Drop Side Crib Recall: LaJobi Bonavita and Babi Italia Cribs

Nearly 5,000 drop side cribs manufactured by LaJobi have been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after repeated reports of the drop sides falling off and slats breaking. This could cause an infant to become entrapped, strangled or fall from the crib.

About 2,900 LaJobi Babi Italia “Pinehurst” and Bonavita “Hudson” cribs were recalled because of defective drops sides that can pop out of the tracks and detach from the cribs, creating a hazardous gap between the drop side and the crib mattress. Another 2,000 LaJobi Bonavita “Cabana” drop side cribs were recalled because the wooden slats can detach or break, creating a gap.

LaJobi has received reports of at least 16 incidents where the Bonavita “Cabana” crib slats failed and another 33 incidents where the Babi Italia “Pinehurst” or Bonavita “Hudson” drop side detached. At least two children became trapped due to the defects and a third fell from their crib.

The baby crib recalls are likely to add fuel to a spreading move against the drop side crib design, which features one side that lowers to allow the parent easier access to the child.

Since 2007, there have been at least 23 major drop side crib recalls involving millions of cribs that contained different defects associated with the lowering side, where dangerous gaps were created that allow children to become trapped. At least five infant deaths in the United States have been associated with drop side cribs that were later recalled.

In April, Toys “R Us announced that they are phasing out drop side crib designs and several major crib manufacturers agreed in March to support a proposed ban on new drop side cribs.

The baby cribs are often made with inexpensive, less durable parts, and the drop mechanisms have been prone to fail, particularly when the crib is disassembled and reassembled.

According to the U.S. CPSC, the recalled Pinehurst and Hudson cribs were sold between December 2006 and December 2007. The Babi Italia Pinehurst models were sold exclusively at Babies R Us and the Bonavita Hudson were sold at Baby Basics, Beautiful Beginnings, Buy Buy Baby and other children product stores. Both models retailed for about $300.

The Bonavta Cabana cribs were sold between January 2006 and May 2009 for about $450 at USA Baby, Beautiful Beginnings, Buy Buy Baby and other specialty stores.

Parents and caregivers have been urged to immediately stop using the recalled cribs and to contact LaJobi for replacement side rails or to arrange repairs. LaJobi can be reached at (866) 688-9009.