Baby crib, what is it?

A newborn baby spends the first months of his life mainly in the crib, so it is very important that this accessory is not just unusually beautiful. Aesthetics, of course, is not the last criterion, but the baby does not understand it. This is what parents need. The child is much more important than other indicators and characteristics of the crib. So how to choose a crib so that it is not a black sheep in the interior, and the child is comfortable in it?

Where is the bed?

Before you visit the store, think about where you are going to put the baby's crib. Answer: in the nursery - is not always correct. Even if you have the opportunity to allocate an entire room to the child, at first the crib will have to be placed in your parent's bedroom. This is especially true when the baby is restless and requires constant attention.

Try to place the crib in a place where there will be enough light, warmth and where there will be no problems with the flow of fresh air. Never place a crib under a radiator or right next to a window. Never hang anything above a baby's crib. We are talking about shelves, lamps and other household items. This could lead to tragedy.

Having decided on the location of the accessory, take a tape measure and make sure that the crib can really fit there. Focus on the standard settings. On average, its dimensions are 120cm x 60cm.

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How to choose a crib: classification of types

Modern manufacturers offer cribs of the following types:

1. Cradles.
2. Classic beds.
3. Rocking beds.
4. Transformer beds.
5. Beds-arenas.
6. Bunk models.

Let's look at each option in detail.

cradles

"The main problem is how to choose a baby cot-cradle in the modification"

These small beds have an original design. The cradle is attached to two racks on high legs. This model is good for the smallest children. It can be used somewhere up to six months, until the baby learns to rise to its feet. Then it becomes unsafe to operate. The swinging cradle, although it is fixed with stoppers, however, the risk of turning over for the child is still great.

Modern cradles are woven from wicker, made of wood, chipboard, metal, plastic. But the main problem, how to choose a baby crib, is different, namely, in the modification. In stores, you can find cradles of the simplest model, in which the child needs to be crammed by hand, and with an electronically programmable motion sickness system, with light and musical accompaniment, and bright hanging toys. Such a cradle will put the child to sleep by itself.

Pros:

First of all - comfort.For a baby, being in the cradle is associated with the time spent in the mother's womb, so the newborn sleeps more peacefully.

In second place is compactness. The cradles are small in size, so they take up little space and can be easily rearranged.

Minuses:

Designed for short service life. The child quickly grows out of the cradle and parents again have to face such a dilemma as to choose a crib again.

Classic wooden cribs

The most affordable option. Suitable for children under the age of three. For convenience, modern designs are equipped with an adjustable bottom and a removable side. The latter can be omitted or, if necessary, removed altogether.

Pros:

Wooden cribs are always eco-friendly. The material "breathes" and is warm in itself. The child enjoys contact with him.

Price for everyone. The simplicity of design and affordable materials make the classic crib a priority for many new parents.

Minuses:

In such a bed, it will not be possible to rock the child.

In the absence of wheels on the legs, it is not very convenient to rearrange the bed.

rocking beds

This type of crib is also equipped with such a useful function as rocking the baby. This effect is available either due to the presence of a pendulum mechanism, which moves only the cradle itself, preventing its legs from moving, or runners. In the latter case, the entire structure sways. In the first case, a locking latch is provided, which is needed to prevent involuntary rocking of the cradle at an unforeseen moment. For a rocking chair on skids, removable wheels serve as a stopper. Such a decision, how to choose a crib on skids, can turn into some inconvenience, because in order to reproduce the rocking movements, you have to remove the wheels every time.

In the age limit, rocking beds are also designed for infants.

Pros:

Environmental Safety. Such beds are almost always made of wood, and we have already talked about the benefits of this material. The second advantage is the presence of wheels, which makes the cribs easy to move and mobile. The simplicity of the design makes the cost of the product low, which also adds popularity to rocking chairs.

Minuses:

A rocking chair not equipped with wheels is not useful for long-term operation. As soon as the child learns to sit, it will have to be changed.

