Best Bed Rails for Kids
When your baby outgrows their crib (or more likely learns how to crawl out of it), it is time to think about upgrading their sleep experience. Some people choose to upgrade to a toddler bed that uses the same size mattress as a crib and generally sits low to the ground.
But many other parents opt for a twin-size bed that can help transition a child into their teen years while they are still living at home. The issue with a twin bed, and in some cases even a toddler bed, is their height from the floor.
Toddlers and young children have little self-awareness of their bodies and the sides of a bed, and often roll a part or all of their body from side to side through the night. This raises concerns surrounding them taking a tumble, which is easily remedied with a dependable bed rail to help keep them secure for your peace of mind.
Bed rails are the ideal way for your children to feel safe at night while also keeping them protected from falling off or hurting themselves. There are various options you can install into or on your child’s bed to keep them comfortable and protected. Some children need nets around their beds, while others can use bumpers for a more realistic but protected sleep experience in their own bed. With this buying guide, you’ll get all the tips and guidelines you need to purchase the right bed rail for kids. We’ve also provided some best-selling options to take a look at below.
7. Milliard Bed Bumper
Table Of Contents
- Best Bed Rails for Kids
- 1. Regalo Swing Down Bed Rail Guard
- 2. Summer Infant Double Safety Bedrail
- 3. Hiccapop Foam Bed Bumpers for Toddlers
- 4. Shrunks Inflatable Kid Bed Rails
- 5. Dream on Me Mesh Security Rail
- 6. ComfyBumpy Bed Rails for Toddlers
- 7. Milliard Bed Bumper
- Why Use a Toddler Bed Rail?
- Types of Bed Rails and Bumpers
- Bed Size and Safety Consideration
- <strong>Materials</strong>
- <strong>Conclusion</strong>
Best Bed Rails for Kids
1. Regalo Swing Down Bed Rail Guard – Editor's Choice
Pros
- Swing-down feature
- Anchoring strap
- Certified ATS & JPMA
- Mesh cover is machine washable
- Tool-free assembly
Cons
- Flimsy fabric material
Best Overall Bed Rail
The Regalo Bed Rail Guard is 43 inches in length and 20 inches in height to help protect and keep your child comfortable. It has a swing-down feature which makes the guard rail pivot up and down.
Pivoting down will make it easier for children to get in and out of bed. It doesn’t get in the way either when you have to change the sheets.
While the guardrail is standing up, it is anchored up with the anchoring strap that ensures it doesn’t move or fall throughout the night.
The rail can be used on a twin or queen-sized box spring beds only. It is possible to install this rail on a bed that is not box-spring, but it won’t pivot up and down if you do so.
It’s certified by American Testing Society and Juvenile Product Manufactures Association. The nylon mesh fabric cover is removable and machine washable. It’s soft enough to not disturb your child while they are sleeping. There are no tools required for assembly with this rail.
Who Should Buy This?
This is a great long-term solution for any child who is transitioning from a crib to their own bed with no protection. It will keep them from falling off of the bed but still provide a sense of independence inside of their own space.
2. Summer Infant Double Safety Bedrail
Pros
- Double sided railing
- One side of rail will fold down
- ASTM certified
Cons
- Hard and time-consuming to assemble
Best Double Bed Rail
This bed rail from Summer Infant has two rails each side, so your child is protected from both sides.
Each panel is 42.5 inches in length and 21 inches in height. It can accommodate a mattress with a maximum width of 21 inches. The guard rail can be placed on twin to queen-sized mattresses, and on platform beds.
This bed rail can also be folded down to make way for your child when they get in or out of bed. One side of the rail will fold, so keep in mind which side it is to keep that facing the door or away from the wall.
This folding side can make changing the bedsheets easier for parents. For proper use, place this rail on either a box spring or platform bed.
The bed rail meets ASTM standards and is certified as a quality child’s product. The frame material is metal while the rest of the guard is polyester.
Who Should Buy This?
If your child’s bed doesn’t lean against a wall, then it is better to have this double guard rail around their bed for maximum protection. It ensures that they feel safe and cannot fall off of either end of the bed at night.
