Hi there, mamas and papas! A crib is one of the most popular items for a nursery. You’ll definitely want, in any case, a safe place for your baby to sleep. That can be a bassinet or a playpen instead of a crib. But for me, one of life’s little joys is watching my little one sleep through the bars of a crib while I enjoy a book or a cup of tea.

While you’re shopping for your nursery, by the way, take a peek at my general guide to nursery essentials.

What Types of Cribs Are There?

In what follows I will suggest some cribs that fall into three categories:

• Standard cribs. These are just as the name implies: a typical four-sided, full-sized crib.
• Convertible cribs. These are cribs that grow with your child. They convert to a toddler bed, and sometimes even to a standard-sized bed frame. Bear in mind that most convertible cribs require kits to do the conversion, which may or may not be included with the purchase of the crib.
• Mini cribs. These are just like standard cribs, except smaller, and often equipped with wheels for better portability. If you’re an urban parent like me, then these can be very useful for saving space.

1. IKEA Gulliver Crib

$99

• An affordable crib
• Very reliable, in spite of the price

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This one’s one of my favorites! You might expect to sacrifice quality by buying such a low-priced crib, but you would be sorely mistaken. The IKEA Gulliver is a very sturdy crib, which I and many other parents can attest to. Its classic IKEA white finish means it will go well with practically any nursery setup. Finally, if getting such a quality crib for so low a price wasn’t enough economy, it also converts into a toddler bed.

2. Babyletto Origami Mini Portable Crib

$279

• A great mini crib
• Fits perfectly in small apartments
• Easy to move around

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The Babyletto Origami is my choice for a mini crib. Parents attest to how sturdy and beautiful this crib is, as well as how well it fits into small spaces (like apartments in city centers, for example). They also appreciate the solid wheels, which can be locked (an important feature not always present in cribs), for moving it around. Maybe you don’t have the space for a full nursery; if that’s the case, this is a good buy for you. Plus, you can choose from six attractive colors: grey, turquoise, navy, soft pink, gold, or white.

3. DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib

$219

• Supports three modes, to grow with your child
• Sturdy and long-lasting
• A unique design that gives it a more slender profile

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I’m moving on now to convertible cribs. You may know that I’m a great fan of squeezing as many years of use out of a product as possible, especially having had six kids. The DaVinci Jenny supports three modes using a kit (sold separately): crib mode for your baby, a toddler bed, and finally a daybed. Parents approve its sturdiness, and they note that its unique, charming design—wooden spindles and scalloped edges on a slender profile—make it look less bulky than other cribs. That’s great for making your home look more spacious.

4. DaVinci Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Crib

$229

• A beautiful crib with four modes
• Lasts from birth to high-school graduation

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DaVinci sure is an apt name for this brand. The quiet beauty of its products really does call to mind paintings like the Mona Lisa. The DaVinci Kalani is a beautiful crib that amounts to a very economical purchase, because you get four modes out of it (again using a separate kit). It goes from a crib, to a toddler bed, to a daybed, to a twin bed! This crib will literally last you from birth to high-school graduation. Some parents find it difficult to assemble, but others love the quality, the look, and the longevity of it.

5. Dadada Soho Crib

$499

• A luxury crib
• Mid-century style
• Supports two modes for several years’ use

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I’m wrapping up this tour of cribs with one for those of you aesthetes seeking a more premium item. The price tag on the Dadada Soho is steep, but you get what you pay for. This crib is a high-quality item made in the mid-century style, so it will perfectly complement, for example, the popular mid-century collection from West Elm.

The Dadada Soho is made in Italy from solid beech wood, and supports two modes. Using a separate conversion kit, you can transform it from crib to toddler bed, meaning you’ll get a couple years out of it.