Crib vs Mini Crib: What’s Better? 7 Things to Consider
Today, I’m here to talk about choosing between cribs and more! My husband Terry and I were initially thinking of going with a mini-crib as we had a smaller nursery space, but then decided against it for many reasons, which I’ll talk about in a bit.
Even though this decision may depend on your nursery space, portability, style, and budget, many parents, especially the new ones, still struggle with it.
If this is your current situation, let me help you pick between a crib vs mini crib, with the pros and cons of each.
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Why Does the Right Crib Selection Matters?
A crib or baby bed is one of the most important investment that you’re going to make as a parent when it comes to your baby’s sleep.
Therefore, as a parent, you should be very cautious when selecting a crib for your newborn. I’ve already talked about how to choose a perfect crib for your newborn in one of my previous articles.
But coming back, let’s look at the main differences between a standard crib and a mini crib.
Standard or full-size cribs are the most common cribs today. They’re big, sturdy, and follow safety guidelines.
- Standard cribs are spacious. Most such cribs are 28 inches wide and 52 3/8 inches long, though the dimensions can vary by 5 or 8 inches.
- It can also last until your baby is ready to switch to a toddler bed, which makes it cost-effective. Also, because of its sturdy structure, it can even last for multiple babies!
Mini-cribs are smaller than your standard ones, roughly 24–28 inches wide and 36 to 43 inches long.
- My friend bought a mini-crib because of space limits in their apartment, and it worked well for their 12-month-old baby. She preferred it over standard cribs because her son would grow out of it in just 24 months.
- Besides that, it’s an ideal choice for parents who want to keep their baby by their side but not co-sleep.
Additionally, Read: How to Get Your Baby to Sleep in a Crib After Co-sleeping
Kelleigh’s Quick Tip: If your little angel doesn’t entertain the idea of staying apart from you like my second-born son used to, then a mini-crib is a good choice because it can be easily placed in a room of any size.
Cribs vs Mini Cribs: Pros and Cons
Cribs (Standard Cribs)
- Longer lifespan: Standard cribs are more durable and reliable than mini cribs, as long as you have the space.
- Convertible: Standard cribs are usually convertible to toddler beds!
- Standard size: A specific standard size makes it easier to find mattresses and bedding of your choice. Learn more about crib mattress sizes.
- Heavy to move: Its huge size makes it harder to move around unless disassembled.
- Expensive: Standard cribs are more expensive, which can be difficult if you are on a budget.
- Large: They are bigger and heavier than mini-cribs. I had to place mine in a separate nursery since they need that much space.
Mini-Cribs
- Compact: Mini-cribs are easy to move around since they’re lighter. They can also be travel-friendly.
- Less Expensive: They are more economical than standard-sized cribs.
- Portable: You can purchase mini-cribs with wheels to move them around where you need them at home.
- Short-lifespan: They don’t last as long as standard cribs, and your baby might even outgrow them quicker.
- Limited styles: There are limited styles and aesthetics available in the market for mini-cribs.
- Not standard size: Mini-cribs come in different sizes. It took me more time to find bedding and mattresses that fit them.
7 Things to Know Before You Buy a Crib or Mini-Crib
My husband Terry decided to make a list of things we should consider before buying either the crib or the mini-crib. It helped me figure out how long I wanted it, what for, and decide on a budget based on all that. I’ll share that list with you here!
1. Longevity
As I mentioned, standard cribs will last your baby until their toddler phase. And if it’s a convertible crib, it can even last until their teenage years as they convert into full-sized cribs, toddler beds, and even full-sized beds (depending on the range). Even otherwise, you can use it for your other children!
On the other hand, only a few mini-cribs offer convertibility, which reduces their lifespan.
- So, if you plan to have more kids, a standard crib might be useful. With a convertible, even better. But if you know you’re going to use it only for a short duration, mini-cribs could suit you.
Personally speaking, when we were expecting our first kiddo, we considered a mini-crib because of its small size but then went against it because we wanted more kids, and we knew that our daughter, Avery, would outgrow it fast, which just didn’t seem budget-conscious to us.
