Are Convertible Cribs worth it?

SFBayMrs

FTM here.  Wondering from those of you who've BTDT, if getting a convertible is a lifesaver, or a waste of money. It sounds great so my LO can stay in "his bed" longer and not have to transition to a big boy bed suddenly.

But then again, we plan on having a 2nd child within a few years (if we are lucky enough) and would have to buy a 2nd crib if #1 was still in his.

What are your experiences? Is a convertible the way to go, to avoid having to transition to a big boy (or girl) bed? Or is it not a big deal if you transition them the 'right way'?

TIA!

MrsChelseaP09

When I was picking out a crib, I really wanted it to be convertible because of my experience seeing friends babies crawling over the railing in their cribs. If your LO decides to start crawling out, you will have to go out immediately and purchase a new bed or worry that your LO is going to get hurt crawling out.

Most cribs out there are convertible, if the crib you like isn't convertible this just gives you something to think about

klv

The book "baby bargains" says no, but if you do choose to buy one then purchase all the conversion materials at the same time.  Otherwise you run the risk of it being discontinued and ending up with a crib you cant convert. 

I am leaning towards no, but we will see once we start crib shopping.

nifferberry

We were not planning to get one, because we are also hoping to have a 2nd child within a few years and would want to use the crib for them. It has been a lot harder to find a classic crib, though, so we aren't sure anymore.

ssinca

We bought the graco lauren crib over the weekend - the main selling point being it was on sale at target for $111, but I do like that we have the option of converting it later. and then back to a crib if/when we have a 2nd child.  I just checked for the conversion kit though and according to amazon (we haven't opened the box yet so I haven't had a chance to read the instructions) it doesn't call for anything specific for a toddler bed?  am I right on this or do we need to buy something else?  I tried googling but nothing came up.

https://www.amazon.com/Graco-Lauren-Classic-Crib-Espresso/dp/B00264HWKY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294256050&sr=8-1

• Crib converts to a toddler bed (no guard rail needed for conversion)

tokenhoser

We bought one from IKEA that converts to a toddler bed because that makes sense to me - really, it's just taking some parts off. I didn't want one that converts to a full bed because I don't think a kid needs a bed that big. I'd prefer room to play on the floor to a huge bed in the room. So keep that in considerations - the ones that convert all the way to an adult bed take up a lot of space.

SeasideBride06

We bought a convertible crib for both of our girls.

DD#1 is still in her crib, but we plan for her to keep all of her furniture and it will grow with her.  We bought the conversion rails at the same time.

For this baby, we have bought another convertible crib and furniture.  We also plan for her to grow with it.  The way I looked at it, even if I bought a regular crib and gave all of that stuff to the new  baby, then I was going to have to buy DD#1 new stuff.

SFBayMrs

I think I'm leaning towards the convertible (been eyeing the Graco Lauren at Target today), if I do get one I'll definitely take PPs advice and buy the railing at the same time.

Thanks!

 

HoonFan

I don't understand why it wouldn't be worth it.  Even if you have two kids, you'll eventually have to buy 2 big kid beds.  My opinion is to just do it from the get go because I think that a crib that doesn't convert is wasteful.  What do you do with it when you don't need it anymore?

Xles10

I never gave this much thought b/c almost all of the cribs I looked at were convertble anyway. I think it would have taken more effort to find one that wasn't.

ssinca

SFBayMrs:

I think I'm leaning towards the convertible (been eyeing the Graco Lauren at Target today), if I do get one I'll definitely take PPs advice and buy the railing at the same time.

Thanks!

 

Let me know if you find the railing - like I said above, i looked for it and I don't think it exists.

April320

ssinca:

We bought the graco lauren crib over the weekend - the main selling point being it was on sale at target for $111, but I do like that we have the option of converting it later. and then back to a crib if/when we have a 2nd child.  I just checked for the conversion kit though and according to amazon (we haven't opened the box yet so I haven't had a chance to read the instructions) it doesn't call for anything specific for a toddler bed?  am I right on this or do we need to buy something else?  I tried googling but nothing came up.

https://www.amazon.com/Graco-Lauren-Classic-Crib-Espresso/dp/B00264HWKY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294256050&sr=8-1

• Crib converts to a toddler bed (no guard rail needed for conversion)

We have two of the Graco Lauren cribs.  There is no separate conversion kit.  When you assemble them, the last piece to go on is the front panel, so you just take that off to make it a toddler bed.  To use it as a double headboard later on, presumably you would just use the back panel and put the bed against that.

ssinca

April320:

We have two of the Graco Lauren cribs.  There is no separate conversion kit.  When you assemble them, the last piece to go on is the front panel, so you just take that off to make it a toddler bed.  To use it as a double headboard later on, presumably you would just use the back panel and put the bed against that.

perfect, thanks so much!  I was getting concerned as I saw some conversion kits for other cribs going for yet another $100...ugh. 

