Should we fix the used baby crib or cut our losses and buy a new one!?

Question

Our baby is due in about 2 weeks and we are so behind on getting ready for him. We just bought and moved into a new house about 3-4 weeks ago. We finally went to put the crib together and there is a piece that is broken. There is a sort of L bracket thing that has notches that would fit into another piece. We tried some sort of bonding agent (can't remember the name) that is supposed to work on just about everything, but that didn't work. Daddy-to-be is suggesting trying two more things... taking off the L-bracket and putting in screws that are the same size as the notches... or taking it to a welder. We paid $100 to a co-worker of his. He won't ask for the money back cuz we don't know if it was broken before we got it or after. I am at a point where I think it's time to cut our losses and just buy a new one. I want to get this baby's room done and it's not even started. I did call the manufacturer and they don't make the crib anymore and didn't have any spare parts to sell.

So far most of the answers are echoing what I have been thinking and saying all along. He tells me I worry too much, and to just let him fix it, it will all work out, etc. I am tempted to just go to KMart, buy the 3 in 1 crib they have for about $130, have them load it in my truck and when I get home, just say "honey, I have some stuff in my car that I need you to carry in". Problem solved! :-)

Thanks to all for verifying that it's not just my hormones telling me it's time to just forget it and buy a new one. We are not that bad off where a $100 loss is going to make or break us...

Answer 1

I sort of think that you should buy a new one. Any "lets just make it work" solution is not going to be safety tested and you don't want to take any chances hurting the baby because of the glue you used or a sharp edge. I think maybe the cost of a new crib is worth the peace of mind

Answer 2

I had something similar to this happen to me except I was told that the crib had never been used until I put it together and noticed one of the legs had duct tape holding it together. I called them up, asked for my money back and went right out and bought a brand new crib like I should have in the first place. I never got the money back but I know that my baby is in a safe crib. By the way, the older they get, the harder they are on cribs. Go by a new one and cut your loss. Good Luck and Congratulations!!

Answer 3

You could always do what my husband and I did. We didn't use a crib at all. Our baby slept (and still sleeps) in a playpen. It takes up less room, they are a LOT less expensive, and it works just as well. Plus, a playpen is more easily moved to another location in the house, like the living room, bedroom, wherever. My daughter is now 13 months old, and she still sleeps in the playpen. My reasonings behind this are simple. My oldest was climbing out of the crib from when she was 9 months old. My feelings were, the top of a playpen is a LOT closer to the ground than the top of a crib. Our luck though is, the youngest hasn't tried to climb out yet.

Congrats on the new baby.

Answer 4

well i got a lot of my stuff as hand me downs from people but i would have probably got stuff new. i had a crib that was a hand me down but some thing happend and something broke on it. so i had to go out a buy a new crib that was ok. then from the same person i got the changing table from them too.. my mom for my baby shower got me a dresser new, and my boyfriend mom got me a new stroller with a car seat. if you want to save some money you can get a used changing table and a dresser and a stroller but i would by a new crib cause of the new laws about the cribs.. and never buy a used car seat get a new car seat but you can get a used stroller most car seats fits in most strollers.

Answer 5

If you may not be able to fix it properly to the point where you're confident it'll be safe, I'd go buy a new one. Especially since you are running out of time. And since the crib is old enough where they don't make it anymore, you may be better off with a new one anyway, especially if you are getting the 3 in 1, which will be used for quite a while.

Answer 6

If there is any doubt as to the safety of your baby buy a new one! I don't think you would use a used car seat if something was broken on it, the same should go for your crib.

We couldn't afford a crib for the first 7 months of my baby's life. so we got him a pack and play. It was $70 and gave us some time to save up the $260 we spent on a new crib and mattress.

Answer 7

If I were you, I would buy a new crib. You don't really want to mess around with that sort of thing. God forbid something should go wrong - the baby could end up getting hurt or even suffocated to death if the crib collapsed on top of him. It shouldn't even be up to debate - you should just do what's best for your baby. I know cribs can be expensive, but if you buy a convertible bed, you will be able to use for a few years.

Answer 8

How old is the crib? it might be too old to use safely anyways. If it's broken then I would suggest buyng a new one. I wouldn't risk the baby's safety. If you're behind in getting ready, get a moses basket. Most newborns like the coziness of a basket rather than the empty big space of a crib. Just a thought!

Answer 9

I would buy a bassonette and keep the baby in that, in your room--or the nursery. You can stay in this situation for a couple of months. Let the Daddy-to-Be, try and fix the crib--let him decide if he should buy another one or not; give him time to fix it--it will make him feel useful. The L-Bracket can be purchased by itself, or even given to you for free--contact the manufacturer.

Answer 10

I didn't even read all of your details before making the decision that you should DEFINITELY invest in a new crib. There are more deaths of infants from unsafe cribs than you can imagine. Invest in a convertible crib that can later be a day bed, toddler bed, and then full size bed frame. You'll get a lifetime out of one of them. For now, you don't need a crib for the baby, just have a good basinett or pack n play. My son didn't sleep in his crib until he was 4 months old. Good luck.