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I have no desire for a convertible crib and don’t think you should either.
Convertible cribs have been growing in popularity. They seem like a great idea. You have your baby’s sleeping arrangements covered for life right?
Convertible cribs can go from a crib to a toddler bed to then a full-size bed typically. Some have slightly different versions, but the point remains the same. It will grow with your child.
Though this may seem convenient I think it is the wrong route!
Take a read at my reason why I do not want a convertible crib and you shouldn’t either.
1. Extra Parts
A baby crib cannot magically become a full-size bed without needing more parts. This isn’t Harry Potter with a magic wand.
You are going to need metal side rails to support the mattress when it becomes a full-size bed. The long ends of the crib will become the head and footboards.
This means some other extension package is necessary to purchase when you buy the crib. And you don’t want to wait because it could go out of stock or be discontinued.
So now you are storing parts before you need them.
Once it is time to convert you are going to need to purchase a full-size mattress. Ok, so what do you do with the tiny crib mattress? And what was holding up that tiny crib mattress? I guess you are now storing those tiny box springs. Have fun storing those until your child goes to college.
And good luck trying to sell the parts you aren’t using. Nobody wants half a crib. Remember you are still using half the frame as the head and footboards.
The convertible crib is a shuffling of bed parts over the years. It requires storage and doesn’t make sense.
You know what happens when you store parts right? Things get lost. A few screws here or there and one day maybe you decide to make the bed back into a crib for grandchildren and realize you don’t have what you need.
I hate storing stuff for an endless amount of time.
2. Damage
Not everyone will experience this, but if you do not protect the rails on your crib your baby may go to town teething on it. All it takes is one night and your crib could look horrible. Some people would say oh well it’s just a crib.
However, if it is a convertible crib now their bed they use as a teen will have bite marks from when they were one year old. Committing to a piece of furniture for the length of your child’s life in your home is a big commitment.
If you do end up deciding to get a convertible crib definitely use rail covers. You will regret it if you don’t.
3. More Children
Typically when you have a baby you use the crib, and then update them to a bigger bed. It could be a toddler bed or maybe a twin bed. Once you move them out of the crib you can use the crib for your next baby.
If you plan to have multiple children I don’t think convertible cribs are the way to go. You are going to have so many pieces to store and baby mattresses piling up.
I don’t see how it makes sense to keep buying new cribs.
I would much rather have all of my children use the same crib and then once they are done with it decide to keep it for the future and sentimental reasons or decide to pass it along so some other family can get use out of it.
Conclusion
Everybody thinks differently. Some people see the convertible crib as a convenience, while I see it as an inconvenience.
I just don’t get it.
I have no desire or need for a convertible crib.
I think they are a gimmick and you end up spending more money than you initially think you are going to.
Think through these things before getting a convertible baby crib.
How long do you intend to store the parts?
Do you want to have this item for 18 years?
Could you get a used twin bed from a family member who no longer needs it?
How many children do you plan to have?
My final thought is, no convertible cribs in this household.
What do I recommend?
You can click the article below to read about why I skipped the bassinet.
I recommend getting a traditional crib then moving them up to a twin bed.
The other option that I did not try would be to do a floor bed. This is different parenting style where your baby has more freedom of movement, and their bedroom must be safe for them to explore. I wish we would have tried this route.
The floor bed can be their bed for many years to come.
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