crib in a dark room with starry night light

Image Source: unsplash.com

There is a lot to say about crib bumpers, and in many cases, it’s not too positive. Unfortunately, there are certain dangers to using crib bumpers, and plenty of parents have chosen to avoid them entirely. In some circumstances, it is for safety reasons, and in others, they can be too expensive. If that’s the case, you might be interested in making a DIY crib bumper that is safe and affordable

There are quite a few types of crib bumpers on the market. That includes a traditional thin padding, a breathable mesh lining, and vertical padding on the slats. The type of crib bumper that you should use will depend on your child and their sleeping patterns.

Before you bust out your sewing machine and whip together your best estimation of a DIY crib bumper, there are a few things to consider. That may include the different types, the dangers, what you should avoid.

Making sure you have the right information is essential when making anything for your child. As you probably know, even buying products for your baby can have certain dangers. There are a lot of fantastic baby products that are commonly subject to recall.

Luckily, a DIY baby bumper is something that you can make at home without fear for your little ones.

The Uses Of Crib Bumpers

chair with stuffed toy beside white crib

image via: pixabay.com

​Picking out anything for your baby can feel like a big job, and being a new parent can be daunting. Even if you’re a veteran, having a tiny new baby can be scary. They’re so fragile, and we are the only protection they have.

There are certain features that you can’t avoid when you buy a crib. They’re made with hard materials, and squirming babies will often bump their heads against the hard slats. There is no real danger in this, but it’s never fun to look at little bruises on an infant.

When my younger brother was a baby, he had a bad habit of sticking his little limbs through the bars when he was sleeping. It was a habit that stuck with him when he was a toddler.

When he got bigger, there were a few times when he woke in the middle of the night with a scream of panic, unable to get his leg free on his own. Crib bumpers would have been a big help, forcing him to keep his extremities inside his bed.

Dangers Of Crib Bumpers

sleeping baby on a white crib with blue light in a dark room

Image Source: unsplash.com

​It is common for people to avoid crib bumpers altogether because they’ve heard enough ​horror stories​ to scare them out of using them. You should always look into the dangers of baby products so you can understand what you need to watch out for.

Even if you choose to use them, you can be safer while you’re doing it.

Strangulation and suffocation are the two main dangers behind using crib bumpers. Strangulation can happen if you have crib bumpers with ties to secure them to the crib. When they get pulled loose, the baby can get tangled up and accidentally strangle themselves.

​Additionally, if the infant isn’t able to roll over by themselves, they can roll into the padding and suffocate, unable to roll away when they’re in danger. This is something that usually happens when they are tiny.

When your children are very small, it’s better not to use crib bumpers in the first place. They won’t need them because they won’t be able to move around much. However, once they can roll over and crawl around, you can start using bumpers.

​Most parents stop using them when their kids can stand up and start trying to climb. This was one of the reasons my mom never used them with my brother. He began walking very early and would climb everything all the time. He also had no fear, so climbing up to tumble out of his crib wasn’t something my mom wanted to help him with.

Recommendations And Warnings By The American Academy Of Pediatrics

​According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are ​certain rules​ you should always stick to when putting your child to sleep.​

First of all, you should never lay your infant down to sleep on a soft surface, such as a couch or an adult bed. They should only sleep in a crib or bassinette with a firm mattress and a fitted sheet. You should also remove all additional items, such as soft toys, blankets, or pillows.

​These plush items, along with crib bumpers, can cause Sleep-Related Infant Deaths (SIDS). Crib bumpers have contributed to these sleep-related deaths by heightening the possibility of suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation. Evidence gathered so far does not support using them to prevent injury and crib bumpers are not recommended for newborns up to their first birthday.

What To Consider When Picking A Bumper Style

infant bed with hanging stuffed toy against white curtain

image via: pxhere.com

If your child is a year old and you want a crib bumper, here is what you need to know. Not all crib bumpers are the same, and you will have to pick yours based on your child. Some children are prone to sticking their arms and legs through the bars when they’re sleeping. Others bump their heads constantly when they move around in their sleep. Then again, some do a little bit of everything.

There are three kinds of bumpers which will help with these individual circumstances. The first crib bumpers are traditional pads that tie to the crib, keeping a restless child from hitting their heads and keeping their limbs inside the crib. These are an excellent option if you intend to make a DIY crib bumper.

The next option is breathable crib bumpers They are generally made from a sheer mesh material that lines the inside of a crib. It won’t offer much protection when your baby bumps around, but it will keep their arms and legs in bed.

