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Sep
7
I’ve been hemming and hawing for a while over putting Dylan in a big kid bed. On the one hand, why on earth would I ever take a feral 2-year-old out of what is basically a socially acceptable cage? On the other hand, he’s been waking up so often lately—all twisted and turned around in his crib and just sort of randomly blatting for no apparent reason—I started thinking a larger bed might actually result in more sleep for everyone.
We talked about giving him a full-sized bed like what Riley has, but I found an inexpensive toddler frame on Amazon and decided that since we could continue using the crib mattress, that would be our cheapest option for now.
It arrived last Saturday and once JB had it assembled, I couldn’t believe how cute and wee it was. Like a doll bed, almost, with the cozy little built-in rails and everything. It wasn’t until Dylan actually climbed on it that it finally occurred to me that what I’d purchased was the exact same thing as a crib—same fucking dimensions to a T, since it, you know, held the crib MATTRESS—except now he could get out of the damn thing.
Well, I don’t want to jinx it, but it’s actually gone really well. He did fall out a couple times until I shoved it against a wall and stuck a soft chair against the other side, and I still go in every once in a while to re-cover him and give him a little comforting butt-pat when he wakes up at night, but overall he’s doing just fine.
And by that I mean it doesn’t seem to occur to him that he can just climb out whenever he wants. Riley was the exact same way, he’d just wait in the middle of the bed each morning for us to come in and pick him up. WIN.
We re-arranged his room a bit, added a bookshelf and a whiteboard for homeschool stuff, and he’s officially got himself a big kid room now. All traces of nursery are gone, except for the changing table.
(Sorry that second image is weird, it’s auto-stitched from a few cellphone images and it left a missing block in the upper left. I know it looks like I photoshopped out some shameful thing on the wall, like maybe a Nagel print or something, but I swear I didn’t.)
It was kind of a sad process to take the crib apart and pack it away, knowing we’re never going to use it again. Not really sad because I want more babies, mind you, just . . . oh, you know. Bittersweet.
So I have a question for you—we have always planned to give our crib to JB’s brother and his wife, since they plan to start a family soon and they’ve expressed interest in it. It’s a lovely crib, but it’s a drop-side, and as you may know pretty much every drop-side crib on the planet has been recalled because babies can apparently get crammed in a gap created by the side if the hardware fails and it detaches from the crib. Or something like that.
Should I let them know about the recalls and let them decide? Or would you play it uber-safe and burn the crib with fire and salt the earth afterwards, because jesus, you never know?
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57 Responses to “Sleeping arrangements”
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Tell them and let them decide if they want it. It’s free and all of our kids lived through the dangers of those kinds of cribs. But, be prepared because they may not want it–you know how first-time parents can be. (I know because I was just like them with our first.)
Erin: oh yeah, I should be clear it won’t bother me if they don’t want it, I just wasn’t sure if we should just get rid of it now without giving them the choice.
That looks exactly like our crib! I would tell them and let them decide. I can’t tell you how many recalls I ignore. Sometimes they are so stupid: may have small parts a baby could shove up their nose resulting in decorated boogers for up to 3 weeks. Eh, whatever. That makes me sound like a terrible mother, doesn’t it? Oh well, I do take away the things that seem plausible and I don’t have a Toyota so maybe I’ll do ok.
Offer it definitely! They can always bolt the drop side on to the rest of the crib. Might make it impossible to move out of the room/break down again, but can still use it safely I would think.
(says the owner of a drop-side crib…who has never dropped the drop-side)
I just gave away 2 Delta cribs that were recalled, but the recall had a part you could get that turned the drop side into a non-drop side crib, and prevents the problem. Part was free. Just look it up on the web site.
Let them decide. I’ve heard an alternative is to put te drop-side side against the wall. Or screw it in place. Or maybe yours has a recall fix kit that they could take advantage of? It’s sad when we have to throw away things that can be reused.
