Baby Eating Top of Crib

Updated on December 10, 2008
K.K. asks from San Diego, CA
12 answers

My son is standing up in his crib and eating the top of his crib. He has chipped all of the paint off with his teeth and is down to the wood. Any ideas on how to fix this problem? I tried the rubber bumpers but he ripped those off. My friend suggested wrapping fabric around the top but I am scared he will get that off too and strangle himself or something.

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Great Responses! I am going to try to buy a cover first and if not consult the Dr. about a product I can put on the crib to get him to stop gnawing on it. Thanks everyone and happy holidays~

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.C.

answers from San Diego on

We used the rubber bumpers, but held them on with zip ties at several places. There's no way a kid can pull those off. Cheap, easy solution!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.T.

answers from Las Vegas on

I am having the exact same problem!! Please let me know what advice people give you and what you try that has worked! Thanks.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Contact the crib's manufacturer. They probably have a website where you can buy accessories. There should be a plastic cover for the part your're talking about and it cannot be taken off by the baby.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Las Vegas on

K.:~)

I'm not sure how to stop that chewing, my old crib had lots of chew spots on it. You may just need to take him out of the crib altogether, and put him in a youth or twin bed.

My greater concern is in the paint he is eating! Are you sure there is no lead in the paint? Lead is a serious toxin, and causes severe disabilities. I think it would be better to have no paint for him to chew on, than to be poisoned by lead paint. Please check for that.

Maybe there is something missing from his diet, and he finds that in the crib. Be sure to give him vitamins. Melaleuca has great tasting chewables that taste like fruits. When you see his pediatrician again, I would definitely ask him about the chewing of paint and wood.

Good luck.
A.
Working at Home to Live a Healthy Life
http://BringingWellnessHome.com/Angel

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from Reno on

Hi, K....
I was pondering your question, as I haven't had that happen with my girls, but my son (7 mos.) is a chewer, and I think he may do the same thing. I was wondering if you can use some of that sour tasting stuff that's sold for thumb suckers and apply some of that to where he chews the most..? Maybe if it tastes unbearable, he'd be less likely to chew on it. Hmmmm just a thought!

Good Luck!

L. M

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

We put hand towels around the edges and zip tied them in place so our twins could't get them off and also couldn't continue biting the wood. It worked. It was ugly but it worked.

Good luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.R.

answers from San Diego on

Buy some bitter apple! I know they also make a no thimb sucking brand put it on the crib so when he bites it or licks it he will have a bad taste in his mouth. worked for me hope it works for you too. Krissy

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.F.

answers from San Diego on

We use the BreathableBaby Crib Shield and love it. It's fabric and attaches to the crib via velcro and it works great. My daughter can chew on the railing all she wants and I don't have to worry about her ingesting anything.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Maybe put something in his crib, JUST for his crib, to chew on. And leave it there. And "show" him what it is for, using your own mouth and teeth to show him he can chew on it.

They often do this.

We have crib protectors on our crib railing...it is not a "rubber" one, but a hard clear plastic, and snaps onto the railing top. It went through both my kids, and it's still there intact. Someone else had gotten it for us, so I don't know where to get it. Perhaps look online on amazon.com or something. I'm sure there are different styles of crib-railing protectors. (Here, this looks like the one we have: http://www.greatbabyproducts.com/Crib_Rail_Teething_Prote... )
Or, this one: http://www.target.com/Crib-Rail-Teether/dp/B000056JJ8

Just do a Google search of crib railing protectors.

I would search around for another type of railing protector, AND also keep things in his crib to chew on. Often, by this age, it's good to have some safe toys in the crib with the child... because it helps them to entertain themselves, and or to go to sleep on their own (if this is a problem). My son really benefited from having his own toys in his crib.

But yes, at this 'stage', they will pull up and stand and what not. It's a phase. And maybe he is teething too. But it will pass! LOL

Good luck,
Susan

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.U.

answers from San Diego on

My girls did the same thing - I have two 2 year old twin girls & it was about one that the one started biting her crib. I was concerned about the safety of the paint & made sure I didn't have one with lead in it (call the manufacturer). You might have it worse than I do, but....I didn't make anything of it. I might have said "no", but at one do they really adhere to "no"? She outgrew it & the other started doing the same thing! She also outgrew it. I thought about painting over it, but decided it would be a cute topic when they get a little older. It sounds like he is eating more than mine were; maybe call your Doctor & see if there isn't something safe you can dab on that will create a nasty taste in his mouth like vinegar or rub some baby powder into it or ???? Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Try wraping it in Tin Foil. It feels funky on the teeth. Maybe try spraying it with that stuff you put on kids skin so they stop sucking their thumb? Just a few suggestions.
Good luck!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches