Abstract: A self-retaining bumper pad for a bed is fabricated from elongated body of a soft, flexible material and includes a retention portion which fits between a side wall of the bed and an edge of the mattress and functions to hold the bumper pad in place. The pad further includes a shield portion which projects from the retention portion and overlies the side wall of the bed. The bumper pad cushions the side wall and also prevents a person who is in the bed from pushing an arm or a leg through the side wall of the bed.