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.
While someone offering you a crib is generous and well meaning it may not be the best option for the safety of your child.
But hand me downs may not be safe especially if they re more than 10 years old.
There are ways around this.
It s totally ok to use a hand me down crib.
There is also mention in other articles that a stored mattress can grow mold and develop other toxins during storage.
However i m not comfortable with the drop side cribs.
Older cribs might not comply with current safety regulations.
The simple truth is that a used crib can be hazardous.
New cribs aren t cheap and opting for a secondhand model can save a lot of money.
Just be sure to clean it really well wash everything and make sure the bars are close enough.
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.
You should not have enough space between the sides of the crib and the mattress to fit two fingers snugly.
Use the two finger test to see if your mattress fits properly into your crib.
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.
If possible avoid buying or accepting a used secondhand crib.
To see if your potential mattress is a good fit try the two finger test.
If you do decide to go used buy or accept a hand me down from someone you trust.
An ill fitting mattress can pose a serious safety hazard for your child.
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.
Most cribs use a standard sized crib mattress but you will also find those that do not.
I used a hand me down crib and bassinet for both of my little boys and they are perfectly fine.
Avoid higher corner posts than the end panels as children can.
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.
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 same protocol goes for strollers high chairs and cribs too.
There can also be loads of sentimental appeal to using a crib that s been passed down through your family.
There should be no more than two finger widths of space between the side of the mattress and the crib frame.
Would you take a hand me down crib.