When it is time to outfit the nursery for that all important baby’s arrival, many parents spend a lot of time looking at crib options. There have been many improvements in terms of safety upgrades for cribs in the past decades, and parents are savvy about knowing what they need. The key for most parents to be is to find the crib that suits their décor and budget, while including the features they want.
For some, it is sufficient to buy a small crib and decide what to buy later on when baby grows. For others, they prefer to buy a convertible crib that will adjust to make ever larger beds as baby grows up. Another distinct choice is a completely portable crib that can travel from place to place for visits to relatives or day care. Purchases may be style conscious or ecology minded, but there are choices to suit each desire.
10. Graco Travel Lite Baby Cribs
With the capability of use as both a crib and a play yard, some parents are opting for this portable version of a crib. Rather than taking up valuable space with a traditional wooden crib, this model can be taken along on family vacations. Babies can have the bed they are comfortable in wherever the family goes. It is simple to fold this version into its own carrying case for traveling. Of the over 180 customers who have reviewed this Winslet model product, many purchased it because it is an affordable option that offers the extra flexibility of traveling well with a baby.
9. Oeuf Crib Birch (54.25″W X 30.25″L X 36″H, Birch)
European design is what makes this crib unique. Though the crib has traditional slats, they are rounded on the edges, providing a sleek, no fuss design. There are three mattress levels, and the crib can convert to a toddler bed. The side rails are fixed for safety. The base is made of birch and the crib is manufactured in Europe. The crib is standard size, but the mattress must be purchased separately.
8. Graco Freeport Convertible Crib in White
One of the nicest things about this Freeport convertible crib is that it converts from a crib to a toddler bed, then a day bed and finally, a full size bed. It delivers the most options for its price, making it a nice investment for growing families. There are three mattress heights available. The crib must be assembled. It comes with a one year manufacturer’s warranty. Many customers like the traditional styling and simple to use crib, but just as many hated the assembly directions that came along with it.
7. Sorelle Vista Convertible Crib with Toddler Rail
Of those customers who left reviews for this crib, 84% gave it a 5 star rating. This is a lovely crib with beautiful turned pine wood bed rails. The sides are fixed for safety. The crib will become a toddler bed, then a day bed and a full sized bed, so it will grow up with baby. It is described as being painted in a non-toxic France White color. It comes with a toddler rail. Most owners said it was very easy to assemble and is very sturdy.
6. Ubabub Pod Crib
This pod crib is the ultimate in modern design. It is made from ecology friendly wood with non-toxic and phthalate and lead safe finishes. The profile is low to the floor so that the interior functions like a cocoon to place baby inside. The sides are clear acrylic, offering a complete view of the baby sleeping inside. There are nice, star-shaped cutouts for air circulation. The overall style is contemporary, and perfect for a family that enjoys modernistic décor.
5. Dream On Me Posh Circular Crib: Sophia, in White
Round cribs are for those who want to provide a corner-free space with lots of room for their baby. The advantage to the stylish circular shape is that it can feel more comfortable once baby grows enough to be rolling around. Some parents will mention that their child never gets stuck in a corner after wiggling into one, because there are no corners. The down side of owning these unique models is that the mattress, sheets, bumpers and other accessories can be difficult to find and are usually more expensive.
4. Bratt Decor Chelsea Darling Crib
When nothing else but opulence will do for that precious new arrival, this crib can function as a cradle until baby grows enough to need the roomier space of a crib. This Chelsea model includes a cradle pad and a crib mattress. It is crafted using mortis and tenon joints for classic wood craftsmanship and finished in a striking antique silver finish. Parents may purchase an additional daybed kit that will extend the life of this crib into toddler ages. There are three heights for adjusting the crib mattress as baby grows.
3. DaVinci Emily Mini Crib – Ebony
The genius of this high quality product from DaVinci is its smaller size. It has all the good quality construction, non-toxic finish and convertible features of its larger brand mates but will fit into a smaller home with ease. Parents appreciate the adjustable bed platform and the curved rail designs. When it is time to convert it to a regular bed, it will become a twin size, using the broad crib rails as the head and foot boards. One difficulty that many of the over 180 customers who purchased this discovered is that the mattress size is difficult to find. It actually requires a mattress for a portable crib.
2. Stork Craft Portofino 4-in-1 Fixed Side Convertible Crib with Changer
This espresso finish bed features 4 stationary sides, which the manufacturer offers for stability and support. The mattress base will adjust to three heights. It converts from a crib, to a bed for toddlers, a day bed, and then a full size bed. The bed rails must then be purchased separately. There is a changing table built in to the side, which features a deeper changing area than most. A vinyl waterproof changing pad is included. The crib is covered by a 1 year limited manufacturer’s warranty. Over 500 customers purchased this product, and these parents generally like its design. However some have had an odor that comes from the non-toxic finish. For some, the smell has never gone away, even with months of airing out the nursery.
1. DaVinci Kalani Convertible Crib with Four Beds in 1 and a Toddler Rail
A beautiful crib made of pine wood, this product is Greenguard certified, which means it gives off very low emissions for better air quality. It is made from New Zealand pine which has been sustainably grown in forests specifically for this purpose. The cherry finish is non-toxic. It has rounded surfaces which contribute to more comfortable use and the profile is lower to the ground, which makes it much easier to place and take out babies. This crib surpasses the recommended safety standards for cribs. Purchased by over 900 customers, parents appreciate its four height settings, the mattress springs, the toddler rain included and its capability to convert to a sleigh bed with a head and foot board.
Whether the most economical or the most extravagant crib is purchased, parents can rest assured the safety standards are met by current crib manufacturers. They can also enjoy knowing that they have purchased the crib of their dreams for their precious new arrival, regardless of their style sensibilities or budget. There is a high quality product available across the spectrum of wishes.
