We have a broken crib

Question

We have a 2 1/2 month old daughter and we got a 10 year old hand me down crib. Recently I noticed that the post that raises and lowers the front rail is broken, its at the lowest point and it can't be highered (is that a word) .. but anyways i told my husband that its NOT safe and that we need a new crib .. but he says its fine. Im worried that when she sits up she will fall out, im trying to convince him thats its not safe, and every new baby deserves a new crib up to standards ... i know shes only 2 months and that she can't fall out yet, but i know in the next month she will be growing and changing. How can i convince him that its time to get a new crib?!?!?! please help! i want my daughter to be safe and sound when i know shes in her crib...

Answer 1

There are many safety advisories re: cribs online.  For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics who issues the guidelines has very strict rules.  Here they are.

http://www.aap.org/family/inffurn.htm

I would also point out that if the child is harmed or killed, and it is found to be due to a crib safety defect of which both parents were fully aware, you could face criminal charges of child endangerment, child abuse, child neglect, etc.  It is also quite possible that you could lose your child to Child Protection Services, if you are in the US.

No one police officer is going to be satisfied with "We were trying to save money." when it comes to something like this.  

Answer 2

when its a matter of your babys safety you do what you need to do. talk to him and if you cant convince him, go get one anyway, he will either deal with it or he will leave, and if he doesnt care about the safety of your child yuo dont need him there anyhow.

Answer 3

Don't bother convincing him, just go get a new crib.  

Answer 4

You need to tell him that sooner or later you are going to have to get one so why not now.  If it were me, I would not even use it now cause there is no telling where else it might have a weak spot being it is 10 years old and broken.  Also being it is 10 years old, you have no idea if there were any re-calls on it.  If you shop around, you can probably find a new one on sale for a pretty reasonable price. If I were to go shopping for one today the type I would buy is one that converts as baby grows.

Answer 5

Since he said that you do not need a new one and he doesnt sound like he will be convinced just break it! haha one day when he is not home just put some body pressure one the part that is broken and just break it then he will have no choice but to get a new one! Your right your daughter has a crib thats just hers!!! Plus she needs to be safe!

Answer 6

is it necessary for you to get his permission before you can make this decision on your own?  it's a no-brainer to me...go get your baby a crib that is not falling apart....if for some reason he has a lock down on all the family's assests have the baby sleep in your bed until she gets a new one...that should motivate him.

Answer 7

Not only is that not safe-but a lot of older cribs have been rated as not safe due to the fact that the spaces in the railings of the cribs are dangerous..9 out of 10 newer cribs have been standardized so they are all the same width (the spaces that is). Let him know about SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in non-standardized cribs..The rate hasd fallen since they made the adjustments..Look up the type of crib you have online and see if it has been safety recalled also..Hopefully this helps and he is convinced!

Answer 8

break it a little more when hes not looking so you have to get a new one! this crib sounds unsafe!  

Answer 9

Can he not permanently fix it at the highest point? EDIT...on 2nd thoughts...just chuck it out and then he will have to get a new one.

Answer 10

Tell him how important it is that you get a new one. Point out all of your worries and risks. Show him all the fatal accidents from faulty cribs online. I know alot of people do it, but you should never use a hand me down crib. I know all of us or alot of us have but it is not safe. Just like it's not safe to buy used baby furniture (cribs, bassinets) or (car seats, booster seats) at garage sales b/c you never know if there was a recall or not. Tell your husband that you are afraid that she will get hurt. If he still doesn't understand, go buy a new one yourself. Just make sure your baby is safe!!

Answer 11

Go get a new crib. Today.  Bring it home, set it up, throw the old one out.  Let hubby deal with it later.  You're right, it isn't safe.  Do it now.  If you find the ones in stores too expensive, try a Goodwill or Salvation Army store in your area.  Or check the local paper "for sale" adds.  Or ask at local churches if they have anybody who would make a donation of a good used one.  

Answer 12

Its not safe for your little girl even now as shes at the age where she's going to start rolling over soon. Maybe just go and buy a new one without telling him? Husbands aren't the most observant people so he might not even notice.

Answer 13

It would have been wise to get a new or newer crib before the baby was born.  Anyway, hopefully your hubby can come to his senses and realize that it's not safe.  It might help if you look into other cribs and how much they cost, and you might have to settle for a plain one if that's what you can afford. Good luck but I bet your man will come around....men tend to be stubborn anyway