Ask grandparents to buy a new crib or use a 1970's model?

[Anonymous]

Once our baby is born, we will be seeing my parents at their home (in another state) a few times a year - a total of 14 nights/year maximum. My mom is planning to put up the crib she used in 1973 with me and in 1978 with my sister. Initially I had no problem with that -- thinking it would save them money, and that my sister and I used it safely for all those years.

But I've now read warnings about using old cribs. Should I ask her to buy a crib that meets current safety standards (even if a cheap one) or a Pack N Play? Seems like the right thing to do, but has anyone had a similar experience? What did you decide?

[Anonymous]

Why not buy a Pack-n-play for her instead of asking her to buy one?

Personally, I wouldn't use a crib that old.

[Anonymous]

We had the same situation and just shipped a pack n play. Cousins have since used it too. What you save in worrying will be worth the cost. You can sell it online when you're done with it. You can probably find a gently used one on Craigslist or Ebay.

[Anonymous]

Not even a shred of a doubt on this... do not use a 30yo crib!! This is common sense - safety standards have changed radically in three decades. You can find a new pack-n-play for under $100 or less for a used one.

[Anonymous]

No way... don't do it. Buy a pack n play. Ship direct. I'm so certain of this (for you) that I've even done the research.

http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Portable-Playard-Bassinet-Shine/dp/B000LP2G6K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1222040079&sr=1-2

That's $59 free shipping on Amazon for a pack n play with the bassinet part included. It's Graco. You can't go wrong. It sets up in 3 minutes. It's crazy to use something that old. It should be used for firewood. You would probably be too stressed about putting the baby in that after all our comments and you won't even sleep.

We have a 5 month old and a 20 month old. Both have pack n plays for travel. No problems. Our parents bought pack n plays for their houses too so we have no issues.

I wish you the best of luck.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks and LOL! I knew that must be the right decision, but I needed the boost to actually communicate that to my mom. Thank you for your decisiveness and help!

[Anonymous]

I'm sure I gave my mother-in-law a look that said, "Are you kidding me?" The vision is seared into my memory and it's been several years.

Firewood? They're nothing but a fire hazard, not to mention the safety issues.

[Anonymous]

Don't you think thought that with the proper bedding it wouldn't be a safety hazard?
I just picked up my old crib from my mom's which is brass and was planning on using it.
With a bumper set and new mattress I really had no worries.
Now, I am thinking twice.

[Anonymous]

The issue is not about being a fire hazard! A lot has changed in the last 30 years as far as safety standards. A common problem is the bars are too far apart and it is easy for a baby to get their head stuck.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I know about the bars. But with a bumper securely tied doesn't that resolve that issue?
I guess I just really want to use this crib becaus eit is so beautiful and everything else out there looks so cookie cutter.

[Anonymous]

You're not even supposed to use bumpers. I certainly wouldn't think of them as a guarantee that my child's crib is safe.

[Anonymous]

Well then I guess I need a new crib!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I know about the bars. But with a bumper securely tied doesn't that resolve that issue?
I guess I just really want to use this crib becaus eit is so beautiful and everything else out there looks so cookie cutter.

I really want to respond to this but everything types out as snarky.

Do. Some. Reading. You are woefully unprepared.

[Anonymous]

For the bumper question-there was just a very information thread about bumpers in the last week. Check it out. Overwhelming consensus, FWIW.

[Anonymous]

Agree that you shouldn't use an old crib. But, when you tell your parents, be kind. My parents, too, had been faithfully saving my old crib, c. 1973, for those longed-for grandkids. And when I told them that what needed to happen was for that crib to destroyed and thrown away and that their grandson would sleep in a plastic playpen instead, they felt hurt and rejected, and like I was accusing them (well, my Mom) of bad parenting. I needed to do a lot of reassuring, and sending copies of the CFPC bulletin on the subject etc. I'm sure they still felt that I was being overcautious. We went through a similar thing with the carseat, too (you didn't need a carseat! you came home from the hospital in the front seat of a Lincoln!)