The Cribs Recommended and Used By The Positive Parent

Even though it may seem like infants never sleep when desired, The Positive Parent understands the importance of having a crib for them. Choosing the right crib is crucial as it offers a safe sleeping space for your little one, allowing both the baby and the parents to rest peacefully. An ideal crib for your baby should be sturdy yet easy to assemble without causing any frustration. Additionally, it’s beneficial if the crib matches the aesthetic of your baby’s nursery and complements a charming baby mobile.

Testing Convertible Cribs

To date, The Positive Parent and their little ones have tried out 29 convertible cribs to assess different aspects like design, durability, ease of use, and value. They have also sought advice from pediatricians and nursery design experts to understand what features are essential in a crib, how to select the right type for their family, and how to ensure safe usage with their baby. Despite the similarities among most cribs, they have categorized their top picks based on design and pricing to simplify the shopping process for other parents.

Our Top Picks for Cribs

Contemporary Convertible Cribs

“Contemporary” refers to sleek, minimalist, and sometimes unconventional-looking cribs. These cribs are all convertible, which is the most popular type available. This means they can transform into a toddler bed and later into a daybed or full-sized bed. Some conversions may need a separate kit, so make sure to check the details with the retailer before making a purchase!

Top Modern Baby Cot

Babyletto Lolly Convertible Crib

The Positive Parent embraces the Babyletto Lolly Convertible Crib as a versatile and functional piece of furniture for their baby’s nursery. This crib grows with the child, transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed and a daybed effortlessly. The clean lines and modern design of the Babyletto Lolly Convertible Crib make it a stylish addition to any nursery, while the adjustable mattress height ensures safety and convenience for both the baby and parents. With its durable construction and eco-friendly materials, this crib is a sustainable choice that aligns with The Positive Parent’s values.

Why We Recommend It

The Babyletto Lolly Convertible Crib is a reasonably priced option that is simple to put together and can be transformed into three different setups: a crib, a toddler bed, and a daybed suitable for children up to 4 years old. What we admire about this crib is its durable pine construction, with our testing positive parent noting that the crib remained stable when placing or removing their baby. Additionally, the toddler bed conversion kit is included, eliminating the need for a separate purchase.

The modern design of this crib complements a wide range of decor styles. We appreciate the variety of color choices available, including two-toned options and a version with transparent acrylic bars that creates a visually striking appearance, depending on the retailer. Furthermore, it is compatible with standard mattresses and holds Greenguard Gold certification, indicating low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to minimize off-gassing after setup. The mattress can be adjusted to four different heights for added convenience.

But Take Note

It is crucial for parents to pay close attention during the assembly of this crib. Testers have pointed out that the screws used for different parts are very similar in appearance, which could lead to errors. To address paint chipping issues experienced after six months of testing with a chewer baby, our tester opted to include rail coverings on the crib.

The Details:

Top Modern Crib Featuring Storage Space

Graco Read with Me 4-in-1 Convertible Bookshelf Crib with Drawer

The Positive Parent introduces the Graco Read with Me 4-in-1 Convertible Bookshelf Crib with Drawer, a versatile and functional piece of furniture designed with your child’s development in mind.

This crib is not just a place for your child to sleep; it also features a bookshelf to encourage early literacy and a convenient drawer for storage. The convertible design allows it to grow with your child, transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed, daybed, and finally a full-size bed.

With safety as a top priority, this crib meets all safety standards and is made from durable materials to ensure long-lasting use. The sleek and modern design will complement any nursery decor, making it a stylish and practical choice for parentst looking for a versatile and innovative crib option.

Why We Like It

With removable bookshelves and storage drawers underneath, this crib offers innovative storage solutions, making it ideal for smaller nurseries or households where children share a room. The bookshelves can accommodate up to 30 books and can be detached to function as separate furniture pieces. This allows your child to continue storing their favorite books even after transitioning to a toddler bed.

