Grandmother Needs Crib & Walker for 11-Month-old Whose Mother Just Started Work

Hi J.,

If you're not already a member, I highly recommend the Berkeley Parent's Network. It's an amazing resource and they have a newsletter, Marketplace, that comes out once a week and there are often free baby items available. You can subscribe/post your request on there http://parents.berkeley.edu/post.html.

Enjoy your grandchild!

J.. there are many second hand stores in the east bay that will have affordable items that you need to care for your granddaughter. you can also try craigslist.org, garage sales and mother's groups sales in your area. do a google search on second hand stores. you can find some great bargains out there

Hi J.,

Definately check craigslist.org - if it's not free it will at least be cheap. As a bunch of other mothers mentioned the walker is kind of passe. While its convenient they are rather dangerous and can slow down the walking process. Since walking is right around the corner a push cart might be a good alternative (though you'll still have to watch like a hawk - obviously). IKEA has a wooden push cart that he/she can use now and later (fun to put stuffed animals or blocks in and push around). IKEA also has a ton on wooden toys that are rather inexpensive. Just a thought since it's in your backyard.

Enjoy your grandbaby! How nice of you to play such an active roll in that little life.

xoxo,
T.

You might also check with Bananas on Claremont Ave www.bananasinc.org . I donated my kids' old crib there. And I second the rec for freecycle.org

For car seats: I'd avoid getting a secondhand seat unless it's from someone you personally know, since you can't be sure what condition the seat is in, whether it's been in an accident, etc. And if you're on a limited income and can't afford one, go to www.seatcheck.org and enter your zip code for the NHTSA list of Child Safety Seat inspection locations - many of these places have seats available for low or no cost. You might have to call a few because some of the info is out of date (Broadway VW in Oakland hasn't done car seat inspections for over a year). I called a few places on the list for a mom in our twins club who is on a very limited income and needed car seats for her twins, and we were able to get her some from the Hayward office of the California Highway Patrol (I've listed that info below).
Officer Cheever
California Highway Patrol
2434 Whipple Road
Hayward, CA 94544
Phone: ###-###-####

Please do not get a walker. They are extremely dangerous and not good for children's bodies. Please look into an Exersaucer instead. Even thresholds between rooms (not just stairs) can cause them to tip, espcially is the walker is wider that the doorway. Here is some info from the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) warns parents that baby walkers are not
“baby sitters.” Always take precautions and watch a
child in a baby walker to prevent the child from tipping
over or falling down stairs and being injured
or killed.
CPSC estimates that each year there are 21,300
hospital emergency room treated injuries associated
with baby walkers for children under 15 months
of age. CPSC receives reports of an average one
to two deaths a year with baby walkers. Most of
the injuries were caused by falling down stairs.
Before putting a child in a baby walker, take several
precautions. Check for hazardous areas where
the baby walker might go. Block off stairways and
exit doorways. Avoid areas where there are uneven
floors such as carpet edges or raised thresholds
that may cause the walker to tip-over. Clear away
objects on tables, countertops, or stove tops that a
child in a baby walker might be able to reach. To
avoid burn injuries, don’t let a child use a baby
walker near ranges, space heaters, or fireplaces.
After putting a child in a baby walker, watch the
child carefully because a child can move very fast
in a baby walker.
A voluntary standard for baby walkers requires that
walkers carry warning labels with many of these
messages on them. The standard also requires a
separate warning label – easily seen when the
consumer places a child in the walker – instructing
care givers to block stairs and steps securely
before using the walker.

And from a child safety site:
Medical experts do not recommend the use of walkers. Injuries as serious as skull fractures, concussions and broken limbs can occur if the walker tips over or if the baby falls down a staircase. However, if you do use a walker, please be sure to use the following guidelines.

Close and lock doors to stairways and block staircases with gates. Explain to older children that leaving doors open is not safe when a baby is in a walker.
Use walkers only on smooth surfaces. Edges of carpets, throw rugs and raised thresholds can cause a walker to tip over.
Never leave a child alone in a walker.
In a walker, a baby may be able to reach more items in the room and may move around faster. Constant supervision is essential.

check Craig's list.... and NO Walker!!!

J., I would go to www.Freecycle.org and post a "wanted" request. Also, look at the "offers". There are many freecycle groups in the Bay Area and I'm sure you could connect with someone close to you. This is a great organization and everything is FREE - posted and offered by people who don't want to fill the landfills with useful stuff.