5 Best Convertible Cribs For Your Baby's Nursery
One of these can take your child through toddlerhood, too.
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Newborns spend more than half the time asleep—it just doesn't feel like that way, since they also wake every couple of hours to eat. But my point is, they're in their crib a lot. You want to invest in a crib that's safe, sturdy, and new. Pediatricians say that a crib is one of the baby items you shouldn't thrift.
A convertible crib is a great option because it grows with your child, transforming from a baby crib to a toddler bed, a daybed, or even a full-size bed headboard and footboard. You'll potentially use it for years.
Our top picks:
• Best Overall: Babyletto Hudson
• Best Value: Delta Children Heartland
• Best with Storage: Graco Hadley
Remember to budget for a crib mattress (sold separately). If you'll start with your baby sleeping at the bedside next to you at night, see our list of the best bassinets.
Best Deal
Pros
- Toddler rail included
- Fits into any décor
- Easy to assemble
- Sturdy and durable
Cons
- Soft pine might sustain dings over time
Why I like it: So many new parents I know choose this Babyletto crib, including my cousin, a current coworker, and a previous coworker. It's become one I often recommend, because it includes the toddler conversion kit, so you don't have to worry about purchasing it as an add-on later.
I personally like a crib that doesn't have a big headboard, giving you flexibility for where you place it in the room. The Hudson's minimalist, mid-century modern design slips easily into any décor.
This crib, and all others on our list, has Greenguard Gold Certification, meaning it's been screened and found to be clear of hundreds of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and thousands of toxic chemicals.
Tester notes: I've built this crib for photo shoots and I think it's easy to assemble. It feels solid yet lightweight. "The crib has proved to be sturdy and durable, and I appreciate that it’s Greenguard Gold certified," says Senior Reviews Writer & Analyst Olivia Lipski, whose 18-month-old has been using it since birth.
Lipski uses the natural wood version, shown, as does my cousin. It also comes in white, black, and gray, or in green for a little more money.
The Hudson, like many cribs, is made of soft pine wood, which can get dinged. Check the pieces when they arrive to be sure nothing was damaged in shipping. I also suggest building the crib in the nursery so you don't have to try to cram a completed crib through a doorway.
Also from Babyletto: There's a Hudson 3-drawer changing table.
Features at a Glance
| Greenguard Gold Certified | Yes |
| Modes | 3: Crib, toddler bed, daybed |
| Dimensions | 54" x 30" x 35" |
| Material | Pine |
| Colors | White, natural, black, gray. For an extra cost: Green, white/natural |
Pros
- Solid and reliable
- Under $200
- Trendy colors, like black
- Brand offers many different designs
Cons
- No frills
Why I like it: I've built dozens of Delta Children cribs in my 25 years of covering baby products, and I find them to be solid and reliable. We've also awarded the brand previous Parenting Awards for some of their crib designs. Delta Children is a family-run company that's been in operation for decades, and members of its team help set safety standards for the entire industry.
I chose this particular crib for its price. It's a no-frills option, and proof that even if your budget is tight, you should be able to find a safe, new convertible crib for under $200.
Tester notes: Once unheard of in a nursery, black cribs have become extremely popular with parents who want the room to look sophisticated, not babyish. The Heartland comes in other colors, too, including white, natural, light gray, and dark gray.
When you're ready, buy the toddler guardrail separately.
Also from Delta: Shop all Delta cribs on Amazon to see the brand's wide range of designs.
RELATED: Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards
Features at a Glance
| Greenguard Gold Certified | Yes |
| Modes | 4: Crib, toddler bed, daybed, full-size headboard |
| Dimensions | 29.5" x 54.5" x 35" |
| Material | Pine |
| Colors | Black, white, natural, light gray, dark gray |
Pros
- Pull-out storage drawer underneath
- Fits popular modern farmhouse decor
- Front and back can later be a headboard and footboard
Cons
- Extra assembly required for the drawer
- Drawer makes this a heavier piece
Why I like it: While you can stash things under any crib, it's easier to access under-crib storage with a built-in storage drawer. Use it to hold extra crib sheets, pajamas, and more.
Tester notes: I know from experience that there are extra steps to building a crib with a drawer piece. Expect a handful of extra assembly steps, plus extra hardware to mount the drawer, and know that the drawer makes this crib heavier than others.
The traditional design—very modern farmhouse!—is meant to be backed up to a wall, and you'll need space in front of the crib for the drawer to pull out.
When you're ready to turn it into a toddler bed you buy the guardrail kit separately. The front and back of this crib can be converted into not just the headboard for a full-size bed, but the footboard, too, potentially lasting for decades.
Also from Graco: There's a larger version of the Hadley with a built-in changing table.
Features at a Glance
| Greenguard Gold Certified | Yes |
| Modes | 4: Crib, toddler bed, daybed, full-size headboard and footboard |
| Dimensions | 56" x 30" x 44" |
| Material | Pine wood, engineered wood, and wood composites |
| Colors | White, natural, black, gray, dark brown |
Pros
- Vintage vibes
- On casters so you can roll it around
- Comes in fun colors
Cons
- Remove the wheels before your toddler is able to push it
Why I like it: I am a sucker for vintage-looking cribs (with modern safety features). The spindle-style slats on the Jenny Lind convertible crib help create a sweet, retro aesthetic that can look darling in a baby nursery.
