Types of cribs and their features
1. By type:
- Classical
. It features a laconic design. It is a sleeping place enclosed by bars with the ability to adjust the bottom height. In some versions, one of the sides can be lowered or completely removed.
- Rocking bed
. It has runners instead of legs. The rocking of the baby is neat and gentle - just like in the mother’s arms. It is important that a rocking bed for newborns has a locking mechanism to prevent involuntary rocking. Some options are equipped with wheels; they can be easily moved to any place in the house. They can be supplemented with two small or one spacious drawer for bed linen. They can be used from birth to 3-4 years of age.
- Bassinet/cradle
. Due to its compact size it is suitable even for small apartments. The children are very comfortable in it, they feel protected. Made in an attractive design. At the same time, the cradle is quite functional. For example, it can be equipped with an electronic rocking system that helps calm the baby and put him to sleep faster, as well as night lighting, a removable hood, etc. The set may include baskets for things, soft mattresses, mobiles with toys. Some models transform into a changing table and are also equipped with special carrying straps. When considering this option, remember that on average, a baby cradle is designed for babies from birth to 3-4 months, and only some can be used until they reach 80 centimeters in height - this is approximately one year of age.
- Pendulum bed
. There are longitudinal and transverse. In the first version, the bed swings to the sides, and in the second - back and forth. Such smooth, measured rocking will help quickly calm a suddenly awakened or capricious baby. A crib with a pendulum can be universal, combining both of these methods. The presence of clamps will allow you to use them from the first days of a baby’s life up to 4 years old, without worrying that the grown-up baby will fall out of it. In such models, the front wall is removed and the position of the bottom is adjusted. They are equipped with spacious drawers for storage.
- Transformable bed
for newborns it is very practical - it can be used from the birth of the child until he reaches 5-12 years of age. They differ in the number of constituent elements. For example, an 8-in-1 transformable crib combines a comfortable sleeping place, a changing table and a chest of drawers, extensions, shelves, drawers and other elements. As the child grows, they are all removable and can be used separately.
- In recent years, they have been gaining the trust of parents cots
. For example, such as Sweet Baby Intelletto, Lorelli Danny 2, Nuovita Fortezza, Cam Daily Plus, etc. The special design allows them to be folded compactly, and their low weight makes them easy to transport around the apartment, take them with you on visits, trips or outdoors. Some of them are equipped with a cradle, a diaper changer, and various useful accessories.
2. Based on materials:
- The most common are children's beds made of solid wood. It is they, if all the requirements are met, that are considered the best for babies - they are environmentally friendly, “breathe”, and hypoallergenic.
- Wooden models compete with models made from MDF (tile material made from wood fibers). Products made from it are very reliable and safe, since no harmful resins are used in their production. There are options made purely from MDF, as well as in combination with wood and chipboard.
- Chipboard beds are attractive at an affordable price. However, this material can emit dangerous formaldehyde. Be sure to ask the seller for certificates (hygienic and compliance) to make sure there are no harmful substances.
- The metal stocks have an interesting design. There is no doubt about their durability. They will serve many years and more than one child. A serious disadvantage is the rather high cost.
3. Shape:
In addition to the usual rectangular models, non-standard solutions can also be found on sale today:
— Round crib
. In it, babies are even more cozy and comfortable, and parents are attracted rather by the unusual design and lack of corners. An excellent choice for years to come is a round transformable crib for newborns, for example, Cozy 6 in 1 from the famous Noony brand. It adapts to the child's needs from birth to 10 years. A great example of economy and functionality.
— The most popular oval baby crib is a cozy cradle
. And for practical parents who are accustomed to planning their budget, a beautiful and multifunctional oval transformable crib will be a wonderful choice. Depending on the model, it is also suitable for children up to adolescence.
— Add-on cot for newborns
. Most often performed in the shape of a semi-oval. Its peculiarity is that it can be placed close to the parents' sleeping place. Designed for infants and small in size. The side wall is removable; you can also adjust the height of the bottom and fix the position.
Safety requirements
Special requirements are imposed on the structures and materials from which furniture is made:
- Natural, environmentally friendly materials are used to produce furniture. Most often this is wood (beech, fir, spruce, birch). Typically, cribs are varnished or painted with water-based paints;
- To prevent injury, the shapes of the beds do not have sharp corners or protruding parts. The optimal distance between the fencing rods is 6-8 cm;
- special requirements are placed on build quality. Furniture should hold its shape well, not loosen or creak. Preference should be given to products with steel fasteners;
- To ensure that the crib is well ventilated, it is advisable to take models with a slatted base.
