The Graco Sarah convertible crib is considered to be one of the best choices for a safe and compact crib, but does it really live up to all the hype? I decided to find out the answer to this question by doing a bit of research on this product, so let's first start with the features that come with the Graco Sarah convertible crib.
Graco Sarah convertible crib - Features
3 In 1 Convertible Crib
1. Safety features
Convertible cribs are usually looked down upon because a few of them compromise on safety in favor of portability. However, the Graco Sarah crib meets all safety requirements. As per government safety standards, a crib must have a firm and tight-fitting mattress with no missing or broken footboards. The slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart from each other. The corner posts should have a maximum length of 1/16 inches. As of June 2011, new safety standards have come into effect, and they do not allow drop-side cribs. The Graco Sarah convertible meets all these safety standards to the T.
2. Four setup choices for your growing child
The Graco Sarah baby crib can transform into other types of beds as your baby grows, all the way till the preteen years. The four combinations included in this particular convertible crib are:
• A baby crib
• A toddler bed
• A day bed, which is a toddler bed without any toddler rail
• A single bed
3. Height adjustment feature
The Graco Sarah convertible bed also has three positions that you can choose from for the optimum height of the mattress. This height adjustment feature allows you to get easier access to your child without sacrificing the safety of the crib by putting a drop side. You can choose among any of these positions as the right level for you to comfortably reach out to your baby and still keep him or her safe.
4. Five year warranty
One of the most common complaints about convertible baby cribs is that they are badly built. However, the Graco Sarah crib comes with a 5 year warranty against any possible manufacturing defects, although it would not be used much because of the sturdy construction, which is discussed in the next section.
5. Construction features
Unlike some other convertible cribs, the Graco Sarah crib is solid. The mattress is supported by a rigid steel frame, complete with a steel mesh, as well as springs. The material is lightweight but still has the look and strength of wood. In fact, a few users have felt that it is soft wood, such as poplar or pine. Regardless of what material it is, every user has been unanimous in saying that this Graco Sarah baby crib has a solid and safe construction.
The advantages
• Simple and aesthetic design
The first thing you would possibly notice about the Graco Sarah crib is its simple and beautiful design. This crib is available in four colors- cherry, espresso, white, and cinnamon. All the colors are pleasing to the eye and can be picked in keeping with the color palette of your child's room.
• Safe to use
Safety is naturally the biggest issue for any parent when it comes to buying a crib for their baby, and this becomes even more important when they are looking for a convertible crib. Moreover, with the new safety standards that came into effect just a few months ago, each crib's safety level is being measured closely. The Graco Sarah crib passes these new standards with flying colors. It does away with the dangerous collapsible sides that are not permitted by the new standards.
• Sturdy design
Sturdiness also plays a big role in the overall safety of the convertible crib. With a rigid construction and a solid steel frame support for the mattress, you can be assured to find a tight and steady bed in the Graco Sarah convertible crib.
• Different beds for different purposes
The biggest advantage of this Graco Sarah baby furniture is that it is more than a crib. With a few adjustments, you can convert the crib into a day bed or even a single bed as your child grows over time. This saves you a lot of money on having to buy a new bed each time, which brings us to the last advantage of the Graco Sarah convertible crib.
• Very economical package
The Graco Sarah convertible crib may cost a little more as compared to a standard crib, but the long term advantages make this a convertible crib that's worth it. A standard crib would only last a year or two at most, after which it would be useless even if it is in good condition because the baby would have grown to sleep in a toddler bed. However, the Graco Sarah crib justifies its price tag by serving your child for several years. In fact, you would find that your investment has paid off by the fifth year of using this crib.
The disadvantage
• Difficulty setting up
There have been problems reported by users who found that this crib is a little difficult to set up. However, an equal number of people have found it easy to set up. The truth is that setting up the Graco Sarah convertible crib (or any other DIY job, for that matter) is a matter of individual skill and experience. After reading through reviews, I found that the time taken to set up the crib ranges from half an hour to two hours depending on how good you are at DIY jobs.
Where can you buy it?
You can find the Graco Sarah convertible crib in different retail or online stores like Amazon or BestBuy. Of all the locations (both physical and online), I found that Amazon had the best price for this crib and also offered free shipping and returns as well.
Where to read more reviews?
Although you can find a few independent reviews on the Internet, I found that Amazon had a large list (almost 100) of individual user reviews. These reviews are very helpful because it gives you the viewpoints of parents who've used the crib firsthand.