When you start looking to buy a convertible baby bed, be prepared to assemble that bed after it is delivered to your home. When you compare the cost of a convertible crib, it seems expensive. Although, it the long run, you save money. That is because you can transform that bed into a toddler bed and a full day bed as your child grows.

Why You Need to Assemble a Convertible 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 shipping box is easier to handle and move into your baby’s nursery. 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 Three Things You Need to Assemble a Crib
To recap, you will assemble your baby’s new crib right in the baby’s bedroom, not in the living room.. To put the bed together quickly and easily, without redoing the assembly process, make sure to have these things on hand.

Instructions
- The manufacturer’s Instructions with pictures
- Any videos provided by the manufacturer or dealer
- A picture of what the assembled bed looks like

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
- Any tools listed in the instructions. Most beds require screwdrivers, pliers, an allen wrench,to tighten the nuts and bolts
- A small rubber hammer or mallet to tap the assembled parts in place. If you use a steel hammer on wood parts, you’ll mar the finish and dent the wood.

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 each step in order. Most instructions number all of the steps, so do Step One before Step Two.

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. The instructions will tell you which mattress height is best for the height of your child. Typically, the younger the child, the higher the mattress setting.

Make sure that all bolts, screws and nuts are tightened so that the crib is strong and sturdy.

Once the bed is assembled, make sure it is sturdy. 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. You don’t have to be a car mechanic. Remember, read the instructions, provide enough space and use the right tools. Your child’s new bed will be a haven to sleep securely as she grows up.