How2Day: Uses for Bumper Pads

Bumper pads can be dangerous once your child can stand. Elke Van de Velde/Digital Vision/Getty Images
Bumper pads protect your infant from hurting his head against the crib rails but, according to BabyCenter.com, you should remove them when your baby can pull himself up on his feet. A baby is strong enough to move his head away from the rails at this point and the pads make a good stepping point for him to get enough height to get out of the crib. Turn the pad into a usable item when you no longer want it in the crib.

You can make chair pads that match your nursery theme by cutting the pads to fit and sewing the cut ends closed. Turning the bumper pads into chair pads for a small table and chair set in your nursery or playroom will coordinate the set to your decor and make the chairs more comfortable for those impromptu tea parties.

Recycling your bumper pads into a dust ruffle for the crib is an attractive and functional use for the pads. Remove the pad from the inside of the crib and tie it to the outside of the crib hanging down over the bottom railing. Doing this will pad the bottom of the crib and protect your baby's head when she crawls under the crib to get a toy.

Bumper pads make excellent dog beds for small dogs. You can replace the fabric by putting the pad in a pillowcase if you cannot sew. If you are making the pad fit a bed frame, cut the pad to fit before you cover it with new material.

Nursing homes can use the pads on the beds of residents to prevent injuries. Covering the pads with new materials is not necessary, as the home may prefer to place towels or sheepskin on the pads for easy cleanup or to prevent bedsores. You can also donate the pad to the nursery at your local hospital.

Teething books provide your child with a safe chewing surface when his gums hurt. Cut the pads into pages and stitch the ends to seal the edges. Bind several pages together with thread or ribbon to turn the pages into a soft book he can chew on.

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