12 Uses for the FORBIDDEN crib bumpers!

We all have heard the argument for and against crib bumpers - but in following with American Academy of Pediatrics on Crib Bumpers ...

" Bumper pads should not be used in cribs. There is no evidence that bumper pads prevent injuries, and there is a potential risk of suffocation, strangulation or entrapment." 

(they also say " Breastfeeding is recommended and is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS. " ...just saying!)

And since the overseas manufacturers of all the ADORABLE stuff we buy have apparently not received the memo from the AAP, we all have a little pile of 

crib bumpers that match the quintessential nursery we have put together! 

(Even if that nursery is just the cutest storage room ever - because after spending tons of money and time decorating while pregnant...you became a crunchy co-sleeping mom once the baby was born....)

As a result - Today we have...

(pin away lovelies!)

1. Valences!  This is the NO-SEW option that I personally went with for the long bumpers and turned out awesome if I do say so myself. Easy enough - use the ties to tie to your curtain rod. BAM - window treatment! 

2. BUMPERS! What? Use the bumpers AS their intended purpose? Yes. But on your changing table! Many changing tables have the bars around the outside, and at least in this position, you will (hopefully) be standing right over your baby, thus should be able to prevent suffocation.  This is also a great NO-SEW option! 

3. Trim for Storage Bins! Have you gone out in search for storage containers lately? DAMN Man  - that stuff is expensive!  Especially if you are going to get matchy matchy stuff for the nursery! So, save some moola and buy plain storage containers, but line or trim them with your bumpers.  

4. Warming/Healing Pads! For those moms and dads that want their bumpers to serve a higher purpose... separate each little square/rectangle using a seam ripper - split open a little hole to fill the "pad" with rice/beans/herbs/essential oils - whatever floats your boat, and then stitch the hole back up.  VOILA! You have a microwavable heating pad to warm up the cold little toesies that you love so much.

5. Baby Proofing for a Coffee Table! That's right.  Just wrap those suckers around your coffee table to keep little heads/eyes from getting bonked/poked out.  This is probably my least favorite of the options...only because we are trying to keep the Dr. Seuss theme upstairs, and keep the living room with as little toy clutter as we can (for now!). But a good idea, especially for those with super rambunctious babies!

6. Quiet Baby Book!  This one requires a bit more effort than the previous options, but still not reaching what one might call a difficult level.  Just rip the stitching out between each square of the bumpers, stitch up any open ends - if there are any - then bind one end of all of them together! This project could actually make a couple of books! 

7. Adult Bumpers! Wanna do a good deed and up-cycle those bumpers!? Recover the bumpers in a more "adult" looking fabric - unless of course, the bedding set was already an adult appropriate, and then donate the bumpers to a local nursing home or elderly care facility.  

8. Draft Blocker! To keep your little one's room nice and warm, I would tie the bumpers together lengthwise and wrap around the bottom of the door! Would have to make sure that the ties are at the hinges side and wall side so that the door could still open and close...but definitely another cute option! And it's another NO-SEW! 

9. Rocker/Chair Cushion! Many momma's went out and bought a glider/recliner (or your in-laws bought it for you...GUILTY!) for the nursery, but many have less cushy options to choose from.  And as much as I love a good old fashion rocking chair, after a few hundred hours of nursing...one might want some cushion.  Enter : CRIB BUMPER! You could go down the back, in the seat, around the arm rests...sounds like perfection to me :D PLUS,  another NO-SEW (unless, you are super awesome and WANT to sew to make it look more professional)! 

10. Changing Pad! This is actually my next "to-do list" project, since I still have some bumpers left over! 

I'm going to cut off the strings, and sew the two pieces together  (to form a large rectangle) and leave it in the playroom as an extra cushy spot for diaper changes! 

11. Blanket/Duvet! Another sewing option! If you have all your bumpers available, follow the same concept as the changing pad...except much bigger! And you have a squishy play blanket or toddler bed duvet.  

12. Decorative Storage! Last, but certainly not least, decorative storage.  How I would probably go about this one, would be to get some matching fabric (or better yet, MESH!) and sew little pockets on one side of the bumpers, on each square.  The tack the whole thing up on the wall and you have a nursery-matching wall decor that is super-dee-duper useful. 

That is all I have lovelies.  This Momma-brain is clean out of any more bumper ideas, but I do hope one of these works for YOU! Or, if you have one that didn't make my list - leave a comment and share your wealth of knowledge! :D 

Happy Saturday ya'll -

Yours,

Mrs. Momma Lawler