Transforming beds

Today, perhaps, there is no better solution how to choose a transforming crib. In its design there are many such necessary, and note, removable elements, such as:

1. Shelves.
2. Drawers.
3. Side boards.
4. Baby changing table.
   

   bed-transformer with side shelves

In addition, such a bed from a very childish one can easily be converted into a sleeping place for a teenager.

Model options:

a) a set with a changing table.

The design of this bed has a folding or retractable changing table, under which there are several drawers for storing things and items necessary for caring for the baby;

b) design with drawers.

This is a kind of symbiosis of a bed and a chest of drawers. The drawers in this model can be located on the side and very much resemble a real chest of drawers, or they can be installed at the bottom and be retractable. For ease of operation, in the latter case, the drawers are mounted on wheels.

Pros:

Naturally, as they begin to choose a transforming crib, its versatility is put in the forefront. This is very true for small apartments. Parents do not have to spend money on additional shelves and put a separate table for changing procedures.With such an acquisition, everything you need to care for your baby will be concentrated in one place.

This leads to the second benefit - saving space. It is logical that one bed will take up much less space than a set of children's furniture consisting of separately placed items.

Extended operation. The service life of such a bed is not limited to three years, because it can easily be transformed into a more spacious bed, on which a teenager will also sleep comfortably.

Minuses:

Price. When deciding what to do: choose a transforming crib or look for something simpler, think that a product, in the design of which several multi-functional furniture items are combined at once, a priori cannot be cheap.

Massiveness. It is difficult to move a model crib around the room alone, because its weight is quite solid.

The lower drawers in such beds are often not equipped with lids, so the things lying in them always remain in sight, which is not always aesthetically pleasing, and besides, the contents gather dust.

Cribs

Cribs of this type are distinguished by their fabric walls. There are several secrets on how to choose a crib, part-time playpen, so that the child is comfortable in it. Look for a model where nets will be sewn into the fabric walls from several sides so that the child can observe what is happening around. For older children in such a crib, an arena should be provided with an entrance that closes with a zipper.

Another important characteristic of the product will be its brightness. The color scheme of such beds should always be full of colors, and rightly so, because in such a bed the child will not only sleep, but also play.

Pros:

The crib weighs very little, which allows it to be easily moved to the place where it will be convenient to observe the awake or sleeping child. In addition, playpens can be folded like folding beds, so you can always take them with you to the country.

The second positive feature is the coloring. Children love the brightness around them. In such an environment, it is more fun to play. With the help of painted walls, it will be easy for a child to learn to distinguish colors, and this is also a big plus.

Minuses:

The design of this type of crib does not provide for rigid rods, which means that a small child will not be able to rise to its feet in it on its own.

Low bottom. Parents will have to train the spine to put their child in the crib or remove it from there.

Bunk beds

About how to choose a bunk crib, parents of children of the same age or twins usually think. For newborns, this option, of course, is unacceptable, but starting from the age of three, this model will become a classic. The beauty of a bunk bed is that it provides two sleeping places, which are located one above the other. Such beds are made not only from wood. There are options made of durable plastic. These species delight with a variety of color designs and an interesting exterior. They are much easier to take care of.

Transforming bunk beds are especially popular, which can easily be disassembled and become two separate sleeping places that can be placed in different corners of the room.

Often, parents go to such a step as to choose a similar design of a crib for one child. But instead of the lower berth, there will be a built-in desk and perhaps even a modest locker with comfortable shelves.

Pros:

Natural ergonomics.On a modest area, it is possible to place two beds at the same time, and this is incredibly convenient and saves the situation when a family lives in a small apartment. In addition, bunk beds easily fit into any stylistic interiors and are loved by the children themselves.

Minuses:

Dimensions. The bed cannot be brought assembled to where it is planned to be installed. You will need the help of experts to install it.

