Crib question re: drop down sides???

elicia11

Searching for cribs and getting a little overwhelmed.  Now that they don't sell drop down side rails on cribs, how do you get the babys in and out once the mattress is lowered?  I'm only 5'4" and can imagine its going to be tough and literally back breaking!

What are you ladies doing??

welshgirl

My sister recommended a step stool. She's 5'2". Ours doesn't lower, I'm 5'6" and it was difficult - and one of the reasons we transferred him to his twin bed right after his 2nd birthday!

Kellina

I'm only 5'1" and have a non drop side. We got one that's a little lower in front. There's a lot of levels on the mattress and little tiny babies don't weigh much! I'm only just now having trouble getting DS in and out because I have a big belly and he's 25 lb!

elicia11

Madison830:

By the time we lower the mattress level to the lowest setting he'll probably be sitting up, pulling himself to stand in the crib - so if you go to pick him up he won't be flat on his back most of the time so you shouldn't have to bend over too far then, either.

But what about putting them down to bed at night?  That's my biggest concern!  If they are sleeping and you want to lay them down, won't it be too low? 

bubbles231211

Madison830:

I'm a shorty, too. I'm figuring that the mattress will be at the higher-level setting when he's younger, so I should have to bend over too far to pick him up. By the time we lower the mattress level to the lowest setting he'll probably be sitting up, pulling himself to stand in the crib - so if you go to pick him up he won't be flat on his back most of the time so you shouldn't have to bend over too far then, either.

That's what I'm telling myself!  

Agreed.  However, the crib that I bought has a wave look to it, so it's higher on one end and lower on the other, which is helpful for 5'4" me to be able to bend over the rail.  However, the idea of having a stepstool like a PP said, may be an option as well if you feel you really can't lay him down based on the level of the mattress.

Sonadora

We're getting a stepstool and we got a crib that was on the shorter side overall (39 inches high rather than 42+ I kept seeing) because my mom will be watching LO and she's only 5' on a good day!

welshgirl

elicia11:

Madison830:

By the time we lower the mattress level to the lowest setting he'll probably be sitting up, pulling himself to stand in the crib - so if you go to pick him up he won't be flat on his back most of the time so you shouldn't have to bend over too far then, either.

But what about putting them down to bed at night?  That's my biggest concern!  If they are sleeping and you want to lay them down, won't it be too low? 

That was the problem I had - at 5'6". It wasn't a problem getting him up after sleep, but putting him down asleep or drowsy was getting v. hard.  

MamaStef0810

I'm 5 foot even with a non-drop side and it's never been an issue laying DS down. I do like the step stool idea though and am thinking we might go that way with DD.

amjra

There are a lot of european and scandinavian style cribs that are super short.  The mattress still drops down so that the baby can't get out. Ikea cribs are short too as well as the much pricier Baby bjorn models.

lulu3061

As pp mentioned...get a step stool. I don't have this problem (I'm 5'9") but have friends in the same boat who use step stools.

bosha711

I'm 5 ft 3 in & plan on using a stool if needed. Most ladies on my local nest board around my same height said they haven't had a problem, though, so I'm not too worried.

OhSewCrafty

When we ordered our crib, we weren't looking for something that was specifically lower because I never thought about it. Fortunately, the crib we picked out is super low on all 4 sides. I'm 5'4" and the crib comes to my hips. At its lowest setting, I can still bend over comfortably. Now, there isn't much room under the crib for storage, but its nice to be able to reach in without a problem.

We have the Graco Shelby in dark walnut.