Babies chew on their cribs because their gums hurt, and the firm wooden rail feels good against emerging teeth. This is completely normal behavior that typically starts between 6 and 12 months, when the first teeth begin pushing through. You can’t eliminate the urge to chew, but you can protect the crib, redirect the behavior, and make sure your baby isn’t ingesting anything harmful in the process.
Why Babies Chew on Cribs
Teething is the main driver. Primary teeth start arriving between 6 and 12 months, and first molars follow between 13 and 19 months. During these stretches, biting and chewing on objects is one of the hallmark behaviors. The firm, flat surface of a crib rail gives babies something solid to press their swollen gums against, which provides counter-pressure that temporarily dulls the ache.
Some babies also chew out of boredom or curiosity, especially once they can pull themselves to standing in the crib. But teething pain is by far the most common reason, and it tends to come in waves as different teeth emerge over the first two years.
Crib Rail Covers: Your First Line of Defense
Rail covers wrap around the top of the crib where babies gnaw most. They protect the wood from damage and create a barrier between your baby’s mouth and the crib finish. There are three main types, each with trade-offs.
Fabric Covers
These are the most widely available option. They absorb drool, come in many sizes, and conform to raised or uneven rail shapes. The downside is maintenance. All that drool soaks into the fabric and starts to smell, so you’ll want at least two covers so you can rotate while one is in the wash. They also partially block your view of the baby, which bothers some parents.
Rubber Covers
Rubber rail guards are softer than plastic and quick to install, usually with adhesive backing. They’re easy to wipe clean and don’t change the look of the crib much. The adhesive can be difficult to fully remove later, though, and they don’t attach well to rails with unusual shapes or raised edges. Drool runs off rather than being absorbed, so expect a wet spot on the mattress or floor below.
Plastic Covers
Hard plastic covers snap on easily, wipe clean in seconds, and are nearly invisible on the crib. But many babies can pull them off, which creates its own safety concern. Some babies also dislike the hard surface and simply go back to chewing the wood instead. Like rubber covers, they don’t absorb drool.
If you’re making your own cover or buying from a small shop, look for fabrics certified under the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 label. This certification tests textiles against over 1,000 harmful substances, and their Product Class 1 category has the strictest limits, specifically designed for items that touch babies and children under three.
Redirect the Chewing to Something Better
Rail covers protect the crib, but they don’t address the discomfort driving the behavior. Giving your baby satisfying alternatives to chew on can reduce how much they go after the rail in the first place.
A frozen washcloth is one of the simplest options. Wet a soft baby washcloth, put it in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes, then let your baby hold it and chew. The cold numbs sore gums, and the texture gives them something to bite down on. Chilled teething rings filled with water work similarly. Pediatricians recommend refrigerating these rather than freezing them solid, since a rock-hard ring can be too intense for a baby’s mouth.
Wooden teething rings and wooden spoons offer firm, natural pressure against the gum where a tooth is trying to break through. Some parents prefer these over plastic or silicone options. Silicone teething jewelry (designed to look like a necklace or bracelet for the parent) gives babies something safe to grab and chew when you’re holding them or putting them down for sleep.
For older babies eating solids, mesh feeders filled with frozen fruit or even frozen chamomile tea can soothe gums while keeping choking hazards contained. The mesh lets the baby gnaw and taste the food without large pieces breaking off. Hard vegetables like carrots can also work, but always supervise closely because of choking risk.
Sometimes the simplest approach is a clean finger. Gently pressing or massaging your baby’s gums with your fingertip before putting them in the crib can ease enough discomfort that they settle down rather than immediately reaching for the rail.
Check Your Crib’s Finish
Modern full-size cribs sold in the U.S. must comply with federal safety standards under ASTM F1169, which covers materials and construction. If your crib was purchased new from a reputable retailer in recent years, the finish is designed to be non-toxic.
Heirloom and antique cribs are a different story. Older furniture, including cribs, playpens, and painted toys, may contain lead paint. If your baby is chewing on a crib that was manufactured before current safety standards took effect, the safest move is to stop using it. Lead paint testing kits are available at hardware stores, but state health agencies recommend simply removing older painted cribs and toys from the home rather than trying to remediate them. No amount of lead exposure is considered safe for infants.
Make the Crib Less Appealing to Chew
Beyond covers and teething toys, a few practical adjustments can reduce how often your baby targets the rail. Offering a teething toy or cold washcloth right before putting them in the crib gives their mouth something to work on immediately, rather than leaving the rail as the only option. Keeping the crib in a slightly cooler room can also help, since warmth tends to increase gum inflammation and discomfort.
If your baby chews most when they wake up and you haven’t gotten to them yet, shortening that window helps. A baby monitor with sound alerts lets you respond quickly when they stir, before they have five or ten minutes of unsupervised gnawing time. This won’t stop the behavior entirely, but it limits the wear on the crib and the amount of finish your baby ingests.
For babies who seem to chew out of restlessness rather than pain, adding a few minutes of active play before naptime or bedtime can help them go down more settled. A baby who falls asleep quickly spends less time standing at the rail looking for something to do with their mouth.