The word ‘crib’ in Old English typically referred to ‘a stall’ or ‘a manger’, just like how it is mentioned in the story of Jesus being born in a manger in the Bible.The difference between a mini crib and a crib is very simple. A mini crib is a smaller version of a regular crib, is less expensive usually, and comes in modern designs and features, and also works great in small spaces!With the arrival of a new baby, new parents enter into the world of baby items and equipment. When the time comes for adding things to the room or nursery of a newborn baby, a crib for the baby is going to be one of the most important purchases. At times, it can be an expensive investment too. Keeping the baby safe is always a top priority. The placement of a baby crib, the height of the rails, and the way the crib is constructed can all affect the little one’s safety so extra care must be given to the kind of crib bought for the new baby. You will not have heard of this before but apart from regular cribs, there is another type of toddler bed called a mini crib which is a smaller version of a full-sized crib! Mini cribs, also known as portable cribs or non-standard cribs, are actually much more popular today with new couples and new families than standard cribs. They can also be a real advantage in homes with limited spaces. A mini crib is made to accommodate a baby for a period of 18-24 months. Once this period has passed, a mini crib must be replaced with a standard-size crib. Mini cribs are also not the same size as a playpen and they are much more affordable than standard cribs. It is important to keep in mind that all mini cribs are not the same and most mini cribs come in different shapes according to each brand and crib model. They might be smaller but serve the exact same purpose as regular cribs or standard cribs. Mini cribs also make it easy for mothers as they can keep an eye on their little ones when they go about their day by moving it around. To be precise, full-sized cribs are 28 in (78.1 cm) in width and 52 in (132 cm) in length.The dimensions of standard crib mattresses and standard crib sheets are the same as these too. Any other crib that is smaller than these dimensions comes under the category of a mini crib. In general, a mini crib’s dimensions are 24 in (60 cm) in width and 38 in (96 cm) in length. Again, these dimensions are the same for a mini crib mattress and mini crib sheets but unfortunately, they have to be customized as they are not readily available in the market with the right dimensions. You cannot use regular crib sheets for mini cribs because they pose a suffocation hazard for your baby’s health. A mini crib mattress must have a mini crib sheet. Mini cribs can be useful for babies who are below two years and when the baby’s weight is under 45 lb (20.4 kg). Mini cribs are also perfectly safe for newborns. All babies are different and every baby grows at a different rate, so it is essential to pay attention to the height, not the weight. Mini cribs also have good safety standards for babies to make sure that a baby does not climb over or fall from the crib side. Once the baby becomes a toddler, it is time to shift their sleeping accommodation to a larger crib. This is where mini cribs can become a disadvantage as babies outgrow their mini crib, needing more space and you would then have to shift them to a full-sized crib or regular crib. A convertible mini crib is also a type of mini crib where the crib can be converted into a toddler bed without any rail or open up into a small twin bed! All in all, choosing the right crib for your baby all comes down to the comfortability, affordability, and convenience.If you enjoyed this article on crib vs. mini crib facts, be sure to check out our other articles on the most expensive horse breed and the most expensive chicken that are sure to keep you hooked!What is a mini crib and when to use it?Mini cribs are a smaller version of standard or regular cribs. They can be quite good for homes that have twin babies and want to put two cribs in the same room, or homes that do not have much space to place a full-sized crib or a standard crib. Mini crib sizes are not standardized like regular cribs.For a new family, buying a new crib for a new baby can be a real tedious task. Building the baby’s room and making sure to purchase the right crib for a baby from all the crib models is very important to ensure that the baby’s sleeping habits and movement within the crib are safe too. A mini crib is absolutely safe for newborn babies. They are also a great option when the new family is on a budget or has twins and wants to put two mini cribs in the same room.Nonetheless, this type of crib can be a disadvantage later when the baby outgrows their mini crib and the transition to a standard crib or a full-sized crib will have to be made. In this way, full-sized cribs or standard cribs prove to be better as they can be used as the baby develops in height. In fact, full-sized cribs can even be used in the future too! Full-sized cribs or standard cribs also do not require a lot of maintenance as there is a standard crib or full-sized crib mattress and the same sheets can be used for the full-sized bed. Additionally, the feature of mini cribs being portable helps in easy storage of the crib when not in use, providing more space in the room.What is a crib and why it is used?A baby crib is a small bed that is developed and designed for newborns, babies, and toddlers. It has railings or high bars on the sides of the bed to keep the little one safe and not fall out when moving.A standard crib’s dimensions are 28 in (78.1 cm) in width and 52 in (132 cm) in length as given by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Any other baby bed with smaller dimensions than this is considered to be a mini crib. A standard crib also comes with its own crib mattresses that meet the appropriate dimensions. The kind of crib mattresses you purchase for the crib is also important because a firm and flat mattress will not provide any opportunity for babies to suffocate when they sleep on their stomachs. Furthermore, a firm and flat mattress will also develop the baby’s spinal cord and allow them to develop a healthy body.Difference Between A Crib And Mini CribIt can be difficult to decide which crib is better for a baby. Whether parents choose a mini crib or a full-sized crib, both these cribs serve the same purpose that is to provide a baby with a sleeping bed that meets the best safety standards.Both mini cribs and full-sized cribs have their own specific pros as well as cons. It comes down to what the family feels is best for the baby, taking into consideration the space of the room, the budget of the family, and the number of cribs they’d like to place in the room. Regular size cribs are seen as permanent solutions for a baby’s room. They do not require changing as the baby gains more weight and grows in height. However, when considering mini cribs, there will be a point in time when a bigger bed will be required for the baby as it will outgrow its mini crib. Finding a mini crib mattress and sheets is also difficult because in most cases, they need to be made customized whereas standard cribs come with already fitted crib mattresses. This can save you a lot of trouble.The same sheets can also be used for other regular cribs but with mini cribs, it is not possible to use a mini crib sheet for a regular crib mattress. Mini cribs can also be moved around the house easily, given their portability feature, and can be very convenient for mothers as this allows them to keep an eye on their babies as they go about their daily work too. Some of the best mini cribs can also be folded and stored away making them much more efficient than full-sized cribs where they often need to be dismantled and stored when not in use.Can I use regular crib sheets on a mini crib?Most mini crib models do not come with a mini crib mattress and mini crib sheets. If you buy a mini crib for your baby, you should also invest in mini crib sheets that are custom-made. Mini crib sheets are not readily found or available in the market.Most parents will tell you that it is best to get these sheets fitted and custom-made according to the structure and model of the mini crib mattress. However, others will also let you know that it is perfectly fine if you need to use a regular-sized crib sheet for a mini crib. Experts also say that some standard crib sheets pose a suffocation hazard for babies so it is usually best to avoid doing this and buy properly sized sheets for a mini crib.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked reading Mini crib vs. crib: the toddler bed dilemma explained, then why not take a look at facts about all the animals with shells or if wolf spiders are poisonous.

The word ‘crib’ in Old English typically referred to ‘a stall’ or ‘a manger’, just like how it is mentioned in the story of Jesus being born in a manger in the Bible.