5 Safe Alternatives to Crib Bumpers [Use These Instead]

Countless parents considered crib bumpers an essential safety measure for their baby for the longest time. Unfortunately, we now know that crib bumpers can cause suffocation or injury, or even help a baby escape the crib. So, are there any safe alternatives to crib bumpers?

Mesh crib liners, braided bumpers, and vertical bumper pads are the best safe alternatives to crib bumpers. Crib rail covers are also a great alternative because they prevent a baby’s arms and legs from getting stuck in the rails. Baby sleeping bags can protect a baby from the danger of crib bumpers, but they don’t directly shield the railing.

Each alternative is unique and has distinct pros and cons. The best crib bumper alternative is a mesh crib liner because it is effective and easy to set up. Follow along as we explore the top 5 safe alternatives to crib bumpers.

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Crib bumpers are not safe babies, especially if they are between 3 and 10 months old. However, crib bumpers are unsafe at any age for a baby depending on what stage of development they are at. Babies begin to roll at 3-4 months old, and that’s when bumpers pose a risk of injury or suffocation.

The surface of crib bumpers is not breathable and can prove deadly if a baby rolls into it. Crib bumpers become even more dangerous after 10 months when many babies can stand and pull themselves up. Babies can use a crib bumper as a step, and that increases the chances that they will fall out of the crib or injure themselves.

The main appeal to crib bumpers is that they can prevent a baby from getting their limbs stuck in the crib’s rails. However, that is often much less severe than the major safety risks that crib bumpers pose by comparison.

Mesh crib liners are the most popular safe alternative to crib bumpers. They are much safer than crib bumpers and they can keep a baby’s arms and legs away from the crib’s rails just as effectively. As the name suggests, the mesh liner encompasses the entire crib from the inside.

Mesh liners put up a soft barrier so that a baby cannot stick their extremities through the crib rails. The soft material also gives babies extra protection from the rails which are generally hard. However, it’s important to mention that the mesh material isn’t as thick as conventional crib bumpers.

The reason why many parents are still attached to the conventional crib bumpers is to protect their babies from dangling limbs and unexpected head bangs. Vertical crib liners offer a bit of a different approach to the original idea behind crib bumpers. Instead of lining the entire crib in large, unbreathable pads, these vertical crib liners attach to only the rails.

It is unlikely that crib rails could trap a baby’s limbs with vertical crib liners. Space out the pads between each rail so that they won’t pose a risk to your baby. Vertical liners are a safe alternative to crib bumpers because they protect the extremities and have a lower risk of suffocation. They are also soft, cushy, and can prevent facial injuries.

You can find vertical crib liners in a soft, almost furry material or, if you prefer, they’re also available in 100% cotton varieties.

A braided, or knotted, crib bumper is another alternative to the conventional design that offers both comfort and safety. This option is designed to place a soft cushion between the rails of the crib and your child. That way, the risk of their hands or feet becoming stuck between the bars is significantly lowered. It also helps to prevent the infant from bumping and bruising their heads on the walls of the crib.

These crib bumpers are very cute, aesthetically pleasing, and plush. Its clever design does not include any ties that could present strangulation risks. The braided crib bumper is simply placed around the perimeter of the crib and can also serve as a pillow, back cushion, or even general nursery décor. The design also allows for more breathability than conventional crib bumpers.

Braided crib bumpers are only a safe alternative to crib bumpers if the baby is over 3 months old. The risk of SIDS goes down once a baby is past 3 months old. Generally, braided crib bumpers are a great alternative if the baby is able to sit, stand, and roll around the crib.

Crib rail covers offer a great way to keep your infant safe from getting their limbs trapped in the railing of their crib. They are easily attached to the top of the railing, hanging down to reduce the risk of entrapment. It is a relatively simple solution that can serve as a safe alternative to traditional crib bumpers.

Another major benefit of a crib rail cover is that it prevents children from chewing on the railing of their crib. It’s not uncommon for children who are teething to find relief by biting crib rails. Obviously, chewing on wood or plastic is not necessarily safe and can harm their teeth. Installing a crib rail cover will prevent this from happening.

Another alternative to crib bumpers that have been gaining popularity in recent years is baby sleeping bags. When your child is asleep, it’s important that you keep them as safe as possible. By using a baby sleeping bag, the approach to do this is slightly different. Instead of shielding the dangers that the crib itself poses, you place the child into a sleeping bag that protects their body.

In fact, some babies might prefer sleeping in a sleeping bag than without, as many are designed with swaddling in mind. Researchers have shown that swaddling babies helps them sleep better by increasing their total time asleep and also their non-rapid eye movement. These sleeping bags are designed with the idea of swaddling and also for comfortability.

When your child is placed inside one of these convenient sleeping bags not only will they sleep better, but they also won’t be able to reach the railings. This means that there is no risk of their arms or legs becoming trapped in the rails.

While the design doesn’t necessarily protect their head, it does limit their movement so they won’t even have the opportunity to come into contact with the walls of their crib.