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Probably the largest purchase we faced with baby was the crib. There’s so many different options, and I wanted to buy new. Many other things I got used, but I couldn’t do a used crib. Especially since the safety standards had changed at the beginning of my pregnancy.
Ultimately we decided on a convertible crib. It’s a bit more money initially, but in the long-term it should save us some money. The best types of convertible cribs have adjustable mattress heights, convert into a toddler bed, and ultimately convert into a twin-size bed. So when baby isn’t a baby anymore, we won’t have to buy a new bed.
Once you have the crib, you’re far from done. Now you need to get a mattress that matches the specifications of the crib (height, thickness, length.) And be sure to check what current safety regulations suggest for mattresses just as you did when you were buying a crib.
If you got the convertible crib, check to make sure that the bed rails to convert it into a twin size bed are included. If they aren’t, purchase them separately, but purchase them around the same time. You don’t know if the crib and matching parts will be off the market in 3 years. And if you won’t be able to turn the crib into an actual bed, you’ve kind of lost the point of the initial investment.
The third thing I’d recommend isn’t necessarily necessary, but if you’re going to have the bed for conceivably your child’s entire childhood, you’re going to want to make sure the rails don’t get torn up. Every baby teethes eventually, and odds are they’re going to teeth on that beautiful crib you just spent so much money on. To prevent this from happening, you can get some rail covers. And don’t stop at just the front one; you’re going to want some for the side, too.
Large investment? Absolutely. But spending a bit up front saves money in the long haul. This was one of our priorities with baby, and we found other areas to save in, such as refinishing an old dresser.
What was your biggest baby investment? How did you handle the crib situation?
*Please note that at the time of publishing convertible cribs are considered safe. This article may be up longer than the safety standards remain the same as they can change frequently. You should always check that the crib and any baby gear you are purchasing meets CURRENT safety standards.*
We meant to buy a crib 3 months after the baby was born after ze aged out of the pack n play, but um, we never did. I don’t think we will with this one either.
That’s kind of amazing. We use the pack n play on trips and it serves the exact same purpose. You get a frugal gold star.
Sore spot! We had to buy another crib for our third child because the drop-down side cribs are no longer considered safe. It was an semi-expensive Italian-made crib, too! And they didn’t honor any recall laws here obviously, because they didn’t have the same safety recalls in Italy. Lose-lose.
I remember when they made that decision! It was a horrible thing…good for safety, bad for pocketbooks. No good on the foreign company. I mean, the crib was probably amazing, but what a bummer that the laws and refunds didn’t match up.
We splurged a little on baby furniture. We bought it used off of craigslist but its the solid birch Bellini crib, changer, and book case. Anyways, it has held up awesome through someone else’s kids and now my two kids. It still looks new and I can probably sell it on craigslist for what we bought it for. We will likely keep it for a few more years though because it converts to a toddler bed.
I love the convertible ones. And we got some stuff off craigslist, too! Like the dresser. I was anal about the crib, but I know people find amazing craigslist deals…if it’s in good shape and meets safety standards…why not?
I love these kind of posts-I’m eventually planning on having children so I love doing the research now so when the time comes, I’ll have a solid plan!
I’m glad it’s appreciated! I try not to get too mommy-centric and mix my posts up by subject matter a bit, but it’s a part of my life and a huge part of our money. 🙂
I think all 30,000 of my friends that have had babies in the last 3 years have all bought these convertible cribs. Apparently they are the best thing since sliced bread… well, for babies that is.
Hope you like it and that your little one gets many restful nights of sleep in it, too!
I had my kid almost 10 years ago, so I haven’t dealt with any of this recently. But when I was pregnant, everything for the baby HAD to be new. Of course after seeing how quickly they grow out things and go through stuff, I felt pretty silly.
I can totally understand wanting a new crib, especially if it’s a safety issue. 🙂
They do outgrow stuff so quickly! You don’t know that before you have them, though….especially your first. You just want everything to be perfect and the best for your little one.