​The last option is ​vertical crib bumpers. They are padded pieces of fabric that wrap around the individual bars, typically using zippers or velcro to keep them in place. They’re an excellent alternative if you’re worried about using ties to keep the bumpers in place. Moreover, they’re perfect if your child moves around a lot, hitting their head on the bars in their sleep.​

However, they won’t be much help when you need to keep their limbs from sticking out. Although if you plan to make the DIY crib bumper, you could make them fit around a few bars for added protection,

Time To Get Crafty And
Make Your Own DIY Crib Bumper

Cribs can be different, in one way or another, but they are typically a standard size of about 28-inches wide by 52-inches long. Mini cribs are usually about 24-inches wide by 38-inches long.

With these measurements in mind, you can make a DIY crib bumper with ease. You might even be able to pass on the DIY bumper when you don’t need them and know someone who does. Having kids isn’t cheap and passing on some of the necessities can be a blessing on a struggling parent.

A Traditional DIY Crib Bumper

brown wooden nursery crib with pink fitted sheet

image via: pixabay.com

​Making your own DIY crib bumper isn’t a huge task, but there are a few ​different ways​ you can accomplish it. There are only a few simple things you will need for the job.​

Materials

  • ​Bumper pad inserts
  • ​Cute fabric
  • ​Ribbon
  • Sewing Machine

Directions

Keep in mind that these will only be general directions, and you can alter them to suit your project in any way.

First, measure the interior of the crib. Add to these measurements to allow for the bumpers you choose and for sewing purposes. If you’re using one-inch thick pads, you can add about two or three inches to the length and width of the measurements.

You’re going to need pads for all four sides, which will require eight panels of fabric.

Once you’ve cut the fabric, you can separate them into four pairs, one pair for each side of the crib. Then lay them together with the patterns facing in. That will allow you to sew along three edges a turn the creation inside out, with the cute design facing out.

Then you only need to slide a pad inside, sew the remaining edge, and sew ribbons on the outside so that you can tie the pad to the bed. Just make sure there are three ribbons on top and three on the bottom so you can secure them to the crib properly.

Vertical DIY Crib Bumper

If you’re concerned about using crib bumpers, you might prefer making vertical crib bumpers. These fit onto the individual bars, rather than long pads that run along the edge. This type can be a comforting alternative for any parent that’s worried about suffocation.

​Making a vertical DIY crib bumper is going to take a bit more time and material. However, they may give you a little more peace of mind if you’ve read all the horror stories about standard bumper pads.​

Materials

  • ​Cute fabric
  • ​Batting or foam tubing
  • ​Velcro
  • ​Sewing machine

Directions

You may have noticed that we haven’t given you any information on the measurements for this project. That’s because it’s going to vary depending on your crib, so there’s a good chance you would have to alter our dimensions anyway.

Start your project by counting the bars and measuring their height and width. You’re going to need enough fabric and batting for them all. Each bumper will also need enough fabric to be double-sided.

You will also need to plan for the fabric to overlap so that you can secure them to the bars with velcro. So if the bars are 24-inches tall and 4-inches in circumference, you will need a strip that is 24.5 inches tall and 10-inches wide.

You can fold the strip over, with batting in the middle, and then sew along the edges. You can then sew the velcro in place where the piece will overlap around the bar.

​If you choose to use the ​foam tubing​, you will only need to cut the tubes to the appropriate length and make a slit down one side. Cut fabric strips that are long enough to fit around the tube and tuck into the slit. Leave enough fabric to cover the ends as well and secure the fabric to the tube with hot glue.​

​Then you can slip the tubes around the bars and make double-sided fabric strips with velcro to fasten around the top and bottom of the tube. That will keep them in place, and you won’t have to worry about using ribbon that the child could tub loose.

Save Money And Make Your
Own DIY Crib Bumper

white crib nursery with white pillow

image via: pixabay.com

Taking care of your little ones is always a high priority. You have to think twice about everything you make or buy.

I have always been relatively crafty, and the thought of making a DIY crib bumper is a simple thing. But even if you aren’t too fond of making things, this is an easy project you could pull off in an afternoon.

Not only will you be able to protect your baby from bruises or legs caught between bars, but you’ll also be able to match them to the rest of their crib. It will be an adorable little masterpiece that you made with your own hands, saving money and ensuring their safety.

​If you have ever purchased or made a DIY crib bumper for your little ones, we would love to hear about it in the comment section below! We’re all hungry for new ideas when it comes to baby projects!

Spread the love