3. Hiccapop Foam Bed Bumpers for Toddlers
Pros
- ‘Passive-safety’ protection
- Washable cover & non-skid fabric
- Can be used with bed of any size
- Can be used for all ages
- Exceeds federal regulation standards
- Waterproof
Cons
- Some consumers find it’s not tall enough
Best Bumpers
The Hiccapop Foam Bed Bumpers are a different way to keep your children safe at night. Rather than having rails all around your child’s bed, they provide subtle protection from underneath the bed sheets that help your child better adjust to regular beds.
The bumpers have ‘passive-safety’ protection. When your child rolls over to the bumper, it gives them a gentle nudge alerting them soundlessly that they are too close to the edge while not waking them up.
The washable cover is made with silicone beaded non-fabric to make sure the bumpers stay in place. The fabric flap is spread out underneath the sheets and your child will keep it weighed down at night.
This bumper can be used on a bed of any size (twin, double, queen, and king) and is perfect for any purpose. Seniors, adults, children, and toddlers can all use the bumpers at night. It’s also waterproof, in case of any accidents at night.
These bumpers use CertiPUR-US foam manufactured without any flame retardants, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates regulated by the CPSC, CFCs. They are performance, durability, and emission tested.
Who Should Buy This?
Some people don’t want their children to be accustomed to having a caged bed all their childhood. In this case, the bumper is the ideal choice for you. It doesn’t cage your children into their beds but still protects them from moving around too much.
4. Shrunks Inflatable Kid Bed Rails
Pros
- Portable inflatable bumper
- Included travel bag & foot pump
- Lifetime warranty
- 30-day return policy
- Winner of Family Choice Award
Cons
- Product may deflate after time
Best Portable Bed Rails
These inflatable bed rails are similar to foam bumpers, with the obvious exception of being inflatable. Taking 30 seconds to inflate, this is an easy and portable option for your child’s safety.
The railing measures 48 inches; 7 inches in width and 4 inches in height. You can use it on any type of bed, from toddler to adult-sized beds.
A foot pump and travel bag come with this purchase so you’re ready to travel with this bumper anytime you need to.
This bumper works the same way as the Hiccapop bumper. Once your child touches it, they are subconsciously reminded that they are too close to the end and roll back into place.
This product is backed with a lifetime warranty if there are any defects in manufacturing. If you are not satisfied with the product within 30 days you can return it for a full refund with no cost on shipping.
Who Should Buy This?
If you travel often with your children, then this bumper is a great portable protection piece for your child’s sleep. It inflates within 30 seconds, comes with its own travel bag and foot pump, and can be used on any type of bed.
5. Dream on Me Mesh Security Rail
Pros
- Soft mesh fabric
- 3D linen-nylon fabric and smooth edges
- Anchoring straps and stabilizer bar
- Comes in seven colors
- No assembly required
Cons
- Mesh can be flimsy for reckless sleepers
Best Lightweight Bed Rail
The Dream on Me bed rail is as lightweight as the classic railing style gets. The majority of the rail is made out of mesh so your child can comfortably relax against the rail in case they roll to the side.
The frame is covered with 3D linen-nylon fabric and has safe smooth edges to prevent injury. The entire piece is locked securely in place with the reinforced anchoring strap system and stabilizer bar.
There’s no assembly required upon purchase; you can install it as soon as you get it.
This railing can only be used on twin-sized beds. It measures 33.5 inches by 15 inches. It’s a half-sized security rail so your child isn’t caged into their bed when they wake up.
It’s long enough to protect them from falling over, and it’s short enough to reach over when getting in or out of bed.
It comes in 7 different colors; grey, pink, blue, purple, blush pink, navy, and white. To clean this piece, simply wipe it over with a damp cloth.
Who Should Buy This?
If you’re in search of a lightweight rail you can easily go over after putting your child to sleep, this is the right option. It’s short enough so you won’t have to push it down or remove and replace it whenever your child needs to get into bed.
6. ComfyBumpy Bed Rails for Toddlers
Pros
- Comes in extra-long and regular sizes
- Fold down mechanism
- Fits on all bed sizes
- Secures to all bed frame types
- No questions asked full refund return
Cons
- Hard to fit over a king-sized bed
Most Versatile
The ComfyBumpy considers all types of bed frames when using its security measures. On slat and spring beds you can use Velcro, straps are used for box spring frames, and wood bases can use screws to secure the rail.
You can also use it on toddler, twin, queen, and king-sized beds.
