I'm banging my head on walls trying to figure out "quality" for baby cribs!

[IdaBriggs]

This is unbelievably frustrating! Since we are having twins, and made the mistake of not being born independently wealthy, we are being "frugal" -- that means I want some nice, new baby furniture at a reasonable price. I've fallen in love with the "top of the line" stuff from a really expensive store (Convertible Crib with stationary sides), but since I'm "frugal" I don't want to pay top dollar for it. I've found cribs on-line that LOOK the same, but I can't tell if they are "knock off" brands that are cheap pieces of crap made of plywood, or not. I've already looked for recommendations at Consumer Reports, but they are being the next best thing to useless for "current" stuff (since they last wrote stuff up in May, 2004).

Any brilliant suggestions for where to look for some HONEST input on "good brands" versus "acceptable?"

Thanks in advance! :) Best, Ida

[LeftyMom]

1. Go get a copy of Baby Bargains

It's like Consumer Reports for baby stuff, and much more frequently updated.

Here's the website, you might be able to get most of the info from the forums. http://www.windsorpeak.com/babybargains/default.html

[LeftyMom]

3. Oh, one more thing

If there's a high-end baby store in the area, find out if they have an outlet shop or sale on floor sample sale from time to time. Our local high-end baby place has both and that's how I've scored most of my deals on baby gear.

Sorry I can't be more help on cribs, I never used one. But if you need car seat help, I'm your girl. :)

[tigereye]

2. I bought a used one - it had all the safety things covered -

it was fine.


I bet there are some parenting sites that could help. Best of luck with your twins!

[China_cat]

4. For quite a while you should only need one crib

Most experts tend to think that keeping twins together in the crib make things a lot more pleasant for everybody, only bed separating them when they get too big to fit in one comfortably.

http://www.parenthood.com/articles.html?article_id=2398
http://www.muhealth.org/~children/twinning.shtml

[greatauntoftriplets]

7. That's very true....the triplets slept in one crib for months.

Really until they got too big for all three to fit comfortably.

[ChoralScholar]

5. Something to think about too, though

in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't have to last very long. My son was in a toddler bed by age 18 months, and in his own full-size bed by age 2.

[ScreamingMeemie]

6. There's a new IKEA store in town that you might want to check out.

Reasonably priced, real wood.

[brook]

8. Are you anywhere near Minneapolis?

Craigslist today:

"Near Perfect Condition!
Ragazzi is known as a high end furniture manufacturer with the following features:
Non-Toxic lacquer finishes.

Single-Hand dropside mechanism and 3 Position adjustable mattress spring support.
Dropside cribs with locking casters
White lacquered furniture is made with super high grade MDF to ensure the long lasting qualities of standard wood stock while allowing the superior surface qualities needed for smooth white-lacquered finishes.

A Colgate Cradeltyme mattress is also included.

This is a great crib and a great deal!

They're asking 295 - the picture really is lovely looking.