The Crib Buyer’s Guide

The Ultimate Guide on How to Pick Your Perfect Crib – and More

What To Consider When Buying a Crib

Types of Cribs

There are two basic types of baby cribs: convertible cribs and portable/foldable cribs. The best type for you depends a lot on your space, your lifestyle, and your future plans:

Convertible Crib

Also known as the lifetime crib, a convertible crib is designed for multiple configurations and is built to suit your child from newborn to teen (saving you plenty of money along the way, too). Although there are a variety of crib configurations, most convert from a crib to a toddler bed, daybed, and a full-sized bed. Some cribs are referred to as 3-in-1 cribs, 4-in-1 cribs, and even up to 7-in-1 cribs. This is simply an indication of how many transformation options are available for the crib. Whether it's a 4-in-1 or a 7 in- 1 convertible crib there are really only 4 basic configurations as mentioned above (baby crib, toddler bed, daybed, full-sized bed). Also worth mentioning is the 3-in-1 cribs do not convert to a full-sized bed, instead they only can transform from a crib to a toddler bed or day bed.

Mini, Portable, or Foldable Cribs

If you’re in a smaller space – or on the go a lot – a mini crib is a space-saving alternative. Mini cribs are lightweight and some can fold easily while still being sturdy enough for everyday use. This is also a great option for vacation homes, or Grandma’s house. Keep in mind: it’s tiny, so your baby will outgrow it quickly!

Crib Styles

There are a variety of crib styles to choose from when designing your nursery. Think about your overall design plan for your baby’s nursery and then pick the crib to match. Are you one to gravitate toward traditional pieces or do you prefer the modern, sleek look? Do you want to mix and match furniture pieces in your nursery or invest in a full collection of coordinating furniture? First, let’s consider five popular baby crib styles to find your style.

Camden Convertible Crib | View This Crib

Classic or Traditional Cribs

With graceful curves, molding, and hues that tend toward dark or natural woods, classic cribs are the most popular choice. They have more traditional design features that will stand the test of time. If you’re considering a convertible crib,—one that transitions from a crib to a toddler bed, daybed and full size bed—a traditional style will ensure your crib is a timeless piece you will love for years to come. There’s a reason classics never go out of style!

SOHO Convertible Crib | View This Crib

Contemporary Modern Cribs

Modern cribs have clean lines, on-trend finishes, and can offer both impeccable style and functionality. Modern or contemporary styling can definitely up the minimalist vibe in any nursery. These cribs offer classic design features updated for today’s trends. Modern cribs often have one standout design feature, such as a geometrical headboard, to draw the eye and become a focal point in the room. Whether a traditional crib with Soho-inspired clean lines and on-trend finishes, or a mini slatted crib with a bit of London elegance, your nursery becomes a passport to the world of design and fashion (and maybe doesn’t scream BABY quite as loudly as a traditional nursery).

Long Beach Convertible Crib | View This Crib

Coastal Cribs

Coastal or beachy style gives a nursery that relaxing day-at-the-beach feel…no matter where you live. These cribs typically come in washed, nautical colors like blues and grays and have clean lines and a distressed or wave-worn look to them. Coastal cribs also have a slightly rustic vibe while giving the room a uniquely calming feel. These cribs are great for a more individualistic style.

Woodland Convertible Crib | View This Crib

Farmhouse & Rustic Cribs

The modern farmhouse aesthetic is sweeping the nation, why should babies miss out? These cribs are a great mixture of form and function. They combine sturdy hardwood materials, age worn finishes, and streamlined shapes to bring rustic charm to any nursery. You will typically see these with a brushed or stained finish.

Hampton Convertible Crib | View This Crib

Cottage Cribs

This design style embraces the beauty of a variety of styles through a mixture of color, texture, shape, and finish. Cottage cribs are rustic-but-classic with clean lines and thoughtful details that perhaps have a bit more of a vintage finish. Cottage cribs manage to combine the cozy, rustic cottage trend with classic design that stands the test of time.

Budgeting For A Baby Crib

Wondering how much a crib should cost? Crib prices can range from $99 all the way up to thousands of dollars (think marble and 24 karat gold finishes!), and hit nearly every price point in between. Each price point has a variety of value propositions. Before you begin shopping, identify exactly what you want to get from your crib. Are you looking to pass it down to the next generation, or are you just trying to get through the next couple years? Does it matter to you if it’s made of sustainable materials, solid wood, or composite wood frames? These are important considerations when determining your budget. A quick online search at major retailers will give a good idea of the different crib price points available.

1. Crib Price Points

Entry Level

An entry-level price point crib is typically under $250. These types of cribs are generally made with less expensive, but strong, raw materials, like pinewood, and would have a simple finish. Entry level cribs tend to have a more simplistic look to them and favor functionality over fashion.

