CRIBS - Asking 2nd(+) time moms

kimey1 · October 2015

Would you recommend getting a normal crib or a 4-in-1 or 3-in-1 crib that converts into a toddler bed?

I want furniture that is functional long-term and would love to hear from 2nd(+) time moms whether you actually end up using them that long. I imagine some moms don't actually use it that long because some parts get discontinued etc? As an example, the ones I find appealing are:

Normal crib: Stokke Sleepi for - it seems functional that breaks down into chairs later on,

4-in-1: Fisher-Price® Mia 4-in-1 Convertible Crib in Sugar Cookie - functional longer term since it turns into a children's bed.

Ready4theParty · October 2015

Neither is really my style and to be honest kids are hard on cribs. We went with a 3 in 1, however it probably won't get out of the crib phase before we retire it. We are using the crib for #2 and transitioning Dd to a twin bed in a few months.

cosmobella · October 2015

We transitioned two from cribs to toddler beds to full sized beds successfully. The full sized beds come with some pros and cons. On the pro side- they are big. This is great for snuggling, keeping 50 stuffed animals close, and using the bed for guests if necessary. On the cons side you have the extra cost of the conversion rails and some limitations with kids bedding options. The beds also end up with a headboard and footboard. Some people may not like the idea of having the footboard based on space in the room. I think our cribs held up well despite my teething first born once we discovered these: https://www.amazon.com/Leachco-Easy-Teether-XL-Convertible/dp/B001DNJBDK/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1445876882&sr=1-2&keywords=crib+rail+cover

(add this to the list of things you may need that no one tells you about).

Also, the round crib may have you moving out of a crib sooner than you'd like based on LO's size. My boys both stayed in cribs until they were three because they still fit and were happy. I knew they were safe in there and saw no need to have them out any earlier.

DougalMcG · October 2015

We brought a crib and then a separate toddler bed when she was ready for it. I like this set up because a.) now baby 2 has a crib all set up and ready to sleep in, but even better b.) when DD1 refuses to sleep in her toddler bed I threaten to put her back into her baby crib and she runs right into bed. It's a good bargaining tool.

pinottoparenthood · October 2015

We just bought a regular crib because we plan to buy a big boy bed for my son and use the crib again for #2. We bought a crib at Ikea for super cheap and it's been awesome! Personally don't see the need to spend $500+, but that's me :-)

erind228 · October 2015

We bought a convertible. We converted once to a toddler bed, but only for awhile until we just put her in a full bed we had. I would just go with a regular crib, and forget about the convertible. Like pp said, the baby will chew it anyway.

mumidi · October 2015

We got a 3 in 1 for DD with intentions of her using it forever, unfornuately I didn't buy the conversion kit and it's discontinued so we couldn't find the correct bed rails to make the crib into a headboard / footboard. She is just sleeping on a full bed without a headboard / footboard. We'll use the crib for #2 and eventually get them both a headboard and footboard. For us we got the 3-1 for such a great price because it was clearance and we got it during BRU trade in event, that it really doesn't matter to me that we can't use it forever. It's a really nice crib that we got for around $125. We'll likely sell it once we're done with it this time around.

cmjenkies · October 2015

I would probably go with a regular crib too - ours converted but we never did that. We have co-slept off and on for most of his life and he didn't even go into crib until 11m+. IL's ended up getting DS a big wooden bunk bed with a queen on bottom/twin on top and we just transitioned him to bottom bunk when it was time.. and that worked for awhile until I had to move out of town for 2 - 12 week clinicals during grad school. I only saw DS on weekends, if that. It was awful - and he was so attached when I finally came back home that he's still sleeping in bed with me.. Almost 2 years later. He's about to be 5. It's about time to transition to his own room again for good.

cortney626 · October 2015

I got a convertible crib for my daughter 8 years ago with the intention of using it for future kids as well as toddler bed, etc. She chewed that up and never used it as a toddler bed. I ended up getting her a twin bed when the time came. This time around I'm getting a cheaper crib b/c we're not having anymore kids. The majority of them are convertible cribs so I may end up with a convertible. I'll try and use it as a toddler bed, but if not I have no probably discarding it since I'm not spending a lot.

kimey1 · October 2015

@cosmobella WOW. Thanks for mentioning the crib rail cover!

@DougalMcG Mama's got skillz.

Thanks for the input ladies. Glad that more affordable cribs work just fine

sprocketsngadgets · October 2015

cosmobella said:
We transitioned two from cribs to toddler beds to full sized beds successfully. The full sized beds come with some pros and cons. On the pro side- they are big. This is great for snuggling, keeping 50 stuffed animals close, and using the bed for guests if necessary. On the cons side you have the extra cost of the conversion rails and some limitations with kids bedding options. The beds also end up with a headboard and footboard. Some people may not like the idea of having the footboard based on space in the room. I think our cribs held up well despite my teething first born once we discovered these: https://www.amazon.com/Leachco-Easy-Teether-XL-Convertible/dp/B001DNJBDK/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1445876882&sr=1-2&keywords=crib+rail+cover
(add this to the list of things you may need that no one tells you about).

