We have a 3-year old Pali crib that we used for our first child. Our second is about to be born, but we’re getting a new crib as the Pali is one of the drop side models that are no longer made (parts have broken, which have caused 30 some infant deaths in the US).
Now, from what I’ve read none of the Pali cribs have had issues, it’s cheaper brands that have caused the problems.
So do I just throw the crib into the dumpster? Or donate it to a charity, knowing it’s a good crib but that the design has issues for other brands?
It’s gotten to the point that most charities won’t accept cribs because of the liability problems. I do know our local Goodwill won’t take them.
As your is apparently a design or a specific model that has some breakage problems, the best thing to do is dispose of it. Wouldn’t be a bad idea to dismantle it so someone doesn’t unwittingly take home a potentially dangerous crib.
If that model has not been recalled and is in otherwise good shape, try your local second hand store. I am not sure how widespread the Once Upon a Child brand is, but they will good money for used baby gear. Check the to see if the model you have has had trouble. Crib recalls are frequent because nobody is willing to take chances. But is possible that your brand has a slightly different mechanism or uses better materials.
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Since this is more of a search for ideas than a specific factual question, I’m moving the thread from General Questions to In My Humble Opinion.
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We did exactly what Norinenew proposes when we had pretty much the exact same situation. Post it on Craigslist as a “for free” thing with exactly the warning you’ve included here. You’ll get a taker, I can nearly guarantee.
Yeah I know we can do the craigslist give-a-way, and I realize this brand of cribs hasn’t had the drop side issue, but it still makes me incredibly nervous. Not in a litigious sort of way, but in a responsibility for my fellow human’s baby sort of way.
I’d try to use parts of it in creative ways, as AuntiePam suggested above. But then, I’m a good Midwest girl, and we never throw things away when they could be scavenged.
Does your wife do crafty things? She could mount a side panel of the crib on the wall (like a ladder) to use as fabric storage. Or get some hanging baskets (like this or this. Heck, with some S hooks, you can hang just about anything. You could use one side panel in the baby’s room or garage as an organizer, too.
If the end panels are solid wood, why not reuse the wood for some sort of project? If you don’t do woodworking, give them to someone who does. If nothing else, remove the screws/bolts/washers to stow away for repairs or projects down the road. You never know when you might need 'em.
And now I’ve just gone and looked at the Pali website, and wow, beautiful stuff. I don’t even want to know what they cost. You could make a very nice headboard out of one of the panels.
I’m trying to parse this sentence properly - are you saying that no sort of drop-side cribs are made in the US any more? Because I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a crib that didn’t have some sort of drop-side mechanism.
I think drop-side cribs have become markedly less popular - replaced by cribs that are really low to the ground so instead of dropping the side you lean down to pick up the child. They sort of remind me of a wooden play-pen essentially.
As for the crib in question, I agree if it hasn’t been recalled and isn’t one of the ones that caused any deaths then freecycle or craiglist and someone will be glad to have it.
Chile – the Pali crib we bought was under $300. (Our replacement crib was under $200.) Pali is known for quality and safety, and we got lower end basic model, all we needed.
Aspid, I believe drop side cribs are now out. Not a full recall – though there are some out there trying to get one – but the liability issues are too high. New versions will have hinged tops that fold outward at the top. The drop sides – if parts broke – could make the side drop down and catch the baby’s arm or whatever, and they’d be trapped. Over 30 babies died in the US over the past 10 years from malfunctioning drop doors. Not a massive number, but the fix is easy.
Another option - take the drop-side off completely, then freecycle it as a toddler bed. My third nephew slept in his old cot with the side off till he was about five - even his bigger brother could still fit in it at 10 years old (yes, I have some short folks in my family)
If the drop-side is completely gone, you can be 100% sure it won’t drop on a baby and damage them.
