Why Babies Teethe On Cribs

Pregnancy

Teething on cribs is very common for babies to do. And because it seems to happen out of nowhere, parents may put babies down for a nap only to come back after babies wake up to find the railing adorned with tiny teeth marks. When this happens, there is little that can be done to fix the damage to the crib that has already been done but understanding why babies teethe on cribs can help stop them from teething on the crib railing in the future.

Most babies will begin to have teeth erupt between six and twelve months of age, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Because of this, parents should start to be vigilant when it comes to watching for teething on the cribs between this time to limit the amount of teething that occurs. This is especially true if the crib has been painted or is a hand-me-down and there is a risk of small bits of the crib winding up in babies’ mouths.

RELATED: 5 Ways To Stop Babies From Teething On Cribs

Here is why babies like to teethe on cribs.

Why Babies Like Teething On Their Cribs

When teeth are breaking the surface of the gums, it can be a very painful experience for babies. One of the ways that the pain can be alleviated, however, is through counter pressure. And a great way for babies to get this is by teething on crib railings.

According to Houston Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, a tried-and-true way to treat teething pain in babies is via counter pressure from a clean finger on the gums. As such, it makes sense that babies would look for a similar remedy when a finger is not available.

Because most cribs are made out of wood, they provide just enough pressure while having a little give that allows the bit of tooth coming in to sink into the railing. And when this happens, there is instant relief given to the eruption site and the surrounding gums.

What Babies Get Out Of Teething On Their Cribs

While babies get relief from gnawing on crib railings, that is not all they get when teething on cribs. They get a sensory experience as well.

According to BabyCenter, babies find out a lot about the world by putting items into their mouths. This is because the nerves of the mouth let babies know what the “taste and texture of different objects” are. As such, in the process of exploring what the crib railing tastes like and discovering how firm they are, babies realize that they have uncovered a perfect teething area. And because of this, they are none-to-happy to chew away on the railing until relief of their gums is achieved.

Concerns With Babies Chewing On Cribs

When babies teethe on cribs, they cause damage to the railings they chew on. But besides causing damage to the crib, teething should not be done on the railings because there is the potential for bits of the crib coming off in babies’ mouths.

For those who have a crib that has been handed down or was purchased used, it may be painted with lead-based paint. If this is the case, not only do parents want to try to strip cribs of this paint, but they want to repaint with non-toxic, water-based paint, according to the Nursery Design Center, that will keep babies safe from toxin exposure.

However, given that there was once lead-based paint on these cribs, doing whatever possible to keep babies from teething on cribs is recommended to keep babies as safe as possible. This is why many parents turn to rail guards to not only protect babies but the cribs as well.


Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, Houston Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, BabyCenter, Nursery Design Center



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