Would you use a hand me down drop-side crib?

lilyaster

My mom has a great condition white drop-side crib that she is going to get rid of.  My kids have slept in it at her house and it's fine.  She offered it to me but I had been eyeing a $150 white jenny lind crib with no drop side.  The frugal me wants to take her up on her offer, but the picky me wants the jenny lind one that's technically safer.  What should I do?  I could also compromise with myself by taking the mattress.  I know this is silly, but thanks for your opinions.

hsm

I would not use the drop-side crib. I would at all costs use the safer, newer crib.

missusbee

We are, but it already has the conversion kit that was mandatory with the recalls. When all those drop side cribs were recalled, the manufacturers were made to supply conversion kits that made the cribs into fixed-sides. So we have that on ours and I'm not worried.

snickersforeveryone

I completely understand your frugal nature wanting to take the crib!  We'll be using as many hand-me-downs as possible.  This is one item, however, that we will be purchasing new.  I'm a worrier, and while I know that many, many children have slept safely in a drop-side crib, I know I'll be thinking, "it could happen.  All it takes is one night, one moment, for tragedy to strike."  I can't handle that going on in my mind every time I put baby down to nap. 

thethomps

I would spend the $150 for a new crib.  If the drop-side has not been modified with a kit, it's too risky, IMO.

mandalinn25

We are, but we have the conversion kit for it to make it stationary. We are using it for at my moms house only. 

missusbee

Does anyone know if those conversion kits are still available? That could be an easy solution for you. Even if you have to buy one, surely it will be a ton cheaper than $150 bucks.

JennJenn613

We used one with a conversion kit. I just went to the manufacturer's web site (Delta) and they had a place to order the kit from. IIRC it was free, and very simple to install. If you can't find info online try calling the manufacturer.

one more makes four

Hmmmm . . .

I would use your mom's crib.  I realize I'm likely the lone dissenter on this one, but if you are able to find the conversion kit I see no reason to buy a new crib.

I will also admit that when I was pregnant with my first my dh and I didn't have much money.  My mother found a crib and changing table at a yard sale, called me, and I went and bought it.  It wasn't the style or color I prefered, but it was $150 for both - FAR cheaper than buying two new pieces of furniture.  The crib is a drop-side crib and I've never bought a conversion kit for it.

So far my crib has been used by my three kids and however many kids the original owners had, and it will also be used by this new baby.  I've never really given much thought to the dangers of the drop-side, mainly because news of such dangers didn't emerge until more recently.  If I'm able to find a conversion kit for it I will definitely but one, but if I don't I will use the crib regardless.

But it really boils down to what you, OP, are comfortable with.  If you feel better knowing your baby's crib is new and follows current safety standards, then you should get a new one. (And if you found one new for only $150 - WOW! - buy it!!!)

brittk0486

Well, I would use the one from your mom, but you need to do what you're comfortable with.

We have a beautiful drop side crib that we got for DS. We had no issues with it and will be using it again for this LO.

caralck

If one of my cousins gave me their drop side, I would get the conversion kit and use it no question!  However, my entire family is OCD about safety and got rid of their drop side cribs and don't want to be responsible for giving me a crib that may injure my child.  I don't know if they were aware of the conversion kits.  We got the crib we're going to use from Ikea for $119.  So between the crib, mattress, sheets, mattress protector, mattress pad (for later), teething rails, I think we spent $250.  We didn't see the point in getting something fancy and expensive when it's only going to be used to sleep in.  Then again, we're frugal people and don't even have fancy furniture for our room either.  Instead spending the money on the cloth diaper stash.  Lol!

DRockH

I would not, unless I could get the conversion kit, but unless you are really tight, I would just buy the crib you want.

yogi1012

Do you know what brand it is? I worked in the baby industry for almost an entire decade  in a high end baby boutique store and can tell you that the drop side issue was a problem of cribs that were being manufactured with cheap parts made in countries that do not value inspections by U.S. companies that were trying to sell cribs at a low price point. I would see if the conversion kit is still available and go that route. Not to offend anyone and their crib purchases, but that Jenny Lind crib for $150 probably isn't made of the best materials and is being manufactured in a country that doesn't have tight regulations. The drop sides that produced the biggest problems were the ones that had the plastic drop parts, because the plastic would wear down over time, causing the drop side to be able to drop too easily. The owner of the store I worked at wouldn't even carry them, way before there was even a known problem.

Everything is about your comfort level. If someone were to offer us a crib, and I knew who it was coming from, I would take it. Unfortunately, we are not lucky enough to be in that situation.

jellyjellybean

We used my cousin's dropside for DS and will be using it again for this one however I may go online and search for the conversion kit since we never actually used it as a drop side.

newmommytobe79

I wouldn't risk it - I'd go with the safer one.

one more makes four

yogi1012:

Do you know what brand it is? I worked in the baby industry for almost an entire decade  in a high end baby boutique store and can tell you that the drop side issue was a problem of cribs that were being manufactured with cheap parts made in countries that do not value inspections by U.S. companies that were trying to sell cribs at a low price point. I would see if the conversion kit is still available and go that route. Not to offend anyone and their crib purchases, but that Jenny Lind crib for $150 probably isn't made of the best materials and is being manufactured in a country that doesn't have tight regulations. The drop sides that produced the biggest problems were the ones that had the plastic drop parts, because the plastic would wear down over time, causing the drop side to be able to drop too easily. The owner of the store I worked at wouldn't even carry them, way before there was even a known problem.

Everything is about your comfort level. If someone were to offer us a crib, and I knew who it was coming from, I would take it. Unfortunately, we are not lucky enough to be in that situation.

This is very interesting!  Thanks so much for sharing - it makes me feel a bit better about using an older crib because it has metal parts, not plastic.  Thanks again!

CopsGirl11103

Yep! We are! But we contacted the company that made it and they are sending a conversion kit for free! Yee haw!!