I agree with everyone else. Offer it up but let them know about the recall. I’m sure there is some recall fix kit out there that fixes the problem.
I now feel like the worse mom ever since we have a drop side crib and I had no idea there were even recalls on these things! Yikes. I agree with everyone else, though…definitely offer it up.
We just off-loaded all our baby stuff on my brother-in-law and his soon to be wife. We had an almost identical crib to yours and they love it so much, they don’t even care if it’s on a recall or not. I told them to check the list because they could probably get a new free crib out of the deal. You can check the recall list and see if it’s on there or not before you offer it to them. You need the model number which should be on one of the head/foot boards.
Ours was recalled (Pottery Barn) and they sent a free kit for it. Check out the manufacturer’s website and see if they have a similar option.
We’ve got a recalled carseat. We were advised by the maker to “damage it beyond use”. Nice. Don’t worry, I only carried my precious BABIES in that thing. Sheesh.
Bring on the sledgehammer!
Our cribs were recalled. I called the company to find out the deal and since we bought it at BRU, they were offering a $400 credit toward a new crib at BRU. I sold the cribs to friends super cheap with the deal that they had to be the ones to contact BRU and set up the exchange.
Two things.
First, my oldest daughter was the same way about not getting out of bed once she transitioned to a big kid bed. So strange.
Second, we had a drop side crib also. Our youngest moved out of it a couple of months ago, and when I finally got around to trying to sell it, I found out it was recalled in June. We had to send some hardware off of it in, and we’ll get a store credit at Babies R Us for a new crib. So my question is, are you 100% sure your crib wasn’t recalled? If it is, you can give them the store credit or money toward a new crib.
Eh, let them decide. We have a drop side (our son is 15 months), this is our first kid, and we have no intention of getting rid of it or getting a new one for the next kid(s). We had to special order that damn thing so as NOT to get a convertible crib (that turns into a toddler bed blah blah blah) and our specific brand hasn’t been recalled, though I hear they are discontinuing making the drop sides altogether. It is just REALLY HARD to find a non-convertible crib these days, especially at a reasonable price, so if I was your brother/sister in law, I would be JUMPING at that crib to take home. So, yeah, offer it up, make it clear you won’t be offended if they don’t take it, and they can figure out what they are comfortable with.
Hope the sleeping continues to go well!
I loved my drop side crib. I gave it to my cousin and she loves that drop side crib. I remind her to check the hardware and make sure its all in good working order. So far it hasnt killed any babies.
I have another drop side (b/c after I gave away my crib I decided I wanted another baby) We just screwed the drop side into place. Problem solved.
I agree as well. If your crib was on a recall list, I would tell them about it and let them decide. Then burn if if they don’t want it. I’ve got a drop side crib I’m trying to craigslist right now too – it’s never been on a recall list so I’m hoping someone will take it for enough $$ to buy the kid a headboard for her new twin bed. Congrats on the bed switch!
Definitely offer it to them! If it’s one of the cribs that’s recalled, you can usually get a “kit” to fix it (and lock the drop side). If it hasn’t actually been recalled, they could still bolt it themselves.
I wonder sometimes how we all survived. Drop side cribs (I used one for my daughter who is 5), no car seats, no bike helmets, . . .
Eh, I would let them decide. I’m probably a neglectful parent because my daugher (same age as Dylan) sleeps in a drop-side that I slept in when I was a baby. It is so well constructed that I didn’t even worry, really.
You’re killing me with the big-kid bed stuff, though. We’ve been researching the same and I’m really dragging my feet about getting rid of the last remnant of babyhood. (Sappy sucker that I am).
The drop side crib thing is way overblown IMO. Not minimizing the babies who have died, but babies die everyday in all kinds of normal household situations, the numbers involved are very, very small and are being made to seem much, much bigger because the companies are overreacting to avoid potential liability. And hey, isn’t that a great way to SELL MORE CRIBS. Kinda like the car seat thing, 3 years old? Oh, no no no, that seat is MUCH TOO OLD, you must buy a new shiny one. Yeah, I’m a little skeptical of corporate America’s motivations in most cases. It ultimately is about the money.
