Cribs with fold down side

Soon2B-Mrs.McC

We're starting to look at cribs... because I am short (5') I want either a drop-side or fold-down side crib. ?I hear manufacturers may stop producing drop-side cribs... so does anyone have ideas/recommendations for a good, solid, well-built fold-down crib that won't break the bank?

Abear

The company that makes cribs with fold down sides is Baby's Dream (there may be others as well). I think some of their cribs are pretty reasonably priced.?

That said, fold down sides are generally not recommended (the brand new version of baby bargains specifically recommends against them).

I was concerned about the same thing, being short as well, but, after looking at a few cribs one of the things I've found is that most convertible cribs (i.e. converts to a toddler and/or full bed) have a front that is low enough that bending over it shouldn't be a problem.?

FutureMrsDenman

I have a Baby's Dream fold down side crib and LOVE it!  I'm 5'2" and DH is just 5'4" and the fold down side has been wonderful for us.  We have never had a problem with it and have never seen DD do anything with it we consider unsafe.  I haven't read the latest Baby Bargain book so I don't know what their "beef" was with it.

greekguyswife

We have a Baby's Dream crib with the fold down side for our son who is now 2 years old. ?I think the original purchase price was somewhere around $4-500 + another $150 for the adult rails (converts to full bed). ?It is very well built, sturdy, and easy to put together. ?Once you get used to using it, the fold down side is very easy to use (when we take him out, we leave it open -- then you don't need to have hands free when you put him back in). ?I'm not sure why Baby Bargains recommends against them, but I love mine and am in fact buying another one for my second baby. ?It seems that I read somewhere that the Baby's Dream cribs have a lower mattress setting than most, so the crib is deeper and more difficult to climb out of. ?At 27 months my DS has never once climbed out. ?We actually recently converted it to the toddler bed and he loves it. ?Good luck with whatever you decide :-)

robbie3982

Baby Bargains recommends against them because it's supposed to make it easier for older babies to climb out.

mrsmel

baby bargins goes over the manufacturers that still make these.

you might want to still look at a convertable crib though, too. i'm on the shorter side and didn't have any problem reaching in to the solid side versions. at least give them a try.

lbap

This is totally different, but I wanted to recommend the crib that we have to you.  It is the Gulliver crib from Ikea (gets an "A" rating in Baby Bargains).  The sides don't move at all, but the entire crib is very low.  The top of the crib sides only come up about waist high.  It's worth checking out.  You can see what it looks like in my blog (link in signature).

Good luck!

Soon2B-Mrs.McC

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.  I've never even heard of 'Baby Bargains.'  I just don't like the convertible cribs, so I'm not even going to consider them.  Just too tough for me, and with my lower back problems, lifting a heavy toddler in/out of a stationary-side crib isn't going to happen. 

I think if parents are responsible and make sure the mattress height is appropriate for the size of the child, a drop-side or fold-side crib is fine... heck, that's what my mom, my husband's mom, all of my aunts, etc. used...and we all turned out JUST FINE. 

PinkPiano

My girls both used a crib with a fold down side.  We bought it at JCPenney but it was discontinued a few years ago. 
I've found the fold down side to be handy and necessary, but I will also say my 2nd dd was able to climb out of the crib by 20 months by using the fold down side.  My oldest never even tried it so I'm sure it just depends on the child but I guess it is a valid concern.