Although the baby does not arrive for five months, I like to be on top of things. The baby’s room is a project that cannot be ignored, and I don’t want to wait until the last minute. I got overwhelmed with all of the strollers that are out there, so I decided to look at cribs. I might need some suggestions and assistance from those of you who are already mothers, so any suggestions are appreciated. Inbox me on Facebook or my fanpage if you have any suggestions. I was thinking of purchasing a crib that converts into a toddler bed and a full or queen bed for later years.
I absolutely love the distressed look of this crib and the coordinating pieces. An armoire, bookshelf, dresser and changing table are a part of this collection at Restoration Hardware. This piece converts from a crib to a toddler bed, and then into a queen size bed. I love quality furniture, and although this particular piece was not in the Restoration Hardware store in Scottsdale, I had an opportunity to feel the quality and texture of this collection in another bed that was in their showroom. I actually saw this collection months before I got pregnant. I was really drawn to the patina and the texture of the wood in this collection. It’s not your typical dark, espresso wood or white painted wood seen in most nurseries.
From crib to toddler bed.
From toddler bed to a full or queen bed. This bed grows with your child, which is a feature I love.
The next crib might not be practical for me because of the features I am seeking in a crib, but I adore this crib. It is so beautiful!
Venetian crib by Bratt Decor
The poles can be removed from the crib.
…or a small canopy can be added overhead. With this crib, there are three different ways to display the crib, but it does not convert or grow with the baby. The added features on the Venetian crib are cosmetic only. However, I think the 3-in-1 crib that grows with the baby will be my best option.
We’ll find out the gender of our baby in a couple of weeks. I’m so excited!!!
Shayla
I love the crib! The fact that it grows with the child is important. There is one thing to keep in mind. If you plan on nursing, there will be a lot of up and down throughout the night. Quite honestly I have had 5 cribs and only used them for napping during the day or laundry (lol). It may seem like a little thing now but when you are sleep deprived getting up and going down the hall seems very far away. Lol. You might want to look into a bassinet for your bedroom in addition to the crib at least for the first 3-4 months. You know you can call me.
Great minds think alike. I have been looking at bassinets also. Restoration Hardware has them, but I was looking at other stores to compare their bassinets. Thanks for the advice!
I agree. I love that crib and it’s versatile.
Thanks! I don’t want to have to look for a toddler bed, and then a bed for a teen later. This crib covers it all!
I agree Tonya, as a new first time mother, I bought a really nice “cherry wood” crib set. Eventually it will come in handy,(lol). I also bought the infant nesting bed that fits in my bed, which was very helpful for the first 3 months. As a new mom, I never wanted to part from my little one, so it works well for the late night changes and early morning feeding. I love all of the crib sets though. I know you will have your nursery decked out.
Thanks Lisa! I am looking forward to getting my nursery ready! I don’t want a bright nursery, so I think I will keep neutral colors on the walls and carpet. I like gray, red, blue, and green, so the accessories in the room will probably be a mixture of two of those colors. We’ll see. I’m still trying to get a feel for everything.
Yes Shayla, definitely go with the 3 in 1 crib. It’s beautiful and practical. All the pieces that go with it will come in handy. my husband and I have a 3 I. 1 crib for our little girl as well. We won’t have to go out and hunt for a new bed when she’s 3 and have to get all new pieces to go with the bed. That’s the best part about it, you won’t have to stress out about finding new furniture when the time comes and trying to match different pieces to what you already have. As for strollers I would recommend going with a travel system so that you will already have a stroller as your little one grows. If you c an find a travel system with a convertible car seat(rear and forward facing) that would be the best and you won’t have to purchase another car seat when your little bundle is 2 and is able to sit in the forward position.
I’m sooo excited for you and the awesome process that you’re going through.
Nkenge
Thanks so much for the advice, and the stroller information was great. I will check into that. I know nothing about rear facing v. front facing. This is all new to me, but I will be sure to keep that in mind when shopping for the stroller.
Shayla,
We just bought a travel system. I had no idea what I was doing or how you even take the baby places. I bought one that accomodates an infant car seat. Then turns into a nice cushiony stroller until the baby is a toddler, the lady gave me the exact weight but I forgot. Nice thing about this one is it can also become a double stroller. If we have another baby I can stroll the older and infant. Also there are convertible car seats. They are good from 5lbs-80lbs to even 100lbs. I believe they strip down to just a booster. I will be getting one of these. Luckily the travel system came with the huge car seat with extra front bars for reinforcement. We also need a new car that huge thing wont fit in my sporty car.
Well, we might need to talk further. This whole stroller, carrier, car seat predicament is getting overwhelming. I like the City Mini and the MacLaren, but I haven’t checked to see if they have the entire travel system, which makes a lot more sense as far as getting a better value for your money. Thanks for the advice, Rachel!
Shayla,
I have the City Select (Babby Jogger) http://www.babyjogger.com/city_select_lp.aspx and it is a double. The Mini isn’t as practical when the baby is small. But the City Select grows with you. It can be a single for the two year old, a single for the baby and a double when we have everyone. I actually have two strollers because I have a regular single jogger from Vincent but when Christopher came, we got the dobule. I LOVE IT. It is a little pricer than other travel systems and you have to purchase the acessories seperately but it is so worth it! Call me and we can chat.
Also, both boys have the 3-1 beds. Vincent actually started his toddler bed just before he turned 2. I bought the same exact one so that if they decide they want to be in the same room, they will have the same bed. But eventually when they get older we are considering bunks. I do love pottery barn kids for stuff too.
Thanks Carmen. I was thinking about a jogger also. I used to run before the pregnancy. I was also thinking about the double because we will have at least one more child. It is so much to think about because there are so many options out there. I will look at the website to get more information though!
We bought one of those convertible cribs. It was expensive. Its sitting in our garage. We never ended up using it and he went straight to his big bed after cosleeping with us for 3 years without a problem. I wish we didnt buy his whole set before he was old enough to choose though because he really wants one of those beds where you use a ladder to get to the bunk up top and the underneath is a play area. But since we already have all the furniture we are not going to throw it out and start again.
They are expensive, but I think our baby will get great use from it. We will make sure he sleeps in it, for sure! 😉