MIL been unreasonable - now I have to buy a cot

[kirstenn123]

I need advice on buying a cot - I'm completely clueless 😂

At the start of pregnancy , I looked at cots & was overwhelmed at the prices !
MIL suggested we have the cot that is in her house , that she called a "family heirloom"
My OH was raised in this cot along with other family members
At first , I said no as I wanted a new one but due to covid & furlough & decreased funds , I eventually gave in & accepted it
My OH also stated all we needed to buy was a new mattress & he was sold on the idea of raising his son in the cot he was raised in - I asked him if I could pain / modify it & he said yes

Fast forward to 30 weeks pregnant ( MIL is due to drop it off when we have the family seeing times on Xmas week ) my OH spoke to her the other day & asked what kind of material it was so he could buy the correct paint - she's told us we are not to paint it
OH says he's still gonna paint it , but his mother can be a little petty when it comes to arguments , & I'm not her biggest fan already

We're gonna wait until the January sales , does anyone know any websites / shops etc I can buy one from
I've looked on Argos / way fair & the common ones but there too pricey

Thanks !!!

The IKEA one (big and chunky, can't remember what it's called!) has survived both our children and is packed away for any potential future use. We were really pleased with it.

Debenham's current liquidation sale??

Your mil isn't being unreasonable. Try IKEA.

Having used a 'heirloom' cot, I'd definitely recommend swerving it.

They don't have the same features for mattress height/cot side height. Then there's the stress that it might be damaged on your watch...especially as like me it'd come from in-laws rather than your family.

Even buying a newer one second hand would be better, just a clean down and new mattress and you'll be fine.

I wouldn’t paint as when teething the paint might get chewed.,

We got ours in Boots January sales. Also check out local Facebook selling groups?

Your MiL is not being unreasonable. I can't think of many people who'd be happy with a family heirloom being painted.

But there are so many shops you can buy a cot. In terms of brands Stokke do good ones that will last into toddlerhood but are a bit pricey - but last well. What is your budget if Argos cots are out of it? Probably 2nd hand is the way to go for you and just get a new mattress. Ebay or facebook marketplace are the obvious places to start.

What's your budget?

I would be wary of lead paint, if it is deemed an heirloom

My sister has just painted our family’s heirloom cot. I am fucking fuming about it.

You are beyond unreasonable.

But the cheapest one you can find in ikea and paint that however you like.

Wow.
Didn't expect to go on my break at work & get called ungrateful , there is plenty more to this story but there is not much time in the day to explain it all
I only asked for peoples advice / opinions on buying a new cot , so for those who have mentioned places , thank you very much
I appreciate it

a nice mil would offer to buy you one you actually want to use, realising you are a bit broke atm. whats the point of an 'heirloom' lying around in the attic? if its that antique its probably not good to use anyway.

@ODFODXmas how old was your heirloom cot?

Buy a second hand cot and a brand new mattress. We had the IKEA Hensvik for £25 and a brand new mattress from George for £30.

I don’t think your MIL is being unreasonable. Since she kept the crib this whole time it obviously has sentimental value and she probably wants it back at some point.

That said you obviously don’t have to take it.

Cribs really don’t have to be expensive so try not to stress about it. When are you due?
If the last minute cost is a worry then I would hold off until baby is 3/4 months and look for something then.

yeah sorry op you have to put up with this i think some people just come on here to argue, coz they're anonymous and feeling hacked off

[quote ineedaholidaynow]@ODFODXmas how old was your heirloom cot?[/quote]
1954. Why?

Don’t know if it’s still the case but we got ours from Dunelm when they had a sale on so that might be worth a look for you?

I’m on your side OP although I seem to be the only one on here.
But then I’m not petty or precious about ‘heirlooms’ or ‘family traditions’. Plenty of other people clearly are though!

Only skimmed thread, sorry.

Yes, get yourselves a nice new one.

Tell DH he can put baby down in his old cot when you're at MILs. (probably wont happen but you don't need to mention that).

Make sure you're new cot has a drop down side and a couple of settings for the height of the base. While they're really small it's handy on the back if it has a higher setting. When they get climby it's handy to be able to drop the base right down low so they can't climb out for a few more months.

For context, the cot was refurbished for me 40 something years ago (and then used for the ungrateful brat). Then again for my DD 10 years ago. New fittings that couldn’t come loose, sanded down in case of sharp bits, original friezes sealed with child friendly varnish by my lovely dad. About 20 hours of love each time, and again for my nephew.

And then she slaps some cheap B+Q paint all over it when nobody is looking, which has gone like chewing gum with the varnish and he’s had to spend over 50 hours trying to get the stuff off, because she’s far too precious to fix her own messes.

Don't bother buying one, if you post on your local parents fb group that you need one then I'm sure someone will give you one for free.

@ODFODXmas so does it conform to safety guidelines if it has been refurbished

Once it’s given to you then it’s yours.

Paint it if you want or just tell her you don’t want it and buy a nicer looking one that will match the theme of the room.

Asda do cots fairly cheap

Once it’s given to you then it’s yours

That's not how borrowing works.