Aesthetic
Leah Goren, illustrator and founder of The Courts, chose the Stokke Sleepi 3-in-1 crib (reviewed below) for her daughter, Izza. “It felt important to me when investing in a piece like this that it would grow with us,” she explains. “Many people say that mini cribs aren’t worth the spend, because kids will outgrow them in six months. This is generally true, but I wanted it anyway because it just seemed cozier and cuter for a newborn. The Stokke Sleepi is a combo: It starts as a mini crib then converts to a toddler bed and then junior bed.”
Leah also appreciates the versatility a convertible crib offers. “I’ve come to realize that sleep training and the general logistics of life with a baby are an ever-changing adventure,” she adds. “There were month-long periods where Izza would only sleep with us, not in her crib, and other long stretches where we were traveling or living somewhere else. If I had a regular crib, I’d be feeling like we barely made use of it! Instead, I’m excited to get back home in May when Izza will be almost 2 and we’ll set it up as a toddler bed for the first time.”
Budget
Have no fear: The best baby cribs don’t have to come with a staggering price tag! A crowd favorite across simplicity, affordability, and longevity is the IKEA Sniglar. Under $150, this budget-friendly, clean Swedish design has the functionality to transition from baby crib to toddler bed. IKEA offers their own set of crib mattresses, however we’ve got a whole roundup of options to consider.
Kenya Stabler, senior Designer and project Manager with Marea Clark Interiors, as well as a mom to twin toddlers, opted for the Babyletto Modo 3-in-1 Convertible crib for her daughters. Aesthetics paired with affordability was the main selling point for Kenya with this convertible crib. “I loved the style of the legs and the white-washed color,” she says. “The Greenguard Certification was also a big plus, and, since we needed to buy two, we loved the price point.”
Travel Cribs
Planning a trip with your kiddo and troubleshooting travel crib options? Some are specific to infants, but others, like the BabyBjorn detailed below, can grow with your baby from newborn days up until age three. Leah splits her time between her business in Borrego Springs and her home base in LA. Leah went with the BabyBjorn travel crib for Izza’s cozy trailer sleep space.
“It wasn’t a hard decision because I liked the look and I trusted their products,” she says. “The BabyBjorn bouncer and carrier were so much better than any others we tried. Some of my favorite memories are waking up in the morning with bright desert light coming through the curtains and making breakfast at the little table.”
