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Can you save money with a crib that converts into a bed later?

Convertible Cribs

Has anyone ever bought a convertible crib, the kind that transforms from a crib, to a toddler bed, then a full-sized bed? Are they worth the extra money? I'll pay for a good quality one if I know it will last, but I don't want to waste my money on something that I hoped would last 18 years only to have it fall apart when the child is out of diapers. Any guidance?
Stacie

Thoughts on Convertible Cribs

Here are some thoughts on convertible cribs:

If you are going to use the crib for only one child, it makes sense. No need to buy new beds as the child grows.
If you are going to have more than one child (or plan to), then the convertible part of the crib likely won't get used. By the time the first child is ready for a toddler bed (or a full-sized bed), there will be another baby who needs the crib, and therefore, it will remain a crib.
Think about how your home is arranged and what will help you function best. Toddler beds can be very inexpensive, or you can just buy a crib mattress or a twin mattress and put it on the floor of a childproofed room.

Kimberly

Convertible Crib Makes Transitions Easier

We chose to buy this type of crib when our daughter was born, and I have been really pleased with it. Although it was a little more expensive than a standard crib, I really appreciated not having to sell a crib and buy a toddler bed when she was ready to make the transition. As a matter of fact, we tried to make the transition to the toddler bed last December, and we found she just wasn't ready yet. It was so easy to put the crib rail back on the bed and try again a few months later. We were able to let our daughter go at her own speed. We love how this crib has worked for our family. It was definitely the right choice for us.
MaryAnn

Convertible Crib Was Too Flimsy

Save your money. I wish I had. The convertible set we got wasn't the finest on the market. It was too flimsy for a little boy who liked to jump on the bed. By the time he was old enough for the twin bed, we had lost all of the parts, and it was scuffed and worn. We ended up getting him an antique sleigh bed and then not too much later we got bunk beds for him and his little brother. Therefore, I would advise saving your money and getting a well-made crib that you can use for your next child.
Nancy in LA

My Convertible Crib Was Worth Every Penny!

I bought one of those really expensive cribs that converts. It was the best purchase we made for our son, who's now eight. When crib time was done, I broke it down to the toddler bed, and when he outgrew that, it became his kid bed. That crib lasted seven years. I had to buy him a twin size bed because he's so tall, but yes, it's worth the money.
Kaethie

I'd Buy a Convertible Crib Again in a Heartbeat

My parents bought me a convertible crib when I found that I was pregnant with baby #3, which was when baby #2 was only 2-1/2 months old. That was nine years ago! This crib is still in use. In its first 18 months, it was a crib for #2. Then, it was a toddler bed for three more years until #2 and #3 moved to twin beds. It was then placed in the playroom as a daybed/couch until it became a crib again for baby #4. It became a toddler bed again, but baby #5 is due, so it will become a crib again before long. I have not had the chance to use it as a headboard for full bed yet, but it has more than paid for itself. It is a Delta LUV crib in a natural color. It is not one of the bulky heavy beds either and the drop rail installs and removes in minutes and stores easily behind or under the crib. If I found myself in the market for another crib, I'd definitely get a convertible one.
Tina in Texas

The Convertible Crib Did Not Work for Me

I received a convertible crib while expecting my son, thinking it would be all I ever needed.

Ben was very content to stay in his crib until he was about two years. He never attempted to crawl out, which makes me think he must have liked his nursery. Anyway, I completely skipped over the toddler style assembly and tried to assemble a "big boy" bed at three years. I assume you have assembled a frame before so you know that the long rails have metal "hooks" that are supposed to slide into "slats" in a headboard.

Well, the piece of crib that was supposed to serve as a headboard had no "slats" only holes that fit the original design of the crib. The piece was also so heavy that there was no way to push it up against a wall without any support.

Long story short, I was not able to use the crib for its intended purposes. If it saves you any money buy purchasing just a crib, I'd do so and avoid staring at pieces in your garage like I do!
Pamela P. in College Station, TX

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