Crib Rail Covers

What are crib rail covers and why would you use them?

Crib rail covers are layers of material that wrap around and over the top of the railings of a crib to protect both the baby and the railing itself.

When babies are teething, they desperately search for anything they can sink their teeth into to help relieve the pain of the new teeth pushing through the gums. Since crib rails are typically at the perfect height for a baby's mouth once they're able to hold themselves up, they become popular surfaces for baby to bite.

A crib rail cover prevents the baby from biting into the railing and potentially swallowing wood stain, varnish, or paint chips, or even getting a splinter in their mouths. Crib rail covers also protect the crib railing from getting damaged from baby's bite marks.

What types of crib rail covers are available?

Crib rail covers come in a variety of material options, including fabric, plastic, and rubber. While fabric like fleece and polyester is wonderful for absorbing baby drool and offer extra padding, this also means that they'll need to be removed and washed often.

Plastic or rubber crib rail covers, on the other hand, can be wiped clean. Plastic crib rail covers are typically transparent, which means baby can still see out of the crib while lying down. But babies might also figure out how to remove these. Rubber crib rail covers usually have an adhesive back to secure them that can leave a sticky residue on the crib itself once you remove it.

All crib rail covers have some method of securing around the rails of the crib, whether it be straps, Velcro, ties, or adhesive.

What should you look for in crib rail covers?

Find the right size to fit the crib. Some cribs, for example, have both short and long rails so you want a set that will sufficiently cover the entire length of each rail surface but won't hang over the sides. They should not be loose as that could present a choking hazard, especially if the baby is able to remove them. Plus, this could leave rails exposed for baby to chomp on, defeating the purpose.

Whatever method is used to hold crib rail covers in place, they must be secure and not easy to pull off. Avoid crib rail covers with buttons since these can come off and pose a choking hazard. Some crib rail covers have extra loops for securing items like teething toys, which is a nice addition.

Keep in mind that while fabric might be the best option, since it absorbs drool, the material can become dirty and begin to smell, so it will have to be washed often. If your baby enjoys looking out of the crib while sitting or lying down, consider transparent plastic that won't impede their view.

Keep in mind that lighter colours can stain more easily so you might want to opt for darker.