We do the 4 in 1 cribs. Because then you use them forever. The go from crib to toddler bed (same mattress) to day bed (bigger kid bed) to full size bed. We also have a bassinet AND a play yard. We have found as we have had more kids (this is #4) that they play yard can travel with you where ever you go and baby always has a familiar place to sleep. No matter where you are.
We are starting off with a pack n play that has a napper and a bassinet and then when he gets bigger we'll be gettin' him a convertible crib. The pack n play helps as It's portable and you can juss wheel him from your bedroom to the kitchen or living room or where ever your goin' to be. Or you can take It to Granny's house by folding It up and takin' It In the car. I personally believe It's a good Investment.
I would definitely invest in a crib that converts into a toddler bed, etc as they grow. We got a nice sturdy espresso convertible crib on sale at walmart for $153.
We plan on putting our twins in a pack and play in our bedroom for the first few weeks and then put them in their own cribs in their bedroom after that.
I have a pack n play in our room for when baby gets here and it turns into a basenett too then I have one of those cribs that they can use forever basically in his bedroom
I have a crib, play yard, bassinet, and rock n play. Play yard for going out to family. Basdinet for the first two weeks. Rock n play for just layinh around the house. Crib that converys for sleeping when shes out the bassinet.
I'm doing pack n play in our room. Crib in own room. Then once he's sleeping threw the night the PNP will be downstairs.
personally I have a lot of friends with kids so I asked them the same thing. They all suggested a play yard to me because a crib is just too heavy too move if want too (I plan on moving after baby is born) and also cribs are double the money vs. a play pen. However I was looking into the cribs that turn into a bed for when the baby gets older. If u do go the crib route I suggest those kind so u get ur moneys worth and not just a couple years worth.. then again I'm a ftm too just my opinion :)
The baby is defiantly going to be in our bedroom & i want him next to the bed right by me.
If you don't plan on cosleeping with baby then you'll need a crib.. If you have a seperate room from baby then a bassinet to go next to your bed for when baby is new is really nice to have as well. This time around I got the fisher price rock n play bassinet, it's nice cus it folds up so you can store it out of the way if you need to.
I have a cradle for next to the bed when baby arrives and a crib for babies room but im going to be keeping a play yard downstairs (our bedroom and babys is upstairs) for naps and what not