push back and that can result in some serious injuries. Ties are also convenient because you won’t have to worry about making sure they’re tied securely behind the crib.
Thickness is also another thing to consider when buying bumpers. The best kind are very thick so if anything gets pushed against them, it won’t feel like your baby is sleeping on a brick wall. If you choose one that’s too thin, your baby could get hurt by hitting something hard like the side of the crib or the mattress itself because there really isn’t much padding between him and whatever he hits while flailing around in his sleep . For this reason, you should buy bumpers that are at least two inches think but make sure to still stick to the guidelines for how much room your baby needs and never use a pillow or anything like that.
Size is another important factor to consider when shopping for bumpers. They should be small enough not to come up too high on the crib but large enough to cover all the gaps . If it’s too big, your baby could push their head into it and then it will come up over their face which can’t possibly be good for them. There is no set size that you need to go by but they usually fall somewhere between 16 and 24 inches long depending on what kind of bumper you purchase.
If you’re looking for bumpers that attach securely to your crib without having to tie them in place, ones with straps are probably best for you. These are also a good choice if you just want to have bumpers for your baby’s nap time so they can be easily removed when he won’t need them for the rest of the day . If they have straps, make sure that they use either large Velcro pieces or plastic snaps instead of cloth because these options are much easier to undo quickly in case of an emergency where you need to get into your baby’s crib quickly .
If your little one is very snuggly with his teddy bear then maybe getting him one that has arms on it might help keep him more secure at night. It is most likely not going to hurt anything if this happens but sometimes babies tend to wiggle their way out from underneath stuffed animals and this could become a problem. If you try and put the animal in with your baby, make sure that it’s weighted enough to stay on top of the mattress and doesn’t pose any risks.
There are also bumper pads that come with breathable mesh siding which can be safer than those without it because there won’t be as many things for your little one to get tangled up in . If the crib bumpers have ties or arm straps, these will always help keep them secure should he fall against anything but they may rip off because they’re so easy to undo so if you choose this option, just remember not to leave him unattended when he’s playing around his crib or else he could possibly get himself tied up in them .
Bellow we prepared a list of our best choices for choosing the best crib bumper:
Best Breathable Baby Mesh Crib Bumpers
Disney Winnie The Pooh First Best Friend Secure-Me Crib Liner
Fans of Disney, rejoice! A well-known firm produced Disney’s Secure-Me Crib Liner to work along with your Disney-themed crib linens and bedding. That’s right, Winnie the Pooh and a slew of other Disney characters can now keep your youngster safe while they sleep. Choose liners complement Ariel, Mickey, Dumbo, Minnie, and the Lion King.
The mesh liners are divided into two sections. First, there’s the top design area, which is secured to the crib rails. Second, there’s the breathable mesh section that stays near your baby’s mouth in the crib. With both utility and beauty, it’s the best of all worlds.
Most regular and convertible cribs are compatible with the four-piece set. Two long bumpers and two shorter side parts surround the crib in each set. The longer sides are 51 x 10 inches long, while the shorter side portions are 27 x 10 inches long.
Each of the four parts is made entirely of polyester microfiber. Begin your child’s Disney obsession from the moment he or she is born!
Problems that could arise
The crib bumper is simply attached to the crib by ties, which young fingers may learn to undo as they get bigger. Always keep an eye on a baby in a crib with a crib bumper.
BreathableBaby Breathable Mesh Crib Liner – Anti-Bumper
The BreathableBaby Deluxe Crib Bumper is a product designed with infants in mind. It is made with mesh sides which allow ventilation while the thick padding ensures the comfort of your baby. This bumper also features ties on both ends, keeping it securely fastened to your crib without causing any damage to the crib itself. The bumpers are machine washable, ensuring that they stay clean for as long as possible before needing replacement. When you consider all these benefits plus an attractive price point, it’s easy to see why parents are choosing this product over others on today’s market!
When your child begins crawling around their room, one thing you want them to avoid bumping into is the crib bumper. While they do provide a lot of comfort and many parents consider them to be an essential part of their child’s bedding, they can also pose some dangers as well if not used properly . Since babies love to move around in their sleep and will sometimes roll right up against the side of the crib or mattress , you want to make sure that there is something down there to soften the blow a bit . For this reason, it’s recommended that bumpers are at least 2 inches thick but never thicker than 4 because anything higher can pose a suffocation hazard for your baby.
Size is another important factor when choosing a bumper. They should be small enough not to come up too high on your child’s crib but large enough to cover the main areas where they’re likely to come into contact with it . Make sure that there are no spaces between the material and the crib itself because if there are, your child could get caught in them especially if their head or limbs start sticking through.
These are only a few of the many factors parents should consider before buying any type of bumper for their baby’s crib, whether it’s one with ties or straps, one without mesh siding or even just a plain mattress bumper. Being knowledgeable about all these types will help you find the perfect product for your little one! Sleeping can be dangerous in certain situations when an infant is involved.
Pros: Adjustable ties that won’t damage the crib Sleepsafe breathable mesh sides Machine washable
Cons: Prone to deterioration, so it should only be used for a few months before being replaced.
This is highly recommended because you don’t want your child getting caught in any spaces between the bumper material and the mattress itself because this could cause suffocation or choking to occur. Another very important factor to consider when purchasing bumpers is size – you need them to be large enough not to come up too high on the side of your child’s crib but small enough not to cover main areas where they’re likely to come into contact with it .
