cribs...

[Happy912]

so I am up right now waiting to see if I win a crib on ebay. I don't think I will. So, with that being said, I'd love to hear your thoughts on how much to pay for a used crib, with or without a mattress. I know there are different kinds, so if you think the price will vary that much, can you specify which kind you are talking about?

[nova22]

You know what, even if you're NOT planning on cosleeping or you need a place for naps, I don't think a full-sized crib is necessary at this point. It will probably end up being an expensive place for you to put your folded laundry. A neighbor gave us a little bassinet-type thing for our last baby. It hardly takes up any room and went right in our bedroom. We normally cosleep but when we brought our daughter home from the NICU, she had a monitor on to make sure she was breathing properly and we didn't want to have all the wires in bed where they might tangle around someone. Instead we put her in the little bassinet, where it was easy to have the wires lead right out of her bed so the monitor could go on the shelf next to our bed. We were never entirely comfortable with this so at some point we ended up bringing her into our bed, wires and all, but the bassinet was nice to have anyway. It doesn't take up much room when in use OR when in storage, it has a little net-shelf underneath for diapers or receiving blankets, it easily rolls from one room to another so I could put her in it just outside the kitchen while I was cooking and still keep an eye on her or put my jaundiced baby right under the sunlight while he slept to help heal his jaundice, and it's perfect for naps, if you are lucky enough to have a baby who takes those. When she outgrew it, we put her in a pack-n-play in our bedroom. It's still smaller than a crib and it folds up for storage or traveling. Our room is very small and even though it takes up only a few less inches than a crib, those inches are valuable to us. Now she is one and still in the pack & play at night or for naps, and as we get closer to the new baby's birth, she will go in a crib that we used for my now 2-year-old.

I wrote that huge novel about NOT using a crib and I know your question was about using a crib, sorry! But really, a bassinet is a great thing to have whether you're cosleeping or not. You could probably scope out Freecycle for a mattress and/or bedding (and hey, might as well ask for the furniture while you're there, the worst thing that'll happen is you won't get it). New cribs are ridiculously overpriced, IMHO, and it might be difficult to find a used one that meets safety and quality standards for a decent price.

[splath]

We bought and put up an inexpensive crib (we bought it new for $200) for dd, but we never used it. I believe it has even since been recalled, but we don't plan on using it with this baby either. :/

[MyFullHouse]

I'm no help, either. When my girls were babies, we actually had 2 cribs (one in the kids' room and one in our bedroom) and neither got much use. Well, at least not until we turned them into toddler beds!

When ds#2 came along, we set up a bassinet, which only wound up getting used for some naps and when dh and I, uh, wanted the bed to ourselves. We'll put it up again for this baby, knowing it'll get *some* use, but yeah, it's mostly a clothes/diaper basket, lol.

[raspberry.swirl]

I spent tons of time researching on CL and found such a huge range too and I was only focused on convertible cribs. In the end, we bought one as part of a nursery set from Costco online.
I don't want to buy a second crib for the next kid just yet, we don't really have the room anyhow! I don't know about the bassinet idea though-it seems like they outgrow it in less than 4 months! I have heard of this ultra slim crib but it cost an arm and a leg.

Sigh...

In the end, you have more time than you think on your hands. Keep searching CL. Every week. You'll land on a gem. Also look into used kids stores, they can take note of what you're looking for and give you a call if something comes in.

[wholewheatchick]

We just decided a few days ago that we are going to get a crib, so that we can side car it to my side of the bed and use it as a co sleeper.

That said, once we get closer (Aug, prob) I'll start scouring Craig's list, after we got to Babies R us and take a look at the cribs there to get an idea of what we want. Generally, my rule for used furniture is at least 50% off from the MSRP. If it's in stellar condition, I might be willing to pay a bit more.

[Happy912]

thanks for all the comments- who knew so many people didn't use cribs!

We actually ended up winning the auction for $62-local pickup- I was shocked! The crib looks like it's in great condition, so I am happy with that. Everything else seemed to be several hundred dollars, even for used cribs! That's kind of why I jumped on this auction- so hopefully it is in good working condition- I've always (knock on wood) had really good experiences on ebay- I don't think I've ever gotten a bad deal, so I'm looking forward to picking it up.

[ein328]

Originally Posted by Happy912

thanks for all the comments- who knew so many people didn't use cribs!

We actually ended up winning the auction for $62-local pickup- I was shocked! The crib looks like it's in great condition, so I am happy with that. Everything else seemed to be several hundred dollars, even for used cribs! That's kind of why I jumped on this auction- so hopefully it is in good working condition- I've always (knock on wood) had really good experiences on ebay- I don't think I've ever gotten a bad deal, so I'm looking forward to picking it up.

Please just make sure it's not one of the recalled ones- there have been so many lately!

[rootzdawta]

Moved from I'm Pregnant to Life with a Babe.

[boomer78]

Originally Posted by wholewheatchick

We just decided a few days ago that we are going to get a crib, so that we can side car it to my side of the bed and use it as a co sleeper.

That's exactly what we did. We took the front part off so our DD is right next to me. I love it and I'm sure she does too.

[lach]

Wow what a great deal! I've been looking for a new crib on Craigslist and a lot of people seem to have a really deluded sense of what their used baby gear is worth. I understand that it might be looking great and never used, but no one wants to buy your used Ikea crib for 90% of retail value.

We bought a really cheap crib for DD, and it broke as we were moving it for DS. So the poor kid's been sleeping in the pack and play for the past year. We're moving him to a toddler bed in about two months, I think.

I wish we had spent more money on the original crib so we don't have to buy a second one! And having a cheap one that snapped (the leg snapped off, and we weren't even dragging it! We had picked it up and set it back down and then *snap*) makes me wary of cheap ones in general. So I'm trying to find a good quality crib for not much money on Craigslist.

[Happy912]

ooo that is sad! Well, I did some recon on this crib- it retails for over $600 so I am hoping that means it is made with high quality I also checked and made sure it wasn't recalled, so that's good too. I guess only time will tell!