8 Best Cribs for Short Moms Comprehensive Guide
Being a short mom can suck.
There is a reason #shortmomproblems exist. A quick check on reddit shows that there are numerous issues being vertically challenged. Some examples include: requiring a stool or step ladder everywhere in the house, requiring books to prop you up when you drive, or trying to stand out in a large crowd (even raising your arms doesn’t help!). Pants become hard to shop for, handing money over the drive through gets difficult, and you’re always on the front row in group photos!
After reading this story, Practical Parents in Training went through and looked at all the current baby cribs and beds on sale to try to find the best cribs for short moms. We’ve poured through all the reviews and comments for you to bring some of the best options to the table.
Click here if you want to skip straight to our top overall choices.
Our Factors for What Makes the Best Crib for Petite Moms
First, we determined what is considered a “short crib”. After some checking of where short women have a tendency to bend down around the hip bone to reach for the baby in the crib – we determined that the low profile crib that matches our criteria must be BELOW 36 inches tall on at least one rail.
We inspected over three dozen low profile cribs and we focused on two main areas of concern for each:
Safety
- Safety Features: Naturally – safety for the baby and the mother is the most important item to consider. There are a lot of aspects that make a crib safe or unsafe for their users. Overall construction matters here, since a sturdy crib is less likely to flip on you as you lean over to pick up your baby. We also look for additional safety features such as a safe slat distance (less than 6 cm), snug mattresses fitting, safe mattress heights, and compliant crib corner posts. ASTM and CPSC certifiations were key here.
- Chemicals: Most modern cribs are made of wood & paint. It is important that the construction of the cribs follows all safety regulations in place – and one of the elements they will test are the chemicals used in the construction. The fact is, your baby will be placing their fingers, toes, feet, and hands all over these cribs. They might then lick those same fingers & toes. It is important that they aren’t poisoned!
We also considered the material – although most of the time the types of wood these cribs use (New Zealand, Beech, etc) are all for construction and durability purposes and don’t seem to contribute to the chemical hazards.
Ease of Use
- The Side Rail: The higher the height of the side rail, the harder (and more dangerous) it is for petite mothers to reach for their baby in the crib. So we review the overall height of this rail, as well as the mattress height to determine if this is a good fit for petite moms. Keep in mind that even smaller moms have different body shapes and so some side rails might still be a little more difficult to navigate than others.
- Mattress Height Position Adjustments: There is a balance to hit, however, as having a mattress that sits too high in a crib, while easier for you to lift your baby up, might actually be too short. This means your baby might be able to climb or fall right out! So, the ability to adjust the mattress height is important.
With that said, please check out our buying guide below for some of the best cribs for short moms.
Disclaimer*: Practical Parents in Training’s goals are to provide great choices for parents both old and new. We earn compensation from affiliate links in this content.
Best Basic Crib: Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
Overview
The Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib with Toddler Bed Conversion Kit is a solid choice for short mothers. This low profile crib sits at just around 35 inches (Just under 3 feet – or 89 centimeters). This means that picking up or laying down your baby should be a fairly easy task, even if you’re shorter than average.
Some other main features of this Husdon crib include the convertible design which can accommodate for your baby as he/she grows older. There’s a toddler setup as well as a standard daybed setup so this crib stays in use for many years.
The mattress is adjustable to 4 locations giving you versatility in how you want to set up your child’s crib – so you can set up the mattress to its highest setting to give you the best ease-of-use. Keep in mind that you’ll want to pay attention to the overall height of the mattress to the side rail, as you’ll want to ensure that your baby doesn’t climb out of the crib.
The slat design on this Hudson crib runs on all sides, so you can set up the crib in any location and have eyes on your infant.
This Hudson crib is also well made with sustainable New Zealand pine wood, which does add a bit of weight, but is overall made to last. Lastly, this crib has also been screened for over 10,000 chemicals – keeping your baby safe from harsh chemicals other companies might use.
Read our full review on this baby crib here.
Crib Height: 35 Inches
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Dimensions and Considerations
The dimensions of the Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib is 54 x 29.8 x 35 inches. The weight of the crib is 54 pounds.
