Baby Gear: Getting By Without a Crib
January 23, 2009 at 11:55 AM by Cafe Melisa - Comments (18)
Like everyone else these days, I've been thinking about money and how we're stretched. It's no fun. But sacrifice and trade-offs are the norm now for most parents. Did you see Cafe Sheri's recent post on living frugally and the everyday struggles of working families?
When you've got a baby on the way, the pressure to acquire baby gear can feel overwhelming, but a post in Answers from an Anonymous mom who said she couldn't afford a crib reminded me that, really, babies require very little -- and there are all sorts of workarounds.
Here's a summary of some real-mom ideas on how to get around buying a crib, at least right away -- or, if you do buy one, how to do it on the cheap:
Find another place for baby to sleep -- consider a bassinet, Moses basket, or Pack 'n Play. Baby will be able to fit in them for a while -- especially the Pack 'n Play, if you start by using the bassinet attachment and then move the child out of it as he gets bigger.
Consider co-sleeping -- if the closeness of the family bed is appealing to you, or if you think this would work for you and your partner, this is one way to eliminate the need for a separate bed for baby.
Save up to buy one later -- use one of the above ideas for the short-term, try to set aside some cash expressly for this purchase, and then buy an inexpensive crib (Wal-mart is a good option) a few months down the line.
And if you want to get a crib sooner rather than later....
Try CraigsList, freecycle, or consignment shops to buy, barter, or get one for free. Familiarize yourself with recalled products to make sure the one you're eyeing doesn't have any safety issues, and check to make sure all parts work correctly before you take it home.
Contact Catholic Charities -- they may be able to help.
I had a crib (that I bought used) for my second child, but because we live in a small house with multiple stories and her nursery was on a different floor than our bedroom, she slept in a Pack 'n Play for the first couple of months. Worked just fine.
Are you buying a crib right away? What tips do you have for getting by with less baby gear? Share your ideas with other moms here.
FILED UNDER: baby gear, recession guide
Want to leave a comment and join the discussion?
Sign up for CafeMom. As a member you'll be able to leave comments, join groups, share photos, and more. Already a member? Click here to log in.
Or, leave a guest comment (guest comments are moderated and won't appear immediately)
we had a crib with my son, converted it to a toddler bed, dh sat on it to read to ds and broke the bottom beam, we cant afford anything new now... long story but my sil is giving me her basanet and we will save up for the crib... they dont need it for 3 months at least!
Thankfully my parents bought my son's crib. He had a bassinet for our bedroom where he slept at night but his crib was downstairs in his bedroom. Sadly he was much too independent for the confinement of a bassinet and only slept in it for 3 days! Then he slept in a pack and play in our room.
we had the crib but never used it. With our oldest we used it maybe 4 mos. then he slept with us and our youngest never used it. He slept in the pack and play and was fine.
We bought a crib when my son was 2 months old. A really nice, expensive one with a matching dresser/changing table. He'd been co-sleeping with us, or put in the bassinet next to the bed up until then.
Waste. Of. Money!
Guess when he started sleeping in it? Four. Not months. Years. Four years old, we took off the front so it was a toddler bed, and he chose to start sleeping in his own room.
With this next baby, we'll try to actually USE that bed as a crib this time, eventually.
I am due in 6 weeks and i have a crib from my previous daughter who is now 2 that i will set up asap now. But i am also going to see about buying one of them playpens that have the bassinet up top to use for the first little while and then i can at least use the playpen for a couple years if need be.
Due to space limitations, we'll be using a bassinet and then a pack n play for the first 9-12 months of our upcoming baby's life.
A lot of stuff happened and I ended up moving around and having no space for my oldest crib. During her first year she slept in---bassenet, pack'n'play, and her stroller with it leaned all the way back.A couple of times during the first year she did get to sleep in her crib but that did not work with where it was and the problems with the neighbors. Finally after her birthday I had my own place again, and not a cramped bedroom or half a room somewhere. She has her own room now and her crib set up and everything. But she slept just fine in all the other things I listed. Except the stroller, she liked to roll over by that time and I straped her in it, and she could not roll over and would wake up and fuss about it and try, then go back to sleep.
My best friend is going to let me borrow her pack n play with the bassinet insert and her infant carrier for the new baby, and my oldest will go into a toddler bed and my middle son will go into my oldest sons crib. The only thing I will need to buy is an infant tub, and clothing.
My son is 18 months old and still uses his pack and play to sleep in. We couldn't afford one when he was born, then by the time we could afford one, there wasn't much of a point in spending money on one.
Stay in touch with CafeMom wherever you are
My DD didn't get her crib until she was about 2 months old and slept in it around 3 months. I was so excited we were able to get it. I (somewhat foolishly) chose an expensive one from Babies r us. But, hey, it grows with her!
With this baby, we don't have near as much money. So we may be foregoing the crib. =( We have a bassinet which will hold little shrimp until around 3 months, so maybe we'll have one (used most likely) then. If not...There's always the dreaded pack n play.
madamekatekate Jan. 23, 2009 at 1:48 PM