The transitioning period between a toddler crib and a big kid bed is arguably one of the most frightening experiences for a new mom because of the number of times your child falls off their bed. Not even the best toddler bed rails can stop this every time.
That said, the best toddler bed rails can prevent your little one from taking a tumble more often than not. They work because toddlers are especially active during the night and prone to falling off the side of the bed.
They become quite active sleepers due to all their excess energy that hasn’t been fully expended while they’re awake.
When your kids start getting an urge to explore and find that the confines of a child’s bed don’t satisfy them, you’ll have to start acting like a prison guard in the middle of the night. And your main duty is to stop them from hurting themselves while attempting to hop the guard rail fence.
When they don’t quite qualify for a big kid bed quite yet, but they so desperately want one, that’s when you start considering getting a toddler safety bed rail.
But, I know what you’re thinking. Who on earth would sell toddler bed rails separate from the actual bed?
Well, turns out there are plenty available because many parents don’t see the need for buying a whole new bed when they already have one.
Given that you’re a mamma who doesn’t want any possible chance of your child getting hurt, I’ve assembled a list of the best toddler bed rails I could find for all types of beds.
For all of you busy moms, here’s a quick list of our top picks!
Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
---|---|---|---|---|
Costzon Double Sided Bed Rail Guard | Prime | Buy Now | ||
Munchkin Sleep Toddler Bed Rail | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | ||
BuBumper's Soft Foam Bed Bumper for Kids | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
14 Best Toddler Bed Rails
1. BuBumper’s Soft Foam Bed Bumper for Kids
- FULL LENGTH FOAM BEDRAIL! First of its kind, enjoy the added protection and guaranteed safety the extra-long bed bumper offers. With the child fully closed in, there’s no chance he’ll move around and accidentally fall off.
- MOMMY & BABY FRIENDLY! Down with clunky, bulky bed guards, this bed rail is everything the metal kind isn’t!
- QUALITY SAFETY ASSURANCE! Safety always comes first, and that’s our priority. Tested and certified, our bed guard complies with all federal safety rules and surpasses the industry standard for performance and endurance.
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To start with, at #1, we have gone for a non-traditional bed rail, one that substitutes the bulky metal frame of the rail for a foam one.
This way, even if there is a lot of movement, nobody’s going to get hurt – that includes you when you accidentally bash your knee into it or something.
It’s designed in a manner that allows it to fit most types of beds: queen size beds, full size, or even twin beds. All you need to do is wait for it to inflate and slide it under the bed sheets.
It acts like an extension of the crib mattress while still serving as a proper bed rail guard.
The best part is that the whole thing is made out of BPA and phthalate-free materials and is completely non-toxic, thanks to the exclusion of lead and other heavy metals in its construction. Turns out foam has its benefits outside of just knee safety.
And, of course, the product meets and exceeds US safety standards.
Not to mention that it’s completely machine washable, as well as water-resistant, making sure that no number of accidents in bed diminish its top-notch quality.
No suffering with a clumsy, bulky, and long bed rail made out of metal, looking like it’s welded onto the frame.
And lastly, BuBumper offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back, giving you a completely risk-free purchase and proper bang for your buck. If anything, I’d consider this to be one of the best offers on Amazon as far as bed rails for toddlers are concerned.
2. Milliard Bed Bumper (2 Pack) Toddler Foam Bed Rail
- Perfect for transitioning from crib to big bed; works with any size bed from toddler to king Features a non-slip bottom so you can rest assured that your child is safe and sound
- Our super soft bamboo cover is natural and washable, yet still waterproof so the bumper can last you years to come
- So easy to install and ultra-light for travel. Size: 52x7x4.5
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Coming up next is the Milliard foam bed bumper, a child’s best friend as far as safety is concerned.
Not only is it easy to install, but it’s rather compact as well, making it an easy inclusion in any portable bed kit. Just slide them under a fitted sheet and you’ll be ready to go.
The Milliard variant on the foam toddler bed rail meets all ASTM safety regulations as well with its non-slip bottom to maximize child bed safety and with its’ waterproof and washable cover made out of organic bamboo that’s extremely pleasant to the touch.
All of this makes Milliard one of the best toddler bed rails on Amazon and the market as a whole.
