DIY Baby Bumpers

Did you know that in some states traditional bumper pads are actually illegal to sell due to their lack of air flow babies get?

There are two alternatives:

1.  Mesh bumper pads that allow air to flow (but are kinda ugly)

2.  Wonder Bumpers (that cost usually over $300 to fit an entire crib)

The cards have been dealt and my friend's project has been completed and ready to share with the world!!  

Homemade Customized Wonder Bumpers for less than $95!!!

Thanks to my dear friend and guest on this blog Tracy Cook, you will now know how to make your own stylish baby bumpers!

Materials Needed:

• 3/4 inch Self Adhesive Foam Tubular Pipe Insulation
• Thicker Cotton Fabric or Felt (Choose one or two designs)
• Coordinating Ribbon or Lace
• Scissors
• Measuring Tape
• Hot Glue Gun (Don't worry...it is on the inside so baby can't get to it)

Step 1: Gather the materials.

Step 2: Measure the tubular foam.   Here we have shown 16 inches which is the half size for a standard crib.  Half size bumpers were convenient for this mommy because she did not want the bumpers to be too close to Finleigh when she needed to drop the crib into a big-girl bed.  However, you may choose to have your crib bumpers at full length of 32 inches for the 32 inch rails.  It is simply personal choice.

Step 3: Cut down the tubular foam to your specified size.  Remember 16 inches or 32 inches.  Whichever is best for you and your baby.

Step 4: You should end up with a pile like this.

Step 5:  Cut the fabric to the diameter of the tube.  Begin by putting the fabric on one side of the slot but be sure to leave some excess at the end.   Remove the adhesive film.  Wrap it around the foam, tucking the fabric edges into the open slot down the center of the tube.  The fabric should adhere to the adhesive.  Once done you may cut the fabric to the length of the tube leaving about one inch to one and a half inches of spare fabric at each end.

Step 6: It should look like this when you are done.  

Step 7:  Now take one fabric covered tube and place it on the crib rail.  Have your hot glue gun heated and ready to go.  Next you will need to add some hot glue to the inner portion of the tube where the excess fabric is located, then tuck the fabric ends inside.  Yes you will be doing it while the covered tube is on the crib.  This seals the bumper and prevents the fabric from fraying.  Take care to not get the excess glue on the crib rails.  Repeat this step to seal off the opposite end of the bumper.   Once complete with this one rail, repeat step 6 for each of the crib rails.  IF you have chosen to use two different fabrics then take the first fabric and do every other rail like below.  Then follow by adding the second fabric to the remaining rails.  **Note the glue should be on the inside so that the baby cannot access it**

Step 8:  Once complete tie ribbon to the tops of the bumpers.  The bow ends should be on the outside of the crib rails so the baby does not pull them.  TaDa!  Beautifully done.  See how mommy Tracy used the two different fabrics in a coordinating way?  Pink solid with a white and pink print.

BabyWatch - O'nly Glamorous for Our Future Offspring

In passing, both online and physical I have heard quite a few ladies complain of nice baby gear.  Specifically, making fun of the baby product and decor from places like Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn and other high-end retailers.  True that the items can be rather expensive for someone who is going to quickly become too big for them but still they are so beautiful.  However, none of those women complained about the price, they were complaining about the type of parent that would actually have a nursery that looks so fancy-pants.  Whether or not they believed their personal parent category was "super-mom" or "anti-mom", it had no relevance on the topic.

It is honestly no surprise that I have had a Pinterest board that circles around little ones and families for years.  The way I like to create, organize, plan and share...Why would you expect anything else?!  It doesn't matter if it is for my best-est of friends, nieces, nephews or eventually us.

But what a lot of people don't know is that I have never been a fan of traditionally cutesy baby things.  I am happy for all those out there who do like the traditional style because that is what makes that person happy and that parent will know what is best for their baby.  But for me...let's set the record straight before it all starts.  When envisioning our future little ones duckies, buggies, and baby animals just are not going to be a highlight in our nursery.  Seriously, dump the little price and princess talk. 

Our future babies will be beautiful, bold, glamorous, tough, and handsome. They will be the diamonds, opals, pearls and onyxes of our eye and their nursery should reflect that. They will be Emperors and Empresses, Dukes and Duchesses.  So forget to swallowing pastels and bring in the deep colors, mix it up a little.  

Honestly, that goes for any baby gathering as well...showers, what have you.  Oh please, it has got to be tasteful.  Not a fan of stuff thrown together.

Call me pretentious if you want at least I know what I like. (And at least I don't hate on other mothers who don't match my sense of style)

~ With Angela O'

SOME EXAMPLES OF AWESOMENESS:

Dark Colors!!!