Designer baby cribs

In general, companies that make quality furniture get the better reviews for baby cribs. Munire, Natart and Westwood each make high-end solid wood cribs in a variety of styles that coordinate with matching bedroom furniture. The Munire Lifetime Crib (*est. $500) comes in eight styles and various finishes. Each collection has a different look ranging from the simple "Urban" to the ornate "Savannah." The Lifetime Crib does convert to a toddler and full-size bed with additional conversion kits. Interestingly, although parent reviews on the Baby Bargains discussion forum (see our All Reviews section) do say that Munire's cribs are basically of good quality, they don't match the high rating given by the book's editors. Users posting to the forum report problems with defects in the wood and finish that peels or rubs off. The Munire crib also loses points for its mattress height adjustment, which users say is awkward because it requires the removal of the crib's front panel.

Quebec-based Natart also has several juvenile furniture collections featuring traditional and convertible cribs (*est. $700 to $900). Their convertible cribs can be turned into either a 39-inch twin bed or a 54-inch double bed. Although there are few user reviews of these cribs, consumers posting on the Baby Bargains discussion forum like these cribs overall, saying Natart's cribs are well-built, sturdy and attractive with crib rails that operate smoothly. One parent notes that this is one of the few cribs that can be converted to a twin bed (instead of a full-size bed) -- a plus for parents who want a long-term solution for a smaller bedroom.

Westwood also makes both convertible and traditional (cottage) cribs (*est. $420 to $600). 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 submits its products to extra non-mandatory independent testing to ensure that it is truly non-toxic. For safety reasons, the company has a policy of not making drop-side cribs. 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. The only downside mentioned is the wait; one parent reports having to wait 14 weeks for the furniture to arrive.

Babee Tenda (also known as Baby Tenda) sells baby cribs in the same price range as Munire, Natart 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. $600). Following complaints about the company's business practices, a U.S. federal court found Babee Tenda guilty of mail fraud. 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.