drop sided cribs

JJ1973

Hi,

We received a hand-me-down from a close friend. It is a rather expensive drop sided crib with no plastic hardware...seems to be very solid/good construction, including the drop-side (one has to really work and multi-task to drop the side down, and we'd probably never really use the drop-down side, anyway). It has never been recalled (and is about 3-4 years old). After reading others' posts and seeing all the recalls on other drop sided cribs, I'm wondering if this was a bad decision to accept the crib? Earlier in my pregnancy (1st trimester), I had a big freak out about it...then I talked myself into not worrying so much (I mean, two children used the crib with no problems, and it comes from a person we trust and see on a daily basis...and it has never been recalled). Should I be worrying simply because it has a drop down side?

Ugh. This baby stuff is going to wear me out.

mexicolombiana

I don't know but if you see my post a few below yours, I'm having a similar issue with a crib with just a drop front gate.  I don't think I would comfortable with a drop side crib but that's just me. 

Maybe just do some more research about that particular crib?

sopranole

I wouldn't accept a hand me down crib period, but especially not a drop side. If I did have to have one for some reason, I would secure the drop side so it couldn't be used. We used zip ties on DS's crib music player so he couldn't take it down and use as a step stool to catapult himself out of bed (for a 2nd time).

SunflowerMae

If it's sturdy and has never been recalled, I wouldn't be too worried.  From what I remember, drop side cribs had problems because the plastic brackets would break, allowing the drop side to be pushed off it's track... resulting with a gap between the mattress and the crib where the baby could wedge itself.

If you have metal parts, I wouldn't be worried about that happening.

Dobie_Mama

If it's sturdy, in good shape, and never been recalled, I wouldn't worry about it.  As with anything, some are well made and some are horribly made.

spfclr

I am in the same situation and we decided to keep the crib and not worry about - it doesn't make economical or environmental sense to throw away every well built,  unrecalled drop side crib IMO.  We did get the set-up directions so we were sure there were no parts missing.  Since we do not plan to use the drop side feature anyway we are thinking of securing the side so it cannot be dropped down.

I say keep it, but consider securing it on your own.

kibbyy75

We have a drop sided crib and there have been no issues at all  - we've had it for almost 2 years.  It's a Babi Italia.

mimzy!

ksvend:

I am in the same situation and we decided to keep the crib and not worry about - it doesn't make economical or environmental sense to throw away every well built,  unrecalled drop side crib IMO.  We did get the set-up directions so we were sure there were no parts missing.  Since we do not plan to use the drop side feature anyway we are thinking of securing the side so it cannot be dropped down.

I say keep it, but consider securing it on your own.

Same situation here.  We received a drop side sleigh crib & matching changing dresser from DH's friend.  It's 4 years old and seems well structured.  I don't know the model information so I have been trying to do some research on it as well.  It has metal brackets, no plastic and is hard to drop down for me (I need some practice).  DH is a carpenter so I'm sure he can set something up to prevent it from using the drop side if needed.

happy-honey

We have a very nice drop side crib from when DD was born.  I have no worries about using it again.  It was a great crib.  I think a lot of the drop sides that created the concerns were cheap and not well constructed.