New or used crib?

KylieGivens · August 2014

We are prego with our first. My aunt is offering us her crib. It's nothing fancy and meets the safety requirements. I'm seriously considering her offer to save a few hundred dollars but yet I feel guilty and cheap for not buying a new one for our baby. Please give me your advice. We don't know the sex and I already have a beautiful gender neutral pattern picked out on etsy.

osumegs · August 2014

If it meets the safety requirements and is something you like, I say go for it. You can always spend some of that money that you would save on extra nursery decorations (and still pocket the difference). You shouldn't feel at all guilty or cheap for taking it, but at the same time don't take it just because you feel obligated.

elephantsonpatrol · August 2014

If the crib is safe, don't feel guilty at all. But its a big if. A lot of older cribs are drop side or otherwise unsafe.

krispy83 · August 2014

If it meets the safety standards and you like it, go for it! My best friend gave us her DD's crib for DS, and it's what we'll use for this baby too. It saved us money, and like pp said, the baby won't know/care.

amt0312 · August 2014

Its.....a crib......and I mean this sincerely and not in a snarky way. Like others have said, your baby simply will never know nor will he/she ever in a million years give a damn.

This post reminds me of the post the other day where everyone was talking about how they wanted everything brand new for their baby. Talk about throwing money right out the window. Save the money and buy yourself something nice...or put the money towards something you actually need and can't get used from someone.

I am a hand-me-down queen, though, and my DD is the happiest kid I know. It's incredible how she can thrive with all this used stuff around her. She should be wallowing in self-pity I guess.

triplej9 · August 2014

I say go for it and don't feel bad! If it is up to safety standards and you know where it is coming from I think that is awesome for you (assuming you like the crib). You will definitely be able to use the money you save elsewhere!

jennjilljo · August 2014

If you like it, it's safe and you know it's been well taken care of them I say go for it. I wish someone was owing me a safe, free crib, lol. Your child will never know the difference and even if they learn it they won't care add long add you put their safety first.

Small note: if it's an older crib with a design painted on it you'll want to see if it's lead based paint. If it is you can take a stencil/picture of the painting to be recreated, get a good sealer to ensure the paint won't flake or just sand it off and strain the crib the color of your choice.

junebugjam · August 2014

jennwilhoite said:
Small note: if it's an older crib with a design painted on it you'll want to see if it's lead based paint. If it is you can take a stencil/picture of the painting to be recreated, get a good sealer to ensure the paint won't flake or just sand it off and strain the crib the color of your choice.

If the crib is old enough to have lead based paint, I'm willing to bet it doesn't meet safety standards anyway. But she said it does, so I can't imagine this being a concern.

jennjilljo · August 2014

junebugjam said:

jennwilhoite said:
Small note: if it's an older crib with a design painted on it you'll want to see if it's lead based paint. If it is you can take a stencil/picture of the painting to be recreated, get a good sealer to ensure the paint won't flake or just sand it off and strain the crib the color of your choice.
If the crib is old enough to have lead based paint, I'm willing to bet it doesn't meet safety standards anyway. But she said it does, so I can't imagine this being a concern.

Good point. I'm one of those people who over think things so I worry about safety concerns even if they probably won't apply. That's my own crazy pushing through.

mommy510 · August 2014

If you like it, you should take it. Cribs are expensive and by the time your LO is 2, they will probably be ready for a toddler bed.

kerrycharpe · August 2014

I would go for it. Baby won't care - DD never slept in hers!

hummingbird813 · August 2014

As long as it's safe go for it! My mil is trying to give me my dh old crib but it does not meet current standard requirements. We still may use the changing table and dresser tho. Go for it. I picked out bedding in pottery barn yesterday and can't show anyone yet bc we are waiting to tell them the sex today

lulu4087 · August 2014

I'm having crib concerns as well. DH's grandfather had his cousins old crib. Like 20 year old cousins crib. I'm worried that to won't meet standards and lead paint, blah, blah. DH wats to take it because it'll mean a lot to his grandfather. I'm really iffy on it. Luckily I brought it up to my mil and she said we can look at it and if we want a new one she would happily buy us one. Which is awfully nice. I'm all for hand me downs but for things like car seats and strollers with safety requirements, I'm having a hard time. DH thinks I'm nuts.

natsgirl12 · August 2014

lulu4087 said:
I'm having crib concerns as well. DH's grandfather had his cousins old crib. Like 20 year old cousins crib. I'm worried that to won't meet standards and lead paint, blah, blah. DH wats to take it because it'll mean a lot to his grandfather. I'm really iffy on it. Luckily I brought it up to my mil and she said we can look at it and if we want a new one she would happily buy us one. Which is awfully nice. I'm all for hand me downs but for things like car seats and strollers with safety requirements, I'm having a hard time. DH thinks I'm nuts.

Something from 20 yrs ago definitely doesn't meet current safety standards. You should pass on this crib.

ems0523 · August 2014

Do it!

KiaE3620 · August 2014

I say if it seems safe go for it. A friend of the family gave me and Bf a crib and while putting the crib together the crib kept shaking, didn't quite fit together properly, and screws didn't fit right, so of course baby won't be going in that. My bro wants to give us his 2 yr old daughter's crib since she no longer uses it. If that Doesn't work we will buy one. There is nothing wrong with saving money. You have forever to spend money on baby. Do what's best for baby and your pockets.

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