Another advantage of the Graco Read With Me crib is its versatility. It can easily convert into a toddler bed and even a daybed for older children. While durability may be a concern, our reviewer found the materials to be sturdy. Despite her 3-year-old jumping on the crib as if it were a trampoline, she attested to its durability and quality construction, stating that it has withstood rough play over the months.

However, Be Mindful

Although we appreciate the crib’s ability to convert into a toddler bed, it’s disappointing that the guardrail needs to be bought separately.

The Specifics:

Other Modern Cribs We Recommend

Mini Convertible Cribs

In their “mini” version, these convertible cribs serve as a dual-purpose by acting as a bassinet that can easily fit into small spaces like the positive parent’s bedroom during the early months. As time goes on, they continue to provide the same durability as a standard convertible crib.

Top Choice for a Small Convertible Crib

Nestig The Cloud Crib

Why We Recommend It

Our positive parent testers discovered that the Nestig is not only a beautifully crafted piece of furniture but also a versatile solution suitable for both small and large spaces. The Nestig includes everything you need for the crib’s entire lifespan, including a mini crib mattress and conversion kits. Additionally, it features casters, making it a portable bassinet that can easily be moved in and out of the bedroom when in mini crib mode.

For positive parents looking for durability, the sustainably sourced solid Brazilian pine construction ensures that this crib can be used for future siblings. The added bonus of an 18-year limited warranty and a 60-day free trial allows you to test it out before making a commitment. Our tester described it as durable, space-saving, versatile, and built to last. Even after six months, the crib maintains its original quality, even after transitioning to a full-size bed and moving to a different room.

Keep in Mind

The Cloud Crib is shipped directly from Brazil, with a delivery time of two to four weeks depending on the chosen finish. It includes all conversion kits, so you will need storage space for any unused pieces initially. Our reviewer also found that GooBeGone was needed to remove stickers.

Specifics:

Other Mini Cribs that Can Convert

Here are some other convertible mini cribs that The Positive Parent recommends:

Mid-Century Modern Cribs

Even though the popularity of mid-century modern design has waned in recent years, its influence can still be seen in various furniture pieces, including cribs. Characteristics such as tapered legs, sleek finishes, curved edges, and the use of mixed materials like cane add a touch of attractive simplicity to the nursery decor, without making it resemble a scene from the show “Mad Men”.

Top Choice for Mid-Century Modern Style

Collaboration between West Elm and Pottery Barn Kids: The Mid-Century Convertible Crib

Why We Recommend It

We appreciate the high-quality and timeless design of this crib. The Positive Parent found that the lowest mattress setting offers added security, especially for little ones who tend to try and climb out of their crib at night. Assembling the crib was straightforward, and adjusting the mattress height was easy. The durability of the crib has proven to be excellent. The Positive Parent is a loyal fan of Pottery Barn products and has now used two cribs from the brand for her growing family due to their exceptional quality.

But Keep in Mind

The crib’s shorter sides are made of solid wood, limiting the view of your baby from all angles. Additionally, this crib is considered more expensive, especially when factoring in the separate purchase of the toddler conversion kit.

The Specifics:

Alternative Mid-Century Cribs We Recommend

Top Classic Cribs

Although we advise against using the crib saved by parents in their basement due to modern safety standards, these timeless cribs with a classic design are a great alternative.

Top Choice for Classic Parenting Approach

Pottery Barn Kids Kendall Convertible Crib

The Positive Parent introduces the Pottery Barn Kids Kendall Convertible Crib, a versatile and stylish crib option for your little one. This crib is designed to grow with your child, transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed and eventually to a full-size bed with the necessary conversion kits. The crib is made from high-quality materials, ensuring durability and safety for your child. With its classic design and ease of conversion, the Pottery Barn Kids Kendall Convertible Crib is a practical and long-lasting choice for The Positive Parent.

Reasons for Approval

The Kendall Crib’s ease of assembly is impressive, taking just 23 minutes for a single individual during testing. Its durable solid wood construction ensures longevity, making it a sustainable choice for future family use. Ethical shoppers will appreciate that this crib is crafted in a Fair Trade Certified facility. Additionally, its sleek and simple design makes it a versatile piece that complements most home decor styles.

