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.

Your baby’s crib is an investment, and to get the most value, I prefer a convertible crib that grows with your child from the earliest days until they graduate to a “big kid” bed. This allows for comfortable sleep in a familiar space, making sleep transitions more manageable for your little one while still accommodating a growing child’s spatial needs.

The Stokke Sleepi is the ultimate convertible crib. It’s dynamic, attractive, and functional, offering kiddos a comfy place to lay their heads from birth to age 5. I had this crib on my wishlist for some time and 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 primary bedroom. Here’s why the Stokke Sleepi Bed is a winner in my book.

Set Up

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

We assembled the Stokke Sleepi Bed 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, 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 the 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 I had to redo a good amount of the progress. A simple “This side up” sticker would have helped me out!

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

Key Features

Stokke products shine for their quality, modern Scandinavian design, European beech wood frame, natural materials, and thoughtful details.

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 money, as I find it’s easier to use with less of a learning curve overall.

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

The bed conversion kit transforms the Stokke Sleepi 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

It is no secret that this crib looks good. Available in neutral white, hazy grey, and natural tones, 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 a bit of a splurge, and I plan to use it for many years).

Additionally, I love the thoughtful details 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 help soothe and relax little ones to sleep. If you’re not interested in lockable swivel wheels, simply lock them into place to keep the crib stationary.

Breathable mattress

First, note that the bed mattress is sold separately, which is a little disappointing considering the crib is round, and standard crib mattresses are rectangular. Regardless, 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 the overall experience experience.

Affordable accessories

As much as I admire how luxurious and functional the Stokke Sleepi is, it comes with a steep price tag, as do its additional accessories. The mattress ($319), mattress protector ($69), fitted sheets ($45 each), crib liner ($99), and additional textiles can all be purchased separately to accommodate the unique oval mattress and crib design.

Optional features like a drape rod for the Pehr Sleepi Canopy, and a changing table are all accessories that can be purchased separately to complete your nursery’s stylish aesthetic but may not be worth the hefty price tag.

If you have the space, skipping the Stokke Sleepi Mini stage and putting your baby straight into the Sleepi Crib might be worthwhile to avoid making these purchases twice 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 Bed is an excellent option for a family looking to invest in a higher-end product that delivers 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 get stuck between the bars, so we await the delivery of the mesh crib liner to keep him more comfortable—and his pacifier off the floor.

While the price is undoubtedly 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 the Stokke Sleepi Bed has been a great addition to our home.