You can’t sleep thinking of how much rolling your toddler does at night. Various scenarios appear in your imagination: the baby rolls until they fall off the bed or bump their delicate heads against something hard or sharp. These incidents can result in minor to major injuries that might affect them for good.
You don’t want any more of these anxious nights, so you decide to look for a solution. In your search, you find different suggestions about bed rails. Bed rails are designed to guard your baby during their sleep by limiting their freedom to move. But there are many types of these rails, and you’re unsure of which one to choose.
Do you love travelling with your child? Do you need something that will completely prevent them from rolling off the bed? Are you looking for a comfortable type of bed rail? If these sound familiar, then our recommendation for you is bumpers. Bumper toddler bed rails are among the most popular rails in the market. They secure on the mattress and create a protective barrier between your child and the potential hazards in the bedroom.
There are many benefits to choosing bumper toddler rails over other types, but there are also drawbacks that you should take into account before deciding. This post will discuss when it is good (and not good) to choose bumper rails.
All About Bumper Bed Rails for Toddlers: When Should You Use Them?
Bumper rails are made of fabric stuffed with polyester fibers. They protect your toddler by surrounding the bed, creating a barrier between your baby and any potential dangers in their resting space. Here’s when you should and should not choose bumpers for your baby’s sleeping protection.
When to Use
Travelling
Bumper bed rails are an excellent choice when travelling with your little one. The space they’ll be sleeping in will be different, and you don’t want to risk their safety. These bed rails provide the extra protection you and your baby will need.
A bumper is easy to install and is portable, giving it an advantage over other bed rails. Inflatable bumpers, specifically, are lightweight and can be folded down into a small square. As a result, they don’t add too much space in your luggage and can easily fit in your bag.
On Large-Sized Beds (Preferably)
Bumper bed rails are adjustable to various bed and mattress sizes and types. But since bumpers are typically long, they will suit a large bed , such as twin or queen-sized beds, better than a narrow one. Placing them on smaller beds might take up too much space.
Still, it depends on the specific bed measurements. Additionally, consider your little one’s growth. They might grow out of their little bed sooner than you expect, so having a larger bed will make things easier when you need adjustments.
Rolling Accident Stoppers
According to various studies, falls are one of the most common causes of injuries among children each year. Rolling and falling off from the bed is one of these specific scenarios. Fortunately, bumper rails can prevent this type of accident. They are a common choice for parents with toddlers because they offer great protection against rolling accidents.
They’re like speed humps but with a slight twist: instead of merely slowing down movement, they completely restrict it and prevent rolling. So with bumpers, it won’t matter how your child sleeps; they won’t be at high risk of rolling and falling out of the bed.
Co-Sleeping
Some parents choose bed-sharing to ensure the security of their babies. While it’s a widely-acknowledged parenting method, there are still some factors you should take into account. For example, institutions like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) don’t encourage co-sleeping in certain conditions as it can cause sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
But if you still choose to co-sleep with your little one, you should use bumper rails for extra security. This way, you’ll both be able to sleep comfortably without having to worry about rolling out of bed. Of course, it goes to say that your co-sleeping arrangement should fit with the bumper placements.
Comfortable Alternative
Some bed rails are made of metal or wood, which might be uncomfortable and harmful for your baby. If you’re not careful in installing and using one, it can cause serious injuries: strangulation, suffocation, bruises, cuts, and unnecessary movement restriction.
If you’re worried about the potential risks of these rails, bumpers are better alternatives. They’re softer, lighter, and more comfortable. Thanks to their portability, you can keep your child’s safety in check inside and outside of the home.
When Not to Use
Bunk and Loft Beds
You shouldn’t use bumper bed rails on bunk beds or loft beds. These beds are narrower, and most of them already have fences, so bumpers will only take up unnecessary space. As a result, it will only be difficult for the baby to move.
Also, babies under six years old shouldn’t sleep on these beds, particularly on the upper bunk. The height from where they might fall doubles the risk, and it’s also dangerous if they’re starting to climb on furniture.
Need for More Bed Space
Getting more space is difficult on a small bed or sleeping space. You may use bumpers for extra comfort and coziness. However, depending on how much space there’s left, it might be too cramped if you add bumpers.
As mentioned, bumpers suit larger bed sizes better. They take up some space but won’t unnecessarily restrict the baby’s movements. Instead, they simply protect them from rolling out of bed.
Teeth and Claws
Do you have pets at home? If so, you might want to think carefully about purchasing bumpers. Inflatable bumpers, for instance, can easily pop or break when pets nibble on them with their sharp teeth and claws.
When you’re out of sight, ensure to deflate these bumpers and keep them somewhere your pets won’t have any access to. Switching to foam bumpers is also a great option.
Other Types of Bed Rails
When looking for the best toddler bed rails for a crib or bed, there are different types you can choose from. Knowing the difference is important because it determines whether they are a good fit for your child’s sleeping space or not. Here’s an overview of the two other types of bed rails.
- Fixed Bed Rails – The classic and basic type of bed rail for toddlers. It’s a mesh-coated metal frame that attaches to the bedside. It’s called fixed bed rail because it’s not adjustable and primarily functions as it is. You can use this bed rail with all types of beds.
- Swing Down Bed Rails – These toddler rails for cribs are an upgraded version of fixed rails. As the name suggests, swing-down bed rails are adjustable. When your kid is awake or under close supervision, you won’t need to use these. In that case, you can simply fold them down.
Sleep With Peace of Mind and Provide Safe Sleeping for Your Child With Ashtonbee’s Portable Bumper Bed Rails
Toddlers’ bumper bed rails are portable, lightweight, soft, and affordable. They offer many benefits, but they can only be useful if their purpose meets your needs. Should you decide to get a toddler bed safety rail for your baby’s crib, try Ashtonbee’s Portable Bumper Bed Rails for toddlers!
Our bumper rails are inflatable for easy use and storage when traveling with your little one. It’s also universal, waterproof, and comes with a non-slip silicone backing to secure the bed rails in place. We make these bed rails to help ease up on your parenting duties. Here’s to safe and sound sleep for you and your baby!
