Shopping for a convertible baby bed? know that some assembly will be required. At first, buying a convertible crib can be an expensive investment. Yet, when you count the days, weeks and years your child sleeps soundly, it is priceless. Why is that? The reason is that when your baby grows into a toddler, you can turn the crib into a toddler bed.

Why Assemble a Convertible Baby Bed?

After you buy a bed in a retail store or on-line, the company does not ship a fully assembled crib to your front door. The store will ship the bed to you in parts that you simply put together. This format saves you money in shipping, since a compact box is much cheaper to ship than a full-size crib.

The box you receive will be much simpler to move into your baby's bedroom. It will fit through the doorway, while a free standing convertible crib will not. Understand that assembling a crib saves you money in shipping and handling. So, what do you need to get ready to assemble the bed when it arrives?

The Important Three Things for Assembling Your Baby's Bed

Remember, you will be assembling your baby's new bed in the baby's room or nursery in your house. To put the bed together quickly and easily, without redoing the assembly process, make sure to have these things on hand.

Instructions

- Illustrated, step by step instructions

- Any videos provided by the manufacturer or dealer

- A visual of assembled crib

Space

- Enough floor space in the bedroom so that you can assemble the bed and move it to the desired spot

- Place to lay out all of the parts including the sides, foot, and head of the bed, the mattress frame

- Count the parts to make sure you have everything. Check your list of parts against the instructions and hardware part list.

- Use Post It Notes to mark each part with the same labels in the instructions.

Tools

- Recommended tools by the manufacturer, including screwdrivers, an allen wrench, pliers or wrench to tighten the nuts and bolts

- A small rubber hammer or mallet to tap the assembled parts in place. Don't use a steel hammer on wooden beds, you'll dent the wood and wreck the finish.

You Are Ready to Put the Bed Together

Read each step of the instruction guide before you begin. Then, before you fasten any bolts or screws, fit the parts together, so you know how they go together. Do Step One and finish it completely before you go on to Step Two. Complete each step in order.

Most convertible cribs have different mattress positions, like low, middle and high. Depending on the size and age of your baby, set the mattress height to fit your baby. Read the instructions for the proper setting. Typically, the younger the child, the higher the mattress setting.

Tighten all screws, nuts and bolts so that the convertible bed is solid and stable..

Now it's time to test the crib for being sturdy for your baby. Do any of the parts feel loose? Are the sides, headboard and footboard sturdy? Does anything wobble? Do you feel confident that your baby wil be safe in the crib? Remove any gaps between the sides, mattress, and rails that could trap your baby's head or body.

Assembling a convertible baby bed is easy to do, when you follow these steps. It's not rocket science. Just remember to read and follow the instructions, have enough space to assemble the bed and use the correct tools for the job. Your child's new bed will be a haven to sleep securely as she grows up.