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2nd Trimester
Am I horrible to use hand-me-down crib?
My sister is offering a crib (likely 7-10 years old) to us for our first. It has drop down sides (as most did then). Am I horrible to use it? I'm trying to convince my husband that since many new cribs are convertible to full size beds, buying a new crib won't be a totally needless expense. What are your thoughts?
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Re: Am I horrible to use hand-me-down crib?
If the crib is in good condition and you know it's been properly assembled/disassembled and stored, then it's not horrible. The drop sides can be immobilized by nifty placement of two screws, so that's not a big deal.
But it sounds like you don't want it, which is a bigger deal.
If the crib isn't in good condition or you can't verify that it was stored correctly and assembled correctly (number of times it's been assembled matter too, as too much can strip screws/wood/etc), then I'd skip it.
Gabriel Ross - August 24, 2009 * Vivienne Rose - May 1, 2012
My Blog
I think cribs and car seats are the two things to buy new. I'm a FTM so I'm just going by what I've researched so far, and everything says to buy these two things new. Save money on everything else, hand me down swings, bouncers, clothes etc.
The new standards are alot higher for new cribs, and even with the immobilizer for the drop side it would not meet them.
You are not horrible, just practical and smart to want to use the crib. But this is one of the times where I don't think it is worth it.
Me: 38 DH:36
I would not use a drop side crib. I also won't use bumpers. My mom thinks I am crazy, but I'm too paranoid and I would never forgive myself if something bad happened.
I am hoping that LO#1 will be ready to transition to a toddler bed by the time LO#2 is done with the bassinet. I really don't want to have to buy a second crib for a couple of months use. My mother has a drop side that we could use, but I won't risk it.
I agree with this. Just because many people have used a drop-side with no issues, doesn't mean it can't happen. Why risk it? Just because your first baby was ok in it (or a friends baby, or relatives baby) doesn't mean something horrible can't/won't happen to your LO. I definitely think carseats and cribs should be purchased new (unless you are reusing it yourself from a previous recent baby). DD is now in a toddler bed (the crib she had converted to a toddler bed) and we are in the process of deciding whether to buy a new crib for this LO or buy a twin bed for DD and reuse our crib for this baby.
I just don't think it's worth the chance, IMHO.
This is how I feel, too.
I'll add that If the crib were only a couple of years old, say her child just grew out of it and is in a bed now - then maybe. But 10 years is too old, IMO.
We bought our crib off craig's list (last year for lo) and I actually LIKE that it has a drop down side...since I'm short I can't reach in there...especially now that I'm pregnant.
Plus this one convers to a toddler and daybed and has a drawer under. I'd say you can always take it and save up for a nice toddler/older kid bed.
My first lo I used a crib that was my little sister's (she was 6 at the time), then my sister used it and my cousin. I think it depends how used it is (my first son hardly slept in it since I was a single mom).
It's a GIRL!
I am kind of in the same dilemma. My MIL wants me to use a crib that has been in the storage shed for 20 years that is over 35 years old. I am concerned about how safe it is being that old. I don't have an issue with a drop down side crib it's just the age I am concerned with. She says that a can of soda cannot fit through rungs though but still, it has been sitting in a storage shed which I am sure has mice living in it since they live in the country.
I'd skip anything that wasn't climate controlled. Extreme heat and cold (as would be found in storage sheds) can weaken and warp wood and render it more unstable, but not necessarily visibly unstable.
Gabriel Ross - August 24, 2009 * Vivienne Rose - May 1, 2012
My Blog
I would use it. Any time this LO is with my mom she will be in my old crib
I got hand me down car seats... As long as you know where it came from I would be fine with it.
Like PP said. If you feel better about the drop sides, just secure them.
It's totally OK to use a hand-me-down crib!
However, I'm not comfortable with the drop-side cribs. There are ways around this. 1) A handy person can screw the sides in place 2) You can contact the manufacturer for a conversion kit - most of them have them and will send one to you even if you weren't the original owner.
We used a drop down crib for DS #1 that is 13 years old. It worked just fine.
Make sure that that particular model hasn't been recalled. As long as you properly assemble it and periodically check to be sure that nothing has loosened up, you will be fine.
We also used a bassinet that was made for me. I'm 35 years old. The bassinet worked just fine too.
I used a hand me down crib for DS.. and will be using it for DD as well..
like you said cribs are expensive.. and if you can save the money why not..
As long as it's safe thats all that matters
Do you mean to check and make sure the model wasn't recalled BEFORE the ban? Manufacturers will not continue to test and recall these products, because people are not suppossed to be using them.
It is actually illegal to sell these now, even in private party sales.
We have a HMD crib with drop-down sides. Love it. It was made 15yrs ago & is extremely sturdy. DS kicks it, shakes it, plays peek-a-boo by "hanging" on it & then pulling himself up. It's never budged. We're not ready to move him into a bed yet so my other SIL gave us her old crib (also a 15y/o drop down; both SIL's had their kids at the same time) & we're going to put that in DS' new room & keep the other in the nursery for #2.
Try putting the crib together, check to make sure it's in good shape by shaking it, lean on the drop-down rail, etc (you'd be surprised how much force DS puts on that, he's moved the crib!). See if there's movement or any possible dangers. If you feel safe with it, use it.
Had you tried the mesh bumpers? We never used the ones that came with his bed set but love the mesh ones. My MIL bought some for her house too. She had a portable crib & while napping one day DS got his leg stuck & screamed bloody murder (not exaggerating). DH & I bolted up the stairs, got his leg back in the crib & the next day she bought the mesh bumpers. He can breath through them if he ever pushes up against them (never has but ease of mind knowing he can breathe if he does that) & they collapse if he ever tries to stand on them which helps keep him from climbing out of the crib!
Not horrible.... I am using the same crib that I slept in as a baby. It was sweet for my mom to offer it and it has a sentimental value. It too is drop side, but you dont have to use the drop sides. I will just lower the mattress as necessary rather than using the sides.