How to Buy Replacement Parts for Cribs

By the time your baby outgrows her crib and makes the move to a big kid bed, there may be another infant ready to take her place and call the crib her own. Whether it is a crib borrowed from a friend or a cherished family heirloom, baby crib parts can be easily lost or damaged during use and disassembly. If buying a new crib is not an option for you, replacing the missing parts may be the easiest and most economical solution.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Determine what parts are missing or are in need of repair by assembling the crib. This will provide the opportunity to thoroughly inspect each piece of equipment and it will also allow you to address any safety concerns that may become apparent during assembly.

2. Visit your local hardware store or home improvement warehouse if the repair is something as simple as a missing screw, bracket, mattress hook or caster. Home improvement stores carry a variety of fasteners and metal hardware that can be used as replacement parts.

3. Check with the manufacturer for more specialized parts. Look on the frame of the crib for the manufacturer name, contact number and address, or check the owner's manual for contact information. You will need the model number, serial number, and/or name of the crib, and the part to be replaced.

4. Check with a woodworking shop or local crib manufacturer. If the woodworking shop makes cribs, the company will likely have spare parts that are available for purchase.

Tips & Warnings

• Using parts other than those supplied by the crib manufacturer may void warranties or claims. Cribs that are assembled incorrectly, have missing parts, or that have crib slats that are greater than 2 3/8 inches apart can pose an entrapment and suffocation risk for infants.

References

• Crib Parts and More
• Consumer Product Safety Commission