When you’re getting ready to welcome a little one into your family, you quickly become aware of all the baby products on the market. But knowing what you need isn’t always black and white. If you’re wondering what a 4-in-1 crib is and if it’s a necessity, stick around.
In this article, we’ll explain what this type of crib provides and also discuss a few things to take into account when deciding if a 4-in-1 crib is right for your baby and your family. Let’s begin with the basics: What exactly is a 4-in-1 crib?
Key Takeaways
What is a 4-in-1 crib?
A convertible crib
A 4-in-1 crib is a type of convertible crib, which may sound like a joyride with your baby’s hair blowing in the wind. As fun as that sounds, a convertible crib is something rather different.
Put simply, this crib is capable of changing as your baby grows. It converts into different types of beds to accommodate your child throughout the years.
The 4-in-1 crib is not the only convertible crib out there, however. There are 2-in-1 cribs, 3-in-1s — like the Newton Baby Convertible Crib — and even some 5-in-1 cribs!
Keep in mind that the extra benefit of the 5-in-1 is typically only the choice of a full bed with or without a footboard. Otherwise, the 5-in-1 doesn’t usually offer more than a 4-in-1.
That said, in this article, we are honing in on the 4-in-1 crib.
The 4-In-1 Crib
With a 4-in-1 crib, you’re getting a crib that can be converted into three other types of beds, allowing it to grow with your child over the years.
For example, the Newton Nest Convertible Crib can be configured to become:
- A bassinet for your newborn
- A crib for your growing baby
- A toddler bed with safety rails
- A daybed (which is essentially a toddler bed without the rail).
Sounds great, right? With just one crib, you’re getting a bed that will change to fit your child from infancy through childhood (or beyond).
Some convertible cribs go even further. The Newton Sprout Convertible Crib starts with the crib stage and grows to a toddler bed to a daybed and into a full-sized bed with a special conversion kit.
While this certainly sounds like a great deal, there are a few things to consider when deciding if a 4-in-1 crib is the right choice for your baby and your family.
Do you need a 4-in-1 crib for your baby?
While a crib itself is on the list of nursery essentials, we can’t tell you whether or not the 4-in-1 crib is the best choice for your baby. It depends a lot on what you’re looking for.
But, to help you make the right decision for your family, we will discuss a few things for you to consider before purchasing your little one’s bed. We’ll also share some safety points since your baby’s safety is your top priority as a parent.
Longevity
The big selling point of the 4-in-1 convertible crib is that it’s the only bed your child will need for, well, a very long time!
That’s a plus, but don’t opt for this type of crib before thinking about exactly how long you want this bed to be around.
The longevity of a 4-in-1 crib is exactly what’s appealing about it, but depending on your family and life situation, you may not want this to be the bed that your child will have when they’re seven or 12 or 15 years old.
You might want to change things up in a few years!
What’s included
Speaking of longevity, buying a 4-in-1 crib makes you feel like you’re making a one-time purchase, and you’re set for years to come.
While this is mostly true, with this type of crib, you’ll need to buy rails if you want to turn the crib into a full bed or purchase the toddler safety rail for the toddler bed conversion.
This is why it’s important to understand exactly what comes with your 4-in-1 crib and what additional purchases are awaiting you in the years ahead.
Similarly, make sure all the features that you’re looking for are included in the convertible crib that you’re considering.
The specific conversions
If you’ve got your eye on a particular 4-in-1 crib, read the product information well to be sure it converts into the types of bed you want. As we mentioned, most 4-in-1 cribs convert from a crib into a toddler bed, daybed, and twin or full bed.
However, some products may convert differently. So, always research the crib you want and ensure that it has the features and conversions that are must-haves for you.
The right size
Convertible cribs come in various shapes and sizes, so you’ll need to consider your nursery decor, nursery size, and (once again) how long you want this bed to last. Two of the common sizes for rectangular convertible cribs are mini and standard.
Mini-cribs are space-efficient, but your little one won’t fit on a mini crib mattress for very long! Around two years old (or earlier), your not-so-little one will outgrow this size.
If your goal is to buy one crib and one mattress that will serve you for years to come, we recommend a standard-size convertible crib and mattress.
The right mattress
That brings us to the very important topic of crib mattresses. Once you’ve decided what size crib you want, you’ll need a mattress to fit.
A standard crib mattress will fit in a standard size crib and also do the job when you convert to a toddler bed. When you transition the 4-in-1 crib to a twin or full bed, you will, of course, need to get a new mattress.
For more information about crib mattress sizes and how to choose the right one, click here.