Mid-Tier

Prices for these cribs range from $250 - $400. Mid-range cribs could be made with entry level raw materials but have a high-end finish, or there might be an ornate structural detail on the crib to give it a trendier look. Mid-tier cribs tend to be the perfect compromise of high-end and entry-level to give you the style you want but at a price in a more wallet-friendly budget.

High-End

High-end cribs come at a price of above $400. These cribs are typically made with more expensive raw materials. The details and finishes on these are much more intricate and could be on trend with the latest styles, or may feature high quality traditional craftsmanship.

2. Crib Materials

The crib’s materials will dictate price. Do you want a hardwood? Pine? Veneer? MDF? Ornate (but still safe!) hardware? The more expensive the raw materials, the more expensive the crib (and often the heavier, too). For example, take a moment to look at the price difference between this basic crib and this more ornate crib.

3. Finishes

Finishes will also impact your dream crib’s price point. Basic painted finishes are much less expensive than trendy finishes, like a wire brushed look, which will cost a bit more. Compare the price this basic painted finish crib to this on-trend, two-tone matte finish crib and you‘ll understand the price difference between the two. The more fashion forward your crib’s style is, the more it will cost (at least if it’s also safe and functional). Don’t worry, though, you can always find compromises to ensure you get the quality and look you want. For example, a pine crib with a special finish will not be as expensive as a hardwood crib from a trendy, boutique line, but it will still be solid and well built.

4. Design Features

Cribs come in so many different designs and features these days that finding one you like can be fairly simple, no matter whether you prefer a more intricate headboard or a more minimalist aesthetic. Some cribs feature an under crib storage, or have spindles instead of flat slats.

When To Buy Your Baby’s Crib

The crib buying process can take longer than expected. It is a major decision after all, as it’s where you want your baby to sleep safely. Remember, time starts ticking from the moment you get pregnant.

We recommend you do your research and start making choices on what you want by the sixth month of your pregnancy. Talk to friends about what they like and don’t like, read online reviews, think about your nursery space, and try to see some cribs in person to get an idea of construction materials and finishes. As for buying the crib, it is best to get it by the seventh month at the latest. This will leave plenty of time for shipping, assembly, and, if needed, a return and reship. You want to give yourself enough time to change your mind if you end up not loving the crib you purchase. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to get your crib because - ready or not - when that little one is ready, they’re coming and this is definitely not something you’ll want to deal with once baby has arrived.

Hampton Convertible Crib | View This Crib

Crib Deals: Do Cribs Go on Sale?

We all know to buy a winter coat on sale as soon as the sun comes out in the spring, and that a new flat screen can be ours for a deliciously low price on Cyber Monday. Are there any special times when cribs go on sale?

The simple answer is: yes. Cribs and other baby furniture go on sale during typical retail savings extravaganzas. This includes Black Friday, Cyber Monday (really, we swear! You don’t have to buy a smart crib to get a deal), Christmas, and other seasonal events. Most retailers will also have a clearance section for crib styles or finishes that are being retired.

For more smart money saving nursery tips check out our Nursery on a Budget blog post!

Where To Buy Your Baby’s Crib

Once you start looking for your perfect crib you will realize they’re everywhere! Websites showcase every kind of crib imaginable, and you’ll notice baby furniture sections in department stores that didn’t seem to exist before. Once you announce you’re expecting, your grandmother, your neighbor, and your coworkers will all want to offer you a second-hand crib. Let’s break down the pros and cons of where to buy:

Online vs. In-Store

There are definite advantages to seeing cribs in a furniture showroom or on a store’s floor. You can see a fully assembled crib, touch the finish, look at the colors in person and give the piece a good shake to check out sturdiness. If you’re buying closer to your due date, a retail store will potentially shorten the window from purchase to delivery. And if you need to return the crib for any reason, the short trip across town will make it pretty easy.

Online shopping will give you many more options and nursery design ideas. If you have the time, a combination of the two shopping styles will allow you to know what is available for sale and see some cribs in person. If you’re shopping online and unsure of how exactly the finish will look, ask the company to send a wood chip sample to you. This way you will be able to see if the finish goes with the paint you picked out or the bedding you love. Simply check out the crib company’s website or call their customer service.

Be sure to allow time for shipping and any return that might be needed if you buy your crib online. If you order the cutest cottage-style crib online three days before your due date and the shipping takes five business days you might be in trouble! Trust us, even though your baby will likely not sleep in their crib when you come home from the hospital, you will feel better knowing everything is ready.

Always factor in the possibilities of a product or finish being out of stock, a delay in delivery, or a possible return and repurchase into your timetable. It is best to have your research done by your sixthth month and to have purchased a crib by the seventh month. By doing so you will leave a reasonable amount of time for any issues that might occur.