3. Regalo Hideaway 54-Inch Extra Long Bed Rail Guard, with Reinforced Anchor Safety System
- HIDEAWAY: The patented HideAway feature allows this bedrail to tuck between the mattress; Out of sight
- EXTRA LONG: 54-inches long (hinge point) and 20-inch tall for added security
- EASY TO SET UP: No tools required
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Just because a bed rail has a steel frame, doesn’t mean it’s bad. Some kids require a bit of extra protection due to their extra energetic personalities. And the Regalo Hideaway rail is perfect for just that.
This one is a bit of a special one though. It’s a single-sided rail, meaning that you’d buy it ideally if you have the bed against the wall on one side. This way, you won’t have to buy 2 bed rails, saving you both effort and bucks.
The Regalo is practical with its unique hideaway system that lets you slide the rail back down when not in use (when it’s not bedtime), allowing your toddler to freely play around on the bed when they’re awake.
Plus, the rail is secure thanks to the featured anchored safety straps that keep it firmly in place.
It also has a gap guard system that doesn’t allow any gaps to form between the mattress and the rail itself, keeping your little one’s body parts safe from getting stuck in-between and causing all sorts of trouble.
Its size makes it best for larger, twin, queen size, and double beds, though it can fit smaller ones too as long as there’s a hard surface or a box spring below the bed rail to keep it from damaging anything or getting stuck.
It’s made out of a sturdy steel frame that won’t break, even by the most persistent of kids. It comes with a nylon bed rail cover made out of breathable mesh that’s easy to clean by simply passing over a damp cloth or throwing it in the wash for the more stubborn stains.
The only thing you should be aware of is that it’s best to have a thicker mattress than normal because your child might feel the steel frame underneath when you utilize the hideaway function.
RELATED: Crib Sheets: 5 Best Choices For Safe And Sound Sleep
4. ComfyBumpy Bed Rails for Toddlers – Extra Long Toddler Bed Rail Guard for Kids
- Triple-safe: The only toddler bed rail guard that secures tightly with slats and springs, box springs using straps under mattress, or wood bases using screws for extra safety.
- Universal: Perfect for single mattresses, kid twin beds, doubles, queens, and kings.
- Simple: Pull on latch to easily pull-down guardrail. Easy video installation.
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If you’re looking for some of the best toddler bed rails with regards to safety, then look no further than ComfyBumpy’s.
It carries a patented triple-safety measure with the option to secure the guard rail via screw-based wooden bases, Velcro slats and springs, or box spring based on straps under the mattress. This ensures it stays in place no matter what.
The best part is that you can readjust it to fit a bed of any size, from a single to a king-sized bed, giving you peace of mind, so you don’t have to waste time looking at compatibility restrictions.
The design is quite neat as well, featuring flat iron bars that firmly secure the rail and safeguard your child from falling out, while also keeping them comfy above the mattress.
The ComfyBumpy rail features a unique, curved pull-down design alongside a latch so you can simply pull on it to get the guard down with ease.
The product’s cover is made of polyester nylon mesh fabric, while the rest of an easily-foldable stainless steel frame.
Not to mention that, if you’re even remotely dissatisfied with their product, the folks over at ComfyBumpy offer a 100% risk-free purchase guarantee and will gladly give you your money back.
5. Munchkin Sleep Toddler Bed Rail
- Grey safety rail measures 18 height x 36 width
- Push-button hinge folds down for easy access
- Strong safety straps eliminate gap between mattress and bed rail
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Let’s face it, many toddler rails can prove to be rather cumbersome to manage and end up being either too large or too complicated to install.
Luckily, Munchkin’s toddler bed rail is one that helps solve both these problems by being smaller than the average side rail while still managing to provide the same amount of fall protection. Plus, it only takes just over a minute to install it properly.
Not only that, the rail is made out of aluminum, rather than steel, meaning it’s a lot easier to carry around if need be and won’t hurt as much if someone were to bump their shin into it by accident.
This eliminates the unsightly look that some of the more average rails have, as if the bed was straight out of hospital rather than one that was supposed to nicely complement your toddler’s room.
This is especially true due to the fact that Munchkin’s toddler bed rails come in a variety of colors, allowing you to personalize your little tyke’s sleeping quarters to your heart’s content.
The rail can fit bed frames for a twin, full, and queen size mattress, And if you somehow feel that your child is still unsafe with it only covering half the side, you can always purchase two.
