Gear Review: Stokke Sleepi Crib

Of all the baby gear parents consider for their little ones, the crib, in my opinion, is one of the most important selections. The crib is where a baby (eventually) learns to sleep, and whatever product you choose will become that child’s special place to rest, relax, and recharge—while you hopefully do the same.

The best kind of crib is one that’s convertible, meaning it grows with your child from the earliest days until they graduate to a “big kid” bed. This allows their sleeping space to be comfortable and familiar, making sleep transitions easier while accommodating a child’s growth and spatial needs.

The Stokke Sleepi Crib is the ultimate convertible crib. It’s dynamic, attractive, and functional, offering kiddos a comfy place to lay their heads from birth up to age 5. I recently got my hands on one of these beauties in the nick of time to finally transition my 10-month-old to a crib and out of our room. Here’s why the Stokke Sleepi Crib/Bed is a winner in my book—and why you should consider it for your wish list.

Set Up

Having four children, I can attest that assembling a crib is never a breeze, but some are easier than others.

The Stokke Sleepi Crib is put together using two Allen wrenches and a few handfuls of nuts and bolts. While the hardware is simple, I found the instructions to be a bit confusing. First of all, know that the manual is located in a pocket underneath the mattress base and can be easily missed; I didn’t find it until halfway through assembly. (The manual is also easily accessible online in PDF form should you need it.) The instructions also rely on pictures to guide you through the process, which takes time to interpret and complete successfully.

During setup, there were a few instances where I wish pieces would have been labeled to eliminate confusion and wasted time. For example, I accidentally installed a portion of the railing upside down and didn’t realize my mistake until I was closer to completion, and then had to redo a good amount of the progress. A simple “This side up” sticker would have helped me out!

For best results, I would advise setting aside an hour or two to put this product together.

Key Features

Stokke products shine for their quality and thoughtful details that stand out in more ways than one.

Dynamic design

The biggest perk of this crib is its longevity of use. I prefer big-ticket gear that grows with my kids because it’s a single investment of time, and I find it’s easier to use with less of a learning curve overall.

The Stokke Sleepi Crib starts as a mini crib that’s perfect for bedside sleep during the newborn phase. The unique oval shape was designed to be more womb-like for a smoother transition into the world for newbies. And speaking of the oval design, even when assembled as a full-size crib, it takes up less space than a standard crib and can easily fit through most doorways.

This crib converts from the mini version (0-6 months) to the standard crib (up to 18 months) to the open toddler bed (from 1.5-5 years). The openness of the third stage fosters freedom and independence in little ones while still providing that safe, comfortable place they’re accustomed to sleeping in each night.

Knowing my son has what he needs in terms of sleeping arrangements for the next four years—and that the hard part of assembling the product is behind me—provides a bit of relief on my end.

Quality craftsmanship

Let’s just say it: This crib is really pretty. The solid beech wood frame is sleek and smooth, and the non-toxic finish is much-appreciated since my teething tot will likely gnaw on the railing. I’m also fond of the clean lines with curved edges void of sharper corners, all of which point to the classic Scandinavian aesthetic that never goes out of style (which is good considering at $800 this crib is not cheap, and I plan to use it for many years).

Additionally, I love the thoughtful details included in the crib’s design, like the hole plugs to prevent a baby from pinching their little fingers, and the lockable swivel wheels that can be used to help soothe and relax little ones to bed. If you’re not interested in rocking wheels, simply lock them into place to keep the crib stationary.

Breathable mattress

First of all, note that the mattress is sold separately, which is a little disappointing considering the crib is round, and most crib mattresses are rectangular. There are a few mattress alternatives out there, but it’s a gamble to know whether or not they adhere precisely to the distinctive oval shape of the crib’s design. Additionally, the mattress they created for this crib is high-quality, non-toxic, and boasts multiple breathable layers of 3D mesh to promote maximum air circulation. In fact, the Stokke Sleepi Crib meets the highest safety standards for breathability, safety, and restricted substances, such as flame retardants and other toxic chemicals.

Areas for Improvement

While this product certainly prioritizes form and function, there are still a few things worth noting that would improve user experience.

Affordable accessories

As much as I admire the luxury of this product, it comes with a steep price tag, as well as its additional parts. The mattress ($299), mattress protector ($64), fitted sheets for the crib ($49 each), crib liner ($99), and more all have to be purchased from the Stokke website to accommodate the oval mattress and crib design.

If you have the space, it might be worth skipping the Stokke Sleepi Mini stage and putting your baby straight into the Sleepi Crib to avoid making these purchases twice (plus the bed conversion kit) to accommodate different-sized mattresses and proprietary bedding.

Wheel placement

Having the wheels as an option to move the crib from room to room is super helpful, but they stick out on the sides and are not even with the actual frame of the crib. If you have narrower doorways, this might be an issue.

Who Would Enjoy This Product

The Stokke Sleepi Crib is a great option for a family looking to invest in a higher-end product that delivers on longevity and style. Additionally, this product could best accommodate parents wanting a smaller sleeping option for room-sharing with a newborn, but will eventually want to put baby in their own room with a larger crib.

As far as sound sleep goes, my little guy has seemed to enjoy his new crib with no issues. His arms and legs do get stuck in between the bars, so we are awaiting the delivery of the mesh crib liner to keep him more comfortable—and his pacifier off the floor.

While the price is certainly a factor, the quality and sustainability of this important piece of baby gear should also be considered. Having housed a handful of cribs since becoming a parent, I can confidently say that this one is a worthwhile investment if you plan to use it for a few years and that overall, I am satisfied with the Stokke Sleepi Crib.