Teething is a challenging time for parents. Unfortunately, it’s tough for your little one, too. Since she’ll try to taste everything that comes her way, you’ll probably notice your baby chewing on the crib, too!
Things around her suddenly become a potential snack, and you have to be extra careful. She has no sense of danger, so you have to think for her. Keeping an eye on your child during the teething stage is important to avoid any injury.
If you’ve noticed your baby chewing on the crib this morning, don’t worry. It’s completely normal! She’s just looking for things that could ease the discomfort in her mouth, even if it means chewing on the most random objects. My niece likes to put my crystal necklace in her mouth just because it’s cold!
They don’t care what it is, as long as it gets the job done. If it scratches their gums or simply feels good on the inflamed skin – they’ll chew on it any chance they get! I understand you’re worried, so let’s see what other reasons lie behind your baby chewing on a crib and what you can do about it.
Baby chewing on a crib: why does it happen?
You noticed your baby chewing on the crib last night and you thought it was a one-time thing. However, when you woke up this morning, you saw her doing it again! Why does this happen? She’s never done it before!
Don’t worry, momma. This is completely normal behavior! When your baby starts exploring the world around her, putting things in her mouth will become her first instinct. On top of that, teething will most likely cause her to look for relief, which is why she’ll start chewing on everything that she lays her hand on.
That shouldn’t be a cause for concern, but you do need to pay a bit more attention to her. She could easily ingest a small toy or choke on small pieces, so make sure your eyes are always on her. If your little one’s been chewing on her crib lately, let’s see what could be the reason for that.
1. Teething
One of the most common reasons why your baby might be chewing on a crib is because she’s teething. If you’ve noticed her drooling excessively, being fussier, and chewing on pretty much everything that comes her way, this is probably the reason why.
I assume you’ve already heard many stories about the teething stage of a baby’s development and how challenging it can be. I won’t lie to you, teething is one of the most difficult things you and your little one will go through. However, every baby experiences these things differently, and so will yours.
Don’t listen to what other people have to say. Monitor your baby’s development, follow your doctor’s advice, and react accordingly. One thing’s for sure, however – your baby will put anything in her mouth just to try to soothe her sore gums, including the railings of her crib!
There’s hardly anything you can do to stop her from chewing on things. It’s completely normal behavior, typical for this stage of her development. However, you can reduce her discomfort by applying a soothing gel on her gums. As a result, she might chew on things less, too!
Before you give her a soothing gel, consult your doctor first. They’ll tell you which gel to use, how to apply it, and when. Your baby will absolutely love it, and you’ll be at peace knowing you found a way to help her.
2. She’s exploring
If you noticed your baby chewing on a crib but she’s not teething yet, she’s probably just exploring her environment.
Your little one is still learning about the world around her, and she’s doing so by tasting, touching, and chewing pretty much everything she gets her little hands on. She could even start humping her toys. I know it looks weird but it’s just a way your little one is exploring her environment.
Whether your baby’s crib is made of metal or wood, she will find it interesting, to say the least! If you notice she’s doing this because she’s simply exploring, you can distract her with something else. The good thing about this period of her life is that she’ll find everything fascinating!
If you see her eyeing the crib railing or starting to chew on it, give her a toy she can play with instead. Although chewing on a crib usually isn’t dangerous, if the one you own doesn’t have a very smooth finish, it might wound your little one.
3. She’s bored
Guess what, you’re not the only one who gets bored. In fact, boredom might be the main reason why your baby’s sometimes nibbling on her crib. She’s just trying to find a way to entertain herself, and the crib happens to be the only thing around her that she can play with.
If you’ve been busy today, your baby might have been in her crib for longer than usual. I know how difficult it can be to get things done when you’re a parent to a small child, but all of this will pass. For now, your baby needs some quality time with her mom, so make sure you give it to her.
Pick her up, talk to her, sing to her, play some music, or get out her favorite toys and play with her. Your little one doesn’t need much to be entertained, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy some quality time with your bub, too.
4. She’s anxious or stressed
I know you probably hate the thought of your baby not being happy, but our little ones can experience anxiety and stress, too. Sometimes, chewing on a crib might be a result of such emotions, just like some of us bite our lips when we’re nervous.
Your little one might be looking for ways to cope with stress and anxiety. If you suspect this might be the reason, it’s important that you talk to your doctor. They’ll tell you what you can do to help your baby cope with these negative emotions.
What you can do first, however, is stick to a routine and try not to expose your baby to too many new things. She’s still learning about the world around her, so don’t overwhelm her. Keep her environment quiet and calm, and stay close to her.
What to do when your baby is chewing on a crib
Knowing why your baby is chewing her crib is crucial for understanding how to stop her from doing it. If none of the things you’ve done so far worked, and your bub is still nibbling on it, here are some other things you can try.
1. Apply something bitter to your baby’s crib
If your baby is old enough to eat lemon, you can use it to solve the issue of chewing on a crib. Your baby won’t even think about doing it ever again if it suddenly starts tasting bad. Monitor your baby for a few days and figure out when she’s most likely to start chewing her crib.
Before she does it again, apply some lemon water to the railings of her crib with a cotton swab. Next time she decides to put it in her mouth, the bitter taste will discourage her and make her stay away from it.
2. Get a crib without lead paint
If your baby is chewing her crib because of teething, you need to make sure the crib material has no harmful chemicals in it. Although they’re designed for babies, a lot of older cribs are covered in lead-based paints or have gone through processes that involved quite a lot of chemicals.
Unfortunately, a lot of these chemicals are harmful and can be poisonous for infants to ingest. Since you can’t be sure what your little one’s crib is made of, you can contact the manufacturer and they’ll tell you all the necessary details.
If her crib is an older model, it’s best to completely avoid using it to stop this from happening. The best thing you could do is completely replace your little one’s crib with something that’s following modern safety standards.
3. Provide her with some teething toys
In case your baby is chewing her crib due to teething, then it’s time for some teething toys! They’re specifically designed to soothe your baby’s sore gums, or at least reduce the discomfort she’s feeling. These toys are non-toxic and safe to chew on, and your bub will absolutely love them!
Depending on your baby’s needs, there are several types of chewing toys you can get her. Until you find the perfect one, experiment! She’ll love every second of it, and you will, too.
4. Install silicon guards
Silicon guards might become your best friends. If you’re scared your baby might hurt herself by chewing on her crib, simply put some soft guards on the railings and bars. The most common ones used are made of silicon, as they’re really flexible and soft on your baby’s gums.
Not only will they make it more challenging for your baby to chew on the bars because they’ll make them larger, but the silicon will also feel good on your little one’s sore gums.
Read more: Baby Walking On Knees: Is There A Reason To Worry?
