The Chicago Tribune reports that major crib manufacturers have signed on to a proposal to ban drop-side cribs:
Such cribs allow parents to raise and lower one side for easy access. But bad designs, missing pieces and worn-out hardware have caused the adjustable railings to separate from cribs in ways that parents often couldn't see. Babies' bodies slid through the resulting gaps; in some cases their heads got caught and they strangled.
After three million drop side cribs have been recalled in the past two years, manufacturers seem to be saying "we give up. We can't design a safe drop-side crib."Sounds great, right? This will eliminate the problem (drop-side cribs), replacing it with static cribs that have no moving parts.We say, not so fast—this is potentially a really bad idea. Our points:• This will be a stealth tax increase on parents. Drop-side cribs are usually less expensive than static cribs: $100 to $300 less on average. Static cribs are often marketed as "convertible" models that morph into a full-size bed—this tends to justify the higher price. But some parents (and grandparents) just want a simple crib. • Shorter parents find static cribs hard to use. Drop-side cribs allow shorter parents to put a baby to sleep easier—the rail drops down six inches, making it easier to reach into a crib. With a static crib and the mattress in the lowest position, shorter parents find it hard to reach into a crib to put baby down to sleep.To address the last point, the government will let crib makers sell cribs with fold-down rails. But these cribs have also been the subject of recalls (see Baby's Dream in the 90's). And the fold down rail gives baby's a ledge to climb out of a crib—will we see more injuries from babies climbing and falling out of cribs with fold down rails?What's frustrating about this: prior to 1990, almost all cribs on the market were drop-sides. Somehow, engineers could design and manufactures could make these drop side cribs with few safety recalls. Now, suddenly, this can't be done?And let's not forget the law of unintended consequences. Remember CPSIA (the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) and thrift stores? If the government bans drop side cribs, what will stores and makers do with tens of thousands of drop-side cribs on the shelves today? And remember: there's no evidence these cribs are dangerous. There's only guilt by association.We wonder if crib makers see the writing on the wall: Democrats control Congress and the White House—there's no doubt this will become law. If they stand little chance of winning this fight, why not get ahead of the wave? And here's a bonus: you have the government mandate that only expensive static cribs will be sold in the future.Obviously, everyone—parents, consumer advocates and crib makers—want cribs to be safe. But that should be done through design standards and government enforcement of the rules. The government should NOT ban designs just because some companies have cut corners in design or manufacture of cribs. Feel free to weigh in on this topic!
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Most of the European models are not drop side, they’re just lower to the ground. Ikea sells them. Because they’re not these huge hulking cribs that you always see, they’re just as easy to get baby in and out of as a drop side crib. Less than $100 at Ikea…
Most of the European models are not drop side, they’re just lower to the ground. Ikea sells them. Because they’re not these huge hulking cribs that you always see, they’re just as easy to get baby in and out of as a drop side crib. Less than $100 at Ikea…
This is based on my very narrow experience of owning two cribs BUT, one was a fairly expensive (over $500) convertible drop side crib. We had no problems with that one. The second crib was a rather inexpensive (around $300 if not less) Jardine that was part of last year’s recall.
The Jardine was clearly of lesser quality all around. I found myself scraping wood and paint off just by coming into contact with the crib with a hard object, like my engagement ring.
By contrast, the other crib has held up beautifully – I know the model name was Cambridge, but I’m not sure of the maker. So perhaps ALL cribs simply need to be made better, and if that means they’re a little more expensive, then it’s worth it. Certainly, if I’d realized what a poorly made crib I was getting in the Jardine, I would have gladly spent more money on a better quality one.
Finally, just as a side note – I’m quite short and I can’t imagine having a baby on the lowest level without the drop side. I would have needed a fairly high step stool if there hadn’t been a drop side.
This is based on my very narrow experience of owning two cribs BUT, one was a fairly expensive (over $500) convertible drop side crib. We had no problems with that one. The second crib was a rather inexpensive (around $300 if not less) Jardine that was part of last year’s recall.
The Jardine was clearly of lesser quality all around. I found myself scraping wood and paint off just by coming into contact with the crib with a hard object, like my engagement ring.
By contrast, the other crib has held up beautifully – I know the model name was Cambridge, but I’m not sure of the maker. So perhaps ALL cribs simply need to be made better, and if that means they’re a little more expensive, then it’s worth it. Certainly, if I’d realized what a poorly made crib I was getting in the Jardine, I would have gladly spent more money on a better quality one.
Finally, just as a side note – I’m quite short and I can’t imagine having a baby on the lowest level without the drop side. I would have needed a fairly high step stool if there hadn’t been a drop side.
Why do you assume that static cribs have to be so far off the ground? The one static crib I’ve seen (from Ikea) was actually easier for me to reach into than the drop-side crib we have for our son. Is there some reason you think static cribs have to be raised as far off the ground as drop-side cribs? I personally like the low ones better, but maybe I’m missing something…
Thanks as always for keeping parents in the loop!
