Is It Safe to Buy a Used Baby Crib?

Is it safe to buy a used baby crib is a question I hear all the time, especially from parents trying to save money without sacrificing safety. I’ve bought and refurbished many pieces of nursery furniture over the years, and I’ve learned that a used crib can absolutely be a safe choice — but only if you know exactly what to check.

See the safest cribs I recommend on Amazon

A warm, woodland-inspired nursery with a dark walnut crib styled for safety and comfort.

For a smooth start, my guide on when to start decorating the nursery outlines a simple timeline that helps everything come together without stress.

How to Know If a Used Baby Crib Is Actually Safe

If you’re considering a used baby crib, you’re not alone. Many parents hope to stretch their budget without sacrificing safety, and a pre-loved crib can be a wonderful option when you know what to look for. Over the years, as I’ve restored nursery furniture and reviewed hundreds of reader photos, I’ve learned that the difference between a safe used crib and a risky one comes down to a handful of very specific details.

Before we dive into the checklist, bookmark my crib parts guide — you may need it if your used crib is missing anything important.

The First Thing to Check: Does the Crib Meet Current Safety Standards?

This is the biggest question when buying a used crib. Safety standards have changed significantly, and older models are not always compliant. You should avoid:

To understand exactly what today’s crib safety standards require—including mattress fit rules, banned designs, and why certain older models should never be reused—my guide on how to choose a safe crib for a baby nursery walks through what parents should verify before buying or restoring a crib.

For a complete, up-to-date breakdown of modern crib safety standards, mattress fit requirements, and which add-on products to avoid, see my guide on how to choose a safe crib for a baby nursery.

Many parents also wonder when to start buying baby furniture, especially if they’re planning the nursery on a budget.

• Drop-side cribs (these were banned due to serious safety concerns)
• Cribs with wide slat spacing (older models often exceed the 2 ⅜” rule)
• Cribs manufactured before updated safety regulations

My page on why drop-side cribs were banned explains how to identify older cribs and spot drop-side mechanisms before you buy or use one.

Make Sure All Hardware Is Present

If there is one thing I’ve learned from years of helping readers locate parts, it’s that missing crib hardware is extremely common. Screws disappear. Bolts get tossed. Brackets break. And unless you replace them with the correct-sized parts, the crib will never be safe.

This is where your crib’s model number becomes essential. Once you have it, you can usually find matching replacements on my baby crib parts page or in the crib instructions archive.

Look Closely at the Slats, Mattress Support, and Frame

Never assume a used crib is sturdy just because it looks “fine.” Check for:

• Cracked or wobbly slats
• Loose joints
• Bent mattress support bars
• Signs of repair glue (a red flag)

If there is any doubt about structural integrity, skip it. Cribs endure years of kicking, bouncing, and toddler gymnastics. You want one that still has many safe months left in it.

A Reminder That Used Doesn’t Mean Unsafe

When I was preparing my daughter’s first nursery, I stumbled upon a gently used crib tucked into the corner of a local children’s boutique. At first, I hesitated — buying something used felt risky. But the owner showed me the model number, confirmed it met updated standards, and even handed me the original manual. That crib became the heart of her nursery, and it served us beautifully. Sometimes a used crib just needs a careful eye and a little extra time to confirm it’s safe.

Check for Recalls Before You Buy

The government safety commission has lists that tell us is it safe to buy a used baby crib of a particular make and model. This step takes less than two minutes and could save you from choosing a crib that’s no longer considered safe. Visit the official Consumer Product Safety Commission recall database and search for the crib’s brand and model.

Does the Crib Come With a Mattress? That’s a No.

Used mattresses should not be reused for safety and hygiene reasons. Always purchase a new, firm, well-fitting crib mattress. A poor fit can create dangerous gaps between the mattress and the crib sides.

Because hygiene matters just as much as fit when setting up a crib, I walk through safe cleaning steps, sanitizing do’s and don’ts, and realistic mattress care routines in my guide on how to clean a crib mattress.

Is It Safe to Buy a Used Baby Crib and Worth It Financially?

Yes — as long as the crib passes your safety checklist. Many used cribs are high-quality, solid-wood pieces that cost a fraction of their original price. Pair your savings with a brand-new mattress and safe hardware, and you can create a beautiful nursery without overspending.

Because choosing a used crib is often part of a larger budget strategy, my guide on how much a nursery costs breaks down typical price ranges, smart savings, and where spending more actually makes sense.

For inspiration on choosing pieces that last, take a look at my favorite nursery furniture ideas and reviews.

This is explained in more detail in my guide on whether it’s safe to use a used crib mattress, including fit, hygiene, and risk considerations.

Your Used Crib Safety Checklist

• Meets current safety standards
• No drop-side hSupporting Imageardware or vintage hazards
• All screws, bolts, and brackets included
• No cracks, wobbles, or glued repairs
• No peeling paint
• Passed recall check
• New firm mattress purchased separately

How to Tell If a Used Crib Is Still Worth Buying

Even after a used crib passes the basic safety checks, many parents wonder whether it’s truly “worth it.” The answer often comes down to the quality of materials and the overall construction. Solid wood cribs tend to age better than composite or particle-board models, especially if they’ve been stored indoors. If you notice slight scuffs, that’s usually cosmetic — but deep gouges or loose joints may signal that the crib has been through more wear than you want for a nursery.

When weighing different crib options, my complete baby cribs guide breaks down the features that matter most.

Pay attention to how the crib feels when you gently shake it side to side. A safe crib should feel sturdy, without rattling or flexing. If it moves too easily, you may need replacement hardware to restore stability. My crib instructions archive can help you compare your crib’s assembly to the original manufacturer diagrams.

Finally, trust your instincts regarding if it's safe to buy a used baby crib you just found at a garage sale. If something about the crib doesn’t feel right — a wobble, a strange repair, or a missing part — it’s okay to walk away. A crib should give you peace of mind, not added worry. And with so many gently used options out there, the right one will come along.

Nursery Furniture Can Look Nice After a Makeover

See my favorite crib picks on Amazon

A soft, relaxing nursery moment reminding us how comforting a well-put-together room can feel.

Where to Go Next

For broader planning questions, my main Pregnancy Questions page brings together all of my most helpful Q&A guides in one place.

Now that you know what to look for, you should be able to answer the question "Is it safe to buy a used baby crib" for yourself. My hands-on crib repair guides may help you decide whether the used crib you found can be restored safely. Explore:

• Crib Parts
• Simmons Crib Parts
• Storkcraft Parts
• Crib Instructions Archive

Please note that I am not an employee or official representative of Delta Children, Simmons, Storkcraft, or any other crib manufacturer. I can help guide you with general information and point you toward common solutions, but only the manufacturer can provide model-specific parts, safety updates, or official instructions.

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 better understand crib models, identify missing hardware, and think through general options when replacement parts are needed. Most of the questions I see come from everyday situations like moves, storage cleanouts, or inherited cribs—not from inside knowledge of any manufacturer.

I’m not an employee, agent, or representative of any crib brand or retailer, and I don’t sell cribs, mattresses, or parts. I’m also not a medical, legal, or crib safety professional. Everything shared here is based on independent research and real-world experience running this site, and is provided for general informational purposes—not official manufacturer guidance or professional advice.

For full details about how information on this site should be used and understood, please review the Unique Baby Gear Ideas Disclaimer.

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.

Comments below as well as visitor submissions via the invitations on select pages reflect personal opinions and experiences shared by readers and are not professional or manufacturer guidance.