Pros
- Solid Construction
- Adjustable Mattress Height
- No-Nonsense Modern Aesthetics
- Easy Set Up
- Hits all Safety Requirements – Non Toxic
Cons
- Fairly Standard Looking and Basic
The Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib with Toddler Bed Conversion Kit is available on Amazon.com.
Best 4-in-1 Crib: Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Convertible
Overview
The Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Crib is quite a versatile choice since it includes a headboard and can be converted to accommodate a full bed. Although the product is listed to have a height of 43.75 inches, that’s because the headboard stands taller than the rest of the crib. The side rails stand at 34 inches, making it a great choice for shorter moms.
The mattress has 3 adjustable positions, which is good for adapting to your child as he/she is capable of sitting or standing.
This crib is made of wood and is fairly heavy – this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A heavier crib may be harder to move around, but it typically means that it’ll be more likely to be stable as you’re picking up or putting down your child to bed.
The slat design runs on all sides, although since there’s a bell-shaped headboard it’ll mean that this crib is intended to be placed up against a wall long-ways.
Do we consider this to be the best crib for short moms? Read out full review on the Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Baby Crib here.
Crib Height: 34 Inches
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Dimensions and Considerations
The Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Crib, once fully assembled, is 55.75 x 30.25 x 43.75. The overall weight after assembly is 59.2 lbs.
Pros
- Solid Construction
- Adjustable Mattress Height
- Elegant Headboard
- Highly Versatile
- Hits All Safety Requirements – Non Toxic
Cons
- A Little Heavier than other Choices
The Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Crib is available on Amazon.com.
Best Fixed Crib: Storkcraft Hillcrest
Overview
The Storkcraft Hillcrest fixed side convertible crib is another great choice for petite moms. Fixed side means that one of the sides is designed to stay on while the rest of the rails can be removed. This applies mostly when converting the crib into the other modes of use. The crib stands at 34 inches and is capable of converting to a toddler bed, daybed, and a full sized bed.
The 3 mattress positions to give you flexibility as your little one grows. This means that you can set it up to accommodate your baby as he/she learns to sit up and stand with assistance.
This crib features a full 360 degree slat design, and without a headboard it fits in any spot in the house.
One thing that makes this model slightly different than the others is its no-nonsense design and light-weight. The overall weight after construction is 46.3 lbs. Keep in mind that while this means that the crib will be easier to move, it’ll be more likely to tip over.
This crib is mainly made of pine wood – so the overall construction is rugged.
Lastly, the Storkcraft company earned the 2018 Women’s choice award for America’s Most Recommended Baby Furniture – which is based on a national survey distributed to 10,000+ parents.
Read the full review of this product here.
Crib Height: 34 Inches
Photos
Dimensions and Considerations
The Storkcraft Hillcrest Fixed Side Convertible Crib, once fully assembled, is 54.5 x 30.8 x 34 inches. The overall weight after assembly is 46.3 lbs.
Pros
- Lightweight – yet sturdy construction
- Adjustable Mattress Height
- Very Versatile
- Hits All Safety Requirements – Non Toxic
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Rather Simple in Design
- Some Parents Report that the Painting Can Chip
The Storkcraft Hillcrest Fixed Side Convertible Crib is available on Amazon.com.
Best Minimalist Baby Crib: Babyletto Harlow Acrylic 3-in-1
Overview
The Babyletto Harlow Acrylic 3-in-1 Convertible Crib is the first entry we have that is a bit more pricey than the others. Let’s see what you get:
The overall height of this crib is 34.7 inches – which is great for petite moms who are a little short (and in danger of injuring themselves when lifting or putting down their baby).
The main stand-out here is that the slat safety bars are actually made of a see-through acrylic. This means that you get an unobstructed view of your baby doing all their cute things like sleeping, rolling, and babbling.
Another great feature is that the base of this crib is very wide – this means that it is overall less likely to topple over as you’re reaching over the edge of the rail. There’s also two tiers of wood for the platform base – ensuring that it is far more secure and stable than most other base types.