This Jenny Lind is on removable caster wheels that let you easily position it around the nursery or even roll it into your adult bedroom for those up-and-around-the-clock newborn months. Just remember to take the casters off before your toddler can push it around.
Tester notes: Parents who gravitate toward colors rather than neutrals like that this comes in pink and navy as well as black and white. Transition this crib into a toddler bed when you buy the toddler-rail conversion kit.
Also from DaVinci: See the matching changing table.
Features at a Glance
| Greenguard Gold Certified | Yes |
| Conversions | 3: Crib, toddler bed, daybed |
| Dimensions | 54.75" x 30.5" x 41.25" |
| Material | Pine |
| Colors | Pink, black, navy, white |
Pros
- Antique look but modern safety standards
- Scratch-resistant surface
- Easy to put together
Cons
- Heavy metal frame can be tough to move around a room
Why I like it: I used to do monthly nursery-inspiration articles for American Baby magazine, and I'll admit I slid a Namesake metal crib into more than one story. They've got a gorgeous metallic shimmer and are, in fact, made of metal. But each crib is only the typical five pieces (four walls and the base) and surprisingly easy to screw together. I was always able to do it myself!
If you like an antique, Art Deco look, this is a great bet. The metal does make it a bit heavy to move, however.
Tester notes: We gave Namesake one of our previous Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards. We appreciate the scratch-resistant surface that holds up to heavy use. Like the wooden cribs on our list, the Abigail is Greenguard Gold Certified.
When you're ready, buy the toddler rail conversion kit.
Also from Namesake: If you're squeezed for space, there's a metal mini crib on wheels.
Features at a Glance
| Greenguard Gold Certified | Yes |
| Conversions | 3: Crib, toddler bed, daybed |
| Dimensions | 55.5" x 30.5" x 44" |
| Material | Metal |
| Colors | Gold, iron |
How I choose the best convertible cribs
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, many of our experts are also parents, so we're able to test a variety of convertible cribs in our Labs and in our homes. This picture shows our best overall crib, the Babyletto Hudson, in Lipski's nursery for her 18-month-old.
We have also tested Delta and Namesake cribs as part of our Parenting Awards program, sending samples to families' homes for additional feedback. I have personally built cribs from all five brands as part of my previous job at American Baby magazine.
I included only Greenguard Gold Certified cribs, as that certification has become increasingly important to parents. Additionally, none of the five featured brands have had crib recalls in the past 10 years. As I final check, I read online reviews to be sure that users are having a good experience with initial assembly and crib durability over time.
What to look for when shopping for the best convertible crib
Even if your crib isn't the most expensive thing you buy for your baby's room (because a nursery glider can cost more), a crib feels like the star of the show, the centerpiece. When shopping, consider:
✔️ Certifications: A Greenguard Gold Certified crib is third-party tested and approved of having low chemical emissions. Also look for either the Baby Safety Alliance or JPMA seal to ensure a crib has been independently tested for safety.
✔️ Crib design: Where you'll put the crib will determine the shape you can buy. My cousin with a small city apartment could not use a crib with a big headboard. But one of my coworkers who lives in the suburbs has a crib with a large back because it sits against a wall and looks nice there.
✔️ Conversion kits: If you're set on turning your crib into a toddler bed, consider buying the conversion kit right away, since designs can be phased out over time. Anecdotally, I know many parents who use their crib as a toddler bed. But I don't know many who go all the way to utilizing the headboard/footboard configurations, so maybe hold off on buying the kit for that. A daybed configuration, as fancy as it sounds, just means you take the front off the crib and use it like a little couch.
Buying a Safe Crib
How can I tell if a crib is safe? All new cribs sold in the United States are required to meet stringent safety testing as set forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission as part of the federal Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
I tell parents to stick to major brands. If you see something sold online that looks like an off brand, do a bit of investigating to see if there's a brand website and an office that offers consumer support to US customers.
Experts advise that you do not buy a crib secondhand. Be exceptionally wary of taking a hand-me-down crib. Worn-out pieces or missing hardware can pose serious problems for the integrity of the furniture.
Setting Up a Crib Safely
How do I set up the crib safely? Do a physical check of the crib. Ensure there are no missing, loose, or broken components, and double-check that all hardware has been properly installed and tightened. If a part is missing, only use replacement hardware from the manufacturer that made the crib.
Make sure the crib is placed in a safe spot. You don't want it to be near any windows that have blinds with cords suspended from them or dangling drapes that could pose a strangulation hazard for your child.
The safest crib has only two things inside: a crib mattress covered in a fitted crib sheet. Choose a firm, tight-fitting crib mattress so the baby won't get trapped between the mattress and the crib's sides. Then wrap it in a fitted crib sheet.
Keep the crib bare otherwise. During your baby's first year of life, there should be no toys, no loose blankets, and no pillows in the crib. Your baby will be warm enough in their pajamas, perhaps with a swaddle if they're a newborn and a wearable blanket after 3 months.
Adjust the mattress height: To save your back, start with the mattress at its highest setting. This way, when the baby is first born, you can easily lift your infant out. As your child grows, lower the mattress down as needed so they can't climb out.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
This story was researched and written by contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn, a mom of two who covered the juvenile-product industry for two decades for American Baby and Parents. She's proud to now lend her expertise to the Good Housekeeping Institute as a judge for the annual Parenting Awards, Family Travel Awards, and Best Toy Awards.
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