The swing down feature that it has allows you to quickly pull the rail down so your kid can climb up into bed. He can even use it as a little step if you have a particularly high bed. All it takes is the push of a simple button and the rail loosens for you to be able to pull it down with ease.
And, finally, the mesh itself only needs wiping down with a damp cloth to clean it up properly and nothing else, especially not using an iron or bleach to clean it as it can damage the fabric.
6. Costzon Double-Sided Bed Rail Guard
- A SAFETY GUARD FOR YOUR BABY - Costzon bedrail serves as a safety guard to your baby! No worry that your baby will fall down when they craw on the bed before falling asleep. While they sleep alone, it will protect them always.
- STURDY & SAFE DESIGN - Constructed by steel frame and covered by the environmental friendly and soft net cloth.
- WIDE APPLICATION - Each panel has 59 x 22 dimension, and you can set them at convertible crib, twin, double, full size bed frames freely.
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Costzon bed rail guard manages to incorporate the best of every other toddler rail on the market and makes it work well with each other.
It’s constructed out of a mix of flat iron (so your little one doesn’t feel it underneath his mattress), see-through mesh fabric on the side, and plastic covering the rail itself to soften the edges for accidental bumps.
It also features the curved, pull-down design that many other rails of its type feature. These slide down easily so your child can get in and out of bed hassle-free when he’s awake.
All you need to do is lift the joint on the side to unlock it and pull it down. This design also makes it safe against your kid accidentally pushing it open and inadvertently falling out.
The panels are sizable and adjustable up to 59″x22″, fitting anything from a toddler crib to a full-size bed with relative ease.
Speaking of ease, the assembly is a piece of cake too. You don’t even need any extra tools outside of what you get with your purchase. All you have to do is follow the instructions and the toddler bed rail practically assembles itself.
And, to make the deal even sweeter, Costzon ensures a 100% worry-free purchase. They’re more than eager to replace your product or missing piece, or find an alternative solution should you be dissatisfied with it in any way.
RELATED: Toddler Beds For Boys: The 9 Best Options For Your Growing Boy
7. Regalo Swing Down Double-Sided Bed Rail Guard
- SWING DOWN: The patented swing down feature allows this bedrail to pivot down and out of the way when getting in and out of bed or removing sheets
- DOUBLE SIDED AND EXTRA SAFE: two rails - 43-inches long (hinge point) and 20-inch tall for added security
- EASY TO SET UP: No tools required. Lightweight
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The transition from crib to big kid bed can be rough and we’re all aware of this. This is why Regalo has made sure it provides even the most worried parents with a suitable and extra-safe option for their kids.
With a generous 20″ height for extra safety and to accommodate thicker mattresses, Regalo bed rail guard makes for one of the tallest rails on the market.
But, size isn’t the only thing it can boast about. There’s also the ease of access too with its patented swing down system. This feature makes it easy to pull the rails down when your child wants to get out of bed and get ready for a day of play and exploration.
These two things combined make the Regalo double-sided rail guard ideal, and arguably one of the safer choices on the market with regards to your little one’s well-being.
The steel frame ensures its sturdiness and stability, and the box spring makes that swing down motion a lot easier than it would otherwise be.
And, not to mention that despite its steel frame, the Regalo toddler bed rail is rather lightweight and easy to assemble, requiring no additional tools beyond what’s included inside the package.
The mesh on the rail is made out of breathable fabric and is a machine-washable cover so you can easily deal with stubborn stains.
Otherwise, just passing a damp cloth over it a few times ought to do the trick.
8. Summer Infant Double Safety Bedrail
- Each panel measures 42.5 L x 21 H inches to accommodate thicker mattresses. Accommodates up to 21.02 inches (53.4 cm) wide mattresses
- Accommodates twin to queen sized mattresses and platform beds. There are two small knobs on the arm of the bedrail.
- One side folds down for easy access to the bed, allowing parents to sit bedside or change linens
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Now here’s another great set of tall toddler rails.
Summer Infant double-sided bed rails are 21″ tall and 42.5″ wide, and fit alongside anything from a twin sized bed to a full-on queen sized mattress.
The odd yet also oddly practical thing about these is that only one of them folds down because the folks over at Summer Infant felt that there would be added child security if only one of them folded away (though this might not work for every parent).
The railing is rather easy to assemble as long as you have basic tool knowledge. You’re likely to spend 5 minutes max fitting these two railings to the bed and won’t have to worry about any small parts getting lost on the floor – and landing up in your tot’s mouth.
