Bed bumper: What is it and do you need one?
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A bed bumper is a pillow or filling that your child puts in his cot so that he cannot bump his head against the bars. An important product!
Let's look at what it is and if you really need one.
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Bed bumpers: Protect your Baby's Head
It is a fact that babies move quite a bit in their sleep and that is why it is important to protect their heads. A bed bumper is the perfect solution to protect your little one against bumps against the hard sides of the bed. But what exactly is the difference between a bed bumper and a head protector?
headguards
Head protectors are pillows with a high edge that you attach to the head side of the baby cot. These are often attached with ribbons, so that in addition to a protective function, it also immediately gives extra cute decoration to the bed and the nursery.
Bed bumpers
Bed bumpers are pillows that go all around the cot. You then have a pillow at the head end and there is also protection on the sides. Sometimes this product is also called a 3-piece head guard. Bed bumpers therefore provide more protection for the baby than just a head protector.
Tips for a good (night) rest
To make the rest as optimal as possible for the baby, there are a few things that you as a parent can take into account:
- Posture: Always let your baby sleep on their back, this is the safest position.
- Temperature: Make sure you never dress your baby too warm in bed. If his neck feels comfortable, it's good.
- Hat: After birth, a baby is often immediately given a hat to protect it. After the first days it is best to take off the hat in bed.
- Signals: Always pay attention to signals that indicate that a baby is tired: yawning, rubbing his eyes, being restless, touching his earlobe, sucking his thumb.
Bed bumpers: a divided opinion
Opinion is divided when it comes to purchasing bed bumpers for cots. Some parents claim that bed bumpers are of no use at all and are therefore unnecessary. Others claim that bed bumpers such as the Anel and the Safety-Vent are good and safe bed bumpers because of the air permeability. But how can you know if a bed bumper is a good purchase?
The advantages and disadvantages of bed bumpers
- Bed bumpers can be dangerous if the baby faces them and the airways can be blocked.
- Bed bumpers can be useful if your baby keeps losing his toy or nappy because it falls through the bars.
- Some cribs with fixed walls are often safer than beds with locking systems such as movable walls or folding beds.
Tips for buying a bed bumper
If you choose to purchase a bed bumper, here are a few tips to help you make the right choice:
- Check whether the crib with movable walls is closed correctly when your child is in the bed.
- Follow all steps and the maintenance and cleaning instructions.
- Only use a bed bumper if the manufacturer has indicated that it is possible.
- Use a baby sleeping bag to make rolling and climbing more difficult.
Best bed surrounds rated
One of the most popular bed bumpers is the Koeka Boxbumper Amsterdam. This bumper protects the baby against the bars of a playpen or cot and also against any drafts that may pass through the house.
The bumper has a waffle structure on one side and a soft fabric on the other. This allows you, as a parent, to decide for yourself what is most comfortable for your baby and how to place the bumper in the crib.
You can attach the bed bumper with ribbons, which immediately gives a nice effect to the nursery. The bed bumper is made of 100% cotton on the waffle side and on the soft terry cloth side of cotton (90%) and polyamide (10%).
If you want to let the bed bumper dry after washing, the best way to do this is to hang it close to the heating or let it air dry (outside). This product is not suitable for the dryer.
You can get this crib in various beautiful colors, depending on your preferences and of course the colors of the nursery.
Bed bumpers: a divided opinion
Opinion is divided when it comes to purchasing bed bumpers for cots. Some parents claim that bed bumpers are of no use at all and are therefore unnecessary. Others claim that bed bumpers such as the Anel and the Safety-Vent are good and safe bed bumpers because of the air permeability. But how can you know if a bed bumper is a good purchase?
The advantages and disadvantages of bed bumpers
- Bed bumpers can be dangerous if the baby faces them and the airways can be blocked.
- Bed bumpers can be useful if your baby keeps losing his toy or nappy because it falls through the bars.
- Some cribs with fixed walls are often safer than beds with locking systems such as movable walls or folding beds.
Tips for buying a bed bumper
If you choose to purchase a bed bumper, here are a few tips to help you make the right choice:
Check whether the crib with movable walls is closed correctly when your child is in the bed.
Follow all steps and the maintenance and cleaning instructions.
Why Headguards, Bumpers and Bumpers Are Not Useful
No Useful Function
Headguards, bumpers and bumpers have no useful function. Your baby will not harm itself if it hits the edge of the crib or cot.
Dangerous for Babies
The use of these products is especially dangerous for young babies. They still have too little control over their head and neck muscles to free themselves from a situation in which their nose and mouth are rotating against such a soft edge. As a result, they can no longer breathe freely.
Manufacturers Suggest Impossibility
Some manufacturers suggest that babies can breathe through their headgear, for example with the Safety Vent from Anel and the Aerosleep bed bumper. But this is neither proven nor very likely.
Can bed bumpers and baby nests be safe for babies?
The advice for safe sleeping
If you have a baby, it's important to know what you can and can't do in their bed. According to the experts, it is wise to avoid bed bumpers, baby nests, pillows, cuddly toys, breastfeeding pillows, etc. in the first year of life. A baby should sleep on a hard mattress, only in a cot where air can circulate freely. If your bed does not have bar walls, it is advisable not to place it against a wall.
Why is ventilation important?
Ventilation is important as it prevents the baby from suffocating. When we exhale, carbon dioxide is released. If it cannot escape, it will be inhaled again and again and the baby may suffocate. In addition, a baby can also physically choke on items such as bed bumpers and the edges of a baby's nest.
When can you introduce bed bumpers and pillows?
Babies under 1 year old are not able to extricate themselves from a plight, so using bed bumpers and pillows can be dangerous. You should only introduce these items after their first birthday. Baby nests have long since outgrown and you would no longer use them, because they can restrict the baby's freedom of movement.
How do you choose the best bed bumper for your baby?
Although opinions are divided, there is generally positive talk about bed bumpers. If you're thinking about getting one, keep the following tips in mind:
Solid walls are safer
A crib with fixed walls is usually safer than beds with locking systems such as movable walls or folding beds. This is because with these systems there is a greater chance of wear, damage to the locking system or assembly errors. If you have a bed with movable walls, always check that it is closed properly when your baby is in it.
Read the instructions for use
Follow all steps and maintenance and cleaning instructions indicated by the manufacturer. If any parts are missing or damaged, do not use the bed bumper.
Use a baby sleeping bag
A baby sleeping bag makes rolling and climbing more difficult, so your baby is safer in the bed.
Conclusion
A bed bumper is a must-have for every parent with a baby. It is a cushion that is placed around the cot to protect the baby against the hard bars. It is a safe way to ensure that your little one never bumps his or her delicate head against the hard sides of the cot. It also prevents cuddly toys, pacifiers or other small objects from falling through the crib.
The difference between a bed bumper and a head protector is that the latter is only attached to the head of the bed. Bed bumpers therefore provide more protection because they go around the entire bed.
To ensure that your baby can rest as well as possible, it is important to take the position and temperature into account. Always let your baby sleep on their back and make sure they are not dressed too warmly. If your baby's neck feels comfortable, it's good.
Finally: don't forget to put a HAT on your baby when you put him or her to bed. This way you protect the delicate head against bumps and your little one gets the rest he or she needs.
Always something to do for the holidays or rainy day?
Play Choice now has the ultimate activity book collection, with over 60 pages of fun coloring pages and educational puzzles.
Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.