Used Crib Mattress and Bedding

Updated on June 04, 2012
K.A. asks from New York, NY
9 answers

I am pregnant with baby #2 but we gave our crib away when we thought we were done having kids. A friend said we could "have" her Stokke Crib a while back since her son was moving to a bed. Well now it's a few weeks before my due date and she sent me an email saying that she'll give us the crib, mattresses (bassinet and crib) and all bedding for $450. I was a little caught off guard because she said we could have it and never mentioned anything about selling it to us. She claims it's a good deal because she paid over $1700 for everything but at the same time, she used it for 2 kids. We spent a lot on our first crib and mattress too so I can relate to wanting to recoup some costs but we were unable to sell ours as no one wanted a used crib despite it meeting all the safety requirements. We ended up just giving it to our super for one of his family members who needed it.

I really like the Stokke but feel after the mattress and bedding has been used by 2 kids I should certainly buy a new mattress and bedding (my husband thinks its fine to use what they give us, since we know them and know them well). Given this, is it worth paying this for the Stokke and having to buy all new stuff which will end up costing in the ballpark of $1000 between the crib, new mattress and new bedding vs buying a brand new, more modest crib ($200-$250+$150 mattress+reasonable priced bedding) and have all brand new stuff for my new baby?

Would love your thoughts on this and particularly thoughts on using a used crib mattress and bedding for the 3rd child.

Thanks.

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R.Y.

answers from New York on

Well, I have a crib from my aunt that was used by 2 cousins and my 2 kids and had no problems. If you feel strongly I can see a case for getting a new mattress. On the other hand I was just as glad to have a used mattress since I heard stories about new mattresses releasing harmful chemicals. But I trusted my relatives and on one smoked at home or anything like that. I bought new bedding but if you got some used you could just wash in hot water or keep it for "emergencies". Definitely get enough to layer on the sheet and waterproof mattress pad a few times to save work in the middle of the night. I did that with my kids and never got down to the bottom layer with either kid. The t-shirt fabric sheets stretch and are way easier to get on and off.

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T.W.

answers from New York on

Stokkes are nice aren't they? But I don't think I'd want one after being used by 2 kids, 1 yes, 2 no. Also I think the US guidelines have changed and you're not allowed to sell used cribs anymore. I am not entirely sure of the details (I'm in Australia) but I read it on another forum.

I know that the Stokkes go for a lot over here but they're about $1700 to begin with, so what she's offering would be a good price BUT only if you didn't buy new mattress/bedding. Could you maybe ask her what she would take just for the crib?

And it's a shame that she didn't say that she would be selling not giving. I've been caught out like this myself and I always feel a little embarrassed so now I just ask something like "oh how much do you think you will let it go for?"

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C.D.

answers from New York on

if you have to pay for it i would just buy a new one with all new stuff.

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A.F.

answers from New York on

If she said you could have it now is trying to sell it, I think that's a bit shady. Yes Stokke is a high end brand but it IS a used crib which people say is not good to use regardless since standards change over time and you should always buy cribs new. I would say sorry you changed your mind and just buy your own crib. This woman did a bit of a bait and switch in my book.

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E.Y.

answers from New York on

If I were you, I would renegotiate the price to take everything minus the mattress. The wooden part and sheets can be well-cleaned, but the mattress can not. Then, just splurge on a new mattress, I think buy buy baby even sells a brand that fits in the Stokke crib but is not made by Stokke. $250 would be a good offer, considering she already used it for 2 kids, plus she will have a lot of trouble finding another buyer.

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S.E.

answers from New York on

unless shes willing to negotiate the price id say youre better off just getting new stuff.. i did my registry pretty recently.. the crib i picked out (turns into a toddler bed).. was under 200$ 179 i believe.. the mattress was about 60 and the bed set i picked out was 150.. they definatley had less expensive ones that were also cute but i really wanted the jungle theme... thats less then what she wants u to pay her for her old stuff

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L.H.

answers from New York on

I wouldn't. It's different if it's a relative, but I just feel funny about used mattresses and bedding. When it comes to any used furniture, I will not take any upolstered or mattresses. Too many things can get into upolstery/mattresses like smells, bedbugs, dust, dutsmites, fleas, etc. Frames, metal, and wood can be cleaned or refinished and it's harder for microscopic things/bugs to live on them. There used to be a show called "Furniture on the Mend." It featured 2 guys that pick up used furniture and redo it. Even they would think twice about upolsterd furniture. They had one piece on their show and they threw out all the old stuffing and upolstery, then re-did it with new stuffing and fabric. You can get cheaper cribs from discount stores like Walmart, Target, and Kmart. Target has a crib with a side changing table for $199.99. It sounds like you really don't need anything expensive, since you thought you had your last so this one might be the last. Even if this is not your last baby, babies don't stay little for long. You'll probably only be using the crib for 1-2 years. It's not worth it to go expensive and have the top-of-the-line model. This way you can save money for the bed your child will be needing later on.

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M.B.

answers from New York on

I see no reason not to use the bedding. It can be washed, after all (do you sleep on sheets in a hotel? :). The mattress is a more grey area. To me, it would depend on the quality of the mattress. I actually don't like new mattresses because of the chemicals in them, and a benefit of older mattresses is that they've already off gassed their chemicals. However, a downside is that they can harbor germs. I'm frankly not all that concerned, and would probably just get a mattress cover if you are, assuming it's in good condition.

However, I'd tell you that you gave away your crib set, and thought she was giving you this one. You simply can't pay that much, especially for a used set. See if she will give it to you for less. If not, then it's really up to you ... what do you want more? Realize, also, that some companies like DaVinci make pretty inexpensive ($150?), very solid, non-toxic cribs. If you insist on a new mattress either way, that sounds like a much cheaper option.

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J.S.

answers from Detroit on

Buy your own. A crib and mattress can be less then 200.00. And you won't need anything more than a few sheets for a long time. Good luck with baby #2!

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