At what age do you need a separate crib for a newborn?

Determine the basic requirements for a crib for a newborn in each specific case

Even its size matters; depending on the weight of the baby and the free space in the room, you need to choose a larger or smaller crib.
The vast market for children's products offers many options for cribs for newborns, it is difficult to determine which one is right for you. Especially if the child is the first, the parents have no experience, and it is difficult to imagine what is important and what is not when choosing a crib for a newborn. Let's look at a few of the most common models to make it easier to choose a crib for a newborn, already understanding all their features, advantages and disadvantages.

Is it possible to buy and collect in advance before the birth?

Many mothers during pregnancy, believing in folk signs and superstitions, leave the choice of a crib and many other things for the period after the birth of the child. It is believed that a crib purchased and assembled in advance is a sign of trouble. A ready-made place for the baby is especially painful in the event of a negative birth outcome.

Reference! It is a woman’s mood, her emotional state that largely determines the process of childbirth itself. The expectant mother should focus on positive emotions. The baby should feel needed and desired. Then all negative signs and beliefs will pass by. So you can buy and assemble a crib before giving birth!

The most common cribs for newborns

Cradle or placed in a crib, cradle

A cradle is a regular crib in which a cradle is attached. Choosing a crib for a newborn in the form of a cradle or cradle means placing him immediately after birth in an environment familiar to him. After all, in my mother’s stomach he had limited space and a slight sway while she walked. And these crib models for a newborn basically repeat the comfort that he experienced before birth. In the cradle and cradle, the space in which the baby lies is also limited, and both models can be easily rocked. In addition, cradles and cradles are usually made of very light materials, wood or wicker, so they are mobile and easy to move; some models are equipped with wheels. Due to their small size, they take up little space; this feature is important if the apartment is small, one-room.

Advantages

• Comfort for a newborn,
• Compactness,
• Mobility,
• Environmentally friendly.

Disadvantages • At a fairly high cost, short-term use. A child can sleep in such a crib only until 5-6 months, then it will be too small for him and he may fall out of it.

Traditional wooden crib

If you have enough space in the room where the baby will sleep, and the cost of necessary things matters, then it is best to choose a regular wooden crib for a newborn. This is a relatively inexpensive model, but it has a lot of advantages.

Advantages

• Low cost compared to other cribs,
• Environmental friendliness,
• The ability to move the crib around the room if there are wheels (for stability of the crib, the wheels can be secured with clamps) or the possibility of motion sickness if there are runners,
• Duration of use, a child can sleep in such a crib from birth to 3 years,
• Ease of use due to the double level of the bottom, the presence of a removable side that can be lowered or removed, and the presence of drawers at the bottom in which you can store children's clothes.

Disadvantages • Such models are equipped with either runners or wheels, that is, you need to choose what is preferable, motion sickness or the ability to move. Although, some models of such cribs are equipped with both wheels and runners.

Cot-playpen

For parents who are mobile and like to travel with their baby, it is preferable to choose a playpen for a newborn. This name combines models of folding cribs that also have the function of a playpen. They are made of lightweight materials: metal, special plastic, fabric, are easy to disassemble and assemble, and easy to clean. As the baby grows up, he can not only sleep in such a crib, but also play independently while his mother is busy. Just like the classic model, this crib has a two-level bottom, but in size it differs from the usual one, the playpen crib is lower and wider. The playpen can be used until the child is 3 years old.

Advantages

• Duration of use
• Mobility: ease of movement not only in the apartment, but also the ability to use while traveling,
• Possibility of use as a playpen,

Disadvantages • It is difficult for a growing baby to stand up on his own, since the playpen does not have rigid parts that he can hold on to when standing up.

Transformable bed

Just by the name of the crib it is clear that this is very multifunctional furniture. Transformable beds come in two types, rectangular and oval. If you choose such a crib for a newborn, first of all, you need to figure out what kind of furniture it can still be converted into; different models of such cribs have a variety of transformation possibilities. An oval transformable crib can become a cradle, a playpen, a children's sofa, armchairs with a table, and increase in size. The rectangular one has a changing table, a small chest of drawers with drawers and shelves, and it can also be increased to such a size that even a primary school student can sleep in it.

Advantages

• Multifunctionality,
• Long service life.

Flaws

• High price,
• Forced stationarity, due to its size and weight it is difficult to move,
• Possible loss of attractive appearance due to long service life.

Add-on cot

Those mothers who expect to place the baby after birth not only in their bedroom, but also position the crib so that they do not have to get up to him at night, should choose an additional crib for a newborn. The side wall of such a crib folds back, and it can be placed close to an adult bed. It is convenient because at night, without getting up, you can feed and calm the baby. In addition, such psychological and physical closeness during sleep is very calming and useful for both mother and baby. The advantages of this model are obvious, but the main disadvantage is the impossibility of motion sickness; such cribs usually do not have runners or any other elements for motion sickness.

