How much is too much to spend on a crib?

LCB34

Am I completely insane to spend $1200 on a crib (simply the crib ? no other furniture) that is not a convertible crib?  Should I just suck it up and pick something not as appealing to me 9and the design of the nursery) and go cheaper?

Thoughts please!

ETA: Thanks for your thoughts ladies.  It is in the nursery budget.  We are going to see it in person (as well as another cheaper crib) this weekend to decide.  I just really want a metal crib and it is hard to find one under $800.

And, for those that mentioned college funds - Kate already has a college fund that we put into every month - so nothing is being taken away from that.

 

Mouseygail

I'd go cheaper and save the money to get a big girl bed that she will be able to use a lot longer....realistically, she is only going to use the crib for a max of what, 2 years?  and that's if you start her off in the crib right away...  Good luck with your decision!

kimarino13

I went cheap.  But my ILs almost spent $1200 on a crib - times two (!!) - for their house.  Whoa.  Good thing we stopped them.

cjsbdl

I'll tell you my experience. We bought an expensive crib, and I wish we'd gone a little cheaper. There are plenty of good, safe cribs to be had out there for a lot less than we paid. It's hard not to get caught up in the excitement of having to have everything just perfect, but I'm much more frugal now than I as then about such things, and it's hard not to look at that crib and think how I could've started H a college fund with some of that money. lol

Carrie25

I think you have to do what feels right to you and your budget.  I wouldn't spend that much on just the crib, especially since it doesn't convert to another bed though.  They are only in it a few years.  IMO, I would pick a less expensive, more practical.  There are some beautiful cribs for less, but that's just my opinion.  Whatever you choose, just be happy with it!

smilee

For me, yes.  Especially if it is not a convertible. And this is coming from the girl who has "gone nuts" spending because I have it in my head that:

A. I worked so damn hard to get here- I deserve it

B. We probably aren't having anymore kids.  

howleyshell

It's a personal decision but IMO that's insane.

You're going to use it for a little over 2 years.  When you have another child that's another 2 years.

When spending that kinda cash on furniture I'd expect more than 4-5 years of use out of it.

 We went a cheap as possible on cribs and splurged on other things like a comfortable glider and britax car seats. 

 

But... if you've got the cash and it's your dream crib then who am I to judge?

After IF many women go crazy all out on nurseries.  After all..... you've had a loooong time to dream about this! 

jmkatz

For me, yes - that is too much.  But my baby won't sleep in her crib

 

EastCoastBride

As my entire nursery set cost less than $500 (Ikea!) I can not fathom spending $1200 on just a crib. 

 

krissyh21

I guess it depends on your finances but I could think of so much more I could use 1200 for other then a crib that you will only use for about 1 year.

Even if you plan to have more children, still not worth even 2 years of use. IMO

ejgballerina

Personally, I wouldn't spend that, especially on a crib that isn't convertible.  We spent $700 on a convertible crib that I LOVE and even now, I'm thinking that we should've saved our money since I don't know that I will like it as a bed eventually, but it really is a gorgeous crib.  On top of that, DS usually spends half or most of the night bedsharing with us anyways so it really doesn't get used all that much yet.  See if you can find something comparable for cheaper and use the money on something else, like an awesome armchair glider.  We scrimped on that and bought just a regular glider with an ottoman and wished we would've splurged because it's just not comfortable--ESPECIALLY if you decide to BF and you spend hours and hours 24/7 in that chair during the first few months.  You want to be as comfy and cozy as possible.  Just my two cents!

LVBlvd

Paige's crib was around $700.  It is a convertible crib so we will use it for her toddler bed and a full some day.  I am in love with this wrought iron crib for baby #2 that is more like $1,000.  I'm hoping I can talk DH in to it!

I think the same thing is true for all purchases in life:  if you can afford it, then it is your prerogative to buy it.

InACitySoNice

I splurged on my crib and my stroller - both by Stokke, and both a little pricey.  But they have lasted through 2 kids and look spanking new.  I didn't want to settle on something less that wouldn't last as long or look as good.  I didn't splurge on much else ... unless you count the Britax car seats, but I don't consider that a huge expense ... just an investment in safety.

