How Much Does a Crib Cost?

Choosing a baby crib for your little one can be a real challenge. During the first few months of their life, your child will be spending most of their time in the crib, which is why it’s ideal to look for one that’s made with high-quality materials, and that is compliant with safety standards, besides being in sync with the nursery aesthetic.

There are many types of cribs, and their costs can vary depending on the materials used to build them, as well as their functionalities and details. 

Here, you’ll find a baby crib buying guide to help you understand how much a crib costs and why.

As you start buying your baby’s stuff , you’ll notice that crib prices are quite variable. They can range from less than $100 to thousands of dollars, and everything in between. We usually sort cribs costs in three different categories:

Cribs in the entry-level tier are usually under $250 . This is because they are built with less expensive (but still strong) materials, and tend to show a simpler finish. 

The most distinctive characteristic of this tier’s cribs is that they are built for functionality more than aesthetics.

Middle-tier cribs cost between $250 and $400 . They can be made from the same materials as the entry-level cribs, but tend to have ornate structural detail or a high-quality finish that makes them more fashionable.

Cribs in this category are probably a good compromise between a stylish new crib and a crib you would get if you were on a tight budget.

Finally, high-end crib prices are above $400. This type of crib tends to be made with expensive strong materials and shows intricate ornaments or a better finish than the previous tiers. They may also feature some extra functionalities (such as a 4-in-1 convertible crib) or high-quality craftsmanship.

Investing in a high-end crib can be seen as an investment both for durability and for your new baby’s safety. A high-quality crib, such as the ones on this tier, can provide several benefits, including the use of non-toxic materials, having a modern, unique and premium design, and offering long-lasting durability.

Nurture& ’s Newport Crib is the perfect example of understanding the importance of using the best quality materials to build nursery and baby furniture that will be there for your little one as they grow. And, as an extra benefit, it comes in different colors, and you can get the perfect size crib mattress to go with it.

The Milan Crib is the ultimate convertible crib. Its 3-in-1 design allows you to use it as a bassinet while your baby is still in the first few months, then as a full crib while your baby grows, and then as a toddler bed (with The Milan Guardrail Set ) when your little one has reached this stage.

The greatest upside is that you’ll be making a single investment for a crib that can be useful during the first five years of your child's life. You won’t have to choose between a bassinet and a crib , and you won’t have to look for a new bed when your baby becomes a toddler.

This premium crib is made from high-quality and non-toxic materials, and like the rest of Nurture&’s products, it meets and exceeds ASTM Safety Standards. It’s also JPMA and safe-sleep certified. This is a guarantee that this crib will keep your newest family member safe.

A crib's price can be affected by several factors. These include the raw materials it was made with, the finish, whether it required traditional craftsmanship, and whether it has additional functions.

The materials are the primary aspect that can determine the price of a crib. Entry level cribs are usually made of less expensive materials, such as MDF (medium-density fiberboard), wood veneer, and steel.

On the other hand, more expensive materials like acrylic plastic and hardwoods (like maple or oak) tend to be found in high-end baby cribs. This concept can be extended to other nursery furniture and baby items, such as changing tables, car seats, and teething toys.

The main components in Nurture&’s crib collection are poplar, MDF, and oak veneer MDF. These are all high-quality and non-toxic materials that make long-lasting furniture.

Basic finishes tend to be less expensive than intricate ones. For example, a crib with a simple paint finish will probably cost less than a crib with a wire-brushed look, or with a painted design on the headboard.

A crib that has additional functionalities might have a higher price. For example, convertible cribs or cribs that include storage underneath might be pricier (and you might need to buy a conversion kit to go with them). But keep in mind that they will help you avoid a future purchase.

The great thing about Nurture&’s Milan Crib is that it offers three adjustable configurations: a bassinet, a full crib, and a toddler bed, all in the same piece of baby furniture.

Some cribs have intricate designs with many ornaments, such as carved headboard and footboard, or spindles instead of flat slats. This requires craftsmanship, and therefore increases the price.

