Would you use a 30 year old crib?

[monkey68]

Assuming you had money to buy a brand new crib, would you still use an almost 30 year old crib? My sister's grandmother-in-law is moving, and she kept my sister's husband's baby crib, and plans to give it to my sister when they have kids. My sister says absolutely not, she does not want an almost 30 year old crib for when they have kids. My sister is fortunate in that she has a good paying job (he is currently jobless), and does not want to use something so old that is probably worn down from age, all shaky and rickety. It wasn't the top of the line model either, it was the cheapest crib they could buy at the time, so I don't think it was the type that was meant to be passed down from generation to generation.

 

[Tinijocaro]

No, and not just because it's not the latest and greatest. For safety reasons, might have been painted with lead paint, rails might not be a safe distance apart, who knows what the mattress is stuffed with. No way.

 

[Justanopinion]

No way for the same reasons as the PP. Safety safety safety

 

[kendall]

Would definitely need a new mattress, and, I would check the distance between the rails. Plus, check the mechanics to make sure the sides still drop, no place to pinch fingers (adult or baby), etc.

Hopefully your sister can graciously decline the offer from grandmother who has good intentions!

 

[friendofgusgus]

No one should use a 30-year-old crib for safety reasons.

Now, as for the rest of the post...

I have plenty of 30-year-old pieces of furniture that are far from rickety junk. Cribs don't usually take a beating unless your child stays in one until he or she is 5 years old.

The most expensive model has the most pieces to break. Check out Consumer Reports magazine or web site and see how often a mid- or low-priced model beats an expensive one for durability and use. Hint: it's often.

Handing down or passing around children's furniture and baby items is not for unfortunate people. A child requires very few of the million gadgets out there today and once they have been used for just a few months, it is greener and more responsible to re-use them rather than place them in a landfill so that the next baby can have everything "new."

The crib should be ruled out - it's slats are most likely too far apart to be safe - but so should your judgemental attitude.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Check and see if you can pass a soda can through the rails, if you can then it is unsafe--and on a 30 year old crib I am betting that you can. Also get a lead paint testing kit, it is very possible that is also a problem.

No way would I use an old crib and I love heirloom things. To much risk.

 

[jenlynn0808]

Total safety issue...rail spacing, space between mattress and railings, lead paint possibility. Just wouldn't take the chance!

 

[clgwli]

If it passed all the specifications for a new crib and it was solid feeling I would. 30 years old is too new for me to worry about lead paint. That was from the 40s an 50s and not the late 70s. So I can't say for sure that I would use it. I saw a 30 year old crib not too long ago and for fun we checked it out. It passed all the specs given to us for safety. It wasn't painted either and looked beautiful. That one I would definitely use

 

[mjantz]

No, although I did use a nearly 100YO bassinet for both my kids. Its been re-painted & both my kids were only in it for a few months. They got too big for it very quickly.

 

[freckles and boo]

from the AAP http://www.aap.org/family/inffurn.htm

As you look at a crib, make sure you check the following, especially if you choose a used crib that may have been built before current crib safety standards were set.
When purchasing a crib, look for Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification.
The slats should be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart. Widely spaced slats can trap an infant's head.
All joints and parts should fit tightly, and the wood must be smooth and free of splinters.
Check for cracked and peeling paint. All surfaces should be covered with lead-free paint safe for nursery furniture.
The end panels should be solid, without decorative cutouts. Cutout areas on panels can trap an infant's head.
Corner posts should be flush with the end panels or else be very, very tall (such as posts on a canopy bed). Clothing and ribbons can catch on tall corner posts and strangle an infant.
The lowered crib sides should be at least 9 inches above the mattress support to prevent the infant from falling out. Raised crib sides should be at least 26 inches above the mattress support in its lowest position.
The drop sides should have a locking, hand-operated latch that will not release unintentionally.
The mattress should be the same size as the crib so there are no gaps to trap arms, body, or legs. If you can fit 2 fingers between the mattress and the side of the crib, the crib should not be used.

 

[cruellababy]

If I was your sister I would accept it graciuosly; then when the time comes just use a new, safe model. And some excuse can be made at the time as to why they decided to use a different one.

