Compact Baby Cribs

Portable and compact baby cribs for tight space or travel

The DaVinci Emily Mini crib (*Est. $230) is a modified version of the full-size Emily crib that is designed to fit in small spaces. Like the full-size version, this crib is convertible, although it converts to only a full-size bed (rails must be purchased separately). The Emily Mini weighs 50 pounds, making it almost one-third lighter than a conventional crib. Parents say it fits well into small spaces but is still roomy enough for babies to sleep in comfortably.

The Delta Portable Mini Crib (*Est. $120) is another compact crib that parents say works well in tight spaces. Owners commenting at Amazon.com say it rolls easily and fits through doors, handy for moving the crib from a parent's room to the nursery. The mattress adjusts to two different heights, and one side drops down. Parents don't love the included mattress, however, noting that it's too thin. A few reviewers mention that it's constructed of particle board, not solid wood. The ends of the crib are hinged, so the crib can be folded flat and rolled into storage. One parent says that it didn't fit into her small SUV when folded, however.

It's considerably more expensive, but the Stokke Sleepi (*Est. $850) is an unusual baby crib that gets excellent reviews from parents. Advocates say its space-saving design makes it a good choice for apartments and smaller rooms. The Sleepi starts out as a mini bassinet for babies up to 6 months old and expands into a crib with the included wooden sides. The Sleepi can also be converted into a toddler bed and, with additional parts, into a full-size bed. When the bed is no longer needed, it can be made into a pair of matching chairs. Parents posting comments to the "Baby Bargains" discussion forum and Epinions.com give the Sleepi mostly positive reviews. They like the round shape and lack of sharp edges, and they say the bassinet rolls easily from room to room and through narrow doorways. The only negative mentioned consistently is the price of linens (*Est. $150 for a basic three-piece bedding set) which are sold separately and add considerably to the total cost.

While the aforementioned cribs are more compact in size than traditional baby cribs, they're still pretty substantial and not the kind of thing you can toss in the car for a weekend at Grandma's.

If you need something truly portable, the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib (*Est. $220) is a favorite among consumers on Amazon.com, receiving a perfect rating based on over 70 consumer reviews. This soft-sided crib folds up and comes with its own carrying bag. The mattress sits very low to the ground, resembling a play pen, so the Baby Bjorn crib wouldn't be the best choice as your only crib. The Baby Bjorn Travel Crib includes a mattress, which parents say is very comfortable, but not too soft to be unsafe for a newborn. Despite being lightweight, reviewers say this crib is very sturdy. The unit weighs only 11 pounds.