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Baby Crib Bumper Pad 

A baby crib bumper pad is an accessory that has been around for a long time but in recent years they have become a topic of debate because of the potential hazards they can present to your baby while sleeping including suffocation and strangulation.  These concerns have put them on the dangerous list for baby accessories and we'll explain in more detail below. 

When bumper pads first started being used they were heralded for their ability to provide a layer of soft padding between baby and the rails of the crib in addition to looking good and preventing drafts that could possibly chill your baby.  

They are available in an assortment of patterns and prints that look great as part of a matching set to go along with curtains, blankets, wallpaper or whatever you would like to match in your nursery decor. 

If you look at your local baby store or if you have joined many shoppers in the online world you will notice that bumper pads are still for sale but we caution that just because they are sold in a store doesn't mean they are safe for your baby.

Baby products comprise a large portion of product recalls that occur every year for items that were carried in large department chains and sold to millions of customers.  We'll take a look at the dangers associated with baby crib bumper pads as well as provide an alternative crib padding that is safer and actually works better!  


Baby Crib Bumper Pad Dangers

When talking about baby crib bumper pads and the dangers they present it can seem a bit over-bearing or over protective.  The truth is that studies have found that bumper pads have been linked to deaths from suffocation and strangulation in babies as young as 1 month old to 2 years of age.

A shocking statistic suggests that bumper pads are also linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS which causes a baby to suddenly stop breathing.  In most cases this syndrome is onset by babies sleeping on their backs and bumper pads can increase this risk if a baby gets tangled in the padding.  If you would like more information on SIDS and proper sleepwear for baby's while sleeping be sure to check out our page on baby sleep sacks. 

Another risk that bumper pads bring to a crib is the increased chance that your baby will use the padding to crawl out of the crib.  All cribs have regulations for the height of the railing but when they are able to step on the padding it renders the crib wall useless.  Babies are injured or killed every year from crawling out of their crib and falling and it only makes sense not to increase this risk and make your crib unsafe with baby crib bumper pads. 

It's important that breathable mesh crib liners aren't used because they present the same dangers as regular bumper pads. 

Mesh crib liners have grown in popularity over recent years because they are breathable and allow air to circulate but they still present the risk of entanglement that could lead to strangulation.  The strings that are used can also become a hazard for your baby and it just isn't worth taking that risk. 

It goes without saying that neither of these products should be used if safety is a concern.  We will discuss some alternatives that are safe while providing even better protection and comfort for your baby.  


Baby Crib Bumper Pad Alternatives

After hearing about what you shouldn't be using it's nice to know that their is a solution that is safe for your baby and solves the issue of babies bumping their head on the hard rails of their crib.  Crib rail bumpers work by wrapping around the entire length of each individual rail and fasten either with a zipper or velcro that can only be undone only by parents.  

Wonder velcro bumpers are soft, padded and can be found in a variety of colors that will be sure to match your nursery or babies room.  They can be purchased in double packs or in larger packs of 24 and 38 so you can find something that will work with your unique crib.  The velcro pads work best when they run the entire length of your crib rail and should be measured to ensure that they run the entire length. 

They are available in a variety of attractive colors and patterns and have the following features that will add convenience and peace of mind:

  • 100% cotton flannel
  • Reversible
  • No unsafe ties
  • Washable
  • Doctor recommended
  • Phthalate, latex, lead and BPA free

This alternative to the baby crib bumper pad is steadily growing in popularity and hopefully will be replacing the unsafe pads on store shelves and online stores in the near future.  They are incredible soft and padded and come in different sizes to fit Stokke crib rails that are skinnier than standard cribs. 

Wonder Bumpers by Go Mama Go 

Wonder Bumpers are arguably one of the greatest inventions in the baby safety industry in recent years.  These 100% cotton rail covers are safety approved by doctors, scientifically tested and the absolute safest option for crib bedding in replacement of a baby crib bumper pad. 

The opening allows for airflow so there is no risk of suffocation and the unique design eliminates the risk of entanglement while keeping you baby's limbs inside the crib.  The bumper pads zip on and can be reversed to create your own unique pattern.  The "Cotton Couture" Line is available with over 50 new color combinations so you can get as creative as you like!

The average crib has 38 crib rails but be sure to count them so you have enough to cover every rail on your crib.  Wonder Bumpers are also available in 24 count as well as packs of two if you need to supplement your existing rails or need a replacement. 

We can't express enough how much we like this product for everything that it provides for improving the safety of your baby while in the crib.  If you are considering using a baby crib bumper pad we strongly recommend you consider the alternative. 

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