I’d offer it to them and let them decide (so, basically, I agree with everyone else).
I get the bittersweet thing. I was getting all sniffly the other day sorting through my toddler’s clothes, pulling out the things that he’s outgrown. I don’t think we’ll have any more and it makes me keenly aware that I’m done being a the mom to a baby and am now firmly in the mom to a little boy phase, which is awesome but I miss the baby a bit too.
Look, I am not get rid of my recalled side drop crib for my two year old because I can’t fathom getting a sleeping child out of my arms and into a bed without the side coming down, I am simply not tall enough. And I still have my Toyota Sienna and will have it ’till the wheels are square. But I never locked the cabinets under the sink, because girls in my house don’t care about stuff like that, so maybe you shouldn’t trust me.
I’m of the let them decide variety, as well. At least you’re making an effort. And if they don’t want it, you can always donate it to St Vincent dePaul & take the tax writeoff.
Also, FWIW, we just moved our toddler tyrant into the top, enclosed bed of a bunk bed; but we just set it on the floor & moved the bottom bunk in the basement. See a pic here: http://tinyurl.com/bigboybed
Works like a charm.
I say burn it. But, only if you host a big party and there are marshmallows involved.
Let them decide. We have a 10 year old drop-side that is currently on it’s 4th kid (it was my sister’s before) and I have no intention of getting rid of it. Here’s my mini-rant: bumpers and blankets in cribs have caused more deaths in the past 5 years than drop-side cribs but you don’t see $150 “crib bedding sets” with thickly padded bumpers and quilts being recalled.
Also, my sister’s kids were like yours – not getting out of the bed once transistioned. My crazy kid however wouldn’t stay in the damn thing and we eneded up having to put a doorknob cover on the inside of her bedroom door to keep her in.
We were in the same exact position – four babies and DONE – and a sister-in-law with one on the way.
They were aware of the recall, but we would have informed them anyway I think.
I think they considered a.) the recall police said “Don’t use those drop-side ones” but didn’t exactly say what SHOULD be used instead, and b.) we put four kids in that crib without incident – so chances are their little one would be just fine, and c.) FREE.
Oh, and my wife is a shorty (5 foot tall), her sister is a few inches taller. So bottom line – they need a drop side crib just to be able to reach their babies.
We gave them all of the info, and let them decide.
Let the parents make their own decisions. We got our crib off of freecycle and have been very grateful for it. We’ve also given and received carseats. Though there are plenty of detractors, there are also plenty of people willing to reuse a perfectly good object with an extremely low possibility of a problem.
i’d ask them. we have drop side cribs for all three of the boys, but we just rigged them up so the sides wouldn’t drop. never used them anyway. i definitely plan on trying to give away our cribs when we put the boys in toddler beds (but that will be never, so it’s a moot point.)
Let them know about it. If the crib is recalled Babies R Us will give them a voucher toward any new crib worth the highest price your current crib ever sold for. So even if they can’t use the crib itself it could help defray the cost of a different crib.
Just let them decide. It’s a beautiful crib. All our kids survived these types.
I don’t know, I think I’d go for the bonfire in the backyard. Who doesn’t love a good crib-burning?
We have one of the recalled drop-side cribs as well. Funny too, because we never once used the drop function. Anyway we still use it because it’s converted to a toddler bed for our 2.5 yr old son.
We purchased our crib through Target and they’ve sent me emails and snail mail to let me know that since it was recalled, I can return it at any time for a full refund. So you may have that option. Or atleast there may be a kit through the manufacturer that fixes the recall issue.
We’ll be returning our crib (used for 4 years between 2 kids now!) and getting our refund as soon as my son outgrows it. Then we’ll switch to a twin, simply because his bedroom is too small for anything bigger.
