Crib Suggestions

I agree with all the responses, my only suggestion is to buy a crib that is slotted all the way around. And one that is even arond the top - no high backs. I learned the hard way with my twins. I bought fancy ones with solid wood high backs because I liked the look. However, the solid back makes it hard to get the bumper on and off esp when needing to change the sheets so often. And the high back didn't allow me to use a crib tent when they started to jump out of the crib. I never thought I would need one, but did and couldn't use it.

Good Luck

I just want to mention that polyurethane is a pretty dangerous, awful material. I would avoid it for your mattress. Polyethelyene is a much more inert and save material. I would have bought an organic mattress but they cost an arm and a leg. Instead, I found a used Sealy mattress with a vinyl cover. Used is ok if it is in good condition and most of the bad toxins will have already been released into the air (most plastics "off-gas" chemicals that are not always safe).

I bought a solid wood convertible crib with a high back from JC Penny. It does look very nice but sometimes I wonder if I should have gone for a more basic model since the crib is only used for a couple years. I think it is going to be a royal pain to lower the mattress--that is something for you to consider. On the other hand, the crib will grow with my daughter. We have been happy with it thus far. We did not use bumpers--too much of a pain to put in and take out and dangerous too. I suspect that all mattresses are a pain when it comes to changing sheets!

You may also want to think about storage needs. Some models come with a drawer underneath the crib. Might be useful if space is lacking. Make sure that the joints on the drawer and other crib parts are well designed and will hold up to wear and tear. Good luck!

We love the lollipop crib, but it might not be what you need. It's lower in height, good for short people like me, but also for when you turn it into a toddler bed. It transitions easily and it closer to the ground in case your toddler falls out when sleeping. We also like the price, about $3-400 at BBBaby and it's a neat, clean design. No problem with all bumpers too. Also saves space in the room and easy to match with other furniture. It comes in white, dark and natural wood. Good luck!

About all I can say is get a new crib if you can so you know the bars are close enough together to be safe for your daughter.

I do suggest you get a convertible crib that changes from a crib to a toddler bed then into a twin bed as your daughter gets older. They are more expensive but in the long run you save money by not having to buy a toddler bed and then a twin bed. My daughter has one. Her son never used the toddler bed and went straight from his crib to the twin bed though. She did have to buy a twin size mattress for it. They are great. The side rails on the crib become the head and foot board on the twin bed. It helped when it was time to switch from his crib to the bigger bed because he recognized it as HIS bed and didn't put up any fuss at all. Mommy just told him he was growing so his bed did too.

All new cribs are required to meet the standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, so in terms of safety, you are fine with anything you buy, just don't buy cribs (or car seats for that matter) used.

I bought my crib at Wal-Mart, and have had no end of problems with it. My sons have broken the metal brackets that hold the mattress up multiple times by jumping in the crib, and the company that manufactures them charges you for replacements. You would thgink metal brackets wouldn't break under the strain of a 25 lbs child, and that if they did, the company would replace the shody parts fo free, but no. This is not an area I recommend trying to save money.

I highly recommend going to keepingbablessafe.org and signing up to be on thier crib recall list. If your crib ever gets recalled, you will be notified via this site. Also, the site has great info about crib safety. I am on the board of Keeping Babies Safe, and have learned that all drop side cribs are about to be deemed unsafe... I'd avoid purchasing one with a drop side.

All the best,
C.

Watch out for the Jardine brand--they are very affordable and pretty, but they've had several recalls in the last couple of years (my crib was involved in one of them--and if you think lowering a mattress is a pain, just wait till you have to jump through the hoops to get your money back on a recall).

I bought a Dutalier crib (they make a huge line of gliders). I loved the crib. I bought it in very dark wood and it never scratched. My daughter was in it for 2.5 years and it held up so well. It's very sturdy and doesn't wiggle like the cheaper cribs some of my friends have. It wasn't cheap (around $800) but it was not only beautiful but sturdy and safe. You can go to www.dutalier.com to see the line.

I have two cribs I'm selling $25 each. They were purchased in 2006 and meet all the safety regs. My boys just graduated to toddler beds so there are no mattresses. I live in Suffolk County (Lindenhurst) in case you're interested. My cell is ###-###-####.

Stanley Young America makes really good cribs and they are made in the U.S.A. They are on the expensive side but you can buy a crib that converts later to a full size bed and they are well worth the money. I have one and have had no problems with it. You can check out their website at http://www.youngamerica.com/

If you do not go with this brand, I would suggest a couple of things: make sure the crib slats are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. When you buy the mattress, make sure it fits the crib as extra space between the crib and the mattress could be dangerous. While bumbers look pretty there is no need for them and can be dangerous unless you buy breathable baby bumpers (these are sold at onestepahead.com).

Always check the crib recall list as well.

I first purchased a lifetime crib (goes from crib to toddler bed to single bed to double bed) they are extremely sturdy and solid especially great for when your little one starts standing and hanging onto the crib rails. Unfortunately I have a bad back and as we lowered the mattress it got very difficult for me to lay her down in her bed so I then bought a crib that has the rail that slides down (it is an Art Frog crib?. The new crib is not as sturdy especially since she is now holding onto the sides of the crib and bouncing, but I can lay her in her crib and then bring the side up so it is perfect for me. However, if my back did not have problems I would have stuck with the lifetime crib. Good luck and Congrats on the baby.

Hi V.,
My only input here is to make sure you have a good mattress. Walmart and other stores carry cheap foam mattresses and had almost bought one myself, until someone offered me a used baby sealy for the same price. I know, they are alot more expensive, but well worth it. I have used mine for 2 children, about 5 years of use, and it is still holding up, with minor ripping on the sides.

Good luck