These are the main types of cribs for newborns. There are also rocking beds, pendulum beds, and iron beds. Rocking chairs and pendulums are almost no different from ordinary wooden cribs, except for the presence of runners on the rocking chairs, and the pendulum mechanism on the pendulum crib. Both models perform the function of motion sickness. Metal cribs have approximately the same design as wooden ones, the only difference is that they are made of metal.

is no less important , read about it here!

Baby dowry: my list. Basics

Some people think that buying a dowry for a baby before his birth is a bad omen. I don’t believe in omens and believe that it is better to buy the necessary things in advance.
Believe me, when you return from the maternity hospital with your baby, you will no longer have time for shopping. When I was pregnant with Alice, I pestered all my friends who had children with the question about the dowry. Of course, I didn’t immediately run to buy everything on their lists, but they gave me, so to speak, a guide. Also, I found a lot of useful information about dowry on the Internet on various “mom” sites and forums. Now it's time for me to share my baby packing list.

I would like to immediately give you one important piece of advice on this topic.

When you make your dowry list, don't run to the first children's store you come across. So you risk spending a lot on a bunch of things that may not be useful to you at all. Don’t be lazy, take the time to read reviews about specific things, for example, about a specific stroller model and monitor prices on the Internet. Also, if possible, look at the stroller model in person in the store and only then buy it. So, with a very high degree of probability, you will buy something that will not disappoint you later.

So, girls, I present to you my list of things for a newborn in the first months, compiled and adjusted taking into account the birth of two daughters with a difference of 2.3 years.

BASIC

The final stage, what to look for when choosing a crib for a newborn

So, you have decided which crib to choose for a newborn. Now, you need to pay attention to some features and safety elements of the crib you have chosen:

1. There should be no sharp corners and unreliable latches, latches in which the baby can injure the handle, there should be no unevenness or roughness, the surface of all elements of the crib should be smooth,
2. The presence of protective pads made of soft non-toxic materials on the handrails of the crib; during teething, the baby may try to gnaw on the handrails; such pads are not always included with the crib, they can be purchased separately,
3. The bottom and sides of the crib should not be solid, completely closed, for ventilation,
4. The cross bars on the sides of the crib should be wide enough so that your baby can stick his hand through them without getting stuck, but not so wide that he can stick his head through them and get stuck. 6-8 centimeters is the most optimal width of the space between the cross bars of the crib.
5. All elements and parts of the crib must be firmly and reliably connected, all fastening bolts and nuts must have rounded plugs,
6. You should not choose a crib for a newborn with various decorations, such “beauties” usually have sharp and uneven edges, there is a high probability of injury,
7. The mattress for the crib must correspond to its size and be filled with hypoallergenic natural material, for example, bamboo material, coconut flakes, dry seaweed,
8. The presence of a two-level bottom. When the child grows up and can get up and fall out of the crib, the bottom is lowered,
9. Rocking cribs and cribs with wheels should have special latches that will keep the crib stationary as he grows up.

Choosing a crib for a newborn correctly, taking into account everything: the weight of the child, the dimensions of the apartment, the habits and capabilities of the parents, means providing him with peace and comfort in the first months of life, and for himself the most optimal conditions for caring for him.

Baby carriage

Yes, this is one of the first things that close relatives and friends give for the birth of a baby or are bought by young parents themselves. But I am convinced: until your baby is born, you will not be able to understand what exactly a stroller for a newborn should be. This is one of the most expensive items in a child’s “dowry,” so it’s better not to rush and see what your life will be like in your new quality, and only then invest money in this purchase.

If you are determined to stock up on a stroller even before giving birth, study the issue thoroughly. Read reviews on the Internet and think about your lifestyle - what features inherent in certain strollers seem especially important to you? Ask your friends who already have children what they like or don’t like about their strollers. If you see your dream stroller on the street, don’t be shy and contact the parents who are carrying their child in it and ask if it is as good as it seems.

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How to organize a sleeping place for your baby? These 12 rules for placing a crib in a child’s room will help.