Thanks to a comfortable crib, caring for a newborn becomes easier and more comfortable. Naturally, it’s worth purchasing models that will guarantee your baby’s safety and restful sleep.
How to teach a child to fall asleep in a crib on his own?
Babies especially urgently need the attention of their parents, so they are acutely worried when they are left alone in the crib and begin to be capricious. Psychologists believe that the best time to train them to sleep independently is 1.5-3 months. They recommend putting your baby in his own bed more often, staying nearby, soothing him and talking to him. It's best to feed him when he's awake or about half an hour before his normal bedtime. By this point he will be tired and it will be easier for him to fall asleep without help.
Of course, the conditions in which the child rests and sleeps are also important. He should feel soft, warm and cozy, and for this he needs a high-quality and comfortable bed. It would be a good idea to have a night light with dim light so that the children are not frightened by the darkness in the room.
Selecting a mattress
An important condition for healthy sleep is a properly selected mattress. You can choose from several options.
Universal model
Such products are produced without springs and are perfect for both babies and growing children. The product is equipped with removable covers made of cotton fabrics. The base of the mattress can be polyurethane foam, coconut fiber, latex:
- coconut fiber (coir) will be an ideal base for a mattress for babies from birth to one year. Such models help to evenly distribute the load on the spine, are resistant to moisture, are well ventilated and practically do not cause allergies. When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the description of the filler, since products made from coconut shavings quickly deteriorate and are less breathable;
- latex mattresses are quite expensive, but have a long service life, are environmentally friendly, and exhibit antibacterial properties. Typically, parents choose double-sided products, with coconut filler on one side and a latex layer on the other;
- products made from polyurethane are the most budget-friendly, hypoallergenic and easily restore their shape. Characterized by long service life and durability.
To give the mattress extra firmness, layers of felt are sometimes used. For growing beds, it is better to choose double-sided products, in which the hard side is intended for newborn babies, and the softer side is for babies over a year old.
Some manufacturers produce models with different thicknesses at the edges (the mattress is made higher at the head). It is believed that with such a natural tilt, the baby is less likely to choke when burping after feeding.
Spring
Such models have a more pronounced orthopedic effect. Since newborn babies weigh quite little, the presence of springs is not particularly important. It is better to purchase mattresses for children over one year old. Products are available with or without a frame. Naturally, the frame ensures that the mattress retains its shape for a long time.
Mattress cocoon
This is a relatively new trend in products for newborn babies. This option was proposed by French neonatologists and is intended for infants up to 5-6 months of age. The product has the appearance of a cocoon, which literally recreates familiar and pleasant conditions for the baby, similar to the mother’s womb. Thanks to the soft surface, the mattress takes the shape of the baby's body, which eliminates deformation of the bones of the torso and skull of the newborn.
When choosing any mattress, special attention should be paid to its ability to ventilate. To prevent getting wet, it is recommended to give preference to products with a moisture-resistant coating or a removable cover. To extend the life of mattresses, it is recommended to ventilate your child’s bed daily and vacuum the mattresses every month.
How to choose a crib?
Before purchasing, familiarize yourself in detail with all the characteristics of the model and find out whether it meets your personal and generally accepted requirements. These recommendations will be useful to you when searching:
- Materials
. Of course, environmentally friendly wood is considered the best. The most durable species are beech, alder, birch, and maple. Many factories use pine wood, but it is softer and quickly loses its attractive appearance after children start gnawing on the sides and hitting it with toys.
- Coating
. Exclusively non-toxic paints and varnishes. Carefully study the certificates; they must clearly indicate all the components used. Try scratching the surface of the baby crib - if the varnish comes off easily, you should discard it.
- Assembly
. Check how well the surfaces are processed, whether the bolts and nuts are “recessed” into the wood, and whether there are any sharp corners or cracks. If there is even a minimal gap between the bed elements, the child may be injured. The distance between the rods should not be more than 5-6 cm.
- Design
. Must be strong and stable. If it is a model with a pendulum mechanism, check how its brake locks operate. You cannot do without them when the child grows up and becomes more active.
- Functionality
. Think about how important it is for you to have wheels, a pendulum swing mechanism or runners. Approximately when are you going to buy a crib for a newborn? Maybe it makes sense to buy a transformer?
- Bottom height adjustment
. At first, it will be more convenient for parents to lean towards the little one, and when he gets older, they can avoid the risk of him falling out. It is optimal if the depth from the mattress to the end of the side is at least 60-65 centimeters.