The 4 adjustable mattress positions give you maximum versatility in the bed height. This crib is also convertible to a toddler and daybed. Lastly, for the environmentally conscious parent, this crib is made from recyclable acrylic lucite and sustainable New Zealand pine wood.
Click here for the full review.
Crib Height: 34.7 Inches
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Dimensions and Considerations
The Babyletto Harlow Acrylic 3-in-1 Convertible Crib, once fully assembled, is 53.4 x 30. x 34.7 inches. The overall weight after assembly is 70.5 lbs.
Pros
- Acrylic Safety Bars for an Unobstructed View
- 2 Tier Base for Stability
- Convertible to Toddler Bed and Day Bed
- Environmental Friendly
- Passes All Safety Requirements – Non Toxic
- Parents Report that this Crib is Easy to Put Together
Cons
- Heavy (This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as weight helps with maximizing stability)
- Pricey
- Basic Design
The Babyletto Harlow Acrylic 3-in-1 Convertible Crib is available on amazon.com.
Best Combo Crib: Graco Remi 4-in-1 Crib and Changer
Overview
The Graco Remi 4-in-1 Convertible Crib and Changer is the first entry in our list to have a changing table in addition to the crib. The changer is nice since it is an extra storage place that is aesthetically consistent with the crib. Additionally, there’s space on the top for you to change your baby’s diaper quickly – while having all relevant supplies on hand such as wipes and extra diapers. You can even use it as a space to set up your baby monitors.
Even other family members have remarked how useful the changing table is. Placing your baby in the crib after they’ve changed is fairly easy with the way the changer is positioned.
One thing to note here is that the changer is actually connected to the crib – so the manufacturer does not recommend building them separate from each other. This does mean that if you’re not interested in the extra changer, then you may want to consider another model.
This crib does sit a bit higher than the other entries on the list, but that is mostly because the side rail is bowed a little. So, it is higher on the end posts than it is in the middle. The middle portion of the rail actually measures just an inch lower than the posts (34.9 inches).
Additionally, there is an extra draw under the crib for additional storage. We found this to be a smart decision since the base of most cribs aren’t really utilized in any way.
The crib itself is capable of adjusting to a toddler bed (doesn’t include a toddler rail), day bed, or even a full size bed. This crib for short moms has a lot of the aspects that make it a contender for the overall best cribs for short moms.
Crib Height: 35.9 Inches
Photos
Dimensions and Considerations
The Graco Remi 4-in-1 Convertible Crib and Changer, once fully assembled, is 71.8 x 29.5 x 35.9 inches. The dimensions of the charger specifically is 16.5 x 27.5.
The overall weight after assembly is 105 lbs. The additional weight is mostly due to the added changer.
Pros
- Elegant Design and Look
- Passes All Safety Requirements – Non Toxic – JPMA Certified
- Additional Changer for Convenient Storage and Space to Change Your Baby
- Additional Base Compartment Drawer for Hidden Storage
- Parents Report that it is Easy to Put Together
- 3 Position Mattress Heights
Cons
- Heavy Unit
- Crib Should Not Be Constructed Without the Changer (So it is a Requirement)
- More Expensive Than Non-Changer Models
- Although Useable for Short Moms, Still Stands a Little Taller Than Other Cribs in the List
The Graco Remi 4-in-1 Convertible Crib and Changer is available on amazon.com.
Best Crib with Drawers: Babyletto Harlow Acrylic 3-in-1
Overview
The Babyletto Mercer 3-in-1 Convertible Crib is similar to the Bablyetto Modo and is yet another good choice for smaller mothers mainly because of the drawers. This crib for short moms is capable of converting from the standard baby/infant crib to the toddler bed and day bed.
The crib mattress is adjustable to 4 different positions to allow the crib to adapt to your child as he/she grows older and is capable of some feats such as sitting or standing with assistance.
The main thing that makes this particular crib stand out from some of the other choices is the under-crib drawer for storage. This is great as typically the base of the crib is dead-space for many designs. A key component with under-crib drawers is that it allows you to add more weight.