I have a five year old dropside crib and it hasn’t been recalled, yet. I have my third in it and she’s fine, I just tighten up the screws with an alan wrench every now and again. I think it would be fine to offer.
Ours has been seriously recalled, and we haven’t replaced it because he’ll be in a big boy bed soon enough. I’ve already confessed this on the internet and been told what a negligent mother I am (even though ours doesn’t seem to HAVE the problem for which they get recalled and our older child slept in this crib for three years with nary a problem). I may, for karma points, do whatever ridiculous thing we’ll have to do to get the voucher for a new crib and give THAT to someone in need.
Also…I am five feet two inches tall. Once we put the mattress down as far as it will go, I can’t reach over the side to put them down into the crib. What am I supposed to do without a drop side? Having a step stool next to the crib seems like a bad idea.
And also also…hi! I am a fellow Stir blogger and had to come here after your incredibly funny Gisele Bundchen post. It’s been weeks and I am still laughing about “her daily meal of hubris-flavored water.”
Meh, I agree with everyone else and recommend telling them and letting them decide. We have a 9 year old drop side crib that is on its third child (my friend’s son first and then our two). It hasn’t been recalled, but I’m sure it would be if it wasn’t so old or something. Whatever, it works for us and we’re not getting rid of it.
My son was the same and Riley and Dylan – never got out of the bed except to use the toilet. Am hoping when her time comes, my daughter is the same!
I think most (all?) of the recalled dropside cribs had some plastic hardware that was the problem. We have an 11 year old dropside crib (with all metal hardware) that has held three kids with no problem. I would use it for another baby with no hesitation.
I would definitely mention the issue, but still offer the crib. Even if yours has been recalled, it could be retrofitted to be a non-dropside.
You could give it to them and let them use it as a trade-in for a new crib:
http://www4.toysrus.com/Investor/pr/012710.html
i would let them decide and tell them the chance of something happening. im surprised people are so blase about the dropside issues.
Sorry, I just noticed the link is for an older event. They are doing their great trade-in event right now (ends Sept. 19).
Let ‘em decide. If JB’s brother is handy he might just decide to screw the side of the crib solid so that it doesn’t drop anymore.
(Hmm, I can’t think of another way to word that, but it sounds kind of weird when I re-read. Oh well.)
Let them decide. I used my daughter’s now 11-year-old crib for my now 2-year-old son. It had a drop side and we never had a problem with it. Then we freecycled it to someone who knew it had a drop side. She didn’t seem to care. I’m not really sure how it is that kids get caught in those things anyway.
I can’t believe you’re just now getting rid of the crib! My son is 6 weeks younger than Dylan and he was climbing out of his crib at 15 months! Gah!
Not all drop side cribs are bad. I have a PALI brand (made in italy) and it hasn’t been recalled. Check with the company and the http://www.cpsc.gov website.
But, child safety first and all … when in doubt, break out the marshmallows.
Is your hardware plastic or metal? If it’s plastic, it may have been recalled. But I haven’t seen any with metal pieces recalled.
Best bet is to check the cpsc site & then let them make the decision. By the time we put our son in the crib, he was big enough that he would at most get stuck if something happened. Before that, he was in a bassinet/portable crib (one of those Graco’s – I can’t remember what they’re called for some reason right now).
Our hand-me-down crib was the best baby gift we got. Those mofos are expensive, and I probably would have driven myself to the crazyhouse trying to research from scratch.
We put both of our kids straight into a twin bed. We got a stackable set of bunk beds and used the top bunk as their ‘toddler’ bed because it had the safety rail. Both of my monkeys could climb up their cribs anyway; I didn’t see the need to buy a toddler bed only to buy a regular bed a year later. They are still sleeping in those beds, just not as bunk beds.
Since all childhood sleeping devices are obviously created to maim and kill babies, let them make the call. If you want a safe baby there is no co-sleeping, crib bumpers, drop-sides, resorting to bouncy seats, bassinetts and frankly the suspension bubbles are still in R&D.
