Now that drop side cribs need to be off shelves and out of hotels, daycares, and similar facilities, parents are facing a dilemma: What to do with the drop side crib? This design was pervasive for a number of decades, but the recalls didn’t start amounting until 10 years ago. As a result, many new parents have likely received older drop-side cribs as heirlooms or hand-me-downs or have one left over from an older child. Although using or owning a drop side crib is not illegal for parents, where do you draw the line between safety and affordability, and is purchasing a new drop side crib the best step for every parent?
In theory, all parents currently owning drop side cribs could replace them with a stationary design, but presently, this is not always the case. Cribs, as you know, are expensive, and a fair amount of parents receive theirs as hand-me-downs. If you are debating about what to do with your drop side crib, take into account these two points:
• Check if the manufacturer had any recalls. Not all drop-side crib manufacturers had products recalled over the past decade.
• Check the crib’s design. Cheap or faulty hardware was a common cause of crib-related injuries, as parts holding up the drop side could break and cause this portion to fall on the child inside.
If you can afford to purchase a new crib, what should you look for? What is the least-likely design to be recalled? Although crib manufacturers are in the process of developing safer alternatives to the drop side, nearly all cribs available have stationary sides. Convertible cribs, in particular, have gained in popularity not only for their look and sturdiness but also for practicality. Lasting longer than two years, a convertible crib, such as this AFG Furniture crib, fold out into a toddler bed, a full-size bed, or a sofa bed and give you at least four years of use.
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