 

[AnnR]

I worked for a Baby Furniture store. Safety standards have changed dramatically in the last 10 years. I would definately NOT use a crib this age. I heard many people say things like "well my kids seemed to have survived in it/with it etc" But, there was not the news coverage 30 years ago of the babies who did not survive. It is like saying we don't need seat belts and airbags in the cars now because we made it without them years ago.

The most expensive cribs have woodworking and a lot of high priced wood. The inexpensive cribs can be just as good or not. I would stay away from the Delta brand. Our store never carried them because they had a lot of problems (I am sure there are some good models out there but overall the line has had many recalls and complaints). What you want to look for is a crib with simple lines but is made well. Look how the slats are put together, see if they are glued in or actually fitted. Fitted is better but more expensive. Glued in can be OK if it is sturdy. Unfortunately, I just heard one of the top manufacturers(Morgeau) has recently gone out of business. Childcraft, I believe is still going and is reputable.

The bottom line is if there is a 1% risk of a baby being seriously injured would you take it?

 

[pfishgirl]

I'd be afraid of it being made with Lead in the paint or stain

Also I would not trust that mattress

Other then that and the rails like the other posters have said


IF all that checks out and it is in good condition.. then sure.. most furniture is made to last a while

 

[PattnFmly]

By all means, check the safety standards, but it probably won't pass muster. Crib specs have changed so much in the last few years. But there's no reason why, if it's a sensitive family issue, it couldn't be taken and used in the child's room for "stuff". It could be decorated really cute. Could leave the side down and sling a "toy hammock" across for the gazillion stuffed animals every new baby receives, place the piles of receiving blankets inside etc. Would make for easy access to those things while still keeping peace in the family.

 

[luvmy3]

I would not use a crib that old.

 

[megthewonderful]

I did use the same crib my parents used for me and my sister for my own kids. As a gift to us, my dad took apart the whole crib. Then he sanded it down, refinished it and replaced all of the hardware. Of course, we did all of this once we were sure the slots were the correct distance apart. And of course, we used a new mattress. My kids are now all out of the crib and I kinda miss seeing it one of their rooms. Definitely check online for crib standards before using an older crib. This crib was about 25 years old.

 

[AnnR]

I just reread the OP. I think your sister could accept the crib if it means a lot to the granmother, and then store it away. By the time they have a baby they can say it got damaged or something and get a new one. The JPMA certification that freckles and boo mentions is a good one.

 

[monkey68]

I just reread the OP. I think your sister could accept the crib if it means a lot to the granmother, and then store it away. By the time they have a baby they can say it got damaged or something and get a new one. The JPMA certification that freckles and boo mentions is a good one.

The grandma plans to keep the crib until my sister has a baby.

I'm not sure about how widely spaced apart the slats are, but according to my sister, it's very shakey as it is. My sister saw it, and told me later that she was afraid if she put a baby in it, it would collapse. Now, I'm sure if they refurbished it, repainted it, it might be fine, but my sister doesn't know a hammer from a screwdriver, and her husband is not at all handy with tools either.

I told my sister when the time comes, to just take it, and then just use a new crib, and say that one of her friends or my friends refurbished it as a baby gift to make it up to current safety standards. It's a plain crib, no fancy carving or anything, so I don't think they would know the difference.

 

[juligrl]

If it passed all the specifications for a new crib and it was solid feeling I would. 30 years old is too new for me to worry about lead paint. That was from the 40s an 50s and not the late 70s. So I can't say for sure that I would use it. I saw a 30 year old crib not too long ago and for fun we checked it out. It passed all the specs given to us for safety. It wasn't painted either and looked beautiful. That one I would definitely use

Both of my kids have slept in my old crib (I'm 31). My younger DD is 2 1/2 and refuses to get out of the crib. Absolutely agree with you on this (obviously). The crib I have is an old Jenny Lind that they still carry and sell at Babies R Us and Sears and other places today. It's wood - no paint - and the bars are the same as on the new ones. The crib is solid and beautiful - and above all else, safe.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

No freaking way.

Grandma will just have to get over it. I don't take kindly to being bullied by family no matter how old they are.