Also, the round crib may have you moving out of a crib sooner than you'd like based on LO's size. My boys both stayed in cribs until they were three because they still fit and were happy. I knew they were safe in there and saw no need to have them out any earlier.

I'm a big hater of cribs that convert to a headboard + footboard. DH and I just realized that you can get a normal bed frame that allows for a headboard attachment after looking at the manual for DD's crib. There's a chance of having to drill some new holes, but problem solved if you don't want a footboard. Also it's generally cheaper than buying the full sized bed conversion kit.

mrstrax · October 2015

Ready4theParty said:
Neither is really my style and to be honest kids are hard on cribs. We went with a 3 in 1, however it probably won't get out of the crib phase before we retire it. We are using the crib for #2 and transitioning Dd to a twin bed in a few months.

This.

As for the rail protector, we bought 1/2 a yard of felt from the fabric store (by the yard) and tied it around the top rail like the fleece blankets. It was like $3 with a coupon, so I didn't feel bad when we just threw it out after DD discovered how to take off her pants and reach into her diaper after waking up from a nap (that was a fun day).

littleredx2 · October 2015

We purchased a 3 in one for DS1 (he's 5) and haven't used the toddler bed or full bed features at all. I would suggest that if you go that route, you go ahead and buy any additional pieces need for the conversion at the same time because you can run into issues finding them down the road for some beds. I just didn't find them practical so have purchased a typical crib for DS2. Kids are hard on furniture so they don't always hold up (in looks at least) to be converted. We also found it easier to go straight to a twin bed instead of a toddler so that we could lessen the amount of transitions needed. I don't see a point anytime in the next probably 10 years that we would use the full size bed since our boys share a room and two fulls wouldn't fit, so twin beds it is. We are about to sell our 3 in 1 set if that tells you anything.

amaniupendo · October 2015

We use our crib as a toddler bed but plan to buy a lofted bed before the baby comes. We live in a city and don't have room for a giant full sized so no plans to ever use that option. FWIW, we never dealt with teething.

brie_and_almonds · October 2015

Almost all the "normal" cribs these days are convertible. That doesn't mean you have to convert them. DD's crib is in toddler-bed mode right now, but we won't set it up as a full bed -- she'll go to a twin or maybe our guest bed and new LO will get the crib.

Also, I wouldn't consider that $800 oval crib a "normal" crib. If you've got the cash to drop on it and really deeply love it, okay, but think about what a pain it will be to buy sheets, a mattress, mattress pad, etc for. Also, I don't know if the standard teething rails will work with the rails on the oval crib.

kimey1 · October 2015

Thanks everyone!

MrsCayEye · October 2015

We bought a convertible crib, but I doubt we will actually convert it. DS is 2 and we will probably just move him right to a bed and leave the crib for this LO.

Goldsgirl9 · October 2015

Am I the only one without a chewer? I guess we're lucky, crib still looks brand new. DS still sleeps in his crib but we will convert when the time comes to a toddler bed and then full size bed.

K&Elizabeth · October 2015

Haha @Goldsgirl9 my daughter wasn't a chewer either. We had a 3-in1 with DD. We had to order the transition parts directly from the company (we bought it at baby r us). When we called to order the first set of toddler transition sets, I was told that the style was discontinued and they were no longer making the parts. I went to ikea and got a $60 toddler bed. Much better in the long run.

Goldsgirl9 · October 2015

@K&Elizabeth thankfully we bought all of the transition parts before we had the baby. And honestly he still has yet to try and climb out so why knock it? Works for us.

Cynthia1207 · October 2015

We bought a 3 in 1. We never used it besides the basic crib function. We knew we wanted a second LO so when I got pregnant we switched DS to a double bed right away.

We will probably be using it to its fullest this time around.

MrsPmac · October 2015

We have a 4 in 1 and I LOVE it. My parents gave it to us when we registered for it, and it is an incredibly beautiful piece of furniture. We have only converted to the toddler bed thus far, but I have every intention of this being my son's bedroom furniture for a very long time! We are fortunate that he has never had any interest in chewing on it. But I think if you buy a quality convertible crib, it is totally worth it!

sbw193 · October 2015

We got a convertible that had a changing table attached with drawers underneath. This was a great idea at the time with space issues. The problem was that DS was a big boy and by 10 months the changing table barely fit him.

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