Waterproof backing
A thin fabric rail cover may protect your baby, but not your crib. Drool-soaked rail covers can damage your crib finish if they’re not removed promptly. Rail covers with waterproof backings can keep saliva from soaking through and damaging the wood.
Padding
A padded rail cover can serve many purposes. First, it can prevent sharp baby teeth from leaving marks in the rail. If it’s soft enough, it can actually discourage your baby from teething on the rail, because it’s too soft to give her the pressure she’s looking for. And it can prevent bumps and scrapes if baby takes a tumble into the rail.
Extras
Well-appointed crib rail covers may also have:
Pockets for storing crib necessities like pacifiers or comfort objects.
Quick-drying mesh to prevent bacteria growth.
Flexible attachment options for attaching to cribs with different styles of rails.
