Cribs + Short People

LollyBug18

I come in at a whopping 5 feet tall and have a lot of experience having troubles laying babies down in their crib when they're sleeping and barely being able to reach w/o "dropping" them a tad (not actually dropping, just having them still be like half an inch away from the mattress when I can't reach any further...I don't drop babies! I swear!). And that was sometimes using a drop-side crib! We haven't gone to look at cribs yet so I'm wondering, do they make ones with lower sides? Would it be unsafe to have a little step stool by the crib to help me reach a little better? What are you other short mommas doing if you have this problem?

Amaya84

I'm 4'10 so needless to say I am experienced with this problem...

I have looked everywhere and cannot find anything with lower sides. I think I am going to have my brother make a wide step that I can get onto with less risk of tripping/falling. 

jojobean1977

I am three inches taller and I have had that problem too. I am planning on using a step stool. I can't think of what else to do. If someone else has a better idea I would love to hear it!

hollster8

I was looking at the Graco Shelby crib (sold at Target and Walmart) and it is only a little over 3ft tall.  It's more of a playpen height, people say.  I really liked it but I'm on the taller side so I wanted a taller crib.  I don't know what style of cribs you guys are into, but its reasonably priced and I thought it was nice.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Graco-Shelby-Classic-Crib-Classic-Cherry/14675936 

denall

Some have half sides that go down like this one: https://www.usababyric.com/catalogs/baby_furniture/new_images/ocean.jpg 

Unlike drop side cribs its only part of the side that folds down.  

denall

https://www.babysdream.com/ViewItem.aspx?pid=26

Check out the actual bed. It shows you the before and after of the mini drop down 

SFbride31

I'm glad you posted this, this has been on my mind too.  I'm 5'0 and always have that feeling like I am dropping them too.  I'll check out the one the PP suggested, I am also going to milk the bassinet for as long as I can.

Syncronicity09

denall:

https://www.babysdream.com/ViewItem.aspx?pid=26

Check out the actual bed. It shows you the before and after of the mini drop down 

This is what I was going to suggest.

LollyBug18

Thanks! I actually really like the look of both the suggested cribs, especially the safety gate one! I hadn't thought of just using a bassinet either but that's probably the time when it'd be easiest to reach into the crib, when it's at it's highest level

Becky262

We used a co-sleeper for when DS was NB (I'm 5'1").  Most cribs have adjustable mattresses.  Ours is made by Sorelle (we got it at BRU) and I've only had trouble putting DS down since my bump has started expanding and the mattress is on the lowest setting.  I'm probably going to get a little step stool for when I get a lot bigger

Turtle143

hmm...I'm 5'2" and haven't thought much of this. I guess I thought I could just wing it. lol

mmaxwell818

I'm 4'11" and with DS we had him in a bassenet until about 4 months, then we moved him into the crib, which we had raised as high as it could go. I was able to get him in and out of that fine. Once he was able to pull himself up we lowered it. And thankfully I was able to carefully place him in it if he was already asleep and if he woke up he would usually be standing up or at least be able to help me in some ways get out. So being 4'11" I managed to survive just fine with a normal crib!

muriel & eder

I am 5'0" and I was wondering the same thing. The crib we bought is too tall to put the baby all the way down, so I was planning to put 2 mattresses to make it a little higher. Our crib's side doesn't slide and I didn't want that because many cribs having taken out off the market because of accidents with them. If the 2 mattresses do not work, I guess I'll get a stool or something lol

JaqiDec04

Unfortunately, some of the "shorter" cribs get a little pricey, and out of my budget.

But if your DH is handy, couldn't he shorten the legs of a cheaper crib? Most of the time they are 5-6" of leg below the bottom rail, and if you shaved that off, it might give you the little extra you need.

DH said he was going to get me a stool, but I worry about being half asleep and getting on something not so sturdy in the middle of the night.

Also, the IKEA cribs are only about 32" tall as well. And they are budget friendly (though maybe not as pretty) 

redfish08

I'm short myself, and thought I'd had the issues you worry about.  But, with DS, I never once had a problem, especially when he was a tiny baby and was in the highest position in the crib.  After he started pulling up, and we had to lower the mattress, it wasn't that big of a deal.  He was older, and I rarely had to lay him down asleep.  

I bought a step stool to help, but I rarely used it.  I was either worried about missing a step, or just didn't need it.  

I'm not sure that I would be comfortable altering an existing crib (cutting down the legs or adding a mattress).  Cribs are so tightly regulated for safety, and I'd fear that I'd so something that would make the crib less safe.  

Oh, and this is the crib we have - https://www.munirefurniture.com/newport_01.htm  

daisytoad

JaqiDec04:

Unfortunately, some of the "shorter" cribs get a little pricey, and out of my budget.

But if your DH is handy, couldn't he shorten the legs of a cheaper crib? Most of the time they are 5-6" of leg below the bottom rail, and if you shaved that off, it might give you the little extra you need.

DH said he was going to get me a stool, but I worry about being half asleep and getting on something not so sturdy in the middle of the night.

Also, the IKEA cribs are only about 32" tall as well. And they are budget friendly (though maybe not as pretty) 

 

I was just at IKEA the other day and they have these huge signs up stating that their cribs are intended for children over 1 year of age.  It's probably a liability thing, but FYI.

bestmaid6

You'll probably strike out at places like Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby. All of their cribs are huge pieces of ornate furniture (they have 1 or 2 simple cribs that might be small enough). Ikea and Walmart have cribs that are lower to the ground that might be a bit better. Look for ones without storage underneath, that will just make it higher. Off the top of my head, the Olivia crib at Walmart, might be one of the lowest cribs on the market.

As long as you feel safe using a step stool, I say use it. If you have any Handy Mannys in your household, perhaps they can build a bit of a platform for you to use that is a larger and sturdier than a stool.