For the environmentally friendly minded parents, this crib is also made from the renewable New Zealand pine wood – and is quite sturdy in construction.
Crib Height: 35 Inches
Photos
Dimensions and Considerations
The Babyletto Mercer 3-in-1 Convertible Crib, once fully assembled, is 53.9 x 30 x 35 inches.
The overall weight of the crib after assembly is 67 lbs. The added drawer in the base clearly adds some weight to the overall product.
Pros
- Under-crib storage drawer
- Passes All Safety Requirements – Non Toxic – Greenguard Gold Certified
- 4 position adjustable crib mattress
- Convertible
- Passes All Safety Requirements
Cons
- Heavy
- Parents have reported that the instructions are difficult to follow.
The Babyletto Mercer 3-in-1 Convertible Crib is available on amazon.com.
Best Mobile & Round Crib: Stokke Sleepi White Adjustable Baby Crib
Overview
The Stokke Sleepi White Adjustable Baby Crib is probably the most unique infant crib in our list. This is because the crib is actually on wheels. This may not seem like a big change – but the ability to move the crib from room to room is actually quite convenient. This means that you can take the crib with you when you’re transferring from the nursery to another location. Imagine needing to use the restroom but wanting to keep an eye on your little one – you can roll the crib to stay in line of sight. The wheels are actually removable as well – if you need the crib to stay stable in a single spot. It’s a solid choice as crib for short moms for this reason.
Additionally, the oval / round design is unique and modern looking. In terms of safety, this does mean that there are no corners for your infant to get hung up on. Check out this article on houseley.com for some of main benefits to round baby cribs.
The construction of this crib is beech wood – which is actually a bit harder than the standard pinewood most cribs are made of.
Much like the other models on this list – this can convert to a toddler bed (doesn’t include toddler rail) and a daybed. The mattress is adjustable in 3 positions to give you flexibility in safety and height.
One thing to note here is that this crib sits much lower than the others at 33.5 inches. (half an inch doesn’t seem like much – but it can make the difference to short moms!)
Crib Height: 33.5 Inches
Photos
Dimensions and Considerations
The Stokke Sleepi White Adjustable Baby Crib, once fully assembled, is 50 x 29 x 33.5 inches.
The overall weight after assembly is 50 lbs. Making this one of the lighter cribs available.
Pros
- Sleek and Modern Oval Design
- Includes Wheels for a Portable Crib
- Full 360 Slat Design
- Convertible
- Lightweight
- Passes All Safety Requirements – Non Toxic
- One of the Lowest Side Rail Height of all Cribs in this List
Cons
- Quite Pricey
- Oval Mattresses have Fewer Comforter Options
The Stokke Sleepi White Adjustable Baby Crib is available on amazon.com.
Best Versatile Crib: Delta Children Bentley S Series 4-in-1
Overview
The Delta Children Bentley S Series 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Crib is a good crib for short moms. You’ll find that it has most of the features of the Delta Children Emery listed above, with the ability to convert into a toddler bed, daybed, and even a full size bed. It also retains the 4 position mattress adjustments that will allow you to adapt to your baby’s needs.
The main difference is the aesthetics. The Bentley has a beautiful sleigh design that fits well with many modern homes. Something to keep in mind that only one of the rails sits at 35 inches, the rest of them are contoured up and so it will be difficult for short moms to get access to their children from those sides.
Crib Height: 35 Inches
Photos
Dimensions and Considerations
The Delta Children Bentley S Series 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Crib, once fully assembled, is 54.25 x 34.25 x 42.25 inches. Keep in mind that due to the design of the headboard – it will be listed as taller than the actual lowest siderail.
The overall weight of the crib after assembly is 68.4 lbs.
Pros
- Very Elegant Design & Headboard
- Passes All Safety Requirements – Non Toxic – JPMA Certified
- Adjustable Mattress Height in 4 Different Positions
- Convertible to 4 Different Bed Styles – Baby Crib, Toddler Bed, Day Bed, & Full Size Bed
Cons
- Somewhat Heavy
- Only 1 Siderail that is Short Mom Friendly
- Some Reviews Indicated a Paint Smell when they First Assembled the Crib
The Delta Children Bentley S Series 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Crib is available on amazon.com.