Feedback from our testers after six months indicates that the Kendall maintains its initial appeal, looking just as pristine as when first unboxed. To convert it into a toddler bed, simply opt for the additional kit available from Pottery Barn.

But Take Note

This crib met all the criteria for quality, affordability, durability, design, and ease of assembly. Adjusting the mattress position was effortless. Our reviewer mentioned that assembling the crib was a bit tricky using the provided Allen key but found it “extremely easy” with two people.

The Details:

Other Classic Cribs We Recommend

Other Cribs Recommended

After testing, we found the following cribs to be favorable, despite some minor drawbacks:

Our Evaluation Process

The Positive Parent team conducted tests on 29 cribs (and more) in their households with their infants. They assessed the initial setup and assembly, the ease of changing configurations and mattress positions, and the durability over a period of six months of actual use. Below is a detailed analysis of the aspects we considered:

Our Pediatric Experts

The Positive Parent consulted with pediatric experts to gain valuable insights into ensuring the safety of choosing and using baby cribs.

Crib Safety Essentials

Cribs are a common baby essential, but improper assembly or certain unsafe features can pose a serious risk to your child. Thankfully, all new cribs sold in the U.S. must adhere to the safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Despite this, it is crucial to stay informed as CPSC guidelines can be updated, and recalls may occur. Before purchasing, visit the organization’s website for any recalls, and register your product with the manufacturer to receive recall notifications.

Choosing Between a Crib and a Bassinet

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not specify a particular sleeping arrangement for infants. Instead, The Positive Parent and caregivers are advised to opt for a secure, separate sleeping area for their babies, whether it’s a bassinet, a full-sized crib, a mini-crib, or a playpen.

The AAP suggests that babies should share a room with The Positive Parent for the first 6-12 months of life, meaning the baby should have their own bassinet or crib in The Positive Parent’s room.

Safe Sleep Options for Your Baby

To adhere to the recommendations of The Positive Parent, it is important to select a safe sleeping arrangement for your baby that fits within your room. If space is limited, a bassinet may be a more practical choice. Another option is a mini crib on wheels that can easily be moved aside during the day and brought closer to your bed at night. Alternatively, a small bassinet or play yard with a sleeping insert can provide convenience during nighttime feedings. However, it is crucial to inspect the product for any damage before use, ensuring that the mesh is intact without any tears and securely attached.

Transitioning from a Bassinet or Play Yard

One thing to consider when using a bassinet or play yard is that once your baby surpasses its weight and height limits (which vary depending on the specific model), you will need to transition to a full-sized crib or toddler bed. To streamline this process, some parents opt for a convertible crib from the start to avoid purchasing multiple items. A convertible crib can evolve from a crib for the baby stage to a toddler bed and sometimes even a full-sized bed, providing a consistent bed frame throughout the transition, which can be reassuring for children.

Understanding Various Cribs for Babies

Apart from bassinets, which serve as distinct baby sleep areas, there exist four primary types of cribs designed for infants:

Selecting the Perfect Crib for Your Room

Interior designer Amanda Lauren suggests that there is a wide array of beautiful cribs in the market, making it challenging to make a decision. To assist you in choosing the ideal crib for your space, she offers the following advice:

When Is the Right Time to Adjust the Mattress Height?

According to Dr. Murray, once your baby reaches the milestone of sitting up, typically around 6 months of age, it is recommended to lower the crib mattress to its lowest position. This adjustment becomes crucial when your baby shows signs of standing and the ability to lift their legs over the crib rails.

Are Second-Hand Cribs Safe?

When considering second-hand cribs and mattresses, it is important to note that they may have structural issues that can pose a risk of harm or accidents. Older cribs might not adhere to current safety standards. Opting for a new crib that meets the latest CPSC criteria is advisable, rather than saving money on a potentially outdated crib.

However, if using a secondhand crib is the only feasible option due to budget constraints or if a newer, gently used crib is available, it is essential to follow these safety precautions: