Types of bumpers for a baby crib - which model, fabric and filling is best to choose? 

Why do you need bumpers for a crib, their advantages and disadvantages?

Bed bumpers are not a mandatory accessory, but their presence simplifies the life of young parents who want to ensure complete safety for their baby. Like all things, crib protection has a number of advantages:

• protects the child from drafts, retains heat inside the crib;
• prevents arms and legs from getting caught between the bars of the bed and their subsequent injury;
• protects against impacts on the crib, which is especially important when newborns begin to roll over and roll around the crib;
• different colors and patterns on the sides, especially in the first months of life, have a positive effect on the emotional development of the child - various pictures and toys can be attached to them to entertain and educate the baby;
• You can choose any fabric and filling that will protect the baby from allergies;
• toys, pacifiers, bottles and other small things will not fall out of the crib;
• If there are external pockets in the sides, you can store diapers, diapers and other necessary little things.

Based on the above, crib bumpers are a useful and irreplaceable thing for an infant’s life. However, they have several disadvantages. These include:

• Dust collects in them, so it is important to wash the sides periodically;
• it is believed that the protection blocks the child’s view, which can be easily eliminated by removing the side on one side;
• Some sides are sewn in such a way that the child’s arms and legs can get stuck between their parts, so this aspect must be taken into account when choosing.

Do you need bumpers for a baby crib?

Security, protection or bumper are names of the same item. Advantages of use:

1. Protects the body from impacts on the bed slats.
2. Prevents the baby from putting his hands between the bars, preventing dislocations.
3. Provides additional warmth and protects from drafts.
4. Forms a wall that prevents toys and pacifiers from falling out.

If there is a small child in the family, it is worth taking care of his well-being while he is in the crib. The bumpers are a must-buy item. In this way, the baby will avoid many injuries, and parents will be calmer.

What types of bumpers are there for a crib?

Soft bumpers for cribs have a bright, creative design and construction and are made from different materials.

There is protection that covers the entire crib or only 2-3 sides. A partially open model is recommended for babies in the first 3-4 months of life, and a completely closed model will be useful for children who have learned to roll over and are actively rolling around “their domain.”

The next type is removable and non-removable sides. The former are part of the crib and protect the child from falls and injuries. However, they cannot be removed or washed. Removable sides are more functional, because They can be placed as conveniently as possible and taken with you to other rooms and trips. They are also easy to wash.

Depending on the type of fastening, the protection can be either Velcro or ties.

Crib protection is still divided by gender, but this has more to do with design. For boys, baby crib bumpers are chosen in blue shades with drawings of boats, cars and other boyish toys. For girls, they prefer to buy something in red, pink or pastel colors. There are unisex models, the design of which is suitable for both boys and girls. Lately, crib bumpers with a tie have been gaining popularity, which are made for both boys and girls.

Types of filler for baby bed sides

It is difficult for young parents to make a choice, since, in addition to the design component, practicality is also important. The structure should not have holes or gaps in which the baby could become entangled. In addition, the protection should be easy to remove and attach. The first thing you should pay attention to when purchasing is the filler for the bumpers of a baby crib: it should withstand washing well and not become deformed. Fillers are:

• made of foam rubber - a soft, fairly wash-resistant material that breaks under strong tension;
• made of padding polyester - the most common filler, which is easy to wash, dries quickly and has a low cost;
• made of holofiber - a synthetic material that is famous for its strength and resistance to various influences;
• made of wool - a natural, but not the most practical filling option, as it can cause allergies, and is also considered an expensive material.

It is not necessary to wash the filler for the sides every time if it is covered in removable fabric covers. It’s easier to remove and wash the fabric, and just clean the inside from dust.

How to choose sides for a crib

First, you should decide on the purpose of the side - for decoration or for protection. In the first case, everything is simple: you choose the one you like in terms of design and color scheme. In the second case, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the filler, the density and strength of fastening, and the height of the structure.

What to look for when purchasing

When choosing protection, it is important to consider the following aspects:

1. The total length of the side, which depends on the number of closed sides. The length of all sides of a standard crib is 360 cm: 2 sides are 120 cm and 2 sides are 60 cm.
2. The height of the sides (sometimes up to 50 cm) is selected solely for its intended purpose. For decorative purposes, you can choose a small height, but you need to remember that over time the baby will be able to lean on such a side with his foot and fall.
3. The possibility of washing, which is provided by removable fabric covers or the quality of the filler.



How to sew bumpers for a newborn’s crib with your own hands: step-by-step instructions

If you couldn’t find a suitable option in the store, you can try sewing bumpers yourself. This will require a lot of patience, sewing skills, as well as fabric and filling material. Before purchasing materials, it is recommended to think through the design and calculate the amount of fabric and filling required.

We calculate the number of products and their sizes

Material consumption directly depends on the type of bumper. It is recommended to push off from a completely closed side. In order not to make a mistake with the amount of material, it is enough to measure the perimeter of the crib and add a few centimeters for allowances and errors.

Most cribs have standard measurements, so when purchasing fabric for bumpers, you can use the measurements below as a guide:

• 4 elements measuring 53x63 cm;
• 4 pieces measuring 53x123 cm;
• a piece of 180x7 cm for ties (you can use leftover fabric).

When choosing a filler, you need to focus on the measurements of the main elements; it is not needed for the ties. It will be enough to have 2 parts with measurements of 50x60 cm and 2 more with dimensions of 50x120 cm. The difference of several centimeters in relation to the fabric is explained by the lack of allowances on the filler.

You can also consider an option with removable covers; for this you will additionally need lining fabric and an invisible lock.