Always choose soft fabrics that are comfortable to sleep against like cotton without any rough seams or tags that could bother your baby’s skin. And finally, know when to use bumpers! It’s recommended that you use them for a couple of months before getting rid of them altogether because once your child starts crawling around, they might get tangled up in the crib bumper which can cause accidents to happen.
Best Crib Rail Cover
AirflowBaby Essential Mesh Crib Liner
The Airflow Baby Essential Mesh Crib Liner is another choice for avoiding a standard dangerous crib bumper. While this set will not prevent a very young child from banging into the wood slats, it will allow for full breathing capabilities. These comfy bumpers attach to the crib’s top and are best for older children.
The larger crib bumper folds the top of the crib rail and is 23 cm x 282 cm. The smaller bumpers for the crib’s sides are 27.5 inches by 7 inches in size. Most standard-sized cribs will fit these pads.
Ribbons with dedicated string slots connect the two sides. Even if they manage to untie the strings, these slots prevent newborns from removing them from the crib.
The rail cover is composed of a beautiful silky polyester. Machine wash on gentle cycle for no shrinking or warping and tumble dry low.
Finally, the rail covers keep older children from biting the top crib rail and leaving teething marks. Bored babies do, in fact, grind their teeth on crib rails.
Problems that could arise
Even with the string design that is designed to keep it baby-proof, some parents have claimed that their children were able to rip it off. Simply tie sturdy double knots around the crib’s perimeter, and you’ll be OK.
Also, because this is a thin pad, you may want to add some extra cushioning underneath it to protect your baby from any hard bumps. Finally, these are only available in one color, which is dull.
Best Vertical Baby Crib Bumpers
Trend Lab Waterproof CribWrap Rail Cover
he Trend Lab Waterproof Crib Wrap Rail Cover is a two-sided waterproof cover that goes on your crib railings for more comfort and safety.
The front of the rail cover has a soft micro fiber fabric with plush poly fill for extra padding between the baby and the hard metal of the crib railing. The backside of this mattress pad has an extremely strong grip backing so it will not slip off your bed rails at all! This product is completely water proof; you can spill milk, food, juice, drink, or anything liquid right on it and the liquid will not absorb into the sheet at all!
The waterproof crib rail cover is machine washable. You can put it in your washing machine with warm water and detergent to disinfect this product for a safe, germ free baby bed.
This is a more expensive crib rail cover but worth the money because it will last longer and keep you baby safer.
A very durable, comfortable rail cover for baby that has many different color options to choose from.
Machine washable to disinfect this product for a safe, germ free bed.
Micro fiber front side made of soft plush fabric will make your baby feel like they are sleeping on a cloud every night!
How To Make Vertical Crib Bumper at Home
However you can make your own vertical crib bumper at home, some may prefer buying it directly, here is a video for the first option:
DIY: Braided Baby Crib Bumper
If you are out of budget, and think that it’s not necessary to buy a baby crib bumper and that you prefer to DIY at home, this video bellow is for you:
Crib Bumpers: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use crib bumpers?
A crib bumper is a padded strip that goes along the inside edge of a crib in order to protect a baby from bumping their head and to prevent them from getting caught in between the gap in the sides of the crib.
Some people think they are not safe because when babies get older, they could push for themselves for help when stuck, or when they get older and start crawling, they can potentially move beds out of place enough so that they become wedged between the gap and possibly suffocate.
On the other side, there are many parents who believe that having something around your baby’s head is better than nothing at all. Because these products are adjustable it makes it harder for infants to crawl or wiggle enough to be stuck between the gap.
What are the risk of using crib bumpers?
A recent research done by the NYU Langone Medical Center, show that crib bumpers are dangerous for babies. The study says it’s not really the bumper pads themselves which are problematic, rather their continued use over time increases the risk of suffocation and death because they take up space in the crib which could otherwise be used to allow air flow. What is even worse is that parents seem to think that these bumpers protect their baby against injury in case they roll into them or fall down next to them in an unguarded moment while sleeping. They might not be aware of the fact that according to pediatricians, this padding does absolutely nothing at all regarding preventing injuries when a child rolls around during sleep.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has always been warning about the potential dangers of using crib bumpers. Their guidelines state that a child can be rolled against a bumper or suffocated against it, with the risk being especially high for pre-term infants and newborns. And they aren’t just talking about bumpers with ties at all – even those without ties should never be used because babies’ bodies are still developing up until one year of age.
The problem is that parents really want to use this padding at first because their babies like the cozy feeling, but after some time they forget about it completely once they find out that there might always be some possible risks (like breathing difficulties). It’s mainly older babies who suffer from suffocation cases which go unreported .
If you think according to the AAP it’s better to be safe than sorry, you can always go for breathable bumpers that have a solid bottom and mesh sides. These are really great for safety – not just because they give parents peace of mind – but also because they allow plenty of air flow which prevents overheating. Plus, these models prevent suffocation which is a big advantage according to pediatricians .
Babies normally love sleeping on their backs; this way they don’t risk developing any health problems like SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) or Crib death. One common question still remains: should cribs be outfitted with bumpers at all? Researchers say no because babies who manage to turn themselves around will end up with their face pressed against the padded side and this could lead to suffocation.
What are kind of crib bumpers do doctors recommend?
Experts advise parents against using them because they pose a risk of suffocation and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
On top of that, pediatricians say that these pads actually do nothing when it comes to protecting your infant from injury in case they fall down near one while sleeping.
However, if you’re still living according to recommendations by doctors and you can’t go without something soft on the sides, go with mesh-sided bumpers or padded with mesh beneath.
These offer great protection for safety reasons – besides allowing air flow which prevents overheating – plus they prevent suffocation which is a great advantage according to doctors.