Bonus: Best Value Crib: Union 4-in-1 Crib
Overview
The Union 4-in-1 is about as basic as it gets, but the key here is that it is very affordable while maintaining good levels of safety and features. This crib is made of New Zealand pine wood and meets multiple safety standards such as the ASTM and CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) standards. This crib for short moms has 4 mattress positions and is capable of converting from a standard crib to a toddler bed or a day bed. This also comes in at 33.5 inches tall – making it one of the shortest budget cribs currently available.
Crib Height: 33.5 Inches
Photos
Dimensions and Considerations
The Union 4-in-1 Convertible Crib, once fully assembled, is 53.5 x 30.5 x 33.5 inches – making this one of the shortest cribs in our list.
The overall weight after assembly is 37.9 lbs. This makes this product incredibly light. There are pros and cons to lightweight cribs that will be described below:
Pros
- Very Affordable – Low Overall Cost
- Passes All Safety Requirements – Non Toxic – Greenguard Gold Certified
- 4 Position Setting for Adjustable Mattress Height
- Lightweight – will be easy to move around if needed.
- Capable of converting from a baby crib to a toddler bed then to a full size bed.
Cons
- Lightweight – this does mean that it is more easy to tip over.
The Union 4-in-1 Convertible Crib is available on amazon.com.
Our Top Choices
Overall, we were most happy with the Graco Remi 4-in-1 with Changer. The additional storage space under the crib and the included changer is just so useful and game changing. It looks really elegant as well! Overall though, there were other good choices for best cribs for short moms – see below for our top picks.
Best Bargain | Most Modern | Best Utility | Our Favorite |
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Union 3-in-1 | Stokee Sleepi | Graco Remi 4-in-1 w/ Changer | Graco Remi 4-in-1 w/ Changer |
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Final Thoughts on the These Short Baby Cribs
Those are the top 8 (9) options for best baby cribs for short moms. Keep in mind that there are more cribs out there – and the idea for modern cribs changes all the time. A key component in your selection will come down to safety, ease-of-use, and overall budget. The cheapest selection here has at least passed all the safety tests and requirements currently available – so in a way you cannot go wrong with any of the choices above.
We considered the following 5 factors when deciding on this list:
- Crib Overall Height: We felt this should be equal to or less than 36 inches. Anything more than that and we didn’t think it was a good fit to be a crib for short moms. We found that at 36 inches and above a smaller mom might end up straining their body (and they may just be out of childbirth!). Excessive leaning into the crib could result in back pain or even a dive into the crib, which can be painful and cause injuries.
- Crib Slat Distance: when the distance between the slats (these are the vertical bars of the crib) was more than a certain amount (specifically 2 and 3/8ths inches) then that could result in the baby getting a limb stuck. This is clearly not an ideal solution at all.
- Construction Material and Weight: We felt that a study construction with a decent amount of weight was good. When the crib is too light then it is likely that it can tip over as you lean onto the side rail. Clearly this poses quite a problem – and can result in the crib tipping over and falling.
- Safety Ratings: We were looking for various safety ratings when making a decision on which cribs belonged on our list. We focused heavily on cribs that were JPMA certified. However, it is possible that they could be further certified by the CPSC and ASTM. We were impressed with the requirements for the Greenguard Gold Certification (which some of these cribs had!)
- Adjustable Mattress Height + Convertibility: This basically means that the crib mattress heights can be adjusted so the crib grows with your baby. This means that the crib will provide more value to you as a parent by being able to be versatile in function as your child grows (no one wants to spend $200+ dollars on a product that you’ll use for just a short year or two!).
We hope that guide on buying the best crib for short moms was useful.
The bottom line is, your job as a modern parent is to do what you can to protect your baby from all hazards. One type of hazard we discovered that is easily overlooked are window related infant hazards.
Until next time – stay safe modern parents.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Best Baby Cribs for Short Moms
Why are there no drop-side rails in your list?
