Today s baby crib mattresses are 27 1 4 inches x 51 5 8 inches and experts agree that an ill fitting mattress is one of the greatest dangers to a sleeping infant.
Can i use a hand me down crib mattress.
There is also mention in other articles that a stored mattress can grow mold and develop other toxins during storage.
Dec 6 2018 at 7 39 am we have a crib we bought second hand that i think is quite old but it s been perfectly fine.
The simple truth is that a used crib can be hazardous.
An ill fitting mattress can pose a serious safety hazard for your child.
Older cribs might not comply with current safety regulations.
I used a hand me down crib and bassinet for both of my little boys and they are perfectly fine.
Be wary of dislodged mattress supports.
Would you take a hand me down crib.
Avoid higher corner posts than the end panels as children can.
To see the rest of the list read more.
I read an article before ds2 was born that said some studies indicate that a crib mattress can break down over time and leach gasses that contribute to sids.
To see if your potential mattress is a good fit try the two finger test.
While someone offering you a crib is generous and well meaning it may not be the best option for the safety of your child.
However i m not comfortable with the drop side cribs.
Most cribs use a standard sized crib mattress but you will also find those that do not.
Just be sure to clean it really well wash everything and make sure the bars are close enough.
New cribs aren t cheap and opting for a secondhand model can save a lot of money.
There are ways around this.
The same protocol goes for strollers high chairs and cribs too.
1 a handy person can screw the sides in place 2 you can contact the manufacturer for a conversion kit most of them have them and will send one to you even if you weren t the original owner.
There can also be loads of sentimental appeal to using a crib that s been passed down through your family.
Use the two finger test to see if your mattress fits properly into your crib.
You should also check with the national highway traffic safety administration to see if the seat you ve got in mind has ever been recalled for safety reasons.
There should be no more than two finger widths of space between the side of the mattress and the crib frame.
You should not have enough space between the sides of the crib and the mattress to fit two fingers snugly.
If possible avoid buying or accepting a used secondhand crib.
We also have a hand me down crib from my friend that we have at my parent s house that is actually a bit newer than the one in my house and it s been great too.
If you do decide to go used buy or accept a hand me down from someone you trust.