But, I gotta say, my crib does convert, so ... I dunno.  How cute is that crib anyway?!  lol

JGirl2005

I will say that some ppl spend a  lot on a stroller and some on a crib or nursery and some on something else.  Some ppl only want new clothes for their baby and some take hand me downs.....everyone spends their money on different stuff.  I used to wonder why ppl spent so much on strollers, but it does make sense where they live and why should I judge....I had to get a jogging stroller and a regular stroller so it all adds up.

I will say that DS never (and still doesn't) sleep in his crib, so it would have been a waste at least for me. 

Do what you feel comfortable doing....

hannah&ben

To me, that does seem insane.  That's a lot of money to spend on a piece of furniture that will be chewed on at some point. 

Even though I could afford it I'd still rather put that money toward something more important like the kids' college fund.

Do you want more kids?  Is there any chance you might need it again?  That would would weigh in on my decision as well.

If it's not convertible you'll only be using it for a few years tops (once kiddo can climb out its dangerous).

Babies don't care about the design of their nursery, not even a little.

That being said, if it's truly workable in your budget, like, you've got $1,200 just laying around and you love it, why not?

 

muppet.fan

For me, that would have been way, way too much to spend. We went with a $100 IKEA gulliver crib and absolutely love it. We get more compliments and comments on it than anything else.

But if it's what you love and you have the budget, then you should get what makes you happy.

ETA: Will you be keeping LO in your room in the beginning? We decided on a low-cost crib partly because we knew she'd be sleeping in our room for the first six months and wouldn't even be using the crib.

kimarino13

Oh, to answer your question, if you love the crib and have the money, spend it.  It's totally a personal decision!  I think we all deserve to have the nursery of our dreams (if we can afford it) for what we have been through.

OrangeSmoke

Not in my opinion.

Honestly - if you can afford it, go for it.  If I think about how much I spent on my bed I can't imagine giving my babies cheap furniture.  We are getting PBK cribs - not quite as much as $1200 but expensive compared to IKEA.

Also, some of the high end cribs have really good resale value.  I've seen PBK and Bellini cribs sell for $400 on Craigslist so I'm thinking you can always get a portion of your $$ back.

ladychicago

people do it all the time, but imo, it is a waste of money.    so long as the crib is safe, anything other than a basic crib is for you, not so much for the baby.   i would much rather use our money for other things that either we will enjoy more or will actually benefit the baby.   

shipoopiisforme

i am on the fence. i am spending about that much per crib, but with 2 mattresses for each crib (for the mini and full sized) and they can convert to toddler and twin beds, i just don't know if we will use them for that.

i know myself and if i found something i thought was utterly perfect and nothing else would be as good to me i would probably spend that much.

it is a lot but if it's not going to break the bank for you guys and you love it i say go for it.

RoxBride

If your house is paid off, and so are your cars, and the college fund is at least off to a great start...go for it.

But remember, when baby is here, that is what you'll be staring at...not the crib.

choco_lab

Think of it this way..

Would you spend $1200 on a piece of furniture for something that only YOU will see (since you will probably be the only one that really sees it... lots of people aren't going to be touring your baby's room on a regular basis) and that you will have to put in storage or give away in 2 years?  And your baby isn't going to know any better.

Personally, I'd rather spend $500 and splurge on a really great stroller for $700!

MBandBud

I'm going to come right out and say yes, it is insane.  Because I almost started looking at cribs that much and then stopped myself.  It felt good to 'step away' and realize that this baby will not be defined by the nursery but by the beautiful little girl she will be.  AND there are some very nice cribs for less than 1/2 that. 

Maybe this will help $1200 divided by 24 months = $50 a month for a crib.  Instead sign her up for some mommy and me classes or spend the leftover cash on something she will really enjoy.  Or date night with DH.  She will enjoy the residual effects of Mommy and Daddy being happy!!

Soon2beMrs.Sivert

No, I don't think so. Everyone spends their money differently. We bought $500 cribs, they are convertible. My weakness is photography. Ah well.... It's totally up to you. Enjoy it!

dana316

Yep...too much.  You can get a gorgeous convertible crib for less.  We have a beautiful Cocoon convertible crib that I paid around $600 for.