According to this consumer product safety commission page – the sale of drop-side rail cribs has been banned. This is due to the routine safety hazard they posed. They were involved in dozens of infant deaths over the last few decades where the child gets trapped and can suffocate due to the drop-side crib design.
Be sure NOT to pick these kinds of cribs up – as even the distribution of them is considered illegal in the United States.
How Firm or Soft Should The Crib Mattress Be?
The crib mattress should be dense and firm. They should not sag at all under your baby’s weight. Also, the mattress size should fill every corner and not create any gaps between it and the bars. This is because babies are not very coordinated and can fall and suffocate in these gaps.
Is it safe to inherit a crib from a friend or relative?
Typically we advise against this. We recommend looking for the latest designs for infant cribs since what you may be inheriting can be old (and potentially dangerous to your child). The safety standards for children only continue to increase, and so it is important the infant crib you choose passes all the modern safety requirements.
Should I consider a mini crib or a compact crib?
While you can save some space by using a mini crib, we typically advise against this. The reason being that many children grow quickly out of the mini cribs – but are too small to properly transition to a toddler size bed. This means you’ll end up needing to buy the full size crib anyway.
Additionally, most mini cribs aren’t convertible in any way so they won’t grow with your child.
We recommend just going with the full size from the start.
Additionally, mini cribs have unusual or non-standard sizes for their crib mattress and frame meaning that it is more difficult for others to find compatible crib items like blankets and covers.
Instead, stick to these cribs for short moms (below 36 inches) from the start to save money.
Should I saw off the legs of the baby crib?
While sawing off the legs of a baby crib to decrease the height is a common piece of advice – we don’t recommend it. It is fairly easy to have an uneven baby crib and often you’re compromising on the integrity of the crib in this way. Additionally – this would void any potential warranty you have.
We really recommend a crib with adjustable mattress height position instead.
With that said – it definitely will bring the height of the crib down by a small amount – and sometimes that’s the difference between easily getting your loved one in and out easily.
Where should I go for the latest Public Safety Information?
Many countries have different government agencies or divisions who handle consumer product safety. Here are two sites to visit (depending on the country you’re currently living in):
United States: Consumer Product Safety Commission
Canada: Consumer Products & Cosmetics
How Long Do Babies Sleep in Cribs?
Currently, there is no age for how long babies should sleep in their crib. Some sources say that you should consider it starting around 18 months – but some kids will not transition until they’re 2.5 years old or even 3.5. Some parents consider the height of the baby. Once they’ve reached 35 – 38 inches tall the child will be able to get our of even a full size crib with some ease, which can be dangerous.
Once your baby reaches this age you’ll want to consider picking up a toddler bed (or if you picked up one from our crib for short parents guide you’ll just need to convert it). Some of the options we provided above will even turn from a toddler bed into a full size bed.
What is the “two finger” test?
The two finger test refers to a method for parents to determine if the spacing between mattress and crib is dangerous for a baby. You attempt to place two fingers between the mattress and crib and if you can do so – you have a higher risk of the arm, leg, or head of your baby getting stuck.
As you can guess – this is quite unsafe.
Naturally, you’ll want to buy proper mattress size for the short crib you have purchase. Luckily, mattress sizing does seem to be fairly standard, but you’ll want to measure it out anyway.
Should I go for 3 Adjustable Mattress Positions or 4 Adjustable Mattress Positions for these Cribs?
What we’re found is that the difference between the mattress levels for a three adjustable mattress position crib vs a four adjustable mattress position crib is extremely minimal. The maximum high and maximum lowest settings are comparable. It comes down to the in between mattress positions.
What we’ve found is that it doesn’t really matter that much for most parents most parents basically stick to either the highest or lowest settings. Having 4 adjustable mattress height settings might help if you’re needing the mattress at a specific height to take better photos, really.
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About Author
Practical Parents in Training
Hello! We are the Newtons. James and Kelly Newton to be in fact. We set out to help modern parents learn the most up-to-date methods for helping to raise their kids in a tough new world. We hope our words might shed a little light on this enigma called "how to be a modern parent."