Nice crib or budget crib?

Steph73005 · November 2010

Is it best to go for a crib I love that is in the $400 range and very sturdy that I will love, along with its matching dresser for $500 (I can do 30% off and 0% interest at BrUs)

OR

Do I stay on a budget with a cheap $160 crib and the changing table?

I'm leaning toward the nicer set I can have my child throughout their childhood but would like advice. Thanks!!

mbgreenwalt · November 2010

I would get a nice dresser for sure, that will grow with your child. We skipped the changing table and just bought a changing pad for the top of the dresser.

Our crib was fairly inexpensive ($200). It is convertible so in a year or so we can remove the front rail and put a half rail up for her to use as a toddler bed. After that we will need to move her to a twin bed.

mrs.raz · November 2010

I would go with the budget crib and get a changing pad especially if you need to finance the crib. (Based on your comment of 0% interest.)

Majority of the people I know that have a changing table don't actually use it on a regular basis.

We have a changing pad on a dresser and it gets used maybe once a day. Usually when I change her clothes.

Right now Mollie is still in a bassinet so many times we change her right there before picking her up or on our bed. During the day, her diapers are changed more on the living room floor or couch.

Fuzzy8252 · November 2010

We bought the nice crib, which converts into a toddler bed, as well as a full when you buy the conversion kit.... dresser and changing table, which we use all the time.

nici84 · November 2010

See I went and found a nice nice nice crib on CL, for 65$, and its like new! I skipped the changing table bc my bf was using his OLD changing table (from being a baby) as a dresser, so we got a new dresser and are using the changing table that way. Its great bc its solid wood.

But with my daughter (same with the changing table) and I had bought a cheap crib, It worked great, and I mostly loved it, except Im short and had a hard time reaching down when she got older. I am much happier with my new crib that would generally go (at BRU) for like 400$.

LuckyNo7 · November 2010

We went through the same question. We decided to go with a nice convertible crib and get a cheaper dresser. Currently, our little guy is 11 months and chews on everything, so our crib is covered in towels to prevent the wood from chipping. We decided to go with a cheaper dresser because kids beat on EVERYTHING! I've seen some of our friends stuff and their dressers are in horrible condition (and they bought the nice stuff). I figure when our little guy gets to be an age where they aren't as rough on stuff, we'll then invest in a nicer dresser. For now we have a 6 drawer dresser from Ikea, and put a changing pad on top. I love it because it is extra long and fits everything we need at an arms reach!

bakemecakes · November 2010

cheap crib and dresser with a pad, not a changing table. IKEA has some great options that convert to toddler beds and changing table/dresser combos that might be a middle ground for you--not super cheap but not as expensive as BRU.

ElizabethD · November 2010

$900? Ouch. We got the best, cheapest crib, and my mom bought a dresser in the 1970's when she was single... they still work, so it's in my daughters room and we have a $10 changing pad on top.

babies and children can be as expensive as you want to make them. I say if you want to splurge, do it on something that isn't as simple as a flat mattress. Do it on like a really good stroller, or expensive car seat that will last from babyhood til age 4 or whatever.

But I think it all comes down to what you value, and I don't value (most) expensive things or a matchy matchy kids bedroom. If you do and it would seriously bug you for the next 18 years that you didn't have a nice crib/dresser, it may be worth doing it! For me I just knew babies are short-term blobs and until they have a real personality (about age 3 they really become people) you don't really know what their rooms will be like or what works well for them and you.

Jennabug25 · November 2010

I guess the way I look at it is...damn near every kid starts to chew on their crib rails or bangs toys on them at some point...if you spend a lot of money on this crib and hope to extend its life...it might be a bit rugged by the time its turned into a toddler bed. The choice is completely yours, I know how I am would probably cry knowing I spent a lot of money on a crib thats chewed up lol! I bought a fairly inexpensive crib ($200) its totally convertible...whether it makes it to the convertible stages...for $200 im willing to give it a try. We also got a dresser at IKEA for $65. I bought a changing table at a garage sale for $10. I am sure I will end up using the couch or floor a majority of the time anyway, but more storage space! Good luck to you!

BeccaMarie · November 2010

Buy what you can afford. It sounds like the more expensive one would need to be financed? If so, don't do it.

Also, I agree with the other ladies to skip the changing table. A changing pad on a dresser is way cheaper, saves space and is just as effective.

Mrs. Sarah&Micah · November 2010

We got a convertable crib from target that was about 250 and a dresser from JCPenney that was 300. We plan on putting a changing pad on the dresser to use until baby gets too wiggly to safely change her on top of the dresser.

HannaB · November 2010

We picked a (new) crib that is about $130. We bought a solid wood antique dresser on CL for $100, and I painted it. We'll just put a pad on top of it and then I can use it elsewhere in the house once we're done with diapers.

Steph73005 · November 2010

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice!!!! Smile

Since we're trying to minimize our debt (even at 0%), we're going for the budget options!

suchapayne310 · November 2010

We purchased the Ikea Leksvik crib (which converts) and a dresser with removable changing table topper. We love it, and the price is definitely right at $129 for the crib and $169.00 for the dresser! Pricing here!

snoboardbabe77 · November 2010

I'm like a lot of posters.

We ended up with the Bergamo American Lifetime - $199.98 - with coupon and with tax, turned out to be $171.00! And it is a 3 in one. We were contemplating a Delta crib, which I loved, but was way more expensive-the girl at BRU said that ours is an actual solid wood underneath (still not saying much for real oak, etc. furniture that cost an arm and a leg) and that alot of the other models are not...like some of the Deltas. So, we stuck with our first choice.

One thing we didn't skimp on - a crib mattress. My mom was nice enough to buy it - but we bought the Simmons beauty rest one for $240.00. Many of my friends that are moms said-buya really nice one and it will last through toddler stage.

We opted against a changing table - b/c my hubby is so tall and I heard they're not good for really tall people-if you're gonna bend over, might as well do it over a pad and dresser, or in crib or on couch changing.

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