Is It Safe to Paint a Baby Crib

Updated on November 14, 2008
M.D. asks from Manvel, TX
11 answers

I am due in January and have two cribs from my first two. One will go to my moms and I was wanting to use the other one for our new baby girl. I would like to coordinate her room to match the furnture, so I was wanting to know if it is safe to paint the crib. If so, would anyone also know the proper steps to take in doing so?

Thanks a bunch!
M.

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M.P.

answers from Houston on

There are new paints out now that are environmentally friendly with low odor. Ask at Home Depot.

If it is already painted, you can just paint over it. If f it is stainthe old color is dark and/or bright, primer first so it won't show through new paint. If is is stained, you can just paint it directly.

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K.N.

answers from Austin on

Honestly, I wouldn't have wanted to breath in paint fumes when I was preggers... But then again, I am allergic to latex... which includes latex paint. Paint fumes in general give me respiratory distress and headaches. But, perhaps I'm more sensitive to it anyway?

You probably need to strip the wood and do a light sanding of all sides/parts of the crib, as new paint will not stick to varnished wood (and you don't want the paint flaking off or posing a risk of being ingested when the baby is grabbing the rails and is more mobile in the crib). (Wear a mask so you don't breathe in the wood & varnish particles! Yuck...)

You can get the repainting steps from: http://www.helium.com/items/346774-tips-for-painting-old-...

(And admittedly, maybe I'm just lazy but we were given a crib... It doesn't match. Its fine. No one from a baby magazine was going to take pictures of her room anyway. I figure we will devote all the time, effort and money to making a cutesy girl room when she gets her real bedroom furniture. Her baby furniture is only gonna be used for 1-3 years anyway... not worth it to me...)

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A.J.

answers from Killeen on

I'm pretty sure there are paints designed "safer" to paint baby furniture with. I'd just go into a Home Depot or something like that and ask =)

1 mom found this helpful
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C.R.

answers from San Antonio on

I wouldn't do it, not sure if it's safe, you should probably ask a doctor or paint specialist. If you do paint make sure you seal it really well. Thing is, babies chew on cribs, paint chips off even if they don't chew it and your baby can swallow it. However, staining a crib won't hurt but again, just seal it well. Stain does not chip off like paint does.

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T.S.

answers from Houston on

I would not suggest painting the crib due to the paint chipping. Even if it doesn't chip on its own, your child is eventually going to be at the age of biting on things including the crib. Home Depot and Lowes now carry wood stains that are colored...red, green, blue, purple, white, black, etc. I would highly recommend checking into these before painting.

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S.O.

answers from San Antonio on

Yes, just buy the proper paint. Make sure and tell the store clerk that it is for a baby crib. I did and they recommended 100% acryllic paint. It's very durable and shouldn't have any harmful lead or anything. Just ask for help.

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C.M.

answers from Houston on

You need to have someone else do this for you. The cribs will need to be lightly sanded and primed, then painted with a low VOC paint in order to prevent chipping and/or peeling. Then the cribs and the rooms they are in will need to air out for a couple of weeks. If you are getting new mattresses, I would take the plastic covers off and let them air out for a few weeks too.

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S.C.

answers from Houston on

I repainted the crib we were given for my daughter w/ spray latex (no brush strokes!)
Just sand the existing finish so it sticks, there's no need to strip it down all the way.

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

You need to sand the crib to rough it up. I would use a primer too. Then paint the crib. I wouldnt use a gloss finish due to it peeling. At least in my experience. You could always ask the person at the paint store. They should know. Congrats on the new baby. Oh btw I would get some one else to do the painting and work on the crib and stay clear of the fumes and dust that comes with sanding.

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L.B.

answers from Houston on

ooohhh... thanks for asking.
I want to do the same thing. I have a white crib I want to paint navy blue... So let us know how it goes!

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A.R.

answers from San Antonio on

There is a paint called milk paint. It is safe to use.

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