Combining a few different ideas that I saw online, I decided to build a crib platform for my toddler’s mattress that would allow us to lower it an additional 3 inches.  Really, we could have lowered it up to 4.5 inches, but I am pregnant so I wanted to still be able to lay him in the crib without having to drop him the last few inches.  I had my plan in place, so I enlisted my dad (aka the man who owns a saw) to help me turn it into reality.

Here’s what we did:

Step 1: Measure the crib

From this step, I knew that I needed a crib platform that would be 27″ wide x 51″ long x 8.5″ high.  Note, I opted to go a 1/2″ smaller than the actual measurements for length and width so that it would be easier to move the crib platform once it was in place.  If you don’t have a tape measure handy, you can always look up the measurements of the crib mattress that you own. Most standard cribs are similar size.

Step 2: Cut your wood to size

My dad helped with this part (yay for dads) since I do not own a saw, yet.

2 x 51″ long 2 by 4 pieces

5 x 23″ long 2 by 4 pieces

6 x 8.5″ high 4 by 4 posts

1 x 51″ x 27″ x 1/2″ piece of flat wood

Step 3: Line up the 2 by 4s to make the frame then screw them together

We screwed 2 screws to connect the wood at each connection point (see photo).

 

Step 4: Put the 6 8.5″ post in place.  Screw these into place

We also used 2 screws at each connection point to attach the posts (each arrow = 2 screws in the photo).  It is important to make sure that when you are screwing the posts on, that the legs are all flush with the top of the frame.  This will ensure that your legs are all the same length and that the crib platform is level.

 

 

Step 5: Put the top on your frame

Now that you have your frame and legs in place, you can put the top on your toddler’s new crib platform.  Put the 51″ x 27″ x 1/2″ piece of wood on top and screw it to the frame.  We put a screw in each corner and then added additional screws around the edge to connect it.

 

Step 6: Sand the edges

Once everything was put together, I ran sanded along the edges to get rid of any rough edges that might catch my crib skirt.

Step 7: Remove existing mattress platform from your crib

This step was pretty simple. Take the metal platform off of your crib.  For us, we just had to remove 4 screws, remove the platform and then replace the screws since the same screws were also attaching the bottom of the crib rail.

Step 8: Put the crib platform in place

Once put together, the crib platform is pretty heavy.  You will likely need 2 people for this to ensure that you do not damage your walls.

Step 9: Replace bed skirt and put your mattress back in place

Once your bed skirt is in place, you will not be able to see the unfinished wood of the crib platform anymore.  Congratulations, your crib mattress is now 3 inches lower.

 

To read about the other two changes we made to our routine to help stop crib climbing, read about them here.