Ancient Crib

MichelleWest85

My grandmother lives next door (yikes) and has always been very involved in our marriage (and everyone else's business).  I tolerate her crazy antics and tell myself that I need to appreciate her because she is the only grandparent I have left.

She asked me yesterday what we are planning to do for a crib.  We live in a two story house and we are redoing a bedroom upstairs and the one bedroom on the main floor, both for "baby rooms".

I told her that either DH and my dad would build one for upstairs or we would purchase one and then are planning on using a bassinet downstairs.

That was unacceptable.  Ahh!  She has TWO cribs (why??) in her attic.  She wants me to come look at them.  "But you love antiques!"  Uh, yeah... But not for LO to sleep in!!!  One of them was my aunt/dad's (circa 1955!) and the other one is...older.  

Hard telling what shape they are in, she says they are beautiful (I am sure they are...) but how do I tell her there is NO WAY we will be using them??  I can't imagine that they are even close to baby safety standards these days.  

Am I being a brat?  What on earth do I tell her?

rp-chicago-mom

If they are drop side cribs, it is technically illegal to sell, donate or give them away. So no, you aren't being a brat. I would just say, "You know Grandma, safety standards have changed a lot and I know they're probably silly but I'm a nervous first time mom and I just want a new one." If you say you're the nervous one and admit that it's silly (even though it's not), her feelings may still get hurt but at least she'll possibly get that new mother thing. I'm going through the same thing.

My MIL has an ancient wooden high chair WITH NO STRAPS! that she intends to use with our child. It's at least as old as she is because she sat in it. No way. Absolutely not. H played the nervous mom card. She thinks I'm nuts. She also thinks I'm nuts for not drinking though, but at least she knows.

willowprincess

I would look at them. You might be surprised. We have an old crib that someone gave to us and it's wonderful. Also if you at least look at them you can tell her that they're nice, but you'd rather get a new one.

(and pp I don't think we've ever used the straps in our highchair and have used plenty without, it's not really the worst thing) 

Tash13

willowprincess:

I would look at them. You might be surprised. We have an old crib that someone gave to us and it's wonderful. Also if you at least look at them you can tell her that they're nice, but you'd rather get a new one.

(and pp I don't think we've ever used the straps in our highchair and have used plenty without, it's not really the worst thing) 

ITA.  I'd also measure them to see if a standard crib mattress will even fit given the age.  If you decide not to use them, it might be a good excuse.  Not sure if the safety regulations excuse will work if you're planning on having family make one anyway. 

Reilly626

Cribs you do have to watch. My parents use the highchair I was in as a baby from the 70's and it's better than the ones made today. I wish they kept the old playpen!

k.martell

DD is the 3rd generation in a family bassinet.  She slept in it for 3-4 months and it's in excellent shape.  LO #2 will be sleeping in it also.

I'd check it out, you may be surprised.

 

rp-chicago-mom

willowprincess:

I would look at them. You might be surprised. We have an old crib that someone gave to us and it's wonderful. Also if you at least look at them you can tell her that they're nice, but you'd rather get a new one.

(and pp I don't think we've ever used the straps in our highchair and have used plenty without, it's not really the worst thing) 

I don't think that's such a big deal if there's something between the legs. My parents have a high chair they bought at a garage sale they used for my niece and nephews. It has no straps but the child is not going to slip out the bottom either. This is literally a chair with a tray over it that doesn't stay in place. My BIL calls it the chair of death.

rainyday31

I would look at them. You can always have it checked out to see if there are any safety issues. If you don't like them then tell her that you and your husband were really looking forward to picking something out together, or find another excuse.

gidge

Haha.  My mom and dad just told me they have my crib still (I might actually think they're hoarders more than I already did).  My mom is convinced that there has to be a safety converter kit or something out there because there are probably lots of people with a situation like that.

I'm hoping we can arrange for the crib to be used only when we go visit....

pixieprincss

Why not get out the safety standards and check it over with her? If it fits them,continue the conversation. If it doesn't, you have an easy out. Old furniture is often made of solid wood versus new stuff which likely contains pressboard parts bonded with formaldehyde-leeching glues and will off-gas in your house, are cheaply made, etc. Is there any chance that these old cribs might be amazing?

Here are the used crib guidelines that we used:

• A firm, tight-fitting mattress so a baby cannot get trapped between the mattress and the crib (standard crib mattresses are around: 51 5/8 inches in length and 27 ? inches wide with depth no greater than 6?--can range between 4 and 6 inches for foam mattresses or can range between 5 and 6 inches for coil mattresses)

 

• No missing, loose, broken or improperly installed screws, brackets or other hardware on the crib or mattress support.

 

• No more than 2 3/8 inches (about the width of a soda can) between crib slats so a baby's body cannot fit through the slats; no missing or cracked slats.

 

• No corner posts over 1/16th inch high so a baby's clothing cannot catch.

 

• No cutouts in the headboard or foot board so a baby's head or limbs cannot get trapped

 

• Non-lead paint and all paint/finish in good condition

pinkpepsi

I would look at them first and then make your decision. You just never know. And if you were going to have a family member make one anyway's maybe they could bring these to standard? Or incorporate them in the one you are building?

 

MichelleWest85

pinkpepsi:

I would look at them first and then make your decision. You just never know. And if you were going to have a family member make one anyway's maybe they could bring these to standard? Or incorporate them in the one you are building?

 

That is a good idea! I hadn't thought of that. 

MichelleWest85

Tash13:

willowprincess:

I would look at them. You might be surprised. We have an old crib that someone gave to us and it's wonderful. Also if you at least look at them you can tell her that they're nice, but you'd rather get a new one.

(and pp I don't think we've ever used the straps in our highchair and have used plenty without, it's not really the worst thing) 

ITA.  I'd also measure them to see if a standard crib mattress will even fit given the age.  If you decide not to use them, it might be a good excuse.  

Not sure if the safety regulations excuse will work if you're planning on having family make one anyway. 

My father makes furniture as his profession so yes, safety regulations would still matter...  

bellag8212

I would go look.. We're planning on using the bassinet that my sister, brother and I used when we were little, but we're also going to buy new for the baby room.

MrsT0522

I would look at them, cribs and most other things built back then are VERY good quality. Solid wood, etc. I don't know if they had drop sides back then, I wouldn't think so.

Maybe she has an antique cradle that would be GORGEOUS in a nursery. Be open minded about it, and do research of course. Make sure you inspect the slats, mattress supports, screws, etc.