Home Remedy Rail Guard for Teething
- It is common practice for small children to stand in their crib or playpen and chew on the rails when teething. Traditional guard rail covers are hard plastic pieces that fit over the guard rail. A fabric guard rail cover can protect a small child from getting plastic slivers from the rails of the crib or playpen as she chews the rails. Without fabric covers on the guard rail, the child will chew on the wood rail and can get splinters in her mouth, and if the rail is coated with lead-based paint, she can get lead poisoning. Guard rail covers can be purchased at most department stores and stores that sell baby furniture and accessories. If you are talented with a sewing machine, though, you can pick up material and a pattern at a fabric shop and make or design your own guard rail covers to accessorize the nursery.
- Fabric guard rail covers are kept in place with ties, a design that allows for washing as often as desired for cleanliness and to get rid of bacteria from your child chewing on the fabric. Wash the fabric guard rail covers in mild detergent before installing to see if there are any issues with dye bleeding from the fabric. When you are sure the fabric will not bleed dye into the child's mouth, wash it again in hot water with a mild detergent and install. Wash the covers as often as necessary, and keep in mind that your child will chew on the fabric once it is installed.
- It is important that you attach the guard rail covers securely to avoid a child getting tangled up and being injured. Most guard rail covers are kept in place with ties, which should be checked regularly to ensure they do not come loose.