Hello all, FTM with a 3-week-old. We currently have a cradle, which LO uses now, and a twin bed that he can use when he gets older. However, the crib we planned on getting from family is now not coming.
If we already have a twin bed for LO, can we transition him from cradle straight to the bed? Or should we have something else in between (possibly getting rails for the twin bed)? If we do need something else, should we get a crib or just use the PNP we've been planning on getting? We don't have a lot of room for extra furniture, and I'd hate to get something that we were only going to use for a short amount of time.
Re: Cradle to Bed?
You will probably need to move the baby out of the cradle between 3 and 6 months or whenever he or she is rolling over and sitting up. You could move to a firm twin bed I guess, but I wouldn't. Remember that cribs keep babies safe and out of harms way. Your best bet would be to get one of the less expensive cribs (ikea and Walmart both sell some for around $100).
A pack n play isn't designed for long term use and most kids don't move to beds until around two years of age.
I would get a crib, you can pick up one used for cheap or go to ikea. Baby will use it for 1 or 2 years. Or get a mini crib that converts to a twin so that you can use your twin mattress.
BFP #2 7/18/11 - EDD 3/29/12 - Born 3/13/12
BFP #1 4/4/11 - Natural M/C - 7w1d - 4/30/11