As new parents, it might be hard to decide what nursery essentials to purchase and what kind of safety standards to look for in the furniture. Before making any decisions, consider these safety tips to keep your peace of mind:

Registering your crib with the manufacturer means you will get notified if and as soon as there are any safety recalls regarding the brand and model you bought.

Make sure to choose a mattress that fits perfectly in the inside of your crib—otherwise, your little one might get their little hands and feet hurt. If you can fit more than a couple of fingers between the crib and the mattress, you should look for a new mattress.

Nurture&’s crib mattresses fit snugly inside a standard-sized crib and even in a toddler bed. They’re made from breathable vegan materials and include a removable machine-washable layer built-in as a mattress protector.

Avoid cribs with drop sides, which have been banned since 2011. Stationary sides are far less likely to cause an accident since your baby won't be able to move them.

The main problem with second-hand and antique cribs is that they might not be compliant with current safety standards, or they might have been part of a previous safety recall. 

A handcrafted crib from 150 years ago might be beautiful, but there were very little regulations back then to ensure babies’ safety. Therefore, a new crib will always be a safer choice.

Soft bedding and stuffed toys shouldn’t be inside your baby’s crib since they are suffocation hazards and could increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

If you're wondering about safety standards, you can always visit the CPSC web to look for all safety recommendations that must be followed by manufacturers and retailers.

When choosing whether to buy your crib online or in-store, you should consider these aspects:

• Shopping online can offer almost infinite possibilities when it comes to nursery aesthetics, color and decorations. To get this variety while buying in-store, you would have to visit many different stores.

• Online shopping comes with many deals and offers, such as free-shipping and a return process free of hustle.

• The checkout process tends to be easier when online shopping.

• Shopping in-store is the only way you can see the colors in person, and touch the finishes and fabrics.

Although visiting some stores in person is never a bad idea, the actual buying process is usually easier and more fast-forward online.

There are different types of cribs that you can choose from, depending on your priorities. These are:

• Standard cribs: These are full-sized cribs that can fit a standard-sized crib mattress (the same size as a toddler bed mattress). They have a rectangular shape and they usually showcase a classier look.

• Mini cribs : They are a middle point between a bassinet and a full-sized crib. This makes them compact enough for a small nursery, but not big enough to use its mattresses in a toddler bed or a daybed.

• Convertible cribs : These can be turned into different sizes and types of beds for your little one. They are ideal if you want to invest in furniture that will grow with your baby.

• Travel or foldable cribs: This type of crib offers the possibility to fold it in order to store it, or little wheels to move it.

Getting some accessories for your crib might be optional, but others that are non-negotiable. For example, getting crib guard rails might not be necessary for your particular context, but a crib mattress and crib sheets are very much necessary.

However, there are also some items that you should actually avoid putting in your baby’s crib, such as pillows, soft bedding, or stuffed toys. These items increase the risk of SIDS and therefore should be kept outside the crib.

Choosing a crib is a very important decision and it should not be made at the last minute. Keep in mind that a crib might take a lot of space in your nursery, so you might want to buy it first and then organize the rest of the surrounding furniture.

Planning for this purchase might also allow you to get offers and discounts.

Switching from a crib to a full-size bed or a day-bed can be a very swift process, but it can also be challenging for your little one. Here are some things you can do to make the transition easier:

• Prepare your child: Talking to your child is a great way to start the transition. Explain to them what will happen and make them a part of the process (for example, by letting them choose the bedding).

• Set up the full-size bed : Putting the new bed in the same place as the crib might give your child a sense of familiarity and help the transition. You could also let them keep the blanket they used in the crib, for example.

• Make a bedtime routine: Keep the bedtime routine as consistent as you can, and reassure them that this bed is safe and they can sleep in it.

• Don’t forget safety: Make sure you are toddler-proofing the whole nursery and not just the bed.

If you want a convertible crib that’s made with the highest-quality materials and that will grow with your baby, check out The Milan Crib from Nurture& and fill your nursery with the best quality furniture.