9 Month Old Chewing on His Crib

I know that they have rail covers for cribs, but I don't think (at least I haven't seen) any for the sleigh types. I would try, as one reader said, the biter bite, or like another reader said, some material around the rail.

My son chews on EVERYTHING...they are like puppies that way sometimes! The only reason we even give him a pacifier is because he likes to chew on it and we keep one in his crib for that reason. Maybe that would help? Or keeping some teething rings, etc? Good luck to you!

http://www.surfsidebaby.com/store/OFNRS-2000.html

Crib Rail Protector/Teething Guard by Toddler Shield

I dont think lead is a problem anymore! My child chews all over his bed and I had my cousin who sews in the birmingham/Trussville area make something to go across the front. It is fabric that he cant chew through. I would ask your pediatrician on the lead part though. My aunt owns Lullabies in Trussville and her daughter is the one who sews. You could always go there and get her to make you one! Hope it helps!

Unless your crib is a used one that is several years old, then I wouldn't worry about the lead. They made it illegal years ago to use lead in cribs because of the risks. As far as the chewing part, put something yucky on it and maybe he'll stop...ie: pickle juice, vinegar, ??? Don't know if that'll help but all I could think of. Good luck!

Hmmm the only thing I can thing of to help is to try getting him to chew on some sort of teething ring or toy. Maybe if he had something else he liked to chew on more than the crib, he would leave the crib alone!

As far as something in the crib's materials hurting him, I would call his pediatrician tomorrow and ask about it. If you still have the instructions from the crib, maybe it says something about the materials it's made of?

Not all kids chew their cribs, but it is very common, especially when they are teething. It might help to not let him play much in the crib. As soon as you hear him awake, you might try to get him out of the crib so he doesn't have time to chew. I know that might be a hard thing to do, but good luck.

One Step Ahead (www.onestepahead.com) has a rail guard that you can put on the crib rails. It is rubbery and just sticks to the rails. It will not ruin the finish when you take it off. It protects the crib....and your sweet boy's mouth!

Good Luck to you!
:)

Why is he in his crib so much of the time?? Cribs these days should not have lead paint on them. It was outlawed in 1978. Talk to your pediatrician if you're worried about it, though. He's probably getting some teeth in and chewing alleviates the pain. Rub some Anbesol or Orajel on his gums. Does he take a pacifier or have teething rings available to chew on? Other than that, take him out of the crib more often and you shouldn't have to worry about him eating it so much! You can try using a playpen, a baby swing, or other baby-activity center seat to keep him confined if you can't hold him at the moment. Those would allow him to be near you and also provide him with more stimulating activities to keep his mind off the need to chew.

I agree with your mother, but not about the lead. I believe manufacturers no longer use lead paint -- unless the bed is very old.

When children eat "strange" things, testing usually finds they are missing some essential nutrient in their diet.

You could try something like a 'bitter bite' substance on the rail to stop him chewing it. It usually comes as a non-toxic spray that dries on the surface and makes it extremely untasty. We used it to get a puppy from chewing our dining chairs.

As for the lead poisoning - manuafacturers don't use leaded paints these days. I am presuming that it is a new bed. It will have been made with child use in mind.

I would do as others suggested and contact the manufacturer on the dangers and content of your son's crib. My friend's son chewed on his crib...what they did was get some material...(try Wal-Mart..they have some material at $1.00/ yd) and wrap it around really thick... It probably won't be too attractive, but you could try it. Good luck! Oh, and be sure to keep us posted on what you come up with!!

S. - my daughter chewed on her crib rails at this age too. She also had the cherry crib with sleigh style rails. If your crib is new (you purchased it yourself or it was given to you new from the box) I don't think there's any danger. Especially with all of the testing going on since the big lead paint scare last year. Contact the crib's manufacturer and find out when it was actually made. But, if you are still concerned, call his pediatrician. Never hurts to be too careful. As far as something else to cover the crib rail with, we never found anything. You might want to ask the manufacturer when you contact them about the stain used on the crib. Maybe they can help. Good Luck!

Hey S.!

My son chewed on his crib too. He tore it up pretty bad :-) His bed is black and several times we'd go in the room to a child covered in black specks. We had him checked for lead, but he was fine. Sadly, we could not get him to stop chewing on it because it was only when we weren't around. He eventually stoped though just due to getting older. :-)