Beds of this design are unsafe. The fall of a child from the upper tier or the stairs leading to it is quite likely, unfortunately. You need to keep this in mind and, perhaps, take the step of sacrificing space, but choosing a baby bed with a retractable ladder with wide steps and restrictive railings. Also, make sure that the sides of the upper tier have sufficient height. Make sure the bed is strong. To do this, you can lie in it yourself. She should not stagger and squeak suspiciously. Since the bed is for children, they sometimes use it for other purposes. Toddlers often turn it into a trampoline and the bindings must withstand this.

You will have to pay a tidy sum for a bunk bed, but if you compare its price with the cost of two separate sleeping places for children, then the decision to purchase the first option will be more profitable.

Not everything can go smoothly from the point of view of psychology. Disputes can and do arise between children about who and where will have to sleep. The best solution would be to draw up a "schedule". Children can change places every other day or every other week.

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Crib material

“How important is it to choose a crib without varnishing, polishing or paint, because the child loves to try the railing for a tooth!”

How can you choose a crib without knowing the properties of the material from which it is made? No way! This indicator is one of the most important. The best raw material unconditionally remains wood, because it "breathes". You can not be afraid to wash the tree, because it dries quickly.

In addition to solid wood, baby cribs are allowed to be made from plastic and wood boards, however, on one condition - these materials should not have toxic inclusions.

The most durable will be cribs:

• from beech;
• alder;
• birch;
• maple.

Pine, although softer than the above-mentioned counterparts, nevertheless, cribs from it can be found at least. But you must be prepared that scratches and traces of other children's influences on it will be fixed on the pine frame.

And how important it is to choose a crib without lacquer coating, polishing or paint, because the child loves to try the railing so much! If the model you like nevertheless underwent such processing, then ask the seller what kind of composition was used for this. It categorically should not contain lead, otherwise the crib will be dangerous for operation.

See also that the surface of the bed is completely smooth and does not contain burrs, knots. Run your finger over it. If you feel nicks or roughness, then you should not take such a product. The child may develop splinters and scratches.

In the design of a crib, not only wooden parts can be used, the main thing is that there are not very many of these elements. Check before taking a bed whether such inclusions will be dangerous for the child.

How to choose a crib made of natural material, because modern technologies perfectly disguise wood-like plastic? Request a hygiene certificate for the product.Every conscientious seller will definitely have one, and they will show it to you without further ado. It will clearly state what exactly this bed is made of.

Remember that even a super-quality crib, however, like any new thing, will have a specific smell, so you need to buy it a few weeks before use so that it “ventilates”.

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Design features

The child should not feel cramped in the crib, so take spacious models that will be as comfortable as possible for the baby. The bottom of a good crib should be adjustable in at least two positions: deep and medium. This will make it easier for you to put your baby down. When the baby grows up, you lower the bottom to a greater depth. This will keep him from falling out of the crib. How to choose the right crib for these indicators? See that the bottom position of the bottom is no higher than 65 centimeters from the top of the railing.

Some cribs have a non-adjustable bottom. The upper bar of the railing copes with the task of the height regulator. By lowering it, you can also carefully place a sleeping baby in the crib.

Toddler beds make:

1. On legs.
2. Wheels.
3. Skids.

The first model is classically stable. There are no problems with it, however, as well as additional comfort. The second and third options facilitate motion sickness, however, they must be equipped with clamps that stop the involuntary movement of the crib.

Pay attention to the density of the rods that make up the wall of the crib. They should not be installed like a palisade, but the distance between them cannot be more than 8 cm, then the legs and arms of the child will not get stuck in the lattice. How nice it will be if you choose a crib in which some of the bars are removable! In the future, by removing them, you will make it easier for the grown-up child to get out of the crib.

For some models, the entire front wall is removed. These types of beds are purchased if they are planned to be brought close to the parent bed. Mom gets the opportunity to feed the baby without getting up.

The appearance of diapers eliminated the need to regularly dry mattresses, but it would still be better if the bottom of the crib was made of slats.

