Cribs - what to know?!

roboytoh · May 2015

Hi all!

I am in the process of deciding on a crib... I'm a FTM and want to know the basics... what do I need to know/what should I consider when buying a crib?! What is important?!

THANKS!

handjbyrne · May 2015

I'm also a FTM...but I looked for a product that was solid wood and decided to register for one that converts to a toddler bed. I think that the regulations are pretty strict so
The generalities of a crib are very alike, it depends on your preference of style and color.

loveleighmami · May 2015

Make sure you know what's included in the price. Some cribs come with toddler rails and others it's an extra cost. So make sure you know what is included in the price. I would recommend purchasing a new crib, and you shouldn't have to worry about it meeting safety regulations. I would be hesitant to purchase a used crib.

AmyB421 · May 2015

If you're on the shorter side make sure you look at the overall height of the crib. I have a friend who is 5'0 and with the mattress lowered on most cribs she wasn't able to reach into them. She found one at Walmart that worked for her height wise, was study/well made and really cute.

LiveNLove44 · May 2015

We bought a convertible crib for DD and weren't thinking about how we probably wouldn't use it for that function until we were through having kiddos! I'd go for that style anyway considering with your first, you'll be registering (some register for second and third, but most register for the first for sure), and you can find a better deal or maybe receive it as a gift. We have the convertible crib but will need to buy the other parts to make it a toddler bed. If you can find all parts included, do it!

Toddler beds and other options for when your toddler sleeps in something other than a crib really aren't very expensive at all, if that helps you make your decision

jenhaug · May 2015

A few things to add . . .
-find a crib that adjusts the mattress very low to the ground! They stand and climb out faster than you'd think!
-not many cribs have a drop down side for safety purposes but one that does is soooo handy, once your pregnant with another and your laying baby in there there will be a few inches to the bottom your belly won't let you reach and you end up waking them up

twogirlsandagreen · May 2015

Make sure the paint/stain is lead and phthalate-free. Our crib was Greenguard certified

MamaOwl15 · May 2015

jenhaug said:
A few things to add . . .
-find a crib that adjusts the mattress very low to the ground! They stand and climb out faster than you'd think!
-not many cribs have a drop down side for safety purposes but one that does is soooo handy, once your pregnant with another and your laying baby in there there will be a few inches to the bottom your belly won't let you reach and you end up waking them up

I believe drop-side cribs are no longer available, and not recommended due to it being a safety hazard for babies. Fortunately, at least some of our tots are able to graduate to a toddler bed they can climb into themselves by the time #2 comes along!

MamaOwl15 · May 2015

In general, if you're buying a new crib, I don't think you have to worry about it meeting current safety regulations, or it wouldn't be (or shouldn't be) in the store. Make sure there are no recalls out on the model of crib you're looking at, and read reviews! You don't want to spend a ton of money on something that ends up being disappointing.

If you're a FTM and planning on having more kids, think about whether you'll be outfitting a nursery for each kid or planning to reuse the crib. Those convertible cribs that go from crib to toddler bed to full-size bed (with extra parts included or available separately) are nice in theory, but if you'll be passing down the crib from kid-to-kid, I wouldn't worry about it.

deanna1313 · May 2015

@AmyB421 I'm pregnant and my sons almost 1 and I'm 5 ft 6 and struggling putting him in it with my belly!

Here are my thoughts!
We bought a convertible crib that converts to a toddler bed and a full size bed.

It's now my son's and will not get passed down. We will buy this baby a new convertible crib. My thinking on this is that we would be spending the money either way. If you share the crib then you have to buy a bed and furniture later for their rooms. I don't have to buy anything later. They get their cribs and dressers that grow with them. So we spend the money on good quality stuff now and it will grow with them and there is nothing to be purchased later.

When you do it the other way and share the crib you also need to spend extra on a toddler bed and then twin beds. You end up spending extra money in the long run.

Not to mention my kids being 16 months apart and I would need two cribs at the same time anyway.

Of course, it is hard if you can't afford the good set now.

StephN310 · May 2015

We have a DaVinci Parker convertible crib. The front rail is dipped down slightly in the middle and the feet could be left off. This will gain a short mom a little bit of advantage! Putting a sleeping baby in a crib where the mattress is at the lowest setting is so hard as a shorty!!

deanna1313 · May 2015

Forgot to add the pictures. Thought I'd add them because some people don't understand how the convertible cribs look and also to show that the style will grow easily with him.

AmyB421 · May 2015

@deanna1313 I had never thought about that! My son is 19 months and has been a toddler bed since 15 months because he was climbing out of the crib so luckily I haven't had to worry about the belly getting in the way!

MigsC27 · May 2015

There's a book called Baby Bargains one of my friends recommended- I love it!! It reviews all crib makers (as well as everything else you need to buy/ register for). It ranks them for good, better or best to cover all budgets. I hate holy recommend the book to help you decide what to buy (and what not to waste your money on)!

wildbutterfli2001 · May 2015

AmyB421 said:
If you're on the shorter side make sure you look at the overall height of the crib. I have a friend who is 5'0 and with the mattress lowered on most cribs she wasn't able to reach into them. She found one at Walmart that worked for her height wise, was study/well made and really cute.

This. I'm 5'2" and if my son is sleeping I can't put him in his crib without waking him and dealing with a screaming baby. No fun at all. Being pregnant had just made it worse!

satori15 · May 2015

I have a Davinci convertible crib too! It was beautiful until DS chewed the sides then our friend disassembled it incorrectly for our move and the wood rubbed together. So, he's in it as his toddler bed and our next LO will have it as a crib but I don't know if we'll eventually convert it to a full bed or not due to the damage

Kristyhana · May 2015

I didn't know that they don't make drop down sides anymore. I wonder why that's a child safety thing now and not 10 yrs ago? My crib from my daughter has a drop side and it's the only way I could reach down when the baby is at the lowest setting. I kinda want to use that one now that I know this because I'm super short but obviously safety is important..

satori15 · May 2015

Kristyhana said:
I didn't know that they don't make drop down sides anymore. I wonder why that's a child safety thing now and not 10 yrs ago? My crib from my daughter has a drop side and it's the only way I could reach down when the baby is at the lowest setting. I kinda want to use that one now that I know this because I'm super short but obviously safety is important..

I believe they stopped the drop sides because they were dropping when they shouldn't be and babies were hurt.

Cribs - what to know?!

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