Second-Hand and Antique Baby Cribs

Both second-hand and antique cribs can have safety issues. We know, we know -- we wanted to use Great Grandma’s mahogany crib too. Or try the unique crib we saw on eBay, or use one a friend wanted to loan us. The fact is though, unless you know the exact manufacturing date of a second-hand crib, you don’t know how safe your little one will be. The safety of your little one is of utmost importance, period. Any new crib will meet 100% of the federal safety regulations and provide a safe sleeping surface for your baby.

The distance between the slats, the type of hardware that can be used, finishes, spots where little hands or fingers could be caught -- the list of safety regulations is long, and for a good reason! Unless you know that the second-hand crib is compliant and not the subject of any recalls, it’s better to politely decline the offers you might receive and purchase a new crib. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has made crib safety a top priority, setting strict standards for both manufacturers and retailers. Read more on their recommendations here.

Crib Buying Tips

What’s Not Included With Your Crib

When buying a crib for the first time you might be surprised by what is not included with the crib. The biggest surprise new parents discover is that for most cribs the mattress is not included. That being said, try to purchase the mattress at the same time as the crib to be sure you are getting the right size. Another thing to note when buying a convertible crib is that many have the conversion parts sold separately. Be sure to read the details of the crib to determine what parts are included.

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Read more: Ultimate Guide to Crib Mattress Safety and More

Buying Nursery Sets

Hampton Convertible Crib | View This Crib

When you start thinking of your nursery and crib, you typically start thinking of other furniture you want to go into the room. If you want your nursery to have a matching design theme it is best to buy the full set or collection, as this insures everything will match and often provides the best value. However if you are the type that likes to mix and match, try mixing different colors in the same collection to give you a cohesive but still unique look. Also consider that registering online will potentially get you in the recall database faster and with a higher degree of accuracy since misinterpreted handwriting isn't an issue.

Crib Safety

Of course, crib safety is the most important factor. Your crib may look good in the nursery, but you need to feel good about putting your baby in it.

Recalls and registering your crib with the manufacturer

Always, always, ALWAYS register your crib with the manufacturer. It is simple to just fill out the card that came with the crib and place it in the mail, or many companies will offer this on their website as well. This ensures that if there is a safety alert or recall on the crib you will be notified promptly. It is extremely important to do this. Also consider that registering online will potentially get you in the recall database faster and with a higher degree of accuracy since misinterpreted handwriting isn't an issue.

Basic rules for crib use

Babies should always sleep alone. Make sure never to put plush toys or soft bedding in the crib with your baby (even the adorable pillow and comforter that comes with the crib bedding set) because they can pose a suffocation hazard. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also strongly advises against using bumper pads, as they increase the risk of SIDS and other crib deaths. If you do decide to go against the AAP’s recommendations, skip the padded kind and use thin, breathable ones that fit firmly around the whole crib. Then take down the bumpers as soon as your baby can stand, so your little one won’t use them to climb out. Find more safe sleep tips on our blog, or visit: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has made crib safety a top priority, setting strict standards for both manufacturers and retailers. These requirements include stronger mattress supports and crib slats, extremely durable crib hardware and rigorous safety testing. Also, the CPSC put an end to manufacturing and selling drop-side cribs. Even though you'll still want to take any crib you're considering through the checklist below, the CPSC standards make crib safety assessment a lot simpler.

Here is a comprehensive list of crib safety features to keep in mind as you shop for, and set up, your nursery:

• In order to meet CPSC standards for cribs, all new cribs should have stationary sides (drop-side cribs were banned in 2011).
• The CPSC also mandates that all crib slats be no more than 2.375 inches apart to avoid tiny body parts becoming stuck.
• There should not be any cutouts in the crib’s headboard or footboard, to prevent a baby’s head from getting trapped.
• Make sure the mattress fits snugly against the inside of the crib. To ensure crib safety, try the two-finger test: If you can fit more than two fingers the mattress isn’t a good fit.
• Learn more about the CPSC crib standards.

Now you’re equipped with knowing how to pick your perfect crib, you can set forth on your family’s new adventure in style, comfort, and safety. Hopefully you feel more secure and confident with the knowledge of how to pick the crib that suits your needs as well as your taste (enjoy your baby not caring for that first year, because by the time they hit toddlerhood they will definitely have strong opinions about what they like and don’t like). You know what kind of cribs suit your budget, whether it’s a entry price crib that’s solid, sturdy, and safe, or a high-end crib that also has more style, craftsmanship, and some pretty neat bells-and-whistles, or anywhere in between. Knowing where, when, and how to buy a crib makes the process easier and even fun, and eliminates a lot of questions and moving factors you might have. And most importantly, you have knowledge on keeping your baby safe, through registering your crib, and knowing how to use it properly.