3-in-1 cribs vs. Standard

dishlee101 · September 2010

I was hoping to get some feedback on cribs. I have been looking online at a bunch and really like the idea of the 3-in-1, but have heard they aren't made very well. Does anyone have any thoughts or know anything about them? Would I be smarter to just go with a standard crib? My dad wants to purchase it for us and I am sure the other side is buying the changing table and dresser, but I am so lost on this crib thing. TIA for any help I can get with this!

armandos_girl · September 2010

I think either is fine as long as you do your research and stay away from cribs that have been recalled. The ones you see the most recalls on are the drop-side crib.

Think about how you will use it both in the beginning and in the future. For example, we bought a fixed side standard crib knowing that we would be having kids close in age and we wouldn't want to buy a 2nd crib. Fast forward to 16 month later and we're looking at big boy beds for my son (I'm not a fan of toddler beds, they seem a waste of money to me) and I'm kinda wishing we could take the side off his crib and see how he does before taking the plunge and moving him to a twin sized bed. The twin sized bed just seems so BIG for him right now.

RunningGal900 · September 2010

If ours happens to convert, then so be it, but most likely we wouldn't use it as a toddler bed. We will likely move this baby into a bed and use this crib for babies #2 and 3. Of course, if our babies end up being closer in age like the above poster, not sure what we'll do. I will say that from what I've read many of the convertible cribs don't come with the kids needed to convert, so that will be an extra piece you may need to buy.

MG7 · September 2010

We had a 3 in 1 crib but we were also given a toddler bed. DS never really slept in the crib in the first place but that's a different story. I never converted it to a toddler bed since the mattress seemed high to me. The toddler bed we had was much lower to the ground and I was more comfortable with him getting in and out of that. We only used the toddler bed during the summer since we have the a/c in our room. Otherwise when we found him dangling over the rail at 15 months and knew it was time to say goodbye to the crib we used a full sized mattress and boxspring without the bed frame. We have one of the larger sided of the crib behind his bed to act as a headboard now.

We also used a dresser as a changing table rather than having a separate changing table - just a thought.

lizobss · September 2010

We bought DS a set of furniture. A crib, dresser and bureau/chaning table. The crib turns into a toddler bed, day bed, and full size bed. I know a lot of people say their kids chewed on them and they look awful, but ours looks brand new still (and DS is two). I am in NO HURRY to get him out of the crib, I can only imagine what his room would look like in the morning if he wasn't in it.

We're getting the 3(or 4) in one crib again.

weelass24 · September 2010

We have a 3in1 and it is fantastic. It is very sturdy. Where in the world did you hear that they are not made well?

dishlee101 · September 2010

weelass24:
We have a 3in1 and it is fantastic. It is very sturdy. Where in the world did you hear that they are not made well?

I heard it from a few people, but I followed up with the fact that I would pay more money for a nicer one, but the ones I have seen so far have been nice, so I wasn't sure what they were talking about either, but I still like to get as many opinions as possible. I am glad you like yours. I am thinking it is the route I want to go since it just seems so practical for us. I know we will have to get another one for teh next baby, but I am willing to do so.

dishlee101 · September 2010

weelass24:
We have a 3in1 and it is fantastic. It is very sturdy. Where in the world did you hear that they are not made well?

I heard it from a few people, but I followed up with the fact that I would pay more money for a nicer one, but the ones I have seen so far have been nice, so I wasn't sure what they were talking about either, but I still like to get as many opinions as possible. I am glad you like yours. I am thinking it is the route I want to go since it just seems so practical for us. I know we will have to get another one for teh next baby, but I am willing to do so.

m0132 · September 2010

My only issue would be if it converts to a toddler bed, toddler beds are a waste of money, IMO. I have seen convertible cribs that go to a full or something and you use the sides as head/foot boards. We just have a regular crib, a hand-me-down actually from when DH's younger brother was a baby..so its pretty old but wasn't used much and has worked fine for us. We are just going to put DD in a twin bed when this baby comes.

MrsL0908 · September 2010

I originally thought we'd get a 3 in 1. But the more I think about it, the more I'm now leaning towards a standard group. The reason? We plan to have more than one child. And if they are two of the same sex, they may want bunk beds or canopy beds, or something else.

azzyberry · September 2010

We have a 4 in 1 crib. We didn't buy it because of that, it just happened to be the crib that we liked the best. Convertable cribs are just as sturdy as a standard crib.

redhotrachel35 · September 2010

For us it's kind of a no-brainer. Buy 1 piece of furniture and 2 mattresses vs. 2 or 3 pieces of furniture and 2 mattresses. I'm all about saving money where we can and kids are expensive! I don't have any first hand experience using them as this is our first baby, but I'm assuming the quality issue would be the same as any other furniture; just do your research to make sure it's sturdy, will last, etc.

kpips20 · September 2010

We have a 3-in-1 Munire crib and absolutely love it (can't remember what style name). We're planning to buy another one for new munchkin and keeping DS in his as a toddler bed. It's very well made and sturdy, the only downside is that it's a PITA to lower the mattress. But overall we're really happy with it. I like that we can easily convert it to the toddler bed (and full size bed) without having to go and buy new furniture.

APrice4UT · September 2010

We have a 4-in-1 that is fabulous! THE KEY THING IS THAT YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR (most of the time). Our crib was $500, but it's solid and will eventually turn into nice bedroom furniture.

We bought Westwood Baby because it was rated so high in Baby Bargains and I have no regrets at all. It's beautiful.

bobalina77 · September 2010

And really $500 is a bargain for something that is going to last pretty much his whole life. That's my theory behind it anyway. We've been looking at the 3 or 4 in one cribs and we both think they're fantastic! The good thing is that we have time to save up for one because baby's going to be sleeping in our room for the first little while so it's not a huge rush to buy one right away.

StarJay · September 2010

We will probably buy a convertible crib, but only b/c we like the way they look best. We are a military family and move every few years, normally from one small house to another. There is no way a full size bed would ever be a practical option for a child in our household with in the next 10-15yrs. Once done with a crib our kids will probably go straight into twin size beds.

lnyeager · September 2010

My daughter just turned 4 and we have a 3-1 crib. I am so glad we did, too. She was so attached to her crib. Most kids are so excited to get a "big girl bed", but she had no desire. I think the transition was easier for her since it still seemed so much like her crib. We actuall got the crib, dresser, and changing table from JCPenney. We ordered them online and love them. Like I said, she's 4 and they've held up great!

SushiNoMore · September 2010

One other thing that I don't think anyone else has mentioned: The selection on standard cribs is pretty limited - manufacturers don't seem to make many of them anymore (at least in the price point we were looking at). I would have preferred a standard crib, but we just couldn't really find one.

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