Why do you assume that static cribs have to be so far off the ground? The one static crib I’ve seen (from Ikea) was actually easier for me to reach into than the drop-side crib we have for our son. Is there some reason you think static cribs have to be raised as far off the ground as drop-side cribs? I personally like the low ones better, but maybe I’m missing something…
Thanks as always for keeping parents in the loop!
this was on the BBB message board. The JMPA has come out with a statement to address the rumors of eliminating dropside cribs.
this was on the BBB message board. The JMPA has come out with a statement to address the rumors of eliminating dropside cribs.
I have a crib from Ikea that’s really low to the ground, which I love. I’m 5’5″ so about average, but have had so much trouble trying to use “regular” taller cribs before– I once tried using one at a hotel that didn’t have a drop-side and I literally could not bend over enough to pick up my baby or put him back down gently.
If the cribs were all lower to the ground it’d make this a moot point– not to mention make the inevitable falls so many kids take when climbing out of their cribs, a little less dangerous b/c the fall will be shorter.
I have a crib from Ikea that’s really low to the ground, which I love. I’m 5’5″ so about average, but have had so much trouble trying to use “regular” taller cribs before– I once tried using one at a hotel that didn’t have a drop-side and I literally could not bend over enough to pick up my baby or put him back down gently.
If the cribs were all lower to the ground it’d make this a moot point– not to mention make the inevitable falls so many kids take when climbing out of their cribs, a little less dangerous b/c the fall will be shorter.
Why not have baby sleep on a futon instead of a crib? That would be so much more simple! Just baby-proof the baby’s room.
Why not have baby sleep on a futon instead of a crib? That would be so much more simple! Just baby-proof the baby’s room.
As a short parent I have had to practically drop my child into the bed because I didn’t have a hand free to lower the rail. However I have forgotten to raise the rail a few times which can cause major falls so I see how it’s unsafe.
There has to be some way to make them safe and if they do, they need alarms that go off if you walk over 3 feet away without putting the crib side back up. Not too loud of an alarm of course in case baby is sleeping.
As a short parent I have had to practically drop my child into the bed because I didn’t have a hand free to lower the rail. However I have forgotten to raise the rail a few times which can cause major falls so I see how it’s unsafe.
There has to be some way to make them safe and if they do, they need alarms that go off if you walk over 3 feet away without putting the crib side back up. Not too loud of an alarm of course in case baby is sleeping.
i am a parent of a 16 month old and we wanted a “plain crib” when we were searching to stock the baby’s room. we first bought the jardine windsor which was part of the recall of last spring/summer – but loved it b/c it was not a convertible – only cost about $200 and looked fantastic. we got a baby italia when the recall happened – and it is not as “pretty” but still is a drop side plain crib. the fixed ones that convert are a waste of money b/c if you are having more than one child – and the crib cost $500 or more – and it “converts into a toddler bed…” what do you do with your new baby? you have to buy a new crib for $500 while the first kid is in the converted bed and the baby is in the crib… to me – it makes more sense to graduate a toddler or small child into a regular bed that you probably already own and put your newborn back in the crib b/c… let’s face it… how many toddler beds do you really need. this would be a terrible thing to do – eliminating the drop side crib. for financial, practical freedom of choice reasons!
i am a parent of a 16 month old and we wanted a “plain crib” when we were searching to stock the baby’s room. we first bought the jardine windsor which was part of the recall of last spring/summer – but loved it b/c it was not a convertible – only cost about $200 and looked fantastic. we got a baby italia when the recall happened – and it is not as “pretty” but still is a drop side plain crib. the fixed ones that convert are a waste of money b/c if you are having more than one child – and the crib cost $500 or more – and it “converts into a toddler bed…” what do you do with your new baby? you have to buy a new crib for $500 while the first kid is in the converted bed and the baby is in the crib… to me – it makes more sense to graduate a toddler or small child into a regular bed that you probably already own and put your newborn back in the crib b/c… let’s face it… how many toddler beds do you really need. this would be a terrible thing to do – eliminating the drop side crib. for financial, practical freedom of choice reasons!
I’m glad we splurged on the drop side crib I fell in love with. Guess we’ll have to make a point of keeping it for kid #2 since we apparently won’t be able to buy another like it.
I think this is stupid.
I’m glad we splurged on the drop side crib I fell in love with. Guess we’ll have to make a point of keeping it for kid #2 since we apparently won’t be able to buy another like it.
I think this is stupid.
I agree that there should be some way of making these cribs safe, without getting rid of the drop-side entirely. However, as another option, we purchased a crib from Baby’s Dream. They have a side that folds down to make reaching into the crib easier, but it’s much sturdier than most drop-side cribs we tried. The cribs can be a little more expensive, but we managed to find one on sale at Lullaby Lane in San Mateo.
