Convertible Crib
Unlike the "Energizer Bunny" that "keeps going and going and going and…", most cribs sold today stop being of any use by the time the baby is around 2 years old, or until he can climb out of it.
The exception to this is the so-called "convertible crib". No, this crib does not have a plastic top that you roll back when the sun is out to let the baby get some fresh air. The "convertible" in convertible crib refers to its unique ability to change from a crib to a toddler bed to either a twin bed or a full bed, depending on the model and the manufacturer.
Convertible cribs have gradually become one of the most popular types of cribs sold in America. It is easy to understand why. Simply put, convertible cribs are one of the best values in the market. By paying a little more for a convertible crib, the consumer gets a bed that her child can use from the day he is born until he leaves for college.
With so many manufacturers offering convertible cribs, it is important that the consumer knows what to look for when buying nursery furniture.
Safety
The most important thing is that the crib meets all government and industry safety standards. Therefore, the consumer should know whether the crib meets or exceeds all ASTM and federally mandated standards. Cribs that have met those standards have been certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturer's Association (JPMA). This certification is usually printed on the crib's box, on a sticker on the crib itself, and on the manufacturer's product literature or brochure. Pay attention to consumer buying publications such as Consumer Reports for top-rated cribs.
Quality
Ask the consumer to "kick the tires" as if they were buying a car. Since kicking the crib might hurt the consumer's foot and result in a lawsuit or insurance claim, it is better to just have the consumer grab the top side rail of the crib and shake it a little to see if it is stable. Does it wobble? Is it heavy enough to stay put in one place when the baby can stand and shake the crib? All frames should be made of smooth hand rubbed solid wood surfaces and assembled using steel bolts and steel inserts to reduce the possibility of stripping during assembly and/or conversion of the crib.
Gate Operation
Another important thing is to check and see how the gate operates. Is the operation quiet and smooth? After all, parents don't want noisy hardware to wake up the baby when they put him down and try to close the gate. Is it easy to open and close the gate or lower and raise the front side of the crib? It should be easy for an adult but next to impossible for the baby or his 4-year-old sibling. There are also cribs that have no moving hardware and have completely stationary sides, making them safe to use and easy to operate.
Design
The next thing is to show the consumer what the crib looks like when it is converted to a toddler, twin, or full size bed. Many so-called convertible cribs will only convert to a toddler bed or a twin bed at most. A true convertible crib will change from crib to toddler bed to a full size adult bed. Usually, the conversion requires some sort of metal or wooden rail that either comes with the crib or that the consumer has to buy separately. It is most effective to display the crib fully converted in the store so that consumers can clearly envision how the conversion works.
Value
Convertible cribs provide great value. Little to no additional purchase is necessary to convert into the toddler bed and full-size bed position. This feature provides value for years to come and saves consumers the cost of purchasing additional furniture for their child. This also helps to ease the child's transition from crib to "grown-up" bed because they remain in the same environment that they have grown comfortable with. All in all, a good convertible crib should be an investment that will, literally, last a lifetime.