 

roaringrock

yikes. I can easily think of 1200 other thing to spend $1200 on. college being high on the list.

Temp848906437505510

kimarino13:

Oh, to answer your question, if you love the crib and have the money, spend it.  It's totally a personal decision!  I think we all deserve to have the nursery of our dreams (if we can afford it) for what we have been through.

Agreed.  If you want it and you can afford it, I see absolutely nothing wrong with it.

ladychicago

MBandBud:

Maybe this will help $1200 divided by 24 months = $50 a month for a crib.  Instead sign her up for some mommy and me classes or spend the leftover cash on something she will really enjoy.  Or date night with DH.  She will enjoy the residual effects of Mommy and Daddy being happy!!

this is a great way to think about it!   totally how we try to think through things at our house, anyways.

TakYelgif

Yes but my entire nursery set was free, it was a hand me down from a friend.  Since it was only a few years old and had no recalls.

BoxTer

I think ours was just under $1,000 but it converts to a full bed that she will (hopefully) have for many years to come, and then we could use as a guest bed. I had a really hard time finding furniture I liked! I don't think we would have spent that much on a crib that didn't convert, but if it's in your budget and it makes you happy, go for it!

madhatter2003

for us, yes it would be. There are other things I'd rather spend money on than baby furniture. But if you hvae the budget for it, go for it.

CandT

I was never going to spend that much, but I decided against a more expensive pottery barn crib only for a more practical jc penny 3in1 crib. I think it's just as nice and have chosen to put that money into other items. Like you mentioned we have a nursery budget and I just adjusted money from one items to others.

But, it is your money and your first baby's crib, so get what will make you  happy in the end! 

adreamisawishyourheartmakes

I'm a little late here, but if you really love it, I say go for it, especially if it is within your budget.  We have expensive nursery furniture and I dont regret it.  It is beautiful and functional. 

firsttogo

LVBlvd:

I think the same thing is true for all purchases in life:  if you can afford it, then it is your prerogative to buy it.

Pretty much this! It does not matter if I think it is too much. The value of something is relative. Do you want to do it, can you do it?

EverAfterinMi

Honestly, I don't have as much issue with the money you want to spend on it.. (I'm a total stroller whore) than the fact that it is metal. I know two people who had metal cribs and replaced them after their baby injured themselves on it. One of the babies got a concussion.

Babies jump all over their cribs and fall all the time. Metal cribs scare me to death.

Quizzle

For me, personally? Yes. I decided that I would spend more money if I were getting a convertible crib -- right now our front-runner is a Munire wooden crib that's being discontinued, so there's a really good deal on it.  If we'd decided to not do convertible, we'd be going with something like Ikea's Gulliver . But we have a very small space and she'll be sharing with us, so we needed clean and simple lines.

I'm more apt to want to spend big money on the stroller or glider, because those are more important to me. 

Granted, the baby crib will probably be the nicest piece of furniture in our house, outside of the few antiques we have. We have a real mishmash. 

emmyloustu

ejgballerina:

Personally, I wouldn't spend that, especially on a crib that isn't convertible.  We spent $700 on a convertible crib that I LOVE and even now, I'm thinking that we should've saved our money since I don't know that I will like it as a bed eventually, but it really is a gorgeous crib.  On top of that, DS usually spends half or most of the night bedsharing with us anyways so it really doesn't get used all that much yet.  See if you can find something comparable for cheaper and use the money on something else, like an awesome armchair glider.  We scrimped on that and bought just a regular glider with an ottoman and wished we would've splurged because it's just not comfortable--ESPECIALLY if you decide to BF and you spend hours and hours 24/7 in that chair during the first few months.  You want to be as comfy and cozy as possible.  Just my two cents!

YES, 110% agreed!!!

I also want to add that while the nursery seemed of the utmost importance while I was PG, it is last on the list now. It was perfect when she arrived, then we moved when she was 6wks and it still isn't put back together and I am so fine with that. In fact, I kinda wish we would've waited until after she was born to order furniture and decorate. She will be in our room for the first 6mo anyway.