I agree that there should be some way of making these cribs safe, without getting rid of the drop-side entirely. However, as another option, we purchased a crib from Baby’s Dream. They have a side that folds down to make reaching into the crib easier, but it’s much sturdier than most drop-side cribs we tried. The cribs can be a little more expensive, but we managed to find one on sale at Lullaby Lane in San Mateo.
We have a Bonavita drop-side crib and I absolutely love it! I hope they don’t pass this ban.
We have a Bonavita drop-side crib and I absolutely love it! I hope they don’t pass this ban.
Here’s my view: we bought a crib (carter’s chocolate sleigh) this past summer and it does not have a drop down side. I didn’t think twice because it didn’t seem that significant. Until, as noted, the mattress is on the lowest level, and you’re trying to lay your child down. I’m about 5’6 and I go on my tippy toes to lay my daughter down. So I’ve begun to regret the ‘non drop down” crib.
I love my crib, it wasn’t inexpensive, but do think it would there is more risk if parents have to use step stools to feel like they could lay their child down. I can’t imagine what I would do if I were only 5 foot.
In the past year I’ve seen so many recalls–including cribs being sold with slats too far apart, construction defects,etc. Let’s get the manufacturers to set stricter guidelines to assure quality of cribs are improved and meet standards before they enter the mass market. Thats where this “law” should be focused. Drop down sides aren’t the issue, quality control is.
Here’s my view: we bought a crib (carter’s chocolate sleigh) this past summer and it does not have a drop down side. I didn’t think twice because it didn’t seem that significant. Until, as noted, the mattress is on the lowest level, and you’re trying to lay your child down. I’m about 5’6 and I go on my tippy toes to lay my daughter down. So I’ve begun to regret the ‘non drop down” crib.
I love my crib, it wasn’t inexpensive, but do think it would there is more risk if parents have to use step stools to feel like they could lay their child down. I can’t imagine what I would do if I were only 5 foot.
In the past year I’ve seen so many recalls–including cribs being sold with slats too far apart, construction defects,etc. Let’s get the manufacturers to set stricter guidelines to assure quality of cribs are improved and meet standards before they enter the mass market. Thats where this “law” should be focused. Drop down sides aren’t the issue, quality control is.
Did the owner of Baby’s Dream steal your girlfriend in highschool or something? You sure seem to have it out for them. From what I have researched the recall was issued in the 90’s due to three hinges being spaced along the drop-gate top rail allowing for fingers to be pinched, hasn’t this been taken care of (since the 90’s) with the addition of the piano hinge that runs the entire length of the drop-gate? And all this talk about footholds…this would be a huge issue if the position of the hinge (or foothold potential area in your opinion) was not higher than most stationary cribs? For example, my Generation Next Crib has a greater depth at the drop-gate hinge than the Emily Crib from Million Dollar Baby at the top of it’s stationary top rail. The Generation Next Drop-Gate then folds up to allow an additional six inches of depth to the crib. If your foothold logic is to hold true than all stationary cribs should pose the same foothold risk as the drop-gates because a child could also climb out of the top of the crib using the rail as a foothold, right?. Additionally the classic drop-side, non-convertible cribs should pose the same risk, if not greater, because the depth is less and both the mattress, at the lowest level, and the rail, when engaged, are higher than stationary.
I have been very happy with three Baby’s Dream sets for my kids, and believe they have ironed out all their issues since THE EARLY 90’S. Every company (and reviewer for that matter-look at all Baby Bargains well-rated items over the years which have been recalled)deserves a fair shake, honest review of their product based on fact, and a chance to redeem themselves after a mistake.
Did the owner of Baby’s Dream steal your girlfriend in highschool or something? You sure seem to have it out for them. From what I have researched the recall was issued in the 90’s due to three hinges being spaced along the drop-gate top rail allowing for fingers to be pinched, hasn’t this been taken care of (since the 90’s) with the addition of the piano hinge that runs the entire length of the drop-gate? And all this talk about footholds…this would be a huge issue if the position of the hinge (or foothold potential area in your opinion) was not higher than most stationary cribs? For example, my Generation Next Crib has a greater depth at the drop-gate hinge than the Emily Crib from Million Dollar Baby at the top of it’s stationary top rail. The Generation Next Drop-Gate then folds up to allow an additional six inches of depth to the crib. If your foothold logic is to hold true than all stationary cribs should pose the same foothold risk as the drop-gates because a child could also climb out of the top of the crib using the rail as a foothold, right?. Additionally the classic drop-side, non-convertible cribs should pose the same risk, if not greater, because the depth is less and both the mattress, at the lowest level, and the rail, when engaged, are higher than stationary.
I have been very happy with three Baby’s Dream sets for my kids, and believe they have ironed out all their issues since THE EARLY 90’S. Every company (and reviewer for that matter-look at all Baby Bargains well-rated items over the years which have been recalled)deserves a fair shake, honest review of their product based on fact, and a chance to redeem themselves after a mistake.