this whole crib thing

elizacb

Of course, I've fallen in love with an $800 (those Sparrow cribs are dreamy!) crib which seems absurd to me! So, if we agree that $800 is too much to spend on a crib, how much is reasonable? 3-4 hundred dollars? less? I honestly can't see us doing the whole transition to toddler bed thing.  It seems more likely we'll need the crib again for another child by the time the oppertunity to change the crib into bed comes around.  So how much do you spend?

mlamping

I get the 800 forever crib, but this second baby is getting the 100 dollar crib from Ikea. I do not thing the toddler bed we will use and I wish I did not spend to much.

Best of luck

Caseyk1127

DS has a $1300 capretti crib and DD has a $300 babyletto crib .... It was between that and the sparrow actually. Honestly I love the $300 crib and can't wait to get rid of the $1300 crib. I will not use either as a toddler bed because I know I'll want a new room theme by then and it won't match.

PortlandValentineBride

IKEA crib-

Wish82

We spent 150 on our crib,but we have twin and queen size beds LO will use later. The crib only transitions to a toddler bed. It's cute, sturdy, and should last through two toddlers, but I didn't want to spend a fortune on a piece of furniture that would be relatively shortly used.

In short, think of how you plan on using it and from there decide your optimal price point. You know your finances better than anyone and how much you can justify spending for the amount of time it'll be used.

pb_bride

IKEA crib here as well, I think it was $120?  Much rather use the $ on something more useful (eg, investments for college fund).

orangecurls

PortlandValentineBride:

IKEA crib

Yup. My toddler has left teeth marks all over his crib. I have no desire to keep it any longer than a few years. I also plan on getting my boys a bunk bed or twin beds.

orangecurls

Doesn't babymod on Walmart.com have a really similar style crib to the sparrow crib? Or babyletto at a little bit more?

MrsJetSet

I love the sparrow but couldn't justify the price. We got an ikea crib for a hundred bucks, splurged on our UB Vista stroller and are very happy with our decisions.

LyndseylovesHugh

We got the Graco Sarah for under $200 and we love it!  I did not pick it because of the price, but I liked the look of it so much and it seemed sturdy.  It converts to a toddler bed, I am not sure if we will do that or get her a separate bed but I do like that we have the option.  I have been very pleased with the quality and would totally buy another Graco crib for baby #2.

chardonnay24

I wouldn't spend more than $200 on a crib. We have an IKEA crib (the Gulliver) and love it. We spent another $40 on his twin bed. It's fine. My tastes change and so will his, so no way was I going to spend that much on something I wouldn't love in a few years, or something that he may end up hating.

JilllyBean

We got the baby mod Modena which is modern and was under 200. With the teeth marks and the fact that I don't want to feel like I have to keep it forever we didn't want to spend too much. Like someone else said we are getting an uppababy stroller and a really nice glider. I'd rather spend money elsewhere

Irishsapphire

We got a Delta Duval Crib for less than $200 from BRU, and we used it for both of our kids.  And then we got toddler beds from Diapers.com and just moved the mattress over to the toddler bed.  That worked the best for us.  I spent more money on the sheets from  Pottery Barn Kids--I really like the chamois crib sheets. 

I just did not want to spend a lot on the crib and then my kids put teeth marks on it.  But luckily we put a cover on the rail, so we will be able to sell our crib when my daughter transitions to the toddler bed. 

We will probably spend more money on kid furniture that they will use for several years. 

NoelBird

I too fell in love with a beautiful $800 crib. Luckily it was a very feminine crib and we found out we were having a boy. We spent $250 on a convertible crib from BRU. After the baby came what the crib looked like did not matter in the least. I'm glad we didn't spend so much money on a piece of furniture.

SunAndRain

I was planning to get an IKEA crib until I went to see them in person.  They are SO low to the ground it just didn't make sense for us.  There are other options under $200 that are safe and will get the job done.

I ended up lucking in to a used crib that sells for $400; I paid $130.  Of course we checked it out to ensure it was still in good condition.  It came with a few marks on it but that didn't bother me one bit.

I invested in a really nice dresser and nightstand for DD, however, that she will have through her teenage years, and beyond if she wants to keep them.

klyann

I think ours was $499 from Pottery Barn Kids.  Its in great shape.  It is a 3-1, but DD ended up just moving straight into a full size mattress/boxspring on the floor. 

KimKellyIsMyFriend

If you are really in love with the Sparrow, the Babyletto Hudson is very similar and half the price at $399. That's about my limit for crib spending.

jencnh

I bought my daughter and her husband the Stratton from Westwood Designs. It's a gorgeous crib. The double dresser and crib were just over $1000, but we got it at BBB and used Bed Bath & Beyond coupons for each item and paid around $840 for the two pieces. This does convert but you don't need to convert it. It is super solid and well made. It's not as inexpensive as cribs other posters have recommended but if you are willing to spend more, this one is great!

chicagobride_07

We got the sleigh crib from PBK for around 600.  We originally picked a lower cost option from buybuy baby for around 300.  I was told that there was a several month wait time for it.  When I became high risk and needed to be hospitalized early in 3rd tri, I just wanted the room done.  I know that the baby will sleep mainly in a bassinet at first, but I wanted some control of the situation, I guess.  We mainly got our furniture from PBK as it was in stock and readily available.  I know we paid a premium for this, but it was important to me to get the nursery done, when everything else seemed so out of my control.

