Help with New Crib Suggestions

If you're military, you can order (or someone can do so for you) through the PX, tax free and free delivery). We have storkcraft furniture (sleigh style) and LOVE it...I spent 500 total, dresser, changing table and crib. I bough the mattress on amazon (big sale) by sealy (200 spring count) for 60 bucks. I think target sells the brand too, but they are pricey and don't deliver for free. Got any military friends???

we were lucky and bought our crib from an individual but I do know they have the same crib at walmart. it is a 4 in 1 and all the parts come with it. from crib all the way to a full size and as a crib and toddler and day bed it has an attached dresser. it is a natural wood look. the dresser can be used alone once it goes to a full size bed. we love it cause it is easy to change from crib to other beds.

you will be lucky if you get a good convertable crib for $100 so you probably will spend at the least 150-200 total for crib and mattress. Simplicity is the brand of the crib we have.
congrats on the new baby and you might be able to find a good crib on one of the stores on ebay.

I just got the Delta-Liberty 2-piece collection from babyage.com http://www.babyage.com/delta/72476/delta_liberty_2_piece_.... It is really a great deal. It came with some scratches but they send a replacement crib to replace the bad pieces and return. I spent a fortune for my dd but since I will be staying home when my son is born next month I don’t have the kind of cash to spend. This set looks great in the wood/camping themed nursery we are creating. I bet it would look great in a girl’s room too. I love it because you get a crib and a dresser for $350 . (it has been on sale for $100 off for a long time so you might be able to wait for a free shipping special like I did). That is what I spent on dd’s crib alone. It converts to a toddler bed/day bed and then a head board. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was the kind where the side drops down so its easier for short people to get the baby in undisturbed. Warning though, my husband said the dresser was a p.i.t.a. to put together. Hope you find what you are looking for.

We got ours at Nebraska Furniture Mart for under $200 (although it was on special when I got it). It's the Simplicity Ellis and goes from crib to toddler (w/ two little "fences" on each side, to daybed (no "fences") to Full size head/footboard. It does not come with the wooden rails for the full-size, but a regular, no-frills bed frame will attach to it, or they give you info on how to get the wooden ones.

Hi M., we found our gr son's cribs at Wal-Mart they have several colors and designs. They are covertable with changing tables attached also. I think it was around 100.00 maybe 120.00

Congratulations on your new litttle one coming in Sept.
K. Nana of 5

My one piece of advice would be to not count on the bed actually lasting long enough to convert into a toddler bed, and definitely not into a twin or full size, especially if it's a cheaper brand. The bed will get worn, baby will probably chew the sides, etc... it just won't be in that good of shape after a few years. Shop based on stability. I'd recommend a crib with stationary sides, not a drop side crib, since the drop sides tend to have more safety issues.

Both cribs we have bought for our girls were from Babies R Us, and just a little over $200. We bought convertibles, but not because we plan on converting, because they aren't drop sides. We didn't convert our older daughter's crib to a toddler bed, we just went straight for a twin bed. We'll do the same for our younger daughter. I really think toddler beds are a waste. A simple twin on the floor to start/or on a bunkee board & low frame is much easier, and less expensive in the long run.

I highly recommend the book _Baby Bargains_ (make sure you get the 2009, 8th edition though, the previous editions are outdated now especially with all the crib recalls.) It gives you ratings on all the different brands, tells you which brands are made by the same companies, tells you what the best picks are for your money, and even tells you where the crib is made. (And of course it talks about pretty much all things, not just cribs.)

The crib we have decided to go with is the Graco Lauren (or the Graco Sarah). It is cheap (around $150) but has really good ratings. It's been around several years without a recall. Consumer Reports rates it very good, and Baby Bargains recommends it too (A-). It does convert to a full bed, but I think you do have to buy a conversion kit. But I think conversion kits are pretty much required with any crib these days.

Good luck with your decision. Cribs were overwhelming to me too.

Also-The two brands that I avoid- Simplicity and Delta. They both have had huge problems with recalls and are not considered reliable companies.

I shopped and shopped and read reviews and ended up buying from Nebraska furniture. Their beds were much sturdier in my opinion and it they convert to toddler beds with the rail that comes with them. We got two since my daughter had twins. They are very sturdy and the only thing is they seem a little more difficult to lower the mattress, they haven't done it yet though, but they are very well made and look nice too. I can't remember the brand but they have the chest and changing table that matches.