The bed is perhaps the most important element of a nursery. After all, the child’s health and mood depend on the organization of the sleeping place, whether he will be cheerful, energetic or, conversely, lethargic and restless. The crib should give the baby a feeling of security and peace. To create such an atmosphere, you need to position it correctly and create a calm, peaceful environment in the sleep area. There are many subtleties to this in Feng Shui. It doesn't matter which crib model you choose. But there are several requirements for a children's bed that are important to consider. Firstly, the bed must have a back, and a solid one. Semicircular and rectangular backs are considered favorable, while beveled, wavy, lattice, triangular, copper and twig backs are considered unfavorable. Secondly, the bed should not be too narrow. Children spin around in their sleep, and if the bed is narrow, the child may fall out of it. Thirdly, do not buy round beds or beds on wheels for children: such beds symbolize instability, and the child will grow up nervous and restless. 1. Place the crib so that the baby, lying on it, can see those entering the room. The best bed positions are: near the side wall, with the head of the bed against the wall and diagonally across the room. 2. Under no circumstances place the bed directly opposite the door: positioning your feet towards the door in a dream is associated with death (remember the expression “carrying it forward with your feet”). 3. If the layout of the room does not allow a different position, make sure that the bed has a high enough headboard on the side of the legs, or separate the bed from the door using a screen, furniture or a row of plants on stands: the main thing is that the improvised fence is higher than the level of the bed . 4. The same should be done if the bed is positioned with the foot or head of the bed facing the window. The position of the bed along the same wall as the toilet is also not conducive to good sleep: the toilet is a powerful source of negative energy. In this case, the bed must be moved away from the wall by at least half a meter. 5. As a child, my bed stood like this for a long time, and I slept on it disgustingly: I couldn’t fall asleep, or I had nightmares. My parents knew nothing about Feng Shui; at that time such books had not yet been published, so they could not help me. And you know, which means you can help your children! Remember the main rule: if a child does not sleep well in his crib and constantly runs over to you at night, then a rearrangement is required. 6. The position during sleep is of decisive importance for the baby’s well-being. Therefore, this issue needs to be taken seriously. If he sleeps with his head in the right direction, he will not have health problems, his sleep will be sound and healthy, and his dreams will be light and pleasant. Otherwise, the baby will suffer from insomnia, fears, nightmares or illness. 7. The ideal position is to head north, since in this case the person finds himself lying along the magnetic lines of the Earth. This position promotes peace, good health and rapid healing from illnesses. 8. It is good to sleep with your head facing east, following the course of the celestial bodies. Since ancient times, the East has been associated with growth, development, flourishing; it is the center of the mind and mental forces. Therefore, the energies of this direction are beneficial for the baby. And in the summer heat, this position gives a feeling of coolness. 9. Sleeping with your head to the west increases sensitivity, makes the child more emotional and sensitive. This is an ideal position for creatively gifted children. 10. But if a child’s head is turned to the south in a dream, he will most likely sleep poorly and get sick often. If it is impossible to change the position during sleep (for example, the child ends up lying with his feet towards the door), attach a small mirror at the child’s head, on the outside of the headboard, with its reflective surface facing south: this will soften the adverse effect. 11. When choosing a direction for sleep, you can also be guided by the favorable and unfavorable directions of your child. 12. It is important not only the position of the bed relative to the front door and the direction in which the baby sleeps, but also in which direction of the world it is located. It happens that some sector of the room is not energetically suitable for a particular child. In such a place, he does not recover, experiences severe discomfort and, as a result, begins to behave as “difficult”. This is how he shows you that he feels bad and doesn’t know how to solve this problem. In this case, try to rearrange the room, guided by favorable and unfavorable directions. In Feng Shui, it is believed that these directions begin to work from the age of 10, but who knows, maybe your baby is an exception to this rule. Let him take part in the rearrangements and choose his own place to sleep. Children feel energy fields and pick up intuition signals better than adults, so the place indicated by the child is most likely to be successful.

But to ensure your baby’s sleep is calm and pleasant, do not forget to take care of his hygiene. You can order diapers, baby cosmetics and other products for children in the online hypermarket “Monastyrev.rf”. In addition to attractive prices, discounts on purchases await you. See the store website for details.

Blanket for baby

You should purchase two blankets for your baby: a thin one and a warm one. When a baby is born in winter, you should choose a warm blanket of a small size and a thin, larger one, because by summer the baby will grow significantly. For children born in the summer, everything should be done the other way around.

For a newborn's crib, a thin blanket can be a type of blanket made from natural or artificial fabrics. It will be a solution in the warm period of the year and in the off-season. When choosing a warm blanket, you should remember that the child needs to be warm, but without overheating, which is much more dangerous for the baby compared to hypothermia. Surprisingly, blankets with artificial fillings cope best with this task. In addition, they are hypoallergenic and better ventilated compared to their natural counterparts.

Baby crib: rules for selection and purchase

Choosing and purchasing a crib is a responsible undertaking on which the comfort and even health of the baby depends. And you need to approach the matter carefully and according to a certain algorithm.

Step one - determine priorities

First, you should determine where in the apartment the crib will be placed and what dimensions are acceptable. After this, decide which type of bed (cradle, “classic”, transformer or playpen) is right for you. And also what material of manufacture is preferable.