The frame is metal while the rail cover is made of washable polyester (something to note if your child has polyester allergies).
The double rails meet and exceed all current safety standards set out by the ASTM, so you can be sure that you’re buying a quality product here.
9. Dream On Me, 3D Linen Fabric and Mesh Security Bed Rail
- EASY INSTALLATION: The Dream On Me Mesh Security Bed Rail assembles in seconds, thanks to the no-tool assembly!
- SAFETY FEATURES: The Bed Rail comes with a lightweight reinforced anchor system and a stabiliser bar to ensure your child’s safety.
- BREATHABLE MESH FABRIC: The Dream On Me Mesh Bed Rail is designed out of a soft and comfortable breathable mesh fabric.
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Going back to single rails, we have quite a good one from Dream On Me.
Although it’s smaller than some of the others on this list, with dimensions of 33.5″ x 15″, it still manages to do the job as long as you don’t have a mattress that’s too thick.
The maximum size that it can accommodate is that of a twin-sized bed, so do keep that in mind.
The edges are fully rounded, meaning that neither you nor your child will get injured if you accidentally bump into the rail, nor will it catch on any of your clothes.
The rail cover is made out of a linen fabric that comes in a variety of lovely colors to help match the theme of the mattress and/or room. This way, it doesn’t have to feel like a simple, sterile piece of steel that only belongs on a hospital bed.
This also makes the cover breathable and rather easy to clean. You can either wipe it down with a damp cloth or take it off and pop it in the washing machine.
Plus, with its rather compact size, Dream On Me toddler bed rail is simple to assemble and shouldn’t take more than a minute or two. You don’t even have to use any tools to do it either.
RELATED: 9 Best Toddler And Baby Cot Beds For A Good Night’s Sleep
10. Shinnwa Bed Bumpers Barrier Guard Side Rails for Toddlers
- COMFORTABLE & USER-FRIENDLY Compared to traditional prison-style metal rail, the bed fence gate railing for baby kids toddler through provides gentle touch as a subconscious signal to remind your toddlers that they are close to danger and should move away.
- HIGH-DENSITY FOAM PADDING & NON-SLIP COVER High-density foam provides a soft touch to kids while also firm enough to prevent them from falling off the bed.
- EASY TO INSTALL The twin bed bumper rails guard for toddlers children kids only needs three simple steps to be used.
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Here we have another contender for the best foam toddler bed rail in Shinnwa.
As with most other foam rails that you’ll find on my list, the Shinnwa variant is easy to install and fits almost all beds and mattresses. It can even be used on the elderly who might need it.
Made out of a high density foam that manages to be soft enough to not pose an injury hazard for your child, but still remaining sturdy and firm enough to signal the child that it’s the edge of the bed, this rail provides the ultimate in child safety.
Not only that, but the zipper-based cover is machine washable too, not to mention the high quality, breathable cotton fabric and non-slip silicone that it’s made out of keeping the rail static when installed and soft on the child during his nightly movements.
And, finally, they also have the magic words every mamma wants to hear. A refund policy.
Shinnwa offers a 30-day money back guarantee should you end up dissatisfied with any of their products if they don’t prove to be better than the competition. A risk-free purchase on top of an already great product.
11. Hiccapop Foam Bed Bumpers For Toddlers
- PASSIVE-SAFETY PROTECTION - Invented at Stanford University based on the principle of Passive-Safety Protection
- RESPONSIBLY MANUFACTURED | CertiPUR-US FOAM is made without PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (Tris) flame retardants, mercury, lead, heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates regulated by the CPSC, CFCs.
- INTERACTION WITH MOM & DAD + INDEPENDENCE: Our bed rail guards make it easy to get cozy on the side of your toddler’s bed for nighttime stories and snuggles.
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Returning back to foam toddler bed bumpers, we have a pair from Hiccapop – a much safer alternative to the more traditional metal railings, easier to assemble, and a lot more comfortable for your little one, since it leaves no risk of hitting a big metal rod with their shins.
Speaking of installation, all you really need to do with a foam bed “rail” is to slide it under the fitted sheet and you’re done. No belts needed, no box springs, nothing. Your child serves as part of the mechanism, where his weight is used to keep the bed bumpers in place.
Normally this wouldn’t work, but thanks to the non-slip surface of the cover, it’s made possible.
