Choosing a crib?

I am due April 19 and am in the process of trying to buy a crib. I am trying to find where to research or get reviews on cribs for free (consumer reports charges). Also if you have a crib that you would recommend or would not recommend please let me know (manufacturer, name of crib). I am trying to stay around $250-$300, give or take a little. Also where did you go to get your crib? A baby store, a furniture store, a discount store? We live in a one bedroom apartment so the baby will be in our room. We are also looking for a dresser that matches the crib that can be used as a changing table too, since we are limited on space.


I have read alot of bad reviews about the storkcraft brand, anyone else read these or have any opinions?

Choosing a crib?
i am due only a few days before you are! arent you excited!?!?!? anyways...we got our crib from target. it is a convertible crib. it starts out being a baby crib, then changes to a toddler bed and eventually you can use it as a full size bed. they had a few there and they all had matching dresser/changing tables. the prices are about 2-350 a piece though. i also heard that walmart has 3 piece sets (bed, changing table, dresser) for around 150 total for all of it. a friend of mine used that and had her friend get in the crib and jump up and down. she said it was a great crib for the price. hope you find what you are looking for. and congrats!
Reply:Personally I like to shop on Target.com, some products have reviews on them. They have matching sets... meet safety guidelines and wont break the bank.
Reply:Mine was discounted at Walmart but we chose it mainly cause its a 4 in 1 crib from Simplicity for $150.00
Reply:we bought ours at Ikea, (we have a store nearby) because of the price. Its very simple, and its lower to the ground(I am short) so I dont have to put a rail down to put her in...were due in two weeks, so as far as functionality, I dont know yet. Its a convertible toddler bed. I know someone else who has it, and they didnt have anything bad to say about it. But the crib, with the mattress was less than 200. Good luck!
Reply:I bought a Kolcraft brand. IT is one that converts into the full size and toddle bed also. I loved it the only problem is that when you convert to a toddler bed it is to tall for my child to climb into by herself. We bought ours at ToysRUs. BabiesRUs is great too. If you have a choice I would go for a convertible.
Reply:we got our crib at a garage sale down the street for $30
Reply:Babies R Us has an excellent selection of cribs, and matching furniture - this is where we purchased our daughter's crib. JCP does as well. I would highly recommend getting a crib that will convert to toddler bed and then full size bed - it will save you money in the long run. I have also found it helpful to have a dropside on the crib (one rail can drop down %26amp; be lifted back in place) - as baby gets bigger and you need to lower the mattress, it helps to be able to reach down to the mattress to put baby to bed. Also, I am pregnant with #2 and having the dropside is perfect since my growing tummy gets in the way when the rail is all the way up.