Baby Getting Leg Stuck in Rails on crib....don't Know How to Stop This??

Updated on March 17, 2014
J.G. asks from Bridgton, ME
16 answers

Hi, my one year old has twice now put her leg through the rails on the crib and once through, her knee wont go back. The first time she had then fallen over sideways and when I walked in after hearing the strangest cry from her, I thought she had broken or dislocated her leg by the way she was contorted in the crib (fortunately she didnt do any damage, just some bad bruises on each side of her knee). I was so afraid of something like that happening again, she slept in the pack and play for her naps and a few nights. Then we tried the crib again and things have been fine, until this morning when she did it again. This time she didnt fall over, but her poor little knee was stuck again and I had to really push on the rails and her knee to pop it back through. I want to be comfortable putting my child in her crib in her own room and knowing she is safe. I have a bumper in there, but since she can stand, she can get her feet above it. I really can't afford another crib, and this one I specifically picked out because it changes to a toddler then a kids bed. I dont know if there is some other products out there that can be temporarily put in the crib to prevent the child from poking limbs though it? I hope there is because my husband just wants to screw plywood to it....any advise would be greatly appreciated! Thanks...

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L.F.

answers from Boston on

In the catalog 'one step ahead' there is a bumper that is mesh and fits snuggely to the crib - that might work. Try onestepahead.com
That sounds scary for both of you - good luck
L.

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H.K.

answers from Boston on

these are all great ideas... however keep in mind that most likely anything you put around her crib WILL aid her in climbing out...

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K.D.

answers from Providence on

Hi J.,
Try this: BreathableBaby™ CribShield™ System
Other products by Tru-Flate, can find it at amazon.com. Hope this helps.

K.

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K.B.

answers from Boston on

wwww.onestepahead.com has a "Breathable Bumper" It is mesh and is higher than a regular bumper so her little legs should stay in. Also, because it is mesh air will continue to flow freely.

Also try putting a new toy and some books in her bed to keep her busy when she wakes up. Maybe she needs something new to occupy her curious mind. Good luck and just think soon she can go into the toddler bed and the fun of getting out of bed in the middle of the night starts!! Ha ha! Enjoy these early years. They go by so fast.

Kim

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M.D.

answers from Providence on

Hi!
The same thing happened to my son!! They do sell netting that can be tied around the crib. I found it at Babies r us!! It is called BreathableBaby™ Crib Shield System by Breathable Baby. You can order it right online!! Good luck

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K.R.

answers from Boston on

Ohhh I remember that. I would run to the bathroom and get a hand full of lotion and put it on her leg around where it was stuck and it would slide right out. When I would see my daughter putting her leg between the rails, I would warn her that it hurts when it gets stuck.

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C.C.

answers from Boston on

Hi J.,

Your husband has the right idea, except plywood is not what he should use. Have him measure the sides of the crib and at Home Depot he can purchase clear thick plastic sheets that they can cut down to size. Place the crib against a wall so that takes care of the back side of the crib. The plastic thick sheeting can be affixed with velcro sticky tape so that it does not ruin the crib itself with screw holes. Be sure the sides are filed smooth. (Home Depot will cut this to fit your measurements. A foot pummel stone will help smooth the edges.)

At the same time, your little one is "little miss independent" and when she wakes up she is bored and her thoughts are to try and get out :) Add a new toy to her crib, after she falls asleep, so that when she wakes up she will be intrigued and play. The ones that hang on the side with multiple slides, spins, and buttons is ideal, as well. She sounds so much like my daughter when she was the same age! Fact is, the playpen did not work for us as it was a "Net" and my daughter would press her face into it and get the net caught between her front little teeth and then would be stuck that way!! LOL

Good luck and keep me posted. Take care,

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P.P.

answers from Boston on

Hey J.,
I have seen a mesh liner that is supposed to do the trick... I think it was at Babys r us or the baby furniture wharehouse. However, the same thing happened with my son and our pediatrician told us he was ready for a toddler bed...and we switched and things worked out for us. Good luck.

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S.S.

answers from Boston on

You can buy a crib tent that has an inside surround net. I bought one at Babies-R-Us for about $70. It also prevents little ones from cliimbing out of the crib and falling (which is why I bought it). It is made by Tots in Mind and is called the Cozy Crib Tent II. Here is the link to the product description:
http://www.totsinmind.com/products/
-S.

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A.W.

answers from Boston on

My 20-month old daughter keeps doing that too! I have found its easier to get her leg unstuck if I straighten it out, rather than trying to push the stuck knee (it can really get wedged in can't it?). I don't think I would put anything like plywood or even plexiglass on the outside because I think it is important for there to be some air circulation, and I think it would be easier for your child to climb out. If you wanted to use anything I would use the mesh on the sides. It is scary when you see your child's little knee stuck so tightly in the railing (especially when your child falls) but they are so flexible at that age I don't think you need to worry about her getting seriously injured.

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E.C.

answers from New York on

I bet the plywood concept would work with plexiglass too, then wouldn't look so ridiculous! Good luck...sounds like you've got an innovative little one!

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L.E.

answers from Boston on

Hi J.,

This happened to my daughter a few times and we got the same result an awful cry that we had never heard from her before. They have screens that you can purchase at babies r us or toys r us I believe that you can attach to the sides of the crib rails so that she can't get her legs or feet in between the rails. I would suggest trying something like that. We never ended up getting the screen because after a few times of our daughter doing this she figured out either how to wriggle free or she just didn't do it anymore. I hope this helps.

L.

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M.T.

answers from Springfield on

My almost 11-month-old son does this also. Not as bad as your daughter has but he does get his leg in there up to his thigh and than panics (I think) because he doesn't pull it back in and he is skinny enough to! We just monitor it and he has only done it a couple of time. On another note, I took the bumper out of my sons crib as soon as he could pull himself up because of the risk that he can get higher and could possible pull himself out of the crib (my son is very long and we have his crib on the lowest setting and he can stand up way over the railing). You might find that if you don't use a bumper at all that this might stop. Your daughter might be playing with the bumper and than her legs accidently slides through the bars. Just a thought...

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T.H.

answers from Boston on

Hi! We had a similar situation occur with our daughter and there is a mesh bumper that can resolve that issue. It is called the "Breathable Baby Padded Mesh Crib Bumper - you attach it to the crib just like you would a normal bumper...except the mesh keeps them from putting their hands/legs through the slats. I found it at Babies R Us and I'm sure if you go online to their web site, you'll see the same product. Let me know how it goes for you!!!

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