Material for making cribs

The materials from which children's furniture is made are subject to the usual requirements. They must be environmentally friendly, safe, durable and reliable. Few materials meet all these requirements.

• Wood. For the manufacture of cribs, as a rule, hard wood is used: beech, oak. Perhaps birch, alder, sometimes pine. The main condition: the wood must be carefully sanded. Possibly painted with safe paints, coated with protective mastic or varnish.
• Wood fiber boards, MDF. But only those that meet formaldehyde content requirements. For children's furniture, you can use slabs of an emission class higher than E1. The content of harmful substances cannot be higher than the minimum permissible level.
• Chipboard (chipboard). A less preferable option because substances high in formaldehyde are used in the manufacture of these boards. Ask the seller for a certificate of conformity. Buy only products that meet safety requirements.
• Metal (aluminum or steel) is a strong and durable material. Sometimes a metal crib serves more than one generation of babies. But this is quite expensive furniture, and also heavy.

Ensuring the safety of the child

Of course, the issue of ensuring the safety of the baby is the most important. Therefore, let's consider the main parameters.

To ensure the safety of the child, the crib must be equipped with protective sides. So that the baby, turning over, does not fall off the bed. It is important to consider the distance between the side slats. Optimally it should be six to seven centimeters. If the distance between the slats is smaller, an arm or leg may get stuck; if the distance is larger, the child’s head may get stuck.

A light crib, and even narrower at the bottom, is not very stable and can tip over. It is better to choose a wide model with a low center of gravity.

If the crib has several levels of bottom depth, then lower the bottom as your baby grows. So that the curious fidget does not climb over the side and fall.

Please inspect the crib carefully before purchasing. All parts must fit tightly together. No gaps or cracks, because the child may be injured. There should be no sharp corners or easily unscrewed parts. All surfaces must be smooth.

Children's furniture equipped with wheels is of course more convenient to move from place to place. But for safety and uncontrolled movement, the wheels must be equipped with locks or stoppers.

If you would like to learn more about how to keep your child safe, please follow the link.

Newborn crib: rocking function

There are as many supporters of motion sickness for children as there are opponents. Both of them present their own, quite reasonable arguments. But it’s up to you to decide which side you take. Let's look at how cribs with a motion sickness function are equipped.

Such cribs are equipped with a pendulum mechanism and a movable suspension on belts. It can be longitudinal. Then the forward-return movements are directed along the body of the lying child. Transverse, movement of the bed across the baby’s body, or universal.

For motion sickness, the crib can be equipped with runners and curved plates instead of legs. Thanks to which you can rock children. But when the child grows up and learns to stand up in the crib, holding on to the side, the bed must be secured with a special lock.

Additional functionality and elements

In addition to the main bed, the crib can be equipped with additional elements. But whether they are needed or not is up to you to decide.

Underbed box

Surprisingly, the baby has a lot of necessary things: diapers, clothes, bedding, pants, diapers, etc. A spacious under-bed drawer will come in handy. But perhaps you decide that you can easily get by with a bedside table or chest of drawers. Depending on this, choose a crib model.

Silicone pads

This additional attribute is installed on bed frames. When babies are teething, they scratch their gums on everything, including the bed slats. To prevent injury, elastic silicone pads are used.

Movable and removable side wall

The movable side wall is also called a car wall. It serves for the convenience of the mother, because by lowering the wall, it is more convenient to take the baby out of the crib and put it in it.

The removable wall will be useful when the child grows up, so that he can independently climb into and out of bed. In addition, by removing the side frame, you can move the crib close to the parent's bed.

Mosquito net and canopy

These additional items are optional. You can do without them, but it's up to you.

Crib bottom

The bottom of the crib can be made not only of slats, but also of plywood or wood. A slatted bottom is preferable because in this case the ventilation of the mattress improves. It will not become damp, and unpleasant odors will not linger in it.

What other cribs are there?

If you love multifunctional things, then you will be interested in learning about transformable cribs , which “grow” with the baby until he is 6-7 or even 12 years old, and have various additional possibilities for unexpected changes. A single complex: a changing box, a chest of drawers and a crib later, “with a slight movement of the hand”, turn into a teenage bed with a nightstand and a hanging shelf.

For trips to the country or to grandma's, you may need a folding camp crib made of thick, washable fabric with mesh side inserts. By the way, it immediately provides a hole to the outside - a special hole-door with a zipper.

We need to look to the future

In any case, having brought your little one from the maternity hospital, you will be completely occupied with him: there will be no time to run around the shops looking for diapers and vests. Besides, I really don’t want to be disappointed in children’s accessories bought in a hurry. Still unsure whether you can buy things for