Baby Products Review

Graco Stanton Affordable, Convertible Crib Review

graco stanton

For some reason, I always feel the urge to justify my purchases to the interwebs (especially a crib since I know so many people are totally anti-crib.) I’m not sure why. I guess I feel guilty for buying anything that’s not 100% necessary. Probably why I wear the same 3 shirts & 2 pair of jeans over and over and over again! Anyway, I’ll try not to do that. I’ll just say that we wanted a crib for the new baby, and we didn’t want to pay an arm & a leg for it. We were hoping for black (so it would match the dresser in what used to be the spare bedroom) but the main requirements were that it be inexpensive, but not “cheap” (and yes, there’s a difference in my book!)

I had been eyeing up the deal sites and checking sales. It seemed like you could get a halfway decent crib for under $200, but they weren’t necessarily our style, and weren’t black. We weren’t really in a hurry though, since I am determined to make cosleeping work!!

I ended up finding the Graco Stanton Convertible Crib on Amazon. The crib is actually made by Lajobi for Graco (they make a lot of baby furniture for different brands.)

The MSRP is $159.99, but Amazon had it for $139 with free shipping. It was one of those “Temporarily out of stock, order now and we’ll deliver it when available” items, so I was worried it would never show up, but it did! The crib is available in white, cinnamon, cherry, black and espresso. The price has gone up to $149 since I bought mine, but it’s still a good deal!

I did read the reviews before I bought, and they seemed OK. I knew I wasn’t buying a $700 crib! I mean, a convertible crib for $139 couldn’t be that great but whatever. Well I was actually pleasantly surprised! My husband was able to put it together quickly, even with “help” from the kids. The crib converts to a toddler bed (no guard rail needed for conversion), daybed and full-size headboard with footboard.

Graco Stanton 1

I commented that the highest setting seemed pretty low. Hubby said it was just because the mattress wasn’t in yet, but once I put the mattress in, he agreed that it is kind of low! It still seems high enough for shorty-short me (5′ tall if you round up or let me leave my shoes on) to lay a newborn in it without much trouble. It has a total of 3 height settings.

Graco Stanton 2 inside

Overall, I’m pleased with it. I think it’s a nice looking crib, and I like it more than some of the $800+ cribs we saw at the bigger stores. It seems sturdy and well made. Then again, it’s not an $800 crib and it’s definitely not perfect. Most noticeably, the paint is kind of sloppy.

Graco Stanton 4 paint flaws

One thing I was expecting based on the reviews, is the bed skirt trouble the corner support weirdness causes.

Graco Stanton 3 corner supports

You can see in the stock photo I used at the top of the post (you may have to click to enlarge it to see what I mean) that the bed skirt doesn’t come all the way to the corners of the crib because of the supports (and may not work at all depending on the style/if the corners are split.) That will definitely bother me, so I figure I will just cut the bedskirt, then maybe use a diaper pin (or a few quick hand stitches) under the mattress to hold it back in place. The brackets will still be visible though, which is super annoying, but what are you gonna do?

Overall, sure, I wish someone would deliver a crib on my doorstep that didn’t have the paint and bracket issues, but if someone handed me $800, I’d keep the crib we have and use the money for something else!

FTC compliance: I paid normal, retail price for the pictured item. I was not compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own. Post contains Amazon affiliate links.

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All In Two Diapers Cloth Diapers Inserts Natural Fiber One Size Diapers Snap Closure Warranties

Itti Bitti’s Limited Edition Carnivale Print Cloth Diaper / Great Customer Service

itti bitti 1

In March, I posted my Itti Bitti Tutto review. If you’re curious about Itti Bitti Diapers, take a look at that review. I have tons of pictures, plus a video showing how to use the soakers. Anyway, I went to use the diaper a few months ago, and one of the snaps was missing.

itti bitti 2 snap itti bitti 3 snap

I was so confused by what I was seeing. I felt for the snaps a few times before I even actually looked at it, LOL. It looks like what happened was the “cap” part of the snap came off, and the other side then stayed snapped into the front panel of the diaper.