A mattress that fits snugly is important for sleep safety, but choosing a safe mattress goes beyond simply finding the right fit.
It’s important to note that one of the basics for sleep safety is for your little one to sleep on a firm sleep surface. This means they snooze on a firm (yet comfy) mattress and never on the couch, a fluffy bed, or pillows and blankets since soft surfaces are a suffocation hazard for infants.
So, no matter what size crib you have, go with a firm but comfortable mattress, like the Newton Baby Crib Mattress.
Our mattress is made without foam, glue, latex, or springs. Instead, the Wovenaire® Core is made of 90% air. This also makes the mattress ultra breathable so that when your tiny one rolls over in their sleep, they can breathe straight through.
It’s firm enough for infants and comfy enough for toddlers. Not all decisions about baby products are easy, but this one is a no-brainer.
Safety
Of course, always ensure that the crib itself is safe! When choosing a 4-in-1 crib, you’ll still need to check for basic crib safety features — just like you would with any crib.
First of all, drop-side rail cribs are a no-go. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends choosing a crib that was made after June 2011, which is when safety standards that ban the making or selling of drop-side rail cribs were put in place.
This is one reason that it’s a good idea to go with a new (not secondhand) crib. Plus, used cribs could have unstable or missing parts.
Another thing to check for when it comes to crib safety is the width of the space between the crib slats. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that slats be no more than 2 ⅜ inches apart. Big gaps are a safety hazard that can be avoided.
In addition, some convertible cribs come with a changing table attached. We recommend against this since the safest location for your baby’s crib is out of reach of other things in the room — that includes curtains, lamps, the changing table, and anything in-between.
Non-toxic
Safety isn’t just about gaps in the slats, scrapes, falls, and the like. It also involves choosing products that won’t release toxic chemicals into the air of your home (this is called off-gassing).
Luckily, you don’t have to be a scientist to know which home products are non-toxic and which ones aren’t. Simply go with Greenguard Certified products to rest assured that the items in your baby’s nursery won’t emit questionable chemicals into the air.
You can find cribs and crib mattresses that have this certification.
For example, all Newton Baby products (including the Crib Mattress and Convertible Crib) are Greenguard Gold certified. This means that they are independently tested and certified for low chemical emissions.
Read this article for more information and tips about mattress off-gassing and how to protect your family.
Safe sleep in a 4-in-1 crib
Buying a safe crib is one thing. Using it correctly is quite another. To ensure that your baby is always safe while they’re sleeping, follow these simple rules.
1) Keep the crib clear. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a completely bare crib. That means no crib bumpers, no pillows, and no loose blankets, all of which can pose a suffocation hazard. The only things that should be in the crib are a fitted sheet and your baby.
2) Put your baby down on their back. Until your baby has more control over their body, they are at risk for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). To prevent this, always put them down on their back to sleep, for both naps and at night.
3) Choose a sleep-safe mattress. We’ve touched on it already, but it’s worth saying again: always choose the right mattress for the crib.
The mattress should be firm and fit snugly inside the crib. By snug, we mean that there should be no more than two fingers of space between the mattress and the crib frame. This prevents your baby from getting stuck between the mattress and the sides of the crib.
4) Never use a weighted swaddle. Swaddles are a great way to keep your baby warm and comfortable while they sleep. But never dress them in a weighted swaddle.
While weighted blankets have some benefits for adults, they’re a safety hazard for babies. The weight on their chest could restrict their breathing. Also, if they roll over onto their stomach, the weighted swaddle makes it harder to roll back into a safer sleeping position.
Note: Always stop swaddling once your baby shows signs of rolling over, which usually happens around two to four months.
Space
Another important thing to think about when considering a 4-in-1 crib is the size of the room and the other furniture you’ll need in there. Take some time to examine the space you have available and how you’ll arrange your baby’s room.
Think about where the crib will be for the next few years. Will it fit as a toddler bed? What about as a daybed? If you have a crib that offers a full-size option, will it still fit comfortably in the room?
It’s a good idea to measure your space carefully to make sure you have enough room for all the different stages and sizes of the 4-in-1 crib. You don't want to buy a bassinet and then find out that the crib or toddler bed is too big for the room.
Cost
A 4-in-1 crib is a great way to save money. You buy one piece of furniture that can last for a decade or more. But that convenience and longevity does come with a price tag.
Some 4-in-1 cribs require a conversion kit. These are parts you'll need later to reconfigure the crib into one or two of the final stages.