TheFutureMrsMoreno

I'm a FTM and due July 2 but I just purchased the Graco Mason 4-in-1 Crib in classic white. It is currently on sale till midnight online for $135, I paid exactly 135.95. Regular price is 159 though. IMO, I really couldn't pass it up. With my RedCard I was able to receive an additional 5% off plus free shipping, which said it was normally $25.

Karen1024

I had a similar problem I loved some pretty expensive nursery furniture, but just couldn't justify the cost. I compromised by splurging on one big item and trying to be more cost conscious everywhere else.

I ended up spending big money on a $500 pink and white giraffe print rug and then bought a nice simple white crib at target (full price online right now is 200) and turned a sideboard into an awesome dresser by painting it (Bought for $70 at Goodwill).  The target crib was taller than Ikea cribs or some of the lower profile beds which has helped our backs because we are tall people.  Also, it turns into a toddler bed, which I think will help transition her to a bed but was cheap enough to justify the purchase of a second crib if we need one. If used only as a crib I think it would hold up for two consecutive babies.  

Enjoy building your nursery! 

Corleyrae

We need two so I wasnt going to spend regardless. However we got two graco laurens. DH think we will keep these beds and transition them all the way to full. And maybe we will but at 130ish for each I wont feel bad in a few years if we dont. I splurged on the recliner/rocker. DH and I both agree this will be a piece of furniture we will hold on to after all the baby stages because it is that great.

MagPie 1986

pb_bride:

IKEA crib here as well, I think it was $120?  Much rather use the $ on something more useful (eg, investments for college fund).

We got ours at Burlington for 130.  "The baby will appreciate a college fund more" has been our rationale for not spending a fortune on items the baby won't care about. 

elizacb

This is all very helpful.  Thank you so much!

MrsBlindLove

We are also one that decided to spend money elsewhere. I, personally, wouldn't spend more than $200 on a crib.

MrsJetSet

SunAndRain:

I was planning to get an IKEA crib until I went to see them in person.nbsp; They are SO low to the ground it just didn't make sense for us.nbsp; There are other options under 200 that are safe and will get the job done.I ended up lucking in to a used crib that sells for 400; I paid 130.nbsp; Of course we checked it out to ensure it was still in good condition.nbsp; It came with a few marks on it but that didn't bother me one bit.I invested in a really nice dresser and nightstand for DD, however, that she will have through her teenage years, and beyond if she wants to keep them.

The low to the ground issue was a surprise to us too. DH is 6'2 and he just said last week he is glad we have a low crib because it is easier to put a sleeping baby in the crib without waking them.. Especially long toddlers. I found it was a great height for me too at 4'5.

whoopsybaby

I think $200-$300 would be enough to find something to fit most styles and budgets.  I'm on my third crib and the first two didn't last past the early conversion stage.  My kids are too bouncy I guess.  I agree that the splurges are best spent on investment pieces or bypassed altogether for a college fund--I know, easier said than done when you see something adorable.  But honestly, as pp pointed out, after the baby comes, the focal point of the nursery isn't the crib at all.  It's the occupant. 

NickyHolo

We got our crib at bambi baby for $150. I don't think you need to spend that much money on a crib because there are plenty of other expenses that the money could go towards. We thought about getting an Ikea one but their furniture is just so heavy. The convertible crib that we got was great for the price.

McGuireMommy

For DD1, we bought the Baby Cache Essentials White lifetime crib, which at the time was $329.  The mattress was $99 (although sometimes you can find a deal that will throw in the mattress...we weren't so lucky...) If we wanted to spend the money at the time, the conversion kits would have cost and additional $200.00.  If you're going to purchase a lifetime crib, I would recommend buying all components at once.  We did not, and now the conversion kit is unavailable.  We can't even use the lifetime feature.  

petitmonstree

Yeah I can't see spending that much on a crib especially if I don't even plan to transition it to a toddler bed/full size. We would have gone with an IKEA crib had they not been sold out of everything and shipping wasn't insane (the closest IKEA is like 3+ hour drive) so we got the Baby Mod Modena from Walmart. Nice and not crazy expensive.

bumpuser924057

I ended up having to buy THREE cribs because my son still isn't done with his and now there's two more little ones who need them!  My son's crib is a beautiful Bonavita crib that I bought on Craigslist for $300 WITH all of the parts to convert it to a toddler bed and a full-size bed (those are usually purchased separately and can cost a ton).  For the twins, I needed cribs that could go with the short side up against the wall instead of the long side, and I ended up finding two PBK Kendall cribs on Craigslist and paid about $100 for each.  I use rail covers to protect everything from bite marks, and I fully intend to sell all of it again when we're done.  The Bonavita crib has been in use for two years here and it's still in excellent condition.

PunkyBooster

Ds has a kalani and it is beaten up. I'm happy to used it for #2 but all those plans to use it as a converted double bed are no longer.

I would personally never spend that in a bed but to each her own. I spend on strollers

Habs2Hart

My crib was around $500 but it was Canadian made, greenguard certified and very eco friendly and non toxic.  That was very important to me.  I think everyone will spend something different because everyone has different price points.  

I love my crib.  It's a Natart Juvenile Barcelona Classic crib.  They sell them in the US as well.  After seeing so many cribs that are gnawed on by baby, non toxic paint was among one of my highest concerns for a crib.

amandaleigh1

I couldn't justify the $$ for the sparrow, so I got a robin instead. I am happy with it. I also have the oeuf changing station on top. Very space saving and good quality.