This rail can also flip down when your child needs to get into bed or the sheets have to be changed. Simply pull the latch to release and swing down the railing. The bars underneath the mattress are flat-iron, so they won’t create lumps that discomfort your child.
The ComfyBumpy comes in an extra-long and regular size for parents who want extra protection all around their child’s bed.
The extra-long rail measures 59 by 19.5 inches while the regular size measures 35.5 by 19 inches. It comes in two colors; white and grey.
It’s easy to install and remove once your child does not require rails anymore. A majority of the railing is mesh so it’s breathable in case your child rolls beside the railing.
If you are still not satisfied with the rail, you can return the product for a full refund with no questions asked upon return.
Who Should Buy This?
If you’re not sure what you specifically need from your railing, then this versatile option is ideal. It fits on all bed sizes, can be secured to all frame types, and is extremely easy to use once installed. It’ll keep your child safe and you free of confusion.
7. Milliard Bed Bumper
Pros
- Hypoallergenic cover
- Waterproof, natural, and washable cover
- Lightweight and easy to travel with
- ASTM certified
- Fits on all bed sizes
- Non-slip bottom
Cons
- Bumper is too large for cribs and toddler beds
Why Use a Toddler Bed Rail?
The main reason to use a toddler bed rail or bumper rail is peace of mind. Your toddler is likely not impressed with staying in a crib anymore, but might not have the control and body awareness to keep themselves on a mattress without a little help. No parent wants to hear the thump of a child falling out of bed, and so a rail is a great way to help keep that from occurring.
If your little one falls out of bed, not only can they hurt themselves, but the experience could set them back in their transition from crib to bed. You may find them wanting to crawl into bed with you, or refusing to sleep in their bed altogether.
The entire transition to a big bed is so much easier to make as well with the physical barrier between them and the floor. Now they can toss and turn without worry and have a similar feel to the crib they have grown used to. It also may serve as a good distraction to little nocturnal wanderers if they feel contained.
Types of Bed Rails and Bumpers
There are quite a few types of rails and bumpers you can consider. Take a look at the various styles to determine which is best for your child.
• Fixed Rail
A fixed rail is secured under the mattress and stays in place. It generally has some space at the head and foot for your child to get in and out of bed.
• Adjustable and Convertible
These types of rails can often be adjusted to length, height, or both to fit the size of the bed and the needs of your child.
• Fold-Down
These rails either swing or slide down to provide easy access to your child, or allow easy in and out of bed when needed. They lock into place to avoid any worries about them coming loose at night.
• Extra Large
Large rails are good for the added length you may need to twin size or larger beds if your child is co-sleeping, or a toddler bed rail simply isn’t cutting it.
• Bumper
Made from foam or adjustable, inflatable materials, a bumper style rail fits under the sheet and provides a soft barrier for your child to lean up against. They also are often very portable and can be easily taken along on your travels.
Bed Size and Safety Consideration
Not all beds or mattresses are made to the same specifications. Even though mattresses are pretty standard overall about length and width, their heights can be drastically different and change the fit of your rail if you do not take careful measurements before buying.
For rails that are designed to slide under and be held by the mattress, you also want to make sure the mattress is heavy enough to do its job.
Bed frames in particular can also cause issues if you are unsure of the base, or what sort of hardware exists. Many rails are designed to attach directly to the bed itself and you need to be sure of the foundation for safety reasons. Sunken beds, in particular, could be an issue.
Materials
Bed rails can come in different materials, the most popular being metal, plastic and wood. Metal and plastic are the sturdier options that you can place on a child’s bed. Metal is stronger than plastic, but there is a greater chance of your child hurting themselves when they roll into the rail. Plastic is a better, friendlier option but it is weaker and may not withstand a child’s rowdy behavior.
A combination of the two is a better option. The frame can be metal while the rest is covered in plastic. Some rails even come with nets. Wooden railings usually fit in nursery furniture. This kind of railing will either come with the bed itself or it’s made to install specifically for wooden bed frames. Another type of railing for the bed are bumpers, which are more commonly made out of soft foam.
Conclusion
Bed rails are a great temporary solution to keep your children safe until they’re comfortable enough to sleep without them. The right guardrail can last you a lifetime and make your child’s sleep more sound. You can rest assured your kids are safe in their bed and won’t tumble or roll off.