Crib mattressesNo parent should have to choose between affordability and their baby’s safety and comfort. With VYSSA crib mattresses, you never have to. Every single one of our firm, well-ventilated crib mattresses comes with machine-washable covers and meets strict safety standards. You’ll rest even easier when you see the price tag. IKEA FAMILY products & offers CribsLet’s face it, it’s wonderful to be a new parent but it’s also a little scary. That’s why our cribs are rigorously tested to ensure they meet the strictest safety standards that exist in the world. Our cribs are durable and stable, and they adjust to fit your growing-like-a-weed little one. So you can sleep like a baby, too. Learn how to create a safe sleeping environment for your baby from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.Abe’s crib is the Sundvik crib from Ikea. As I’ve mentioned before, this selection was motivated primarily by price. The crib is $119, and I like the way it looks just fine.
It has clean simple lines that fit in well with the nursery. It’s not flashy or exciting, but it does its job without drawing attention to itself. I wasn’t interested in spending more on a crib for a few reasons: 1. Cribs rarely excite me, no matter how much they cost. I just….don’t care that much about cribs. They aren’t like chairs. 2. I had no idea whether Abe would actually USE his crib much at all. Ari loved the crib. Milo hated sleeping, but didn’t much care where he was doing it. Gus HATED the crib with a fiery passion and slept in bed with us until he was three. So, you know, I’m pretty open minded about baby sleeping arrangements. I just want everyone to sleep; I don’t care where it happens. 3. Even if babies sleep in cribs, they don’t do it for very long, relatively speaking. Abe’s my last baby; he and some kid from Craigslist are the only ones who are going to use this thing. I’d rather save my money for something that will stick around longer.
So those are all my reasons for buying the crib to start with. When we put the crib together, my only concern, looking forward, was that the directions made it look like we’d pretty much need to take the whole damn thing apart again to lower the mattress down once Abe started pulling up on things. But, of course, at the time, that seemed too impossibly far off to even worry about. But then, somehow, he got bigger. Big enough to start trying to pull up on things. So, a few weeks ago, we had to undertake the daunting task of lowering the mattress. I thought I would report back on this process to make my Ikea crib analysis complete. Turns out it was pretty easy. We didn’t have to take the whole crib apart; we just had to take one end off and then slide the bottom that the mattress rests on out and put it back in the lower position. When we went to this, we learned that we had brilliantly thought to store the instruction manual AND the allen wrench under the mattress so that we’d be able to find them when the time came to lower the mattress:
Our minds were so sharp back before we had a fourth kid! We opted not to put them back under there once we lowered the mattress, by the way, lest Abe somehow figure out a way to pry up the mattress while sitting on it and pull the choking hazard tools out from under there. Better safe than sorry. (note to future self: they’re in the top drawer of Abe’s changing table/dresser) We turned it on its side like so. Unscrewed all these little things. And put the bottom back in at the lower position (there are only two positions). This part–fitting the little things into the little thing places–was the hardest part. I would say the whole process took the two of us 20 minutes? With a baby crawling around distracting us. The sad part is that we had to retire the crib skirt I made to match the curtains. I was going to just use heavy duty double sided tape and tape it farther back on the mattress board…but once the board was lowered the gap between it and the side of the crib was too tight to wiggle the fabric through.
I might have been able to do it had I been willing to spend more time and get more frustrated. Instead, I’m thinking of making a couple of pillows or something. I took this picture of it all folded up to commemorate it: So my take on the crib after eight months of use and after the arduous mattress lowering? Yep, still good with it. And I can even still reach to put Abe down when he’s asleep. I was worried I’d have to just drop him the last half a foot or so. And that might wake him up. My arms are just long enough! (okay, I stood him up there. But this was maybe a month ago. He’s pulling up on everything now) CA, East Palo Alto Most of our products are designed and packaged so that you can take them home yourself. If you prefer, we can arrange delivery (by an independent company) of your purchases directly to your home or business to the room of your choice. Same day, next day or same week deliveries are available. We can also arrange delivery at a later date if you would like.
Go to STUVA system Go to Storage systemWe’re not going to lie. Watching your little one peacefully snoozing in her crib, all angel-faced and cuddly, is one of the greatest pleasures of parenting. Whether you use a crib from day one or transition your baby into the crib later, you’ll be sure to get years of use of it, and even longer if the crib converts to a bed. In addition to a bassinet, using a crib is the safest place for your baby to sleep. It’s important to follow crib safety guidelines, no matter which brand you select. The space should be free and clear of stuffed animals, toys, bumpers, and blankets that can become suffocating hazards. Once you’ve got your crib setup, you can add a cute fitted sheet over the mattress and call it done. If you’re purchasing a crib brand new, it will automatically comply with current safety standards. It’s a whole other story though when looking at used models. You’ll want to check for recalls and make sure your crib was made after 2011.
