Newborn Crib and Mattress

IMO, look for a foam mattress if you can afford it. Also, don't forget to invest in a safe mattress protector with natural materials (we've really liked our Naturepedic, but they're pricey at $90 each).

Changing sheets when your infant or toddler pukes in the middle of the night is so much easier with an 7lb foam mattress than with a heavier coil mattress, and having a pair of protectors will help with quick bedding changes. Parent tip: Put 2 layers of mattress protector + sheet so that, in the middle of the night, you can just strip off one sheet and one mattress protector and still have a protector + sheet on the bed so you're not fiddling around with putting on a new one.

Check out The Mattress Underground for advice on what specs to look for in a foam mattress.

For the crib, we've been happy for the last 2 years with a then-on-sale $80 Ikea convertible crib. It's moved twice (once across the country) and is still just fine, and we'll probably be converting it to a toddler bed the next time our tall as hell 22 month old tries climbing out of it again.

For both mine, just got an ikea crib. My 4 year old still uses it as a bed, and my 6 year old used it as a bed until 5. Took one of the railings out. Mattress, I just got one on Amazon. Both sleep trained excellently, still going to bed at 8 pm like they've always done.

Also looking for crib mattress suggestions. Was stuck on the newton, but reality is at $450 thats a little insane. Please recommend actual make and model.

Been using this KidiComfort with a Graco Stanton 4-In-1 Convertible Crib from Walmart no problems for a few years now.

We use the Ikea Sniglar crib, which is super affordable and uses raw, unpainted wood. It's extremely popular and I would recommend it to anybody.

Foam mattresses are also the way to go. Our Sealy is double sided, firmer on one side for infants and softer for older babies.

+1 for Ikea

I am sure the Graco one you are looking at is higher quality but we had no issues with the Ikea one. I sat on it regularly at 200lb and it showed no signs of stress or bend. Very sturdy.

I think you're on the right track. Get the cheapest crib and mattress. As long as the mattress fits the crib you're buying, it's going to be fine.

One pro tip though. Try to see if your crib you want to buy can lower the mattress really close to the ground. Bonus points if the crib allows you to put the mattress on the ground while still in the crib.

Our kid is 13 months and he's tall. We're kicking ourselves that we bought a crib that won't let us put the mattress on the ground. Something we would have never thought of.

canucks6024 wrote: ↑ Our kid is 13 months and he's tall. We're kicking ourselves that we bought a crib that won't let us put the mattress on the ground. Something we would have never thought of.

Us too.

We have an Ikea crib that technically is rated to 89 cm.

Our boy started climbing out at 83 cm and 18 months, so we just removed the bottom and put the mattress on the floor. Now at 22 months, he's strong enough that he might actually knock the damned thing over, so we have to put him in a toddler bed earlier than we wanted.

tdwtd wrote: ↑ Going to be a dad and have my firstborn in a few months. Looking for suggestions for good quality and affordable baby crib and mattress.

Came across this Graco Solano 4-in-1 Convertible Crib with Drawer

and Sealy Ortho Rest Crib Mattress

Any other suggestions are welcome, thanks.

Congratulations!

I will be a new mother too in a few months, besides baby crib, here are some other things that you'll need

-diapers
-milk bottles
-formula
-onesies
-car seat
-stroller

Check out the Oxford Skylar crib. It is sold at babies r us. Affordable and looks great.

Anyone shopped at Babywarehouse?

https://www.babywarehouse.ca/package-deals

Some Crib, Dresser/changing Table package seems good priced.

What about IKEA crib mattresses? Are they worth it or should I splurge on an expensive one?

fabs89 wrote: ↑ What about IKEA crib mattresses? Are they worth it or should I splurge on an expensive one?

I always heard that Crib is not the most important, but the mattress is.

However, I say to myself if I'm not going to sleep or use Ikea furniture myself, why would I buy it for my baby?

I was originally going to opt for this one (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B074PCHMTQ), because you can apparently breathe through the mattress itself if the baby manages to get face-down, the core is lightweight and submersible for washing.... Despite the uber-steep price.

On the other side of the coin, I came across this one which seems pretty popular (https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07TGXQLFT).

Still not sure which way to go.

MP3_SKY wrote: ↑ I always heard that Crib is not the most important, but the mattress is.

However, I say to myself if I'm not going to sleep or use Ikea furniture myself, why would I buy it for my baby?

Well, the flip side of this argument is that you (hopefully) don't regularly discharge various bodily fluids and solids into/onto your bed, whereas your baby likely will! :-) A crib is not an investment, and as long as it is safe and easily cleaned, you're on the right track (IMHO).

I can sort of see the logic of splurging on a more expensive mattress, although both my kids slept on Ikea crib mattresses, and turned out fine.

Jayhoo wrote: ↑ I was originally going to opt for this one (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B074PCHMTQ), because you can apparently breathe through the mattress itself if the baby manages to get face-down, the core is lightweight and submersible for washing.... Despite the uber-steep price.

But is it still breathable after we put the mattress protector on?

Quick update, I bought a SNIGLAR crib and a KRUMMELUR mattress for less than $200 in IKEA.

I did quite some research and it seems that IKEA has better and safer mattresses than big mattresses manufacturers in Europe according to rankings in France and Germany.

The KRUMMELUR mattress arrived first in a baby mattress ranking from the biggest consumer association in France.

Also, in North America and in Europe, the SNIGLAR crib received a lot of praises from consumers.

We will see when the baby will be born, but I am pretty sure that IKEA products will be fine for my little one.

MP3_SKY wrote: ↑ But is it still breathable after we put the mattress protector on?

Apparently yes, as long as you use a breathable cotton sheet.