In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Baby safety is the most important thing for every parent, especially when a toddler is asleep. One of the more and more popular accessories that protect the health and life of a child during sleep is a cot bumper. Thanks to it, both the child and parents can sleep peacefully and sleep all night. How to choose the best crib bumper?
What is a crib bumper?
A cot bumper is an accessory that is often added to the purchased bedding for a baby cot. Most often it is in the shape of a rectangle made of soft material, which is to protect the child from getting stuck between the rungs or just hitting himself. This accessory, thanks to the presence of many color variants, supplemented with additional decorations, ribbons and in many shapes, is also a perfect decoration for a toddler’s room. Protectors in contrasting colors such as black and white or red work very well, as they help the child develop eyesight. The cot bumper is usually mounted on the inside of the cot with ribbons or Velcro. The ease of putting them on and taking them off allows you to keep it clean by washing it regularly. There are many color variants and shapes on the market and for sure every parent will find something for their toddler, but also many parents decide to sew a cot bumper on their own.
What to look for when choosing a cot bumper?
Probably each of the parents will face the dilemma of choosing a bumper for a cot. The current market is overflowing with the number of bumpers, and manufacturers are trying to outdo each other as to the color versions, shape and type of cot bumpers. So what is worth paying attention to when choosing a cot bumper for your little one? The first thing to pay attention to is the material from which the bumper is made. It should be soft and warm, it should not deform. The best material the bumper should be made of is a sponge trimmed with smooth and soft material, e.g. cotton. Another issue is the length of the crib bumper. There are two types on the market, a long bumper that secures the entire cot and a short bumper that is put on half of the cot. When choosing the length, it is worth considering how mobile your child is, what time of the year it is and the temperature in the room. An important consideration when choosing a bumper for a cot is how it is tied, because how well the bumper is attached to the bed will affect the child’s safety during sleep. When choosing the bumper, pay attention to whether the string is made of a suitable non-slip material that will not come loose, e.g. when the child is drilling. The least important for the child’s safety, but important for the aesthetics of the room in which the toddler sleeps, is the pattern and color of the cot bumper. Here, the choice depends on the parent’s taste, which, however, should also take into account whether the child will feel comfortable and whether the color and pattern will not cause fear and anxiety in the child.
Is the crib bumper safe?
The safety of the child during sleep is very important for every parent. So is the cot bumper safe and does it really protect the baby as its name suggests? A cot bumper is not a necessary accessory for a toddler’s bed. In the case of infants or very young children, there is no need or even a place for a blanket and a pillow. Young children usually sleep in the position they give birth to, and a cot bumper can cause cot death, e.g. as a result of suffocation. A cot bumper will work for slightly older children, who shuffle more during sleep and may hit the rungs of the cot. A cot bumper can be a good shock absorber, an additional cover, and protect the child from getting stuck between the rungs. It should be remembered that the cot bumper should be used with caution and despite the fact that it is mounted on the child’s cot, still check whether our toddler can sleep safely and peacefully.