These foam bed bumpers are made from CertiPUR-US foam that is free of any phthalates, formaldehyde, TDCPPs, TCEPs, mercury, lead or any other heavy metals. There are also no flame retardants, which is both a pro and a slight con in the most extreme of cases.
Its cover is made out of silicone beads and is designed not to slip when placed on the surface of a mattress, as mentioned earlier.
And all of these materials meet and exceed all CPSC and CFC regulations too, so you don’t have to worry about anything on that front with any of Hiccapop’s products.
They’re easy enough to maneuver around as well, in case you want to move them aside to sit down on your child’s bedside to interact with them.
Finally, this isn’t just a product for kids. It can serve just as well as a bed rail for older folk too in case they have problems falling out of bed due to underlying issues.
The only place where they won’t exactly work – and where Hiccapop themselves advise against using them – are loft and bunk beds.
And, if this product doesn’t work for you, don’t worry, the people over at Hiccapop offer a 100% lifetime guarantee for their product in case you feel dissatisfied with it, so you can get an adequate replacement.
12. BABY JOY Bed Rails for Toddlers
- Bedtime Safety for Children: Our bed rail is specially designed for your babies transforming from cribs to normal standard beds.
- Folding & Adjustable Bed Rail: The angle of this bed rail can be adjusted from 0-180°, allowing your children to get in and out of bed easily.
- Durable Fabric& Sturdy Structure: Durable mesh cloth is not only breathable, but also not easy to be torn. Most importantly, it features with great resilience to prevent impact force and offer better protection.
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Here we have another good bed rail to help with your little one’s transition to a big kid bed and it’s from BABY JOY this time around, a well trusted brand in the baby gear business.
Sporting a solid 59” length and 22” height, BABY JOY rail can cover almost any bed frame from twin kid beds and cribs to queen and king sized beds.
That, plus the fold-down mechanism that’s easy to work with makes it one of the best toddler bed rails on the market.
And, it fits on wooden bases, spring boxes or even just slats. You name it and it’ll fit.
The construction consists of steel tubes which keep the bed rail durable and sturdy. The cover is built out of a tear-resistant breathable mesh that’s fully machine-washable.
Of course, as with almost any bed on this list, the installation instructions are as simple as they come and you don’t really need any tools outside your trusty hands. You should have it up and ready to use within minutes.
13. TotCraft Toddler Bed Rail
- Compatibility & Universal Fit for all bed sizes: TotCraft Bed safety Rail Guard works with any type of bed that has slats , box spring or wooden base .
- Safety First: The metal rods and mesh fabric are made of non toxic materials that has been tested according to ASTM standards .
- Fold -Down: The patented Fold down feature allows this bedrail to fold down and out of the way when getting in and out of bed or when removing sheets.
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Next up to the plate is the TotCraft bed rail for toddlers.
With its 20” x 35” measurements, these bed rails can fit almost any bed, from baby cribs and single beds to full and queen sized mattresses. As long as it has slats, it’s going to be suitable.
The rail is made out of metal rods that slide neatly under the bed. They are made from completely non-toxic materials, are free of any heavy metals, especially lead, and meet all ASTM standards.
The same goes for the breathable mesh fabric cover, which is also easily machine-washable or can simply be wiped down with a damp cloth.
It’s all a quick install and has the fold-down feature that almost every other good rail has, making for easy bed access and sheet changes.
And, the best part where your pocket is concerned is the fact that TotCraft offers a full money-back guarantee should the product prove defective or unsatisfying.
RELATED: Best Toddler Pillows And Pillowcases For Quality Sleep
14. BabyElf Bed Rail for Toddlers
- Suitable for most beds: Perfect for single beds, twin size beds, doubles, queens and kings
- Safe bedtime: Made of high quality stainless steel which is stable and strong. Unique lock for swinging up and down to protect your baby. Soft fabric is easy to clean
- Simple: Precise instructions are included. Press the button on both sides to fold down the bed rail
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And finally, we have the BabyElf bed rail, a 47″, stainless steel construction that perfectly fits anything from a single bed to a king-sized one.
It’s easy to install and features a lock system for the rail so you don’t have to worry about your child pulling it down on accident and falling out, especially since the buttons on the sides are too far apart for a child’s arm span to cover.
The only important thing that I’ve noted on it is that you shouldn’t leave any gap between the rail and the mattress so nothing gets caught on it, posing a safety hazard for kids (and pants and pajamas) everywhere.