- Removable sides
great advantage. If the baby's sleeping place is next to the parent's, it will be easier for the mother to feed or calm him down.
- Bed bottom
. It is better to refuse a continuous covering, since the mattress will stop “breathing”, and this can provoke the appearance of fungi and cause allergies in the newborn. A slatted bottom, ventilated from all sides, is considered optimal.
- Bed dress
choose especially carefully:
- the mattress must clearly correspond to the size of the bed - it is better to purchase it as a set, then you will be sure that you have not made a mistake.
- choose bed linen from natural, hypoallergenic fabrics - for example, cotton.
- don’t forget about other useful accessories - a bumper to protect children from hitting the bars, special silicone pads to prevent them from chewing wooden crossbars, night lights, as well as mobile phones that will help him fall asleep faster and distract him.
Crib size: current standards
Owners of small apartments, in which every meter counts, have to place a children's bed in a limited space. Standard bed sizes for newborns are 120 by 60 centimeters. In European countries they are slightly larger - 128 by 68 cm. If desired, you can find models in other sizes - narrower or, on the contrary, wider, of different lengths. However, it can be difficult to find a suitable mattress and other bedding for them.
Cribs for newborns: rating of the best, according to our customers
- The Simplicity cradle is trusted by moms and dads, in particular its 3 in 1 model. This is a multifunctional solution with an electronic rocking system, lighting effects, pleasant melodies and removable hanging toys. Optimal for babies from the first days of life to 5 months.
- One of the new products from the Italian brand Chicco that deserves attention is the Baby Hug 4 in 1 crib-chair for babies from birth to 3 years. It combines 4 products: a cradle, a bouncer, a high chair and a first chair for play or creativity.
- The stylish Nuovita Accanto cradle is available in different colors. This option can be used for children from 0 to 6 months as an attached or free-standing crib.
- The Lel crib is receiving positive reviews, in particular, models from the “Kubanochka” series equipped with a pendulum. They are distinguished by thoughtful characteristics and are made of natural wood.
- Affordable price and excellent functionality are the reasons why many parents choose beautiful transformers from TM Island of Comfort.
- Stylish, durable, reliable, Gandylyan cribs - a famous Russian factory - are in great demand. Pendulum, rocking chairs, on wheels, cradles, as well as transformers are made from solid Caucasian beech with safe dyes. The exclusive design of the models attracts attention, for example, truly royal like that of “Tiffany with Rhinestones” or “Sophie Lux”.
How much does a baby cot cost?
- Classics from domestic manufacturers start from about 2 thousand rubles.
- Cute cradles and rocking chairs can be purchased in the range from 4 to 9 thousand rubles.
- Transformers, as well as those equipped with a pendulum mechanism for children, cost on average 10-12 thousand.
- If your financial capabilities allow, you can choose wonderful designer boxes - from 15-20 thousand rubles and above.
Where to buy a children's bed in Crimea and other regions of Russia?
On the pages of our website and for your attention there is a large selection of solutions for organizing the rest and sleep of a baby. We carefully compile our assortment from offers from reputable Russian and foreign manufacturers in order to offer customers the highest quality and most interesting ones. You can buy a crib in Simferopol, Yalta, Sevastopol and Evpatoria in person in our stores, and also have your order delivered to pick-up points in these cities, or by transport companies to any region of the country. Here you can also choose blankets and pillows, bed linen, canopies and many other accessories that provide your child with a restful and healthy sleep.
Why not: the origins of superstitions
Many women are sure that they should not choose and buy clothes, a stroller and other things before the baby is born, but no one can answer why. Grandmothers and mothers say that this is a bad omen, and if you ignore it, complications may arise during childbirth, and the child will have health problems.
Where did these superstitions come from? Previously, children's things were not prepared in advance for the following reasons:
- In the past, people believed that clothes bought or sewn for an unborn baby were the gateway to the penetration of evil spirits from the other world, who “settled” in things and did not want to give them up to the child.
- In peasant families, the dowry for the first-born was prepared by the expectant mother. She knitted and sewed on her own, staying in the same position for a long time. The lack of walks in the fresh air and overwork affected her health and could provoke deterioration of blood circulation in the pelvic organs and complications of the birth process. However, in ancient times, people associated the occurrence of these problems not with medical, but with supernatural reasons.
- Previously, families had many children, and the death of a newborn during childbirth or in the first few days of life was not uncommon. Purchasing new things was economically unjustified.
