Babies need a lot of beds for such tiny creatures. Many begin in a bassinet, then a crib, then a toddler bed, then a twin bed or bunk bed, before resting in a queen size bed around middle school or high school once they become the height of an NBA player. To save money, mothers have learned to do away with the bassinet completely by starting the baby in a crib or in the bassinet portion of their pack n play and some moms even decide to bypass the toddler bed phase; but even without those two other beds, the most expensive still stand to be bought. So how much do beds cost these days?
Well, they aren’t cheap, let’s just get familiar with that fact real quick. Mattresses and bed frames are pricey. Bassinets can easily cost $200, however they are pretty easy to come buy in excellent shape from other mothers as infants rapidly grow out of them, so one can find them for free or at least much cheaper than a baby store or Target. This bassinet, for instance, is on sale for $139 and free 1-2 day shipping from diapers.com and it is adorable but take a look at their current inventory to see the broad range of prices their bassinets currently sell for.
These are some of the bassinets Target n0w has for sale and their prices are a little more affordable but still over $100 for a decent bassinet. Bassinets tend to last no more than six months no matter where you purchase one and what type you buy so getting one used, handed down, or not buying one at all may be a wise decision when price is an issue because they are not even close to necessary for the baby.
Since most parents absolutely love having a pack and play to put their children in to play safely, take a look at this Graco Pack and Play with bassinet at Amazon. You’ll notice the top is closed off and that is because the bassinet is inserted inside but very easily can be removed for playtime and as the baby grows out of the bassinet. The baby will remain safe and secure in the bassinet portion but your money is still put to good use in the play yard as that will last at least another six months longer, if not more, for children to one year and older until they can climb out of it. Many moms have gone to these instead because they make more sense financially and logically.
Next in line for expense are baby cribs and some babies, depending on size, can use
until the age of two but to save money and be more efficient rather than buying a new bed every year or so, try a convertible crib. Convertible cribs go in three or four stages, from baby crib, to toddler bed, to twin bed or a full sized bed, or both. These cost a little more than some basic cribs but definitely less than buying each bed you will need separately.
Baby stores as well as Target stores sell nice cribs and cribs that convert to bigger beds to save parents a lot of money consistently buying new bed frames. Baby Crib Station sells basic and convertible cribs on their website and they’ll even ship them to your house for no extra charge. These convertible cribs at Target start from a crib and work up to a full size bed and day bed.
Walmart and Target have online only deals on their websites for toddler beds that go up to $300 or some for only $70 that also use a crib mattress to fit within the new frame and they will last until the child becomes too big in a year or so. Look around on Craig’s List or ask fellow moms if they have one to use. Twin beds and bunk beds are always on sale on Craig’s List or in the paper and stores often sell them during their sales. Remember that mattresses are an extra cost as well so when you see a deal offering a free mattress with the purchase of a bed frame, take a look at the sale so you don’t miss out.
For twin beds and bunk beds, try these sites:
Target and target.com
Walmart and walmart.com
craigslist.org
overstock.com
amazon.com
ebay.com