I was definitely not expecting a new diaper (I mean, I didn’t pay for the diaper in the first place!), but I did contact Itti Bitti to let them know what happened. After all, a company can’t address a problem if they don’t know anyone is having it.

itti bitti 4 replacement diaper

I received a response to my email, followed by a new diaper in my mailbox lickety split!

itti bitti 5 side itti bitti 6 back

Itti Bitti sent me one of their limited edition print diapers in the Carnivale print. They have a zebra print too (so cute) and all are the same super soft minky we love. They also have two new products, the minkee blankees and luxury change mats, to match the new diaper prints. The limited edition products will only be available until stock is exhausted, so if there’s one you like, grab it now!

FTC compliance: I received the pictured item as a warranty replacement for an item I originally received at no cost for review purposes (whew, that was a mouthful!) I was not compensated for, or asked to write this post and all opinions are my own.

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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Arm’s Reach Co-Sleeper Winner

cosleeper winner

674 people entered this giveaway, with 1224 entries in all.

The winning entry is #202, which is Laura L. Congratulations Laura, I sent you an email so you can claim your prize!

If you didn’t win, I hope you will buy an arm’s reach co-sleeper (affiliate link). They are fantastic! 🙂

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Friday Giveaway Linky Giveaways Linky

Cloth Diaper Giveaways – Roundup for 1/20/12 (Plus Linky for All Giveaways)

Cloth Diaper Giveaway Roundup

Friday means cloth diaper giveaway roundup time! Here are the cloth diaper, accessory & baby wearing giveaways I found this week.

If you’d like me to list your cloth diaper, accessory, baby wearing (etc.) giveaway next week, send a link and description to maria at change-diapers.com, or Fill out my contact form for readers.

albert

My Bumgenius 4.0 giveaway, sponsored by Kissed by the Moon ends 1/24 RC

The Cloth Diaper Whisperer

*Prizes from Fuzzibunz (no set end date, ends at 25k fans) Entry is through Facebook app, must “like” them on Facebook to enter

*$75 Diva Diapers GC from The Not so Secret Confessions… (ends 1/20) RC

*Leettle Hands & Feet Diapers from The Gnome’s Mom (ends 1/20) RC

Bummis Easy Fit Diaper from Life with Levi (ends 1/20) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Bummis Tots Bots from The Gnome’s Mom (ends 1/20) RC

Pooter’s Fitted from The Gnome’s Mom (ends 1/20) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Fuzzibunz Trainer from FluffyRump and The Gnome’s Mom (ends 1/20) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Applecheeks Diaper from The Gnome’s Mom (ends 1/20) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

GroVia Diaper from The Gnome’s Mom (ends 1/20) RC

Bummis Tots Bots Easy Fit Diaper from The Gnome’s Mom (ends 1/20) RC

*Smartipants Diaper from Daily Mothering (ends 1/21) RC

*GoGreen Diaper from Daily Mothering (ends 1/21) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Tiny Tush Elite Mini from The Not So Secret Confessions… (ends 1/21) RC

*Dick & Jane Diapers from Everything Mom and Baby (ends 1/21) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Smartipants Diaper from Mama’s Baby Cupcakes Mandatory GFC follow (ends 1/21) RC

*Applecheeks Diaper from A Nation of Moms (ends 1/22) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Beco Baby Carrier from The Not So Secret Confessions… (ends 1/22) RC

*Fuzzibunz Diaper from Kissed by the Moon and Simple Mandatory e-mail subscription (ends 1/23) RC

*Applecheeks Diaper from Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 1/23) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Bum Covered Diapers Training Pants from Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 1/23) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Sew is Your Baby Diaper from Oh the Joys of Boys Mandatory newsletter subscription and Facebook “like” and Twitter follow (ends 1/24) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Charlie Banana Diaper from Figure 8 Maternity and Momma In Flip Flops2 (ends 1/24) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Lil B Fitted Diaper from Carolina Cloth & Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 1/24) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