SFBayMrs

ssinca:

April320:

We have two of the Graco Lauren cribs.  There is no separate conversion kit.  When you assemble them, the last piece to go on is the front panel, so you just take that off to make it a toddler bed.  To use it as a double headboard later on, presumably you would just use the back panel and put the bed against that.

perfect, thanks so much!  I was getting concerned as I saw some conversion kits for other cribs going for yet another $100...ugh. 

Yes, thanks! That clarifies it.

 Now I'm wavering on the Graco Lauren and am thinking I'd want one with a rail option. I'm so confused.  I think I'll crack open Baby Bargains tonight and see what is recommended...lol!

ssinca

you could always buy something like this later if you need it:

https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3191952 

clauseka

One thing to consider - They make covers for the side rails that I would highly recommend (some are fabric and some are more of a gummy rubber).  My BFF had a convertible crib for her daughter and during teething, her daughter chewed the crap out of the wood rails.  So now they have this very expensive crib that is supposed to be her "big girl" bed, but looks like someone took a saw to it The protector would avoid that.  Just a thought.

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Xles10:

I never gave this much thought b/c almost all of the cribs I looked at were convertble anyway. I think it would have taken more effort to find one that wasn't.

they are....I wanted a stationary crib for aesthetic reasons, and they are so hard to find!

SuperCuteBenz

Seems wasteful to me.

We opted to not get a convertible, and I am thankful that we didn't. My both my neighbors have them, and like the pp said they have been chewed on, etc. Plus, my one neighbor spent around $2,000+ on the crib, conversion kit, new mattress, etc. Then, when it is converted you no longer need the sides to the crib, so they are useless. 

I would rather have a crib and only a crib. We went straight to a twin with DD. She will get new furniture when she is old enough to appreciate it. I am not spending $1,000+ on something she would like chew on, color on, put stickers on, etc.

SFBayMrs

ssinca:

you could always buy something like this later if you need it:

https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3191952 

Good point!

aristokat_la

SuperCuteBenz:

Seems wasteful to me.

We opted to not get a convertible, and I am thankful that we didn't. My both my neighbors have them, and like the pp said they have been chewed on, etc. Plus, my one neighbor spent around $2,000+ on the crib, conversion kit, new mattress, etc. Then, when it is converted you no longer need the sides to the crib, so they are useless. 

I would rather have a crib and only a crib. We went straight to a twin with DD. She will get new furniture when she is old enough to appreciate it. I am not spending $1,000+ on something she would like chew on, color on, put stickers on, etc.

Keep in mind you'll probably need to buy an additional conversion kit.  The conversion kit for our Bonavita was $150 or $200...I can't fully remember.  I bought the crib just because I liked how sturdy it was, but it is true that almost all cribs are convertible nowadays anyway.  We decided not to buy the conversion kit, for now...and buy it later if needed.

AllisaurusRex

HoonFan:

I don't understand why it wouldn't be worth it.  Even if you have two kids, you'll eventually have to buy 2 big kid beds.  My opinion is to just do it from the get go because I think that a crib that doesn't convert is wasteful.  What do you do with it when you don't need it anymore?

This. I do think that getting a convertible crib will save you money in the long run. The few cribs I've seen that don't convert cost just as much as the ones that do, then you will still have shell out another $50-$100 or more for a toddler bed later on down the road. I got a convertible crib, and also got the matching changing table and dresser. I plan for all of this furniture to grow with DS. Yes, this means that I will have to buy all new furniture for #2 but this way I don't have to try and find a dresser, etc. that matches the crib I already have (or buy all new furniture for DS).

water-fairy

We got DS a convertible crib (not because I wanted a convertible but I loved that specific crib and it just happened to convert). He will be in it until the second baby comes and then we will just give him an entire big boy room. The second baby will get to stay in the convertible for longer, we won't have more kids after that. I like the idea of the convertible because DS "knows" his bed and I'm pretty sure the transition to a toddler bed would be easier on him in an already known setting.

MaybeBaby2

We got DD a convertible crib from Baby's Dream and it was excellent. Very well made (in Georgia), held up for 3 years and then we bought her a twin bed. We put the headboard and foot board on our guest room bed, FWIW. Now that we're having another baby, we'll put it back as a crib.
We did purchase the rails when we bought the crib and I think total we spent well under 1K.