The presence of drawers and other additional accessories in the design of the crib is not mandatory, but they add comfort to parents, so whether or not to be is up to you.

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Safety

How to choose a crib in terms of safety? Need to look at:

- the presence of untreated surfaces, cracks, crevices, holes, because this is a source of minor injuries for the child, such as splinters, abrasions, etc.

- the distance between the slats of the back. The head of the child should not pass between them, but the limbs should not get stuck either.

- the quality of fastening of the sides and the bottom, as well as to check the presence of a mechanism that fixes the moving wall with high quality.

- the presence of a coating and, if any, then make sure that the material used for this is non-toxic.

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Strength

The safety of the child will not be ensured if the crib is not initially strong. Therefore, the strength of fasteners and joints of parts must be checked with particular passion.

Do not buy a crib if you see that the body is made of cracked wood or low-grade material with knots. Such a product will quickly fail.

Crib decor

The desire of parents to turn a crib for a baby into something fabulously beautiful is understandable.Let's see how to choose decor elements for a crib so that there is no bust. Manufacturers offer musical mobiles, canopies, fabric bumpers, toys in this capacity. If you want to hang a canopy, then discard the fabric bumpers. The baby's crib must be adequately ventilated. If you hang toys, then there should be no more than two and a medium size. When the baby is sleeping, it is better to take them off.

The list of necessary attributes includes a mattress, linen and a blanket. Children older than a year can put a small pillow. When the child begins to rise on his legs, protective fabric bumpers may appear in the crib. They will save the baby from bruises. What swings the canopy, in functional terms, this thing is practically useless, although it can be used to protect the child from insect attacks. If you have made a decision on how to choose a canopy to decorate a crib, then know that this accessory will quickly accumulate dust, so it will need to be washed very often.

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Baby bed

In a set of children's bed should be:

1. A blanket.
2. Pillow.
3. Oilcloth.
4. Duvet covers.
5. Sheets.

Don't buy too much. Practice shows that a pair of duvet covers and bottom sheets, as well as four top sheets, is enough.

Make sure the fabric of the sheets is soft. It is great if they are made of flannel, chintz, terry.

The pillow should appear in the child's bed only after a year, until this moment it can be replaced by an ordinary flannelette diaper, folded several times.

From the age of three, the child's pillow should match the width of the crib. Give preference not to grandmother's feather options, in which the child's head "sinks", but to products with modern eco-friendly fillers.

How many blankets should there be and how to choose them for a crib? You will cover the child with two types of blankets, depending on the season: woolen and light quilted. Both should be made from hypoallergenic material. An ironed duvet cover is always put on a blanket.

An oilcloth should be placed under the sheet. It is better to buy medical. It is non-slip and breathable. The child will feel comfortable on it.

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Baby mattress

Try to get a crib that comes with a mattress. If this is not possible, then it will have to be searched separately. You will need to know the exact dimensions of the crib. When buying a mattress, look at its stiffness, filling material and lining. The best solution, how to choose a coconut mattress in a crib, today cannot be. Forget about old cotton models. The coconut mattress is not allergic. There are combined options for mattresses, in which one side is stuffed with coconut fiber, and the other with synthetic filler. It is better for newborns to sleep on the synthetic side, and from six months the mattress is turned over.

Don't look for overly soft mattresses. The child should sleep on a flat, moderately hard surface, then his spine will not be at risk of deformation.

Children's mattresses should be packed in removable covers that can be removed and washed if necessary.

And one more piece of advice. No matter how difficult it is for you, never take a used mattress to your child. You will never be able to disinfect it well, and therefore put your child at risk of catching some kind of infection.

Conclusion

We hope that the question of how to choose a crib has been fully disclosed and now, having gone to purchase it, you will certainly be able to find exactly the model in the assortment variety that will really become for your baby a cozy place to sleep and a safe corner for games.

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Photo gallery - how to choose a crib:

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