Required Tools

To make the bumpers the same size, with even and strong seams, you will need:

• sewing needle;
• threads matching the tone of the fabric;
• centimeter or large sewing ruler;
• chalk or pen;
• pins;
• scissors;
• sewing machine.

When choosing between a centimeter or a ruler, it is better to give preference to the latter. It makes it easier to mark the fabric. Choose sharp scissors that cut the fabric well and do not chew it.

Selection of materials

The choice of raw materials must be approached especially carefully, since the sides will often come into contact with the newborn.

Among fabrics, it is better to focus on the naturalness of the composition. Linen, calico, flannel, chintz, cotton, satin are suitable. In terms of design, preference is often given to calm drawings with large elements so that the child can look at them. It is important to remember that natural fabric shrinks slightly when washed, this must be taken into account when sewing.

The filler can be padding polyester, foam rubber, holofiber, polyester or hollcon. All options are non-toxic, do not cause allergies, and do not deform when exposed to moisture.

How to determine size and quantity

The sizes of the sides vary depending on their type and the parameters of the crib. For example, you need to sew a bumper in the form of pillows that will cover one long part of the bed and both short ones. Based on the standard dimensions of a children's bed, we obtain the following data: length - 120 cm, width - 60 cm, height - 50 cm. The result is a bumper based on pillows 30x50 cm: 4 pillows on the main part and 2 on the sides. Following this logic, you can think of other options.

Preparing and cutting fabric

Before cutting, it is recommended to wash and iron the fabric well, because it may shrink. To sew bumper pillows, you need to make a simple marking of squares or rectangles of the desired size, taking into account allowances of 1-1.5 cm on each side.

If a more complex design is conceived, it is important to correctly mark the fabric, taking into account the slopes and relationships of all elements. In this case, it is better to cut according to a prepared template.

How to sew

If all the elements are ready, you can start sewing. If there is a lining, it is folded with the main fabric back to back and sewn on three sides. Then the product is turned inside out and the filling is placed inside, after which the last side is closed with a hidden seam. If you have a lock in mind, then it is better to start sewing with it and only then sew the other sides. We repeat the procedure with all elements of the bumper.

The ties are sewn randomly; To save materials, they are made from fabric scraps. At least 20 ties are taken, the length can be different, the main thing is that it is enough for comfortable attachment to the crib.

Decorating Tips

There are many options for decorating the sides of a baby crib. It all depends on imagination and desire. For educational purposes, funny animals with colorful and tactile details are placed. It could be a caterpillar with multi-colored compartments and velvet legs and horns. Or a dog with rustling ears and a bright nose. You can come up with anything that you have enough strength and imagination for.

A simpler option is openwork edging along the upper edge of the protection. It is enough to choose a ribbon in the same color scheme and stitch it along the edge of the side. The same applies to various fabric ruffles. The length of the fabric used to create the frill is taken 1.5 times longer than the length of the element.

It is not recommended to decorate the protection with beads and beads, as the baby can easily tear them off and put them in his mouth or nose.

Directions

Anyone can make a security guard at home, spending little effort.

Number of blanks and their sizes

To measure correctly, you need to measure the perimeter of the bed and divide it by the number of pillows.

Patterns of sides for a crib

On tracing paper you should draw a square of the required dimensions. Add a centimeter and a half allowance to each side, draw a sketch, then cut it out.

Preparing a sketch

Important! The pattern should have smooth edges. If there are any defects, the finished product will look unattractive.

Preparing and cutting fabric

Fold the fabric, place the pattern on top and secure it with pins.

How to sew a frill

You need to prepare a frill one and a half times longer than the pattern. It is prepared on a machine. First, the ruffle is done by hand. Using a machine, you need to distribute the pleating over the entire thread and fasten it.

How to properly attach and tie the sides

Whatever type of bumper is used, the side where the cold or draft comes from is closed first. For example, this could be a wall, a window, or part of the crib that opens into the aisle. This is especially important for newborns who still have weak immunity. You should not expect that the child will be covered with a blanket or blanket. Movements of the arms and legs may cause the cover to slide down.

Parents face a problem when the attached bumper slides off. To prevent this from happening, the upper part should be attached to the side, and not to the side slats. The bottom can also be tied to the poles - the structure will hold well due to the upper fastening.

Advantages and disadvantages of sewing borders yourself

Table of pros and cons of self-production

Product care

Like any bedding, bumpers need timely care.

Whether or not to wash a baby crib bumper depends on how the material collects dust. It is recommended to do this 1-2 times a month, and more often as it gets dirty. In such a situation, it is easier when there are removable covers - they are easier to wash and dry faster. Otherwise, it is important that the filler does not deform during washing.

Can be washed either by hand or in a machine. The advantage of hand washing is that nothing will tear or deteriorate. But the stains will be more difficult to remove. Modern automatic machines provide better cleaning, but it is better to use a delicate mode with double rinsing.

In both cases, you need to use a minimal amount of powder or other detergent. It is advisable to opt for children's hypoallergenic products; you can even use baby shampoo or bathing foam.

After machine washing, the items are placed in a clothes dryer unfolded. After hand washing, the protection is laid out on a large sheet or towel to retain excess moisture and only then hung to dry.

You can iron the bumper at low and medium temperatures, since the fillers are deformed under the influence of high temperatures. Removable covers can be ironed without undue care.



The best bumper pillows for a crib

Crib bumpers in the form of pillows are soft, comfortable and beautiful. They are perfect if the child is actively moving and already knows how to roll over and crawl. In fact, the product consists of several soft pillows fastened to each other and, as it were, making up a “nest” in which the baby lies. This entire structure is attached to the walls of the cradle or bed. It is advisable not to buy such bumpers for very young children: they may turn around and bury their faces in soft pillows, which will cause a lack of oxygen.