But, the construction isn’t just pure steel either, it’s covered in a soft, breathable fabric that you just need to run a damp cloth over a few times to clean up every now and again.
Simple, elegant and effective, this single bed rail provides safety for your kids and ease of use for the parents themselves.
Why Get A Toddler Bed Rail In The First Place?
This is a question that gets tossed around a lot and the answer honestly varies from parent to parent.
On one hand, if your child is capable enough or you have someone looking after your child at all times during naptime, you don’t have to worry about getting a toddler bed rail, and can safely allow them to sleep without the extra additions.
But not all kids are like that and many of them will need some sort of safety rail, whether you opt for a toddler rail or just stuff the problem-side up with pillows, and call it a day.
Sure, the latter works, but it’s very prone to displacing, whereas a toddler bed rail gives you a guaranteed sense of safety.
It also beats having to wash each individual pillow cover in case something spills by accident or… an “accident happens.”
Naturally, it’s not a necessity if you have to cut something out of your budget and this is just an extra, but if you can afford it, it’s certainly worth the trouble.
RELATED: Toddler Beds For Girls You’ll Absolutely LOVE
What’s The Best Toddler Bed Rail Type?
There are plenty of different toddler bed rail types as we’ve seen above. There really is no “best” – they all tick different boxes and fit with different types of beds, making it a bit difficult to pick one that stands out from the others.
For me, personally, it was finding out about inflatable, foam ones that ended up being the best toddler bed rail for me.
Not because it was better than the steel ones in terms of protection, but rather that it was a novelty to me at the time, which definitely allowed for some bias to sway my decision on the matter.
I enjoyed the fact that I could easily fold it up and store it aside without needing to do much assembly, and it worked for me and both my kids when they were toddlers at the time.
Plus, they were a lot more affordable than the alternatives on my end.
Then again, that’s my opinion, one that likely not everyone shares.
Along that vein, here are all the various types of toddler bed rails so you can form your own opinion and decide which will work best for you personally.
1. Swing down toddler rail
A swing down toddler rail is what you’ll see around most of the time, one that simply swings down from being a rail and stays put next to the frame of the bed when it’s pulled down.
While some tuck completely under the bed, some can also serve as a pseudo stepladder, making it easier for your child to get used to getting into bed and adapting from crib to big kid bed a lot more easily.
Mind you, it has its faults despite all these great positives. While it’s easy to move around, it also poses the risk of little ones potentially getting their fingers stuck in between the bed and rail.
It’s a new type of danger that, while not overly worrisome, can lead to a trip to the doctor, especially if it ends up being fairly severe.
However, it’s easy to avoid if you’re just careful about how you set it down when you do, and make sure that your kid is nowhere near it.
2. Toddler bed bumpers
These are my personal fall protection of choice because of their flexibility and lightweightness. Your children can’t get hurt on them and they’re pretty easy to set up and remove regardless of your tool expertise.
They’re basically elongated pillows and extensions of toddler beds.
What’s even better is that if you’re not planning to further expand your family, you can use them as actual pillows later down the line on couches or something similar. Anywhere you can find the place to slot them in, really.
Either that or donate them, since they’re not permanent installations.
Not to mention that they won’t clash with the décor of the room as it usually goes under the fitted sheet, allowing the bed to blend in. This leaves your little one’s play space beautiful, rather than having to ruin it at the expense of extra safety protection.
3. Fixed toddler rails
These are the ones you’ll most commonly see in hospital beds, where they’re installed/mounted on the bed itself. They may end up looking quite unsightly and ruin the appeal of the bed in the room.
That aside, they do offer great protection as they’re always up and they allow your toddler to still get in and out of bed because one of the sides has a gap your child can crawl through.
Whether it’s on the top or the bottom of the rail depends on the type of installation, but that’s a matter of preference.
There is one more downside to them though, and that’s the fact that having rails that are permanently up will make changing sheets quite a chore.
It even possibly means you’ll end up tearing a few, hence why I really wasn’t a fan of them, even on my list above.
What’s Important When Looking For The Best Toddler Bed Rail?
Of course, narrowing down toddler rails to just their types isn’t doing them enough justice. There are many on the market that are amazing for what they are. Meanwhile, there are still some that leave a lot to be desired, despite them being the same bed rail type as their competitors.
