I've gone back and forth about putting a crib bumper pads in our baby's crib. I know a lot of parents who swear by them and claim that they keep their baby from bumping its head on the hard wood of the crib or sticking arms and legs between the slats. Experts say that if the crib bumper pads is too thick, babies can get pressed up against it and have difficulty breathing, increasing the risk of SIDS. Bumpers left on too long can end up serving as a hoisting agent for toddlers anxious to climb out of bed.
Ultimately, Nate and I decided it's all about timing. Initially, our baby is going to be in a cradle next to our bed and isn't even going to use the crib for a few months, so we can use a crib bumper pads simply for decorative purposes during that time. Beyond that, we'll play it by ear – but we did make sure to make a crib bumper pads with thin batting so it's very breathable, just in case.
Measure the length and width of your crib (mine was 52 1/2″ long and 26 1/2″ wide). Height doesn't matter because we're going to cut all pieces to 11″ high. This height seems to be about average for a crib bumper pads.
Fold the 1/2″ seams in opposite directions (one over the batting and one underneath itself) and iron flat.
Turn each piece inside out.
Cut 16 strips in one of the fabric colors to 1″ x 23″. These will be the ties that attach each crib bumper pads piece to the crib.