Help, My Baby Needs a Crib!

I have compiled some helpful hints about how to save money on cribs and crib bedding when you are having a baby. I have a four year old son and a one year old daughter and have learned from them what the baby nursery essentials are. Here are some details about cribs and crib bedding:

1. Expensive crib bedding

With my son, I splurged and purchased a crib set that cost approximately $280. I had a 20% off coupon for a baby store so the cost was $224. Still, that is expensive. Included in the set were a quilted bumper, a quilted crib size comforter, one fitted sheet, and a dust ruffle for under the mattress. I ended up not using the comforter because it was too heavy and I was afraid the baby would be too hot. Instead I used handmade crocheted blankets that were given to us as gifts. These blankets worked out better because I could layer them and they were easier for the baby to throw off of him if he tossed around at night.

Priced separately at Target.com, these four items would have cost $79.96. The price of the sheet is $7.99, a chenille blanket is $16.99, the crib bumper is $39.99 and a dust ruffle is $13.99. Of course, the prices of these items vary depending on your choice of fabric and designer, but the difference between what I paid in the baby store for bedding set and what I would have paid at Target to purchase these items separately is $144.04!

After my son was born, I purchased a blanket and sheet from Target to match the expensive crib set and the quality of these items are excellent! My son still uses the Target sheet and blanket for nap time in his pre-school.

2. Expensive Crib

The cost of a new crib depends on the features you need and the type of wood used. There are 3-in-1, 4-in-1 and 5-in-1 cribs. 3-in-1 cribs are cribs which can turn into a toddler or a full size bed. 4-in-1 cribs function as a crib, toddler bed, daybed and full-size bed. 5-in-1 cribs function as a crib, a toddler bed, a full-size bed and loveseat. The 5-in-1 cribs are really the same as the 4-in-1 type. Other cribs come with an extra drawer underneath. As you can see, it is very confusing to figure out the different crib choices. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to determine the features you need:

° Do I need the extra drawer?

° Will I use this crib as a toddler bed?

° Will I want to purchase a special kind of transitional toddler bed (such as a train or princess bed)? If so, the toddler bed feature is unnecessary.

° How many babies are going to be using this crib? You may want to purchase a certain color wood or look for a higher quality crib if you plan on having more than one baby.

The ultimate choice would be to receive a free crib from someone whose children don't need it anymore! The price of a crib ranges from $200 for a basic model to over $2000 for a hand painted sleigh bed crib.

I purchased my crib in 2002 at Sears and I paid approximately $280 for it. It is made of oak wood and didn't come with the mattress (most cribs do not have the mattress included). I am currently using it for my daughter and when she graduates to a toddler bed, I will donate it to a non profit daycare center or to charity.