[alicenwonderland]

Since I found out I was pregnant, i've been looking into what kind of crib to buy. I went to BRU, and noticed there were NO cribs! (maybe a couple) I asked the sales associate about it, and she said that there had been a recall and they no longer manufacture drop side cribs.

Now I'm not a huge fan of the giant 5-way cribs. I like the old fashioned standard crib. Unfortunatley they do not make many of these right now. They are just starting to manufacture ones whose sides do not drop. I decided to buy outside of the big box stores because everything is made out of partical board and pine.

So i go to the expensive baby store. The cribs there are WONDERFUL and all made out of 100% hardwoods. They have the same problem as the other stores though. Not many standard cribs to choose from due to the recent recall. What they do have are rather expensive too.

Then my mom offers me her crib. I've heard the lectures about not using old cribs... but i'm starting to falter. This crib is a beautiful solid wood ChildCraft dropside crib. All the bearings are made of real metal... not plastic and tiny little screws. The slats are the proper width and it has a plastic teething rail. I'm torn! I really want to use this crib. What do you guys think? ChildCraft is a well known and expensive brand. One of their cribs now would run you well over 500. Obviously i'll be putting it together to make sure all the connections are still tight before i make my decision.

Over here in UK, it's not the use of a second hand cot that is advised against but the use of second hand matresses. If it was me, I'd use it as long as it goes together well, is sturdy, etc and I'd buy a new matress.

[alicenwonderland]

I put it together and it's gorgeous. It's obvious that it's of good quality. Some pieces are missing though, so i'm not sure how the drop sides work yet. (right now it's stuck with the sides down) I called my mom, and she still has them. Just have to pick them up. My mom got rid of the mattress long ago... i can't imagine it being very sanitary at this point.

While the crib is old, it's not ancient either. It was bought in 1980.

[bittersweet]

So I'm confused. I thought you wanted a standard crib with fixed sides? If you can't find a new standard crib b/c they all have been pulled d/t the dropside issue, why you want to use an old dropside crib?

If it were me, I wouldn't want a dropside at all..new or old.

I have a standard crib that has fixed sides and is solid wood. We love it and it was super simple to put together.


Here it is:
Baby Cribs: Baby Espresso Solid American Maple Crib

[midnight_starr]

I could have used a hand me down crib, but it was 14 years old and I was really leary about using such an old crib.. It also has the drop down sides... If it was me I would buy something new but of course that is just my opinion..

[JediRach]

I wouldn't use it, not because its old but because drop side cribs freak me out. There are so many accidents with them. If you are comfortable using it then by all means goes for it.

[alicenwonderland]

This is why i wanted everyone's opinions! I want to make sure i'm not being blinded by the pretty crib.

My qualm is that you can't find a good standard crib made out of good wood for under 500 dollars.

The reason i'm even considering it, is that i believe that the recalls are caused by companies that sell an inferior product. I feel that this crib is of good quality.

But yeah... definatley not sure about this one. I do have a local distributor close by, if i decide to shell out the big bucks.

[midnight_starr]

This is the crib we got JCPenney : Natural Finish "Olivia" Convertible Crib

Its very sturdy and made very well and we got it for $240. There are some cribs out there that won't break the bank that are actually great quality you just have to do lots of research to find them...

[alicenwonderland]

this is the crib i was originally thinking
Munire Furniture - Safeside Collection

no idea how much it costs though.

and actually it doesn't look too bad 330. We'll see

[midnight_starr]

Love that crib Alice!!

I'm going to go through my favorites and see if I saved any other cribs I liked.. I know there were a few I was choosing between that weren't overly expensive...

[ShannonMVT]

I wonder if the dropside would be safe if you didn't actually use the dropside part, kwim? My mom has an older crib at her house that Matthew uses when we visit, it is dropside, but I always just leave the rail up and lower him in.

I dunno I might worry too about using an older crib for everyday use unless you can be sure it hasn't ever been recalled. That Munire crib is pretty!

Here's the crib we got, we bought it in a store, i dont remember how much we paid. Angel Line Dela III Convertible Crib Dela III Convertible Crib

[IamMom]

I'm using a pretty old crib - its a drop side however DH bolted it in place because I didn't need the drop side and was freaked about it falling down without warning. It is fro 1997 so its pretty old, but it meets all the safety standards, slat wideth and all that.... it worked wonderfully with Harrison and so far no problems with Nora. Harrison was and so far Nora is not an adverturous sleeper - he didn't climb around or chew on it or try to get out or pick at things. I wasn't one to leave them in their though really. He was sleeping soundly by the time he was old enough to "explore" around the crib. Other than at night and naps on weekends he wasn't in it much (due to most naps at daycare)!

Good luck Alice!

[~*Bethy*~]

You can always turn the drop side twards the wall. I wouldnt have a problem using an old crib, just make sure baby cant get his/her legs or arms stuck between then bars and your good!

[ScottishBrit]

I had a Jardine until they recalled ALL of them. That was a BIG seller at BRU and thats another reason why they dont have much. Im having a hard time trying to find one I like to. I have this one for Cambria right now...

But In Black...
Da Vinci Kalani Convertible Crib - Espresso - Da Vinci - Babies "R" Us

I really like this one..and the dresser..
Cottage Crib with Toddler Rails - White : Target

Also this one....
JCPenney : Antique White Finish Renew Standard Crib

I paided SO much for Cambria's Crib and Dresser ( like $700 after taxes and all ) so I really dont want to Pay a ton after all I went through getting them recalled!

[**jessie**]

imo, I would rather have an older 100% hardwood crib, than a new particle board crib... especially with all the recalls out there on new cribs. The drop down side does give me hesitation though. Those are not even sold over here. But if you can bolt the drop down side in position like someone mentioned, then I don't see a problem. Would you have a problem finding other furniture pieces to match it though?

I was bound and determined to not spend much on a nursery set, but when I went looking I was pretty disappointed with the cheap sets. I kept going back to the 'expensive store' and finally found the nursery set I wanted- they were selling the showroom model for 70% off. Even then, we paid ALOT of money, but my dad kindly gifted it to us. We got 5 pieces of furniture, including the crib. I think it is worth it. All the other pieces besides the crib are not baby-ish at all and can basically be used in our house forever.

[alicenwonderland]

I don't plan on buying any other pieces of baby furniture I plan on just starting with a normal dresser. I may buy a changing table, but that woud be it. I already have a little organizer. The crib I have is a natural finish. Honestly i don't have anything that matches it. My mom gave me a bunch of cherry furniture. My house is not really set up for cherry furniture though lol. All my hardwoods are a very light colored natural shade. Not sure if i care that much about mathing.

I don't even know... at least i have plenty of time to plan.

[alicenwonderland]

Also of interest. I looked up the recalls. It appears that the recall was due to dropside cribs with plastic bearings. They would warp and break, causing the side to stand farther out from the crib, creating a crevice for the baby to suffocate in. Most companies just followed suit and got rid of the dropsides.

I also looked up my brand. The only recalls associated with them were due to loose slats one year.

My crib has all metal bearings. Of course i guess you can't tell about gapping unless you have a mattress.

Looking at that sale crib from jcpenney you mentioned Amy. Just have to find out what wood they use.

[alicenwonderland]

except woudn't you know it? it's on sale because its dropside!

[Mars]

I would use it but not the drop down side if that's the part that's really bothersome. The crib I have has a drop down side and I don't use it, primarily because it doesn't move easily.

[bittersweet]

I thought the dropsides were dangerous b/c the side would fall unintentionally at times catching babies limbs or other parts. I could be wrong though.