Can You Use a Crib With Missing Parts?

Updated December 17, 2025 by Jan of Unique Baby Gear Ideas

Can you use a crib with missing parts is a question many parents ask when setting up a nursery, especially after moving, buying a secondhand crib, or trying to reassemble a crib that’s been in storage. While some missing pieces may seem minor at first, certain crib parts are critical for safety and should never be ignored.

Parents often discover missing crib parts at inconvenient moments — during a late-stage nursery setup, after unpacking storage boxes, or when reassembling a crib passed down from family or friends. Knowing how to evaluate the situation helps avoid rushed decisions during an already busy time.

Understanding which missing parts matter, and which situations can be resolved safely, helps parents make informed decisions without panic or guesswork.

Can You Use a Crib With Missing Parts Safely?

Some crib parts are structural, meaning the crib cannot function as intended without them. If any of the following are missing, the crib should not be used until the correct parts are installed:

• Side rails or end panels
• Mattress support frame or metal spring base
• Corner posts or fixed structural posts
• Manufacturer-specific bolts, barrel nuts, or locking hardware
• Any component that affects slat spacing or mattress height stability

Using substitute hardware or leaving parts out entirely can change how weight and movement are distributed across the crib frame.

Why Crib Hardware Is Model-Specific

Crib hardware is designed for a specific crib model — not just a general size or style. Bolt length, threading, and head shape all affect how securely a crib locks together.

If original hardware is missing, the safest path forward is locating the correct replacement parts for that crib model rather than attempting to improvise.

You can explore brand and model–specific replacement guidance here: crib parts and replacement hardware help.

Can a Crib Be Used If Only Screws or Bolts Are Missing?

In some cases, parents discover that the crib frame itself is intact, but a small hardware bag has gone missing during a move or storage.

A crib may be usable if:

• The crib brand and model can be clearly identified
• The exact replacement hardware is located
• The crib can be fully assembled with no gaps, wobble, or movement

Assembly manuals are often helpful when identifying required hardware. Many older crib manuals are still available online: crib assembly instructions and manuals.

What If You Can’t Identify the Crib?

This is common with older cribs, hand-me-downs, or secondhand purchases.

Check underneath the crib, on the mattress support frame, or along the end panels for a manufacturer label or model number. Without that information, it becomes difficult to confirm whether replacement parts are correct for that crib.

When a crib cannot be identified with confidence, many parents choose to replace it rather than risk incorrect assembly. Current crib options and buying guidance can be found here: baby crib safety standards and buying guidance.

Locating Replacement Crib Hardware

If you know the crib brand and model, replacement hardware kits are sometimes available directly from the manufacturer or through trusted retailers.

Go here to see more

Having the correct hardware allows the crib to be assembled as intended, with all connection points fully secured.

Common Situations Where Crib Parts Go Missing

Missing crib parts often happen for practical, everyday reasons — not neglect. Many parents discover missing bolts or brackets after moving homes, storing a crib between children, or receiving a crib secondhand from a friend or relative.

In some cases, hardware bags are accidentally separated from the crib frame, while in others, parts are removed during cleaning or transport and never reattached. Older cribs may also have parts replaced years ago without clear records of what was changed.

Understanding how and when crib parts typically go missing helps parents approach the situation calmly and methodically, rather than making rushed decisions during nursery setup.

Crib Disclaimer — Please Read

Important note: I am not a crib manufacturer, retailer, or child-safety authority. I cannot verify the safety of any specific crib, part, or assembly situation.

Always confirm crib assembly, replacement parts, and continued use directly with the original manufacturer or a qualified child-safety professional. Using a crib with missing, altered, damaged, or unverified parts may increase the risk of structural failure, instability, or injury.

When It’s Better Not to Use the Crib

If you cannot locate the correct parts, cannot identify the crib model, or feel uncertain after assembly, it may be best to stop using the crib.

A properly assembled crib should feel completely solid, evenly aligned, and secure at every mattress height setting.

For additional help identifying parts or exploring replacement options, browse the crib parts help section here: crib replacement parts and model guidance.

For broader crib safety standards and recall information, you can also consult the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Crib safety standards from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission .

Hi, I’m Jan — the creator of Unique Baby Gear Ideas. I love helping expecting parents discover nursery décor inspiration and creative photo shoot ideas that make every stage of pregnancy feel beautiful.

Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of parents choose safe, stylish nursery furniture through hands-on reviews and real-world testing.

The suggestions I share here come from years of hands-on experience styling nurseries, reviewing maternity gowns, and learning what makes each photo session shine.

All articles and images on Unique Baby Gear Ideas are personally reviewed and edited by Jan Bay. Modern creative tools may assist with design or drafting, but every final page reflects my own voice, experience, and editorial judgment.