New style of cribs - anyone used?

[JulieD]

Has anyone used the new style of crib (the ones that convert from crib-toddler-full size bed) that neither of the sides lower?

Logan is not quite ready to transition to a bed yet and we'll have another baby in Feb. so we're needing another crib. He will be in a toddler bed sometime this year however so we were looking at these cribs (for him to sleep in until we transition it and him into the toddler style of it).

I had one big concern... the side doesn't lower so the matress lowers almost to the ground... but it looks like it would be climb-out-able. (He currently doesn't try to climb out at all).

Has anyone had an older child in this style of crib or know anyone that has? I just haven't heard anything on them at all. Thanks!
~Julie

[babylvr]

I'm not sure I know what you are talking about as far as the side not lowering.

I have a convertible crib that converts to a toddler bed, a double headboard/footboard and a bench. (The headboard/footboard and bench can all be assembled and used at one time so you get 3 pieces at once.)

I'd say as a toddler bed it's about a foot and a half off the ground.

I'm not sure what the brand is but I can look if you are interested.

I think I got it for about $200.

[JulieD]

Jen,
You know how the traditional cribs have a side (at least one) that lowers down using a kick plate (metal underneath) or some other sort of sliding mechanism (like plastic latches at the top of the front gate-panel)... the new ones I've seen are bolted... no lowering is possible (however the matress goes much lower to the ground so I'm not sure it's a problem??

Anyways, that's what I meant by the non-sliding panels. :)
~Julie

[Anna Banana]

My BIL/SIL have a newer style of crib for their son that converts to a toddler bed, and eventually a regular bed. It has a part that kind of folds down at the very top. But I have always wondered if that would make it harder to change the sheets since the part that folds down folds OUTWARD. Is this the type you are talking about?

[JulieD]

More like that... but none of it folds down at all. It's all stationary, the crib matress is the part that lowers (but of course it's bolted so that's rather stationary as well). They are *very* low cribs (to the floor, only like an inch or two above).

Good point about the sheets.
~Julie

[lizamac]

we have a convertible crib (crib to toddler bed to double bed) and we LOVE it - but one side does lower. I dont think I have seen any like you are describing, where neither side lowers... hmmm....

Liz

[metta4]

I thik this the the typeof crib you are talking about..neither side drops down or lowers at all

http://www.bonavita-cribs.com/lifestylecrib.html

we had considered this type of ccrib but I was concerned with how low the mattress might eventually be and if I had to lay down a sleeping little one would it be difficult.

I know a few people who have them and like them,,,,,

[JulieD]

Yes, those are the kind.

I've thought about the low-ness of them but I have more of a problem hauling DS's legs over the top of the crib we currently have rather than bending down. I'm just not sure...
~Julie

[MimiV]

We're getting a convertible bed that goes into a toddler bed or a day bed. And the side drops down as well. You can get optional wings on it too, which we're getting.

http://www.storkcraft.com/products/cribs/milan.asp#

[JulieD]

Mimi,
I'd suggest getting the one that has the knee-drop side (and test it if you can) - I went and tried out a bunch and the ones I liked best out of those that had dropping sides were the non-plastic-track ones. The track seems to be invisible and the side both drops and raises silently without having to lift up on the railing at all (yay!). This means you could put a sleeping baby into it without disturbing them. DS's current crib is much, much too loud so I have to hike his legs over the top and put him down that way. Not so great on the back nor for anyone shorter than I am (5'4").

[Juju]

We have a convertible crib which has a hinged drop-down section rather then a lowering side. My only complaint is that, at 5'-0", I am too short to put the baby down without opening the side, so if for some reason my husband just picks the baby up, I can't lower the drop-down with one hand while holding the baby. All in all I would have preferred a side-lowering style but my husband doesn't like them for some reason, so this works fine for us.

[Tankerwife]

We bought one of these from Wal-Mart its the Aspen. So far we have not had any problems. It has the one side that lowers up and down like a normal crib.