Also, avoid cribs with drop-down sides (since 2007, seven million of these types of cribs have been recalled). You’ll also want to make sure the crib you select has at least a few adjustable mattress settings (allowing you to lower or raise the mattress). When your child is an infant, you’ll want a higher mattress that allows you to easily scoop them up; but as your baby grows, you should lower the mattress so he or she can’t climb out. Although there are still regular cribs on the market, many these days convert to a toddler bed and some later turn into a standard size bed frame (usually a double bed) as well. Some convertible cribs do require conversion kits to morph into different setups and those can be included with your crib purchase or an additional cost. Mattresses are also sold separately from cribs. Some families prefer to just use a mini crib (larger than a bassinet, but smaller and usually more portable than a standard crib) throughout babyhood before transitioning their child straight to a full-sized bed;
this is handy if baby tends to sleep in multiple locations or if you have limited spaces. Although you can use a crib for your baby from the get-go, many parents choose to have their newborns sleep in bassinets or co-sleepers, but typically transition their babies’ to a crib after three to four months. Even if you don’t plan on using a crib right away, consider putting one on your registry since it’s an expensive item that friends and family may want to pitch in to get for you. Depending on your child’s weight and height, you could use a crib until he is four or five years old. However, parents usually move their children into toddler or twin beds around two to three years old. But, if your kiddo is a climber, you’ll likely make the change sooner because of safety concerns. We asked thousands of real BabyList families about the baby products they love the most. We took the top cribs they shared with us and added our own research and insight. We think you and your little one will love at least one of these items, too.
BARGAIN BUYIKEA Sniglar CribWHY WE LOVE IT This simple, low-priced crib comes unfinished so you can paint it any color you want (if you’re up for it!). And, surprisingly, even at this price point you can still use it for a toddler if you move the mattress to the lowest setting and remove one side (so one side will be entirely open - no toddler rail to keep a child from falling out). “I love the simple Scandinavian style.” To prevent this crib from tipping over, it must be permanently fixed to the wall. WHAT BABYLIST PARENTS SAY “The Sniglar is affordable, light colored and bright! And I love the simple Scandinavian style.” -Caitlin D. “The Sniglar is inexpensive, good quality and has a slim profile. I needed to fit two in the same room for our twins.” -C.M. As crib until child weighs 50 lbs. Yes, converts to a toddler bed with included conversion kit. Two adjustable mattress levels. VINTAGE THROWBACK DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
WHY WE LOVE IT This sweet crib features intricate, traditional-style spindles on silver wheels so you can move it around or lock it in place. The surprisingly small price tag for such a find! While the name implies it can convert to three different configurations, there is really only two you can do without need to make an additional purchase. Either use it as a crib, or remove one side and set the mattress to the lowest level for a toddler-like daybed (but one side will be entirely open - if you want a toddler rail to keep your child from falling out, you’ll need to purchase the toddler bed conversion kit). “We are planning to move in the next year and we also have the nursery on the second floor. So we needed a crib that was easy to carry upstairs, assemble/disassemble and will be easy to take it with us to a new house. I also think the DaVinci crib looks really nice and classic.” -Amanda K. As crib until child begins to climb or reaches 35 inches; as a toddler bed until child weighs 50 lbs.
Yes, toddler bed conversion kit sold separately ($61.95). Four adjustable mattress levels. MOD FAVORITEBabyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib WHY WE LOVE IT This popular pick boasts sleek, but substantial good looks and it’s lower profile makes it easier for shorter folks to reach over into the crib. “modern looking yet timeless” If you’d like to use a crib skirt, parents report that a standard one doesn’t fit the Hudson due to angled metal brackets that support the frame. However, you can purchase crib skirts from Babyletto ($39). “We chose the Hudson because it’s modern looking yet timeless (seriously, why do all of the cribs these days look like the same style?), had as many adjustable settings as possible, was durable, and could be converted to a toddler bed.” -Lauren R.as toddler bed until child weighs 50 lbs. Yes, converts to toddler bed and daybed with included conversion kit. LONG-LASTING CLASSICPottery Barn Kids Kendall Crib WHY WE LOVE IT
With craftsman styling and solid wood, the Kendall is a sturdy, traditional pick that’ll hold up through an entire brood. The Kendall is pricier and only converts to toddler bed, not a daybed or full size bed as others do. “I wanted a white wooden crib and this one was very similar to what I envisioned. I read that it was Pottery Barn’s best selling crib, and it was a reasonable cost…We picked it up the next weekend and it was assembled in under 30 minutes. We have loved it!” -Sara P. Until child begins to climb or reaches 35 inches. Yes, converts to a toddler bed with conversion kit sold separately ($129). Three adjustable mattress levels. BUDGET SAVVY SELECTIONIKEA Gulliver CribWHY WE LOVE IT This lightweight, painted white crib is an economical choice and can also be used as a toddler daybed (like the IKEA Sniglar crib, one side would be rail-free). Like the IKEA Sniglar crib, the Gulliver also needs to be permanently fixed to the wall to prevent it from tipping over.
“Loved the sleek style and affordability. And, it was very easy to assemble.” -E. H. Until child weighs 50 lbs. SPLURGEWORTHY MULTI-TASKERStokke Sleepi CribWHY WE LOVE IT Although costly, the Sleepi crib has a 7-year guarantee on all wooden parts and can grow with your child up to 10 years old. It can transform into a bassinet (conversion kit sold separately), a toddler bed, and then into a junior bed with the purchase of a conversion kit. Or, after the toddler years, you can switch it over to a set of chairs for the playroom. The big bummer about the Sleepi is that you’re forced to purchase the mattress and sheets from Stokke because of the unique oval shape of the crib. “We love the way it grows from a bassinet to crib to bed to chairs. I also love the mattress! It’s firm and comfy and very thick. I’d sleep in it if I could!” -Marielle G. As crib until 3 years old; as toddler bed until 7 years old. Yes, converts to toddler bed and two chairs with no additional hardware.