$15 Twin City Diaper Co GC from Life With My Littles Mandatory GFC follow (ends 1/24) RC

*Sew is Your Baby Diaper from Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 1/25) RC

*Mabu Baby Cloth Diapering System from On Being a Mom Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 1/25)

Sunbaby Diaper from Really Are You Serious (ends 1/25) RC

*Mabu Baby Cloth Diapering System from Measuring Flower (ends 1/26) RC

*Bumgenius Freetime from Teeny Turtle and Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 1/26) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Glow Bug Diaper from ELF (ends 1/26) RC

*GoGreen Diaper from Beautifully Bella Faith (ends 1/27) RC

*$20 Kissed by the Moon GC from Under the Apple Tree (ends 1/27) RC

Thirsties Duo Diaper from Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 1/27) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Bottombumpers Package from Diaperco and The Gnome’s Mom (ends 1/27) RC

Tiny Tush Diaper from Life With Levi (ends 1/27) RC

WeePantz Diaper from Measuring Flower (ends 1/27) RC

Sweet Pea Prefold & Cover from First Time Mom Two mandatory Facebook “likes” (ends 1/27) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Sprout Change Diaper from Life with Levi (ends 1/27) Open worldwide RC

Belle Baby Bottoms GC from Life with my Littles Mandatory GFC follow (ends 1/27) RC

*Mabu Baby Diapering System from Daily Mothering (ends 1/28) RC

Smartipants Diaper from Mama on a Green Mission (ends 1/28) RC

Cutesy Tushies Diaper from Thrifty Nifty Mommy Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 1/28) GD

*Applecheeks Diaper from Baby Dickey & Danielle Elwood (ends 1/29) RC

*$20 Rumpeez GC from Eco Baby Mama Drama Mandatory Google+ add (ends 1/30) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

*Maude Baby Diapers from Mommy Needs an Aspirin Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 1/30) RC

*Fuzzibunz Elite from Kissed by the Moon and Padded Tush Stats Mandatory review (ends 1/30) RC

Boba Carrier from Mommy and Me Giveaways Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 1/30) RC

$140 Cloth Diaper Package from The Pistachio Project Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 1/30) RC

Cloth Diaper Package from Just Another Hat (ends 1/30) RC

Comfy Rumps Diaper from On Being a Mom Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 1/31)

Red Barn Diaper from So Easy Being Green (ends 1/31) Open worldwide RC

Softbums Diaper from Kissed by the Moon and Tailor Made Mama (ends 1/31) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Cozy’s Fluff Diaper from Tailor Made Mama (ends 1/31) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Mabu Baby Starter Kit from The Mommy Goods (ends 1/31) RC

Planet Wise Wipes from Earthy crunchy Mama and Under the Apple Tree (ends 2/1) RC

Glow Bug Diaper from Tales from the Nursery (ends 2/2) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Sunbaby Diaper from Measuring Flower (ends 2/3) RC

Incredibum Diaper from Dirty Diaper Laundry (ends 2/3) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Fuzzibunz Diaper from Daily Mothering (ends 2/4) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Rump Arounds Diapers from One Smiley Monkey (ends 2/8) Open to the U.S and Canada RC

Glow Bug Diaper from Just Add Cloth (ends 2/10) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Planet Wise hanging wet bag from Natural Parents Network (ends 2/14) Open to the U.S. and Canada RC

Booty Buns Diaper Mandatory Facebook “like” and friend and Twitter follow and GFC follow (ends 2/14)

*giveaways that have been listed in a prior week’s roundup
RC Entries collected via Rafflecopter
GD Entries collected via Google Docs Form

You may enter any “family friendly” giveaway in the linky below. The form Blog name – Giveaway Item – Ending date works well. Please at least include the item and end date, and link directly to the giveaway.

View my where I list my giveaways post, to find more places to link up your giveaways!

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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Squeem Miracle Vest Winner

squeem winner

298 people entered this giveaway, with 518 entries in all.

The winning entry is #78, which is Shelby E. Congrats Shelby, I’m sending you an email so you can claim your prize!

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