It is the responsibility of every parent to provide maximum safety and comfort for their kids. Babies are helpless and solely rely on parents to scale through childhood.
As a mom or a dad, when buying a baby product such as a baby crib, you should pay attention to the specifications of the product. Doing so means you care for the safety of your little one.
In this article, our focus is on IKEA cribs and their weight limits. If you own an IKEA crib or are planning to buy one, one of the major things to focus on is the weight limit of the crib. That would help you determine the right time to make the necessary transition.
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Table of Contents
How Much Weight Can IKEA Cribs Hold?
IKEA cribs have a maximum weight limit of 50 lb. That is what most cribs out there have as their maximum weight and it is high enough to hold a child of about 4 to 5 years old.
However, while the maximum weight limit is 50 lb, the length of the crib also has a role to play. IKEA cribs have a length of 52 inches. This means the weight and height of your child must fall within these specifications (50 lb and 52 inches long).
For example, if a 5-year-old child is weighing about 40 lb and has a height of say 55 inches, it means the child can’t use a crib anymore (most cribs measure 52 inches in length).
Do IKEA Crib Models Have Different Weight Limits?
IKEA has different crib models such as Gulliver, Sniglar, Sundvik, Myllra, etc. However, all the cribs produced by IKEA tend to have similar weight limits and dimensions. I bought Gulliver crib for my kids as I really liked the design and the price.
Therefore, whichever IKEA crib you choose to go for, the weight limit and dimensions are the same. The dimensions are the standard crib dimensions so that they can accommodate crib mattresses from other crib brands.
Do IKEA Cribs Convert To Toddler Beds?
Yes, IKEA cribs convert to toddler beds, which is a great feature to look out for when choosing the best crib for your child. The mattress also serves as a crib and toddler mattress.
IKEA cribs have two-bed base height settings – the higher height is for babies who can’t climb yet and the lower bed base is for kids that have the tendency to climb the rails.
Once your child is about 2 to 3 years old, you can convert the crib to a toddler bed by removing one of the long sides of the rails. Since the height between the bed base and the floor is about 8 – 10 inches, a child can easily climb in and out of the bed.
You can also lower the bottom of the Cribs which is extremely useful if your kid wakes up in the night for the bathroom.
Related Article: Does Newton Mattress fit IKEA cribs?
At What Age Should My Child Move From An IKEA Crib To Twin Bed?
Since the IKEA crib can be converted to a toddler bed, you can keep using it until your child is about 4 to 5 years. It all depends on the safety and comfort of your child.
At about ages 2 to 3, you will have to remove one of the long sides of the bed to make it a toddler bed. If you are using an IKEA mattress or any other 2-stage mattress (both crib and toddler mattress), you will flip it to the toddler side.
You may also want to read about the IKEA Minnen bed as it is a very good choice that saves you from all the transition stages.
Can An Adult Spend Some Time In A Crib To Sooth A Baby?
As an adult, you are not recommended to step inside a crib because your weight is more than the maximum weight of cribs.
I have seen people do it without getting the crib collapsed. However, you are weakening the crib’s capacity to hold your baby as he/she grows. This is a safety issue and you shouldn’t spend time with your baby in a crib.
If you must soothe or pacify your little one, you can make use of toys with music or any other things that can make your baby fall asleep.
Related: Will an IKEA crib fit in a car? (Find out)
Is There A Weight Limit For IKEA Crib Mattresses?
If you are using an IKEA crib mattress or any other crib mattress, you don’t need to worry about the weight limit of the mattress. The mattress will serve well throughout the period of use.
For IKEA mattresses and other mattresses that have a firmer side for infants and a semi-soft side for toddlers, just make sure you flip the mattress at the right time.
However, you should be wary of indentation on crib mattresses or using a soft mattress for babies. Typically, a baby’s sleeping surface should be flat and firm for the first 2 years or thereabout.
Can My Child Play In The Crib?
IKEA cribs are sturdy and well-made. My kids are highly active and at times, jump around in their cribs. We haven’t seen any instances where kids were not comfortable playing or the crib was not able to take the weight of the child. Only one time one of my kids pushed his hand through the gap between the side rails but it can happen in any crib.
However, please monitor your kids(s) activities when they are playing around the cribs. Kids love to jump on the crib mattress almost using it like a trampoline. Cribs can usually take the jumps but may weaken the frame and reduce the longevity of the cribs.
Conclusion
If you own an IKEA crib, the crib has the capacity to hold your child until he/she reaches 50 lb. The same is applicable to most crib brands out there.
Since IKEA cribs convert to toddler beds and IKEA mattresses are 2-stage mattresses, it means that you can use the crib and the mattress for infants and toddlers.
Just make sure you follow the recommended safety guidelines for cribs and you should be good to go.