Designer Cribs

You'll pay more for fancy designer cribs

In general, companies that make quality furniture get the better reviews for baby cribs. Munire, Creations and Westwood each make high-end solid wood cribs in a variety of styles that coordinate with matching bedroom furniture. Despite being more expensive cribs, they are still the subject of periodic recalls by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Munire Newport line was the subject of a recall in December 2008 for exceeding lead paint standards, and spring brackets used in several models were recalled in February 2008. More specific information on these recalls can be found on the Munire website.

Creations is another manufacturer of children's furniture offering a variety of styles of cribs and coordinating nursery furniture. Most styles are constructed of various hardwoods and veneer. All the Creations baby cribs (*Est. $450 to $1,100, depending on style) are convertible, although some cribs only convert to a full-size bed, while others convert to both a toddler bed and a full-size bed. "Baby Bargains" editors say most lines come in only one or two finishes, so parents looking for a certain style in a particular finish may have limited options.

Westwood also makes both convertible and traditional (cottage) cribs (*Est. $400 to $700). Both convert to toddler beds, although the guard rail that is included with the convertible models must be purchased separately for the cottage cribs. Optional bed rails can also be used to change the convertible models into full-size beds. Westwood says it uses only lead-free finishes and subjects its products to independent testing to ensure that it is truly non-toxic. Parents posting to discussion sites say Westwood's cribs are beautiful and sturdy, and that the customer service is outstanding. Customers who have found their furniture damaged in shipping say it was replaced immediately and without question.

Babee Tenda (also known as Baby Tenda) sells baby cribs in the same price range as Munire, Creations and Westwood, but does not receive the same high ratings from reviewers. Rather than selling cribs through retail outlets, the company invites parents-to-be to what it calls "safety seminars." According to "Baby Bargains," the safety information given at these events is outdated and alarmist, and the sessions end with a hard sell for Babee Tenda's own products, including a high chair and a crib (*Est. $900). Following complaints about the company's business practices, a U.S. federal court found Babee Tenda guilty of mail fraud in 2007. According to the judge, who called the company's practices "deceitful and reprehensible," Babee Tenda fraudulently implied that its seminars were associated with government safety agencies. In fact, Babee Tenda is simply a private company selling what experts say are fine but overpriced cribs.

While safety is always a top priority when choosing baby cribs, more manufacturers are using products that are safe for the environment as well as for children -- following the green trend that's sweeping pretty much every product category. The Kalon Studios IoLine crib (*Est. $1,400), for example, is made from sustainable, oiled bamboo. It can be used with any standard crib mattress, and it features a fold-down side. This crib converts to a toddler bed without requiring the purchase of a conversion kit. The IoLine is recognized as a top five crib in a review by Cookie magazine.

We didn't include any of these designer cribs in the ConsumerSearch Best Reviewed section. Experts repeatedly say you don't have to spend so much on a baby crib unless you want a coordinated suite, or want an heirloom crib to pass down to future generations.

Round baby cribs

Although conventional rectangular cribs are still the norm, round cribs have become an alternative. Fans of round cribs say the absence of hard corners makes them safer, but according to critics, there's no evidence that they actually cause fewer injuries. Round cribs tend to be larger and roomier than rectangular models, meaning they take up significantly more space in the nursery, and they don't fit well into a corner or against a wall. They can be placed in the middle of a nursery without looking out of place, which may appeal to some parents. They're also more expensive than standard cribs, and they require special mattresses and bed linens, which are an added expense.

The Angel Line Round Baby Crib (*Est. $500) takes the top position in About.com's list of the top round cribs by Heather Corley. Less expensive than most other wooden round cribs, the Angel Line comes with casters, a drop side and two mattress positions. Several online retailers include both the mattress and the bedding in the price, putting it on par with high-end rectangular cribs. One negative is its size -- at 46 inches in diameter, it takes up slightly more space than other round cribs.