Sometimes these kits are sold separately. So, you might buy the crib today and then in a couple of years, you have to buy low-position mounting hardware and/or a guardrail for the toddler bed. A few years after that, you may need to purchase the rails to convert the unit into a full-size bed.
When shopping for a 4-in-1 crib, always check to see if these kits are included in the initial purchase price or if they’re a separate cost you’ll have to pay for later. It’s a good idea to check the price of these kits now so you can plan and save for future spending.
Another thing to think about is the mattress. We talked about size, firmness, and safety in the last section, but you’ll also need to think about the cost of a larger mattress.
A standard crib mattress will work for the crib, toddler bed, and a few years of the daybed. But when your child is ready for a full-size bed, you'll need to buy a new, bigger mattress and a box spring.
Lastly, there are other little things that contribute to the overall cost of your 4-in-1 crib. For example, when it's a toddler bed, you’ll probably want to buy new “big-kid” bedding for your child.
Similarly, when you convert to a full bed, you'll definitely need new sheets, blankets, and pillows to fit the space.
Your next child
If you’re purchasing a 4-in-1 crib for your first child, give some thought to whether you’re going to have another child and what sleeping arrangements you’ll want for them.
Why plan that far ahead? Because your first child can use the 4-in-1 crib for eight, 10, even 12 or more years. What are you going to do for your next child?
Will you buy a new “big-kid” bed for your older child and use the 4-in-1 crib for the newborn? Or, will your older child continue to use the 4-in-1 into their early teens and you’ll get another 4-in-1 crib for your newborn?
There are lots of options, so it might not be a huge issue, but make sure to do a bit of family planning before buying a crib that will be with you for years to come.
Assembly
When you first buy a 4-in-1 crib, you’ll need to take the time to put it all together. A few years later, you’ll have to take it apart and put it back together in the toddler-bed configuration.
You’ll have to do this a total of four times (maybe more if you use it for another child) over the full life of the crib.
When shopping for a 4-in-1 crib, be sure to consider how easy it is to put together and take apart and how user-friendly it is overall.
A 4-in-1 crib for years of sound sleep
A 4-in-1 crib may be the right choice for your little one if you’re looking for a bed that will grow with them from the infant years all the way into childhood and beyond.
To help you decide, take into account the things we listed in this article. And, be sure to opt for a crib mattress (like the Newton Crib Mattress) that’s non-toxic, breathable, and firm enough for safe sleep.
The Newton Nest Convertible Crib checks all the boxes. It’s thoughtfully designed to feel timeless with features that actually make life easier.
GREENGUARD Gold certified and crafted from sustainably sourced materials with a non-toxic finish, the Nest meets the highest standards of safety and is the only fully convertible crib with a protective mesh liner for the bassinet mode to keep arms and legs safe.
With the Newton Nest Convertible 4-in-1 crib, you and your little one can look forward to years of sound sleep!
Frequently asked questions
When should I convert my child’s 4-in-1 crib?
Start with your 4-in-1 crib in crib mode for the first year or so of your baby’s life.
You can convert the 4-in-1 crib to a toddler bed when your child starts climbing out of the crib, reaches 35 inches in height, or starts potty training. This typically happens between 18 months and 3 years.
When your child is fully mobile, willing to follow instructions, and is showing signs of increased independence (e.g., dressing themselves or wanting to make their own bed), they may be ready for the daybed phase of the 4-in-1 crib.
This typically happens anywhere between 2.5 and 5 years.
The conversion from toddler bed to full-size bed (if you have that option) usually happens when your child outgrows the daybed or asks for a “big-kid” bed. This transition typically takes place around years 8, 9, and 10.
Keep in mind that every child is different and will transition to a bigger bed at their own pace.
What are the pros and cons of a 4-in-1 crib?
Convertible cribs are cost-effective, convenient, help save space, and can be used for many years.
That said, convertible cribs can be more expensive (have a higher initial cost) than regular cribs, may require a conversion kit for some of the later stages, and can be complicated to assemble.
How does a 4-in-1 crib compare to the other types of convertible cribs?
A 4-in-1 crib gives you four sleep options, including bassinet, regular crib, toddler bed, and daybed. These options can accommodate children from a few weeks old all the way up to 8+ years old.
A 2-in-1 crib gives you two sleep options, including regular crib and toddler bed. A 3-in-1 crib gives you three sleep options, including regular crib, toddler bed, and daybed.
A 5-in-1 crib gives you five sleep options, the last two of which are very similar. These include regular crib, toddler bed, daybed, full-size bed with footboard, and full-size bed without footboard.
