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summerbabe
Citizen
Username: Summerbabe
Post Number: 69
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 2:01 pm: | 
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I searched on the boards and most of the crib threads seem to be about used cribs. We're looking to buy a crib for our upcoming addition to our family and we were wondering about what features seem to work best for people. Are three-in-ones worth it? Is it best to have a front that slides down with a push mechanism on the bottom, so you don't need both hands to do it (this seems like a good idea to us)?
So far we've looked mainly at Babies R Us and I have to say that they seem kinda flimsy and cheap or they simply don't have the models we like in white. We also don't want to spend a fortune because we are using a co-sleeper for the first six months anyway, thus shorting the lifespan of the crib. I looked at Target online and I saw a cute model that was kind of streamlined and modern looking, but I just don't trust not being able to see it in person and test it before buying it. We haven't tried Pottery Barn Kids yet, but it seems like everything there is going to be in the $700 to $1000 range and I feel that is too much money for a crib. And the Consumer Reports book doesn't really rate cribs. Does anyone out there have any advice about crib shopping? Any thoughts/recommendations would be greatly appreciated! |
red
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 5288
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 2:08 pm: |
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We got our crib at Buy Buy Baby in Paramus. They had a huge selection at the time (going back six years) I had a hard time deciding.
As for the type of crib, I think it is your preference. I was so excited for each stage of my child's life, to get a new bed etc was fun. |
Bailey
Citizen
Username: Baileymac
Post Number: 227
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 2:26 pm: |
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Every mother in the world will give you advise, so let me throw my two cents in...
I also found the babies r us and even the Target cribs to be somewhat flimsy. I was picturing my child standing in the crib and holding on to the rail and being able to shake the whole crib, and I didn't like the idea too much. My father and I finally went to Belini in Manalapan (there is one in Short Hills as well) I know they are pricey, but the design and sturdyness is well worth it. All of their furniture is beautilful.
As far as the life of the crib being reduced - are you planning on having only the one child? If you buy a convertable, they turn into a day bed - great feature. Also, it was great to have my son with us for a while, but by three months we were ready for him to be in his own room. PLUS he napped in his crib often durring the day before he left our room, so he could get used to his room instead of just being put in there at night. |
AdamMosk
Citizen
Username: Adammosk
Post Number: 54
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 2:30 pm: |
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We bought our sons furniture at Bellini. Bellini is a little more (depending on what your are looking at) but we love the quality of the furniture. We looked at Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby and PBK and found Bellini's quality to be the best. We wound up buying a crib that will convert into a bed. Each Bellini store is independtly owned and operated. Thought the people in the Paramus store were great.
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Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 2906
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 3:00 pm: |
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Pick up a copy of "Baby Bargains"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1889392197/sr=8-1/qid=1144693404/ref=pd_bbs_1/0 02-8452846-7850428?%5Fencoding=UTF8
They have reccommendations for everything baby.
I personally think the 3-in-1 thing is a waste, but I know people who have used it. I needed my crib for kid #2, so I moved #1 to a twin mattress on the floor around 2 years old. If you think you might need the crib for another child within 3 years I wouldn't bother getting a convertable.
Pretty sure all of the new cribs need to adhear to certain standards. I personally wouldn't pay more than $300 or so for something you use for only a couple of years per kid. Same with the baby type furniture. Small dressers and changing tables are cute but useless after 2-3 years (unless you have more kids!). We used an old desk as a changing table and it worked fine. |
Jennifer
Citizen
Username: Jkohan
Post Number: 79
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 9:49 pm: |
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Crib and Teen City on the center island on Route 22 has beautiful and state of the art cribs and infant furniture. We shopped, shopped, and shopped some more (we went to each of the places mentioned above) and went back to Crib and Teen City. They had the nicest selection and the best prices. I also second the recommendation to get the Baby Bargains book. |
Reesa
Citizen
Username: Reesa
Post Number: 123
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 10:06 pm: |
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we have bellini too. It is beautiful and sturdy and we have two other pieces to match. When our daughter is ready, we can get a matching bed - they guarantee that the color matches for something like 10 years...Yes they're expensive - but well worth it in my opinion. |
ccurtis
Citizen
Username: Ccurtis
Post Number: 33
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 8:57 am: |
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we have a pottery barn one, and love it.
That said,the baby bargains book is a MUST. They actually mention a thing about cribs which I hadn't thought of: for a crib to be sold in the US, it has to have certain quality/safety standards. So the big box retailers (like babies r us) may actually build the cheaper half-a$$ed to make them seem flimsier, and thus directing you toward their more expensive models (or it could be just a conspiracy theory). Not to mention that so many people go through those stores and shack the things, which is alot of excessive wear and tear, that won't normally happen in everyday use. |
Cva
Citizen
Username: Cva
Post Number: 22
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 9:34 am: |
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There is also a place on route 10 (in Hanover, maybe? ) that sells a lot of nice cribs. I can't remember the name, but I got mine there and have been happy. I would recommend getting one that has a plasic covering over the top rails so that when your child is teething he/she doesn't chew all the finish off the top rail (as my son did!).
If you are planning to have more than one child I think the convertable thing is pretty useless. As soon as you get to the point where you might be ready to convert it, you will need the crib for a second baby anyway. |
Georgie
Citizen
Username: Georgie
Post Number: 105
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 9:47 am: |
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When I first went to BBB and BRU I didn't see any white cribs that I liked. But then when I saw the prices at Pottery Barn and (other places) my standards dropped a little and I ended up really liking the crib.
Have to admit as time went on I cared about the crib less and less. I look back and can't believe how much energy I spent picking out furniture.
I will say that the one from BRU held up great and is now going on to be used for baby #2. |
ccurtis
Citizen
Username: Ccurtis
Post Number: 34
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 9:53 am: |
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have you thought about a changing table? we found a nice little dresser at ikea, that once you put on a changing pad, its the same thing. for like $125, and it matches th pottery barn crib pretty well! we got the crib as a gift, so I don't know that we would have spent the money ourselves.
I know the place out on route 10 - they do have nice stuff. Can't think of the name either. Its farther out, like near whippany if I remember. Maybe near the Ethan Allen. |
cppkqp
Citizen
Username: Cppkqp
Post Number: 114
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 10:00 am: |
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A second vote for Crib and Teen City on Route 22. Their cribs seemed sturdier than those at BRU for about the same price. We bought our son's crib there in 03 and then went back to buy another when our twins were on the way. Both are holding up very well.
The double latch thing seems ridiculous to me. How are you supposed to hold the little one and flip down the side of the crib? We prefer the models where the side slides down - especially as the cribs sometimes were used to change or dress one baby while the other was on the changing table.
From what I've heard among friends, very few people find the convert-to-toddler bed feature very useful.
Best wishes! |
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