So what really matters, then?
1. Length and height
One of the most important factors that come into play when choosing a side rail for your toddler is its length.
As far as American standards go, the normal length for a toddler bed is 52″, which may vary based on the type of mattress used.
That’s why it’s important to properly measure the size of the bed’s mattress and its overall length so you can get an adequate bed rail.
If the rail itself isn’t adaptable, you might just end up wasting your time. Trust me, you don’t want to have to return it if it doesn’t fit with the bed you have back home.
The height plays a role too, especially if the mattress is thicker than usual because you wanted a comfier experience for your little one. This means that you’ll need 20″ rails or higher.
2. Overall product safety
Safety is the main reason you’re getting toddler bed rails in the first place, so it’s only natural that the rails themselves need to provide a safe environment for your child.
Make sure that all the edges on the product come curved because sharper and more prominent edges are likely to injure your child if he’s too restless at night, where a potential kick might cause quite a bit of pain.
It’s important that the rails hold as there’s no point in getting a safety rail that a child can knock over from a bit of nightly flailing. That’s just a defective product.
Plus, if the product has some padding on its metal bits, at least on the side of the rail that’s facing the bed itself, that’s perfect since that’ll cushion any stray blows that your child might make in his sleep, reducing the chances of injury.
3. Breathability of the cover
We all know that our kids aren’t going to stay asleep in the right position in bed all night. They’re likely to toss and turn in their sleep.
This sometimes leads to them to have their faces planted directly into the cover which can potentially cause them to suffocate.
Mind you, the chances are much lower than that of SIDS, but it’s still a possibility if the fabric isn’t breathable.
You don’t want the space to be hollow, but you do want it to be some kind of breathable mesh fabric that won’t tear too easily. One that’ll allow air to circulate so that if they do end up pressed against it, they don’t get too sweaty and hot from the air being blown back in their face.
4. Cleanliness
Not everything is about child safety though, sometimes it’s about hygiene.
While yes, hygiene plays a big part in the overall health of a child, it’s biggest role is that you don’t want to live in a pigsty.
That’s why it’s important that the railing material is easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth and that the covers are machine washable.
So, when you’re out and about shopping for the best toddler bed rails, make sure the label on the cover confirms that you can wash it alongside the rest of your laundry to make it easier on you.
5. Durability
The durability aspect is somewhat connected to the cleanliness in the sense that the heavier parts are usually more durable, but are also easier to clean.
While they might pose a higher risk of injuring the child, they do last longer. However, if you’re looking for lightweight and durable, but not fond of the idea of foam bed bumpers, consider going for plastic rails instead.
6. Ease of installation
And finally, one of the minor (yet still important) factors is how easy the rail is to install and how many parts it has.
The easier it is, the better it is obviously. The same is also valid for how well written the instructions are – that’s if there are any instructions at all.
Nobody’s going to bother with some nonsense that takes 200+ steps to complete and has over 100 moving parts.
Not to mention that these parts would likely be small and might pose a choking hazard for your baby should one of them come loose and he finds them on the floor.
This was also partly why I opted for the foam bed bumpers. They require only seconds to “install” and don’t pose much of a safety hazard for the child, plus they’re compatible with almost all beds.
Meanwhile, some of the other types of bed rails are only compatible with certain bed sizes, so do keep that in mind and always consult the instruction manual and the retailer selling you the product in the first place about compatibility.
In Conclusion
The best toddler bed rails are ones that have parts that aren’t felt under the mattress, thus keeping the quality of your little one’s sleep undisturbed.
They’re also meant to be both sturdy and easy to assemble so you don’t have to struggle with dismantling or ruining the entire bed just to fit a rail that you’re likely to remove in a few short years.
Not to mention that everything should be made out of non-toxic toddler-safe materials, and, if possible, as rounded off as they can to minimize the risk of injury.
But of course, it all really boils down to personal preference and your budget. It’s not completely necessary to have a rail that can do all these things if you can’t afford it.
You’ll just have to be a bit more careful on your end then or get some DIY construction done to secure your child’s open bedside.
Some pillows alongside a cheaper rail might do the trick and they’ll help it look a bit less unsightly if you choose the right ones.
Whatever your choice ends up being, know that it’s an alright one if your child is safe and sound in his bed, can easily get in and out of it, and sleeps comfortably, knowing he won’t be falling out anytime soon.
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