I love that they have convertible cribs now. I am not even ready to think about babies or thus, their furniture- but I’ll pass this along to two of my friends that are expecting their first little ones!
Thanks! Hope it’s helpful to them!
Very good tip on the rail covers. My son has chewed up the front of his crib. I never knew babies enjoyed the taste of lumber.
It’s so crazy. Ours didn’t for so long, then we woke up one morning and it was destroyed.
We went convertible too, but were just talking yesterday whether it would be worth buying the conversion kit to actually follow through on the converting part…And like, you said, we should have bought it when we bought the crib b/c who knows if they are still out there? Good job to you for being so smart and taking care of all of this at the beginning!
I was more preggo angry than smart…I thought the rails would OBVIOUSLY come with the crib….and I was wrong. So I bitterly went and placed another order lol. But the cost of the rails was still cheaper than a whole other bed would be.
I love the idea of convertible cribs–just makes so much sense for your future pocket book.
I agree.
I had a real issue trying to find a crib because I wanted something Eco-friendly and built in America, but that meant beaucoup bucks. My mother and mil ended up going halfsies on a Stanley by America convertible crib that cost $1200. The funny thing is that my son was a terrible sleeper who spent about 20 minutes total in the crib during his first year because we ended up co-sleeping. Thank goodness he sleeps in it as a toddler bed and it will eventually convert to a double bed, so he can still use it as an adult.
Kudos! I would love to buy more American made stuff. I actually searched last Christmas for a fake tree that was made here. But couldn’t even find one. Then if you are lucky enough to be able to locate the good companies, you have to pay an arm and a leg. In certain situations, like this one, it would be well worth it, though. Some babies just don’t like cribs. That’s so awesome that yours will be a DOUBLE! I think ours are only twin.
Did you use the conversion kit? I have the stanley built to grow crib and I don’t really want to spend $150 for a conversion kit. Could I just take the side of the crib off and buy one of the rails that fits under the mattress?
Hmmmm….I bought my rails with the conversion kit for about $80. I don’t have Stanleys, though. Might be stuck with the price because of the brand, but the good news is that it’s still cheaper than buying a whole new bed. (Not too consoling, I know.)
It makes me realize that everyday our lives are getting better despite all the doom and gloom. My daughters are in college now, but back in early 90’s I don’t think that convertible cribs were in market.
I don’t think they were, either. It’s always nice to see progress for comfort and convenience’s sake. And it is nice in this instance. But somewhere deep, deep, deep inside I’m a hippie and think that we all need to revert our comfort a little. But don’t take away the convertible cribs!
I used to work at Babies R Us – One of the things I never understood was the fascination with bassinets. They are expensive, difficult to find accessories for, and can be dangerous to older babies. Do not buy bassinets people! They are an incredible waste of money because you can only use them until the baby begins to sit up. Cribs are fair more useful, safe and adaptable.
Yeah…we definitely didn’t use one. I know a lot of people who have, but it’s just so much freaking money for such a short time of use. I’d get a pack n play with a “bassinet” option before I got a separate unit.
We went with a convertible crib as well, but we will probably use it for quite a while as a crib since we want our children to be close together. Also, my FIL is a woodworker, and he likes to make each grandchild their first toddler bed. We’ll have it made in that department 🙂
That’s so cool! We just have a crib for each one so we can convert it into their bed until they go to college, but we also don’t have a carpenter in the family.
Everyone I know with those loves them
Thanks for the tips. We haven’t started a family yet but we will soon. I definitely want one of those convertible cribs. I think they make a ton of sense. I love the fact that I can buy one bed and have it last 18 years.
I’m disappointed. I thought this was going to be a post about your “crib”! When Nick was a baby in a crib he’d climb out. We finally had to invest in a netting to go over the top because he’d climb to the top and fall out on the floor.
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