drop down cribs...

Nikki - posted on 08/28/2010

There was a huge recall on them last fall, because 2 babies died because they got stuck, so I would check witht he manufacturer to make sure the one you are using it okay. There is no way Id take a risk with something like that

Amanda - posted on 08/28/2010

i have a drop side BUT it no long drops as i got a part that makes it a fixed side! I do not trust them after reading about babies woho have dies from it. I dont want to take a chance on killing my son!

Sarh - posted on 08/28/2010

I have not heard of any troubles with the old ones. Like Ashley was talking about the ones w/the metal rod. I don't see how these ones could cause SIDs or malfunction. I would NEVER by a new one w/the plastic.

Ashley - posted on 08/28/2010

Well, you cannot buy them anymore as all major stores stopped selling them after the recall. The thing is, the older models (like when I was a baby 25 years ago) the latches were made with metal and it was very sturdy. Now they are made with cheap plastic, so it is easier to break. I myself would never use one. It is up to you, but you will not be able to buy one unless you get a used one from Craigslist or something.
Go with your instincts. To me it is better safe than sorry.
Good luck! :)

Renae - posted on 08/28/2010

I think it depends on the crib and how the side is locked in place. From the news story I saw the issue is that with some cots even when the side was all the way up, the bottom of the side was coming out of its runners and kids were rolling out and getting stuck between the mattress and side. I believe one child actually suffocated. I think they are reviewing the safety rules for cots in most countries. My baby was out of a cot by the time the issue was in the news so I had no idea it was a concern prior to that.

If you are concerned about it and have a local authority that deals with child safety issues I would check out their website to see what they say. In Australia there is a government organisation called "Kidsafe". Also check out the SIDS website, I'm sure they will have an opinion on it.

Sarah - posted on 08/27/2010

as long as u put it together correctly it should be safe. I am using one too, and it seems fine.

Jennifer - posted on 08/27/2010

I have a cotbed with a drop-side and don't think they're unsafe at all. They lock into place in the up position so how are they dangerous...unless you leave it down.

Alice - posted on 08/27/2010

I have a drop down crib too. It was a hand-me-down from a friend whose baby outgrew it. She never had any problems. I've used it for all 4 of my girls and for two little ones I watched for a few months each. I use it on the highest setting until the baby is able to sit up (or begins to get ready to sit up) then I shift it to the lowest setting and it can be converted to a toddler bed, but since we have a toddler bed and there's usually another baby around by that time, I've only used it as a toddler bed for my oldest two. I looked online and there's nothing about the sale of drop down cribs being illegal in the US. Only that licensed daycares may be prohibited from using them (liability reasons, I'm sure).

I've also moved 6 times since I was given the crib, so it's been disassembled and reassembled almost 10 times (it doesn't fit through doorways, so we have to disassemble to move it to a new room, too). I've had no problems, and don't plan on changing. I'll keep my crib and if I'm not using it I will pass it to someone who needs it. Then again, to each his own. This is just my opinion on it.

Sarh - posted on 08/27/2010

Here is a link to something like Ava has mentioned. I am guilty and do have a drop down crib for my son, but I rarely use it. He has slept in it, but I have now changed my mind. Granted I slept in one as a baby, my brother did, and so did my daughter, but now that I know that the FEDS! are ending the manufacturing of these cribs, I won't be able to sleep if I place him in one. Right now he sleeps in this bouncy seat/bassinet type thing, but he is just about too big now! I have no clue what I am going to do! I'm very glad you asked this, question, because I had never even thought about it until I seen this. I have a question though. If it's the one w/the metal pole that connects the rail to the headboard. Is that a bit safer? Any moms know?

Karen - posted on 08/27/2010

i have one and i think it's very safe - i do watch for any recalls and i check it over every so often to make sure nothing seems to be broken. what i can't understand is why cribs are being made with plastic parts instead of metal though. personally i would pay a few extra dollars to have a crib with metal parts then one with plastic pieces that seem to always be breaking. i would have a very hard time getting my son in bed if he happens to fall asleep in my arms if the side didn't drop down - i'm not very tall and i have a hard time getting him to the mattress when the side is up.

Erica - posted on 08/26/2010

I have a drop down crib. My sister used it for her daughter 7 years ago, I used it for my daughter 5 years ago and I am now using it for my son. I have NEVER had any problem with it. I have put it together 5 or 6 times due to moving and converting it to and from a toddler bed. If your child is climbing out of the crib and falling, it shouldn't be in a crib. If you put the crib together correctly and check it every once in a while, there aren't any problems. I don't know what Ava's "Obvious reasons" are but I find mine to be ver safe. And, I'm pretty sure they're not ever going to be illegal to use in the US. They have become illegal to sell and illegal to use in daycare facilities for liability purposes. The government cannot stop us from using a crib in our own homes. I used my crib on the top setting until my son could sit up on his own and then switched it to the low setting. When dropped down, the side only comes down to the middle of his chest (he's now 17mos old). I'm keeping this crib for my future children because I know it's safe and I know I don't do a shoddy job putting it together. I like the convenience of putting down the side when the babies are only sitting up on their own. Changing the sheets is also easier with a drop down side.

April - posted on 08/26/2010

I have one and have yet to have a problem with it. However I do have him on the bottom run with a thick mattress so that seems to relieve some of the fears cause even with the drop down thing in the down position he can not get his face into that space.

Jamie - posted on 08/26/2010

I didn't want one because I just didn't feel like they were safe. Since my son has been born they have recalled so many cribs with the drop down sides because they can come loose at the bottom and the baby can get stuck and suffocate from it.

Ava - posted on 08/26/2010

Unsafe for obvious reasons. In fact, they're about to be illegal in the US to use or sell.