Safety is of the utmost importance when selecting a crib for your baby. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the bars of your baby’s crib should be 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the possibility of injury. While dropside cribs have been banned and taken off the market as per the Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2011, this crib style may still be circulating via secondhand sellers and should be avoided due to the suffocation and strangulation hazard. When it comes to finding the right convertible crib, Dr. Aubrie DeBear, PsyD., Child Sleep Consultant & Expert for Tommee Tippee’s Spill The Milk Series, suggests choosing an option that your baby can stay in for a while. “I always encourage parents to try to stick with the crib for as long as possible, especially if the child doesn’t have a problem with it,” Dr. DeBear tells Verywell Family. “Sometimes parents get excited to move their baby out of the crib and doing so too early can sometimes lead to issues.” We carefully looked over age, height, weight recommendations, crib safety, design, value, and material when reviewing products. The DaVinci Kalani 4-In-1 Convertible Crib tops our list because you’ll be able to use it for years to come thanks to several conversion options. This convertible crib is available in several different finish/color options and includes four conversions: standard crib (two mattress heights), toddler bed with rail, toddler day bed, and a full-size bed. It’s made from durable New Zealand pine wood with a non-toxic paint finish, making it safe for when your baby begins teething. Probably the best part of all is that given how long a child can use this bed, it is extremely affordable. Price at time of publication: $230 When it is set up as a crib, there are three different mattress height settings, so you can lower it down as your baby grows and is able to pull up. The crib also converts into a toddler bed with a railing, a toddler day bed, and a full-size bed. Price at time of publication: $200 Price at time of publication: $699 When it’s set up as a crib, it has four different mattress heights so that you can slowly lower your baby as it gets bigger. Finally, while this crib is on the pricier end, the toddler bed conversion kits are included in the purchase. Price at time of publication: $499 Price at time of publication: $200 Price at time of publication: $250 Price at time of publication: $509 Price at time of publication: $161
What to Look for When Buying a Convertible Crib
Safety
As with all baby products, safety is the first thing to look for when purchasing a crib for your baby. For the safest sleep environment, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says parents should look for a crib with bars spaced no more than 2.37 inches apart with more than 26 inches of bar space above the crib mattress when it’s sitting at its highest point and free of any decorative carvings or cut-outs that could be hazardous to a curious baby. If the crib converts into a toddler bed, Dr. DeBear tells Verywell Family it should sit low to the ground “to prevent an injury if [the child] happens to fall out.” If the crib can convert into a toddler bed with a rail, which many of them do, Dr. DeBear says that is even better for injury prevention.
Conversion Options
Convertible cribs are very popular, but not all of them offer the same conversion options. Consider which conversions will work best for your family. If you plan to have young kids close together, then you may just need a crib with multiple mattress height options, or if this is your last child then a 4-in-1 may be ideal so that it’s the only bed you’ll need to buy for them. While convertible cribs are convenient, they may cost you a little extra upfront, depending on the type or brand you choose, and any additional pieces that are needed. Typically, not all conversion kits are sold with a crib and must be purchased individually. Overall, a convertible crib may save you money over time, but you will have to pay extra for conversion kits that are sold separately.
Materials and Durability
Since your baby will inevitably start chewing on the crib’s railing, make sure you’re getting one made of materials that are free of toxins. Also, look for a crib with high-quality paint or stain that won’t chip over time so that you can get as much use out of the bed as possible. Finally, the crib should be securely assembled without wiggling or making a lot of noise when your child moves around in it. It’s possible that your baby will climb out of their crib at some point, so you want the crib to be durable, strong, and one you can reuse if needed down the road.
Design and Functionality
In addition to conversion options, you also want to consider the crib’s overall design. If it’s made to grow with your child, is the design trendy or something timeless that will still look good a decade from now? Does the design work for your lifestyle and/or the nursery that you’ve set up? Do you want one with wheels so that you can move it around easily? While the crib’s overall look is the most fun thing to consider, you also want to be sure its design meets all of your needs. If you have a small room to work with, you’ll want a crib that fits in the space without it being too big.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing a variety of children’s products, including convertible cribs. Key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include expert advice, age appropriateness, and user reviews. However, your child’s size also plays a role in this decision. The AAP suggests parents move their child to another bed once they reach 35 inches tall or once the height of the crib’s railing measures about 0.75 of your child’s height, which is usually about nipple level. If you do not feel like your child is developmentally ready for a toddler bed at that point, you should discuss alternatives with your pediatrician.