2. Size
Mini cribs come in various ranges, unlike standard cribs that have only one standardized size.
- With widths between 19 and 28 inches, heights between 31 and 37 inches, and lengths between 31 and 40 inches, mini-cribs are ideal for small nurseries and can be a suitable alternative to bassinets.
- Standard cribs are best known for their sturdiness, vast variety, and spacious size. They have a width of 31 inches, a height between 33 and 40 inches, and a length of 54 inches, so if your little one wants to show off their ninja moves while sleeping they can comfortably do so.
Kelleigh’s Quick Tip: One misconception is that mini-cribs only last a year compared to full-sized ones, which is untrue. My family friend used mini-cribs for their first and second born until they reached 3 years old.
3. Bedding and Mattress
Standard cribs mostly follow the same size guidelines, so finding a mattress and bedding is far easier. Also, (quick gift tip!) it is easier to choose a mattress for a standard crib if you are picking gifts for expecting parents, since you don’t have to worry about the size.
Meanwhile, various ranges of mini-cribs are available in the market, making it challenging to find a mattress and bedding that suit the room’s aesthetic and follow safety guidelines.
- According to safety standards, a crib mattress should be 6 inches in depth, however, a mini-crib mattress ranges between 1 and 6 inches. Now that’s a concerning factor as a light mattress can move easily in a crib, causing injury to your little one.
Recommended Reading: How to Check Your Crib Mattress Firmness Easily
4. Portability
Mini-cribs are usually lighter than full-sized ones, and some even have wheels. If you have to keep an eye on your little one while you work around the house or in the kitchen, a mini-crib works best.
- With its durability and small size, it can easily pass through doors, as door frames range between 28 and 30 inches, and mini-cribs range between 19 and 28 inches wide.
On the other hand, because of its massive size, the standard crib can only be moved once it is disassembled.
5. Price
The mini-crib is more affordable than the standard one. For our fifth child (Sawyer), my husband and I wanted to get a new crib as the old one was not sturdy enough, and we had a limited budget of $200.
- While browsing through stores, we noticed that standard cribs, especially the good quality ones were mostly above our budget, while mini-cribs came under our budget, so we settled for mini ones.
And let me tell you, it’s still in good condition even after being used by our last born (Theo).
6. Style
As standard cribs are common, they’re available in almost every style, be it traditional or modern.
But, with the mini-crib, there are limited options available. So, if you have a particular design in mind, it’d be challenging to find a style similar to it.
7. Mobility of the Baby
If your little one is moving more and growing faster than usual, they might outgrow the mini-crib sooner.
Since you can’t predict your kid’s growth, you can go for a standard crib to stay safe, if it’s within the budget and works for you overall.
FAQs on Crib vs Mini Crib
1. Are Mini-Cribs Safe for My Baby?
Yes! All cribs go through the same safety regulations. So they are 100% safe for your baby.
2. For How Long Can My Baby Stay in a Mini Crib?
Until they are about 2 to 3 years old. You can switch to a standard crib once your little one reaches the 2-year milestone because mini-cribs are smaller and may restrict your baby’s movements.
3. Mini Crib vs. Pack ‘N Play, Which One Is Better?
Mini-cribs are sleep essentials, while pack ‘n play can be used for playing and sleeping, and they’re even portable. Some pack ‘n play units even have a changing table attached to them. Cool, right? So, you can choose them based on the type of unit you need.
4. How Much Weight Can the Mini-Crib Hold?
The mini-crib can hold weights of about up to 40 pounds.
Final Thoughts
As parents, you want safe and durable sleep essentials for your baby. Both the mini-crib and standard crib offer that. The only difference is in the size and features, and choosing one from the other is all about identifying what you need in your home.
The factors I’ve discussed in the guide are some of the major deciding points that I’ve come across because I’ve shopped for a crib at least three times now in my parenthood journey! So, please take your time to consider what features you need in a crib and choose the best for your baby.