Good luck!
let them know and ask if they want it. you can always use a couple of screws and make the drop-side permanently up. my son kicked so hard when he was little that i came in one morning and he was peacefully asleep in the baby bed- with the drop-side completely on the floor and the screws under the bed. after my heart started beating again, i got my husband to screw that sucker in place!
Let them decide. I am pretty sure when I was a baby I slept in a drawer more than once. And lived to tell the tale.
For years and years we have lived with drop side cribs. I’m not so sure I like how all our safety decisions are taken out of our hands any more (boy, can you tell I’m old?). But trust me on this – NEVER get rid of your crib! I have known woman after woman who got pregnant as soon as she got rid of her crib. I gave my crib away after two daughters and three miscarriages, and sure enough, 10 months later my son arrived. I never gave that crib away. I loaned it to someone. I’m not sure where it is now, that baby boy turned 39 last month, but he was, by golly, my last.
Ummm, don’t they read your blog? I think you just told them if they do. Just sayin…
“The suspension bubbles are still in R&D” – person I don’t know, I love you. I’m with letting them decide. And we had the very same changing table.
Like apparently almost everyone else who commented on this post, we just bolted our drop side so it would never move again, and voila! Problem solved. Of course, we put the mattress in the lowest position and we are both very tall, so that makes the whole thing easier. I can imagine that if you were very short it would be hard to get baby into the lowest setting without waking him up.
My daughter is like, 2 weeks younger than Dylan (b. 2/25). Her crib converts and she’s been in the “toddler” bed since probably 14-15 months. She did have a few nights of sleeping on the floor. For a long while I would roll up a large towel (or a foam pool noodle if you have one) and stick it inside the fitted sheet against the outside. It created a soft bumper to keep her in but not prevent her from getting out. Just an idea.
In the mornings she just sits in bed for awhile, then goes and sits behind her bedroom door. When she’s finally tired of waiting she knocks (or uses the occasional judo chop, I think, based on the decibel of the *bang*). I was really afraid of putting her in a toddler bed, but it’s worked out great.
We are giving our crib to my sister. It is a drop-side and hasn’t been recalled (must be the only one on Earth that hasn’t), but I’m just telling her to put a screw (drill in not quite flush) beneath the top rail on each side, just as an extra security measure. It won’t be able to fall past the screw, should it ever be possessed by Satan or whatever.
Tell them and let them decide. There seems to be two things causing the problems: crappy cheap-o cribs with plastic hardware that breaks, and parents screwing up by putting the hardware on upside-down or otherwise wrong. If it’s a good-quality one, and it’s put together right, it should be plenty safe. Ours has a drop-side, but it’s good-quality metal hardware and I triple-checked to be sure it’s on right.
Our kiddo stayed in his toddler bed when we converted the drop crib to it (am totally keeping ours – it isn’t on any list), and in the beginning stayed in his bed when we got him a twin. Then suddenly it occurred to him he could get out of it, and he was running in to see us in the middle of the night. We closed his door and after 2 nights that stopped. He will still sometimes get out of his bed and come howl at the door if he has a nightmare or something, but his instinct is to still stay in that bed until one of us comes to get him in the morning – in spite of the tempting toy box in the corner!
“like maybe a Nagel print”
you make me laugh woman!
The thought of a Nagel print hanging over a two year old’s bed makes me feel slightly hysterically awesome. I know what my nephew is getting for Christmas now.
I just gave away DD’s drop side crib that was part of a recall (still weepy about it, but know there are no more babies for me). I have to agree with the poster who commented on other things causing far more infant deaths than drop side cribs have. Not that one should ever take a chance… When I knew someone was going to take the crib, I contacted the manufacturer and they sent a repair kit which converts the crib to a stationery side crib. I would guess that most manufacturers are offering this type of option now. I love the new bed your son got, BTW.