how can you tell if a vintage cot has lead paint?

[catnip85]

My mother in law has offered DH and I his old cot which was bought in 1985 from John Lewis. I think its probably fine and we will definitely buy a new mattress but does anyone know how to tell if the paint contains lead? Id rather be safe and buy a new cot if were not sure. Thanks for yr help!

I'm fairly sure that paint in 1985 was lead free. I think it was in the post war and 1950's that lead was commonly used in paint.

I've been googling to check, but I can't find a definitive answer to whether lead was still used in paint in the 80's, it was banned in 1992 according to wikipedia except for in certain types on paint (for historic buildings).

Thanks tutu yes ive found it difficult to get definitive info on the subject online. DH and his two siblings were fine so im sure its probably ok, I'm just being a paranoid first time parent!

If you're using a Moses basket/crib rather than the cot for the early months I would keep the cot and use it later on when grown out of the Moses basket. I probably would be also be too paranoid to use it in the early days

It probably will be ok, but I can understand why you wouldn't use it. My DP was cross with me for buying a new mattress for ds2's cot as ds1's was only 3 years old, but I took the buy a new mattress for the baby don't buy 2nd hand very literally and figured that the £45 it was, was cheap for the peace of mind it gave me.

I'm pretty sure 1985 isn't vintage

1985 predates certain safety regulations about spacing between cot bars. My parents offered me my old cot and I turned it down on the basis that it had bars too far apart. And it was generally manky ;)

I must admit i haven't seen it yet so will have to assess the bar spacing and level of mankiness before saying yes for sure!

i agree with you tutu id rather spend the money and have piece of mind

simplethings i know 85 isn't vintage but i couldn't think of a better way to describe the situation succinctly for the title!

Definitely check the bar spacing. PFB spent her first nights in a crib (with new mattress) from a very close family friend (think extra granny). It had been used by her 3 dc and then by her 1st gc (my god daughter). It was beautiful and immaculate and I was touched that dd was considered family. I then had a few PFB Googles and had to a) run out and buy another crib that didn't risk trapping her head and b) break the news that the crib no longer me safety regs. She was a bit as obvs all her dcs and gdc had been fine in it, but I couldn't take the chance.

*met

I will make sure to check it mrstumble

does anyone know if you can get a tester kit to check the paint? (or anything similar)

We're in the US (New Jersey) and lead paint is a big thing - our house is 100 years old so lead paint was definitely used at some point. It's flaky paint that you worry about (as can be inhaled). So sanding the cot before repainting should be done in a well ventilated space, with mask and not by you!

Our rule of thumb is anything older than 1978 I think. Lead testing kits are sold in the equivalent of Homebase so I'm sure you could get them online.

I'd be more worried about the bar spacing/drop side if it has one. I think it's sweet holding onto your baby's cot but I don't think it's a reason to 'force' it onto a potential grandchild (not saying you're being forced!). It can be hard to accept that safety standards have changed.

A 1985 cot will be fine. A quick google says lead paint was banned from being used in things accessible to children in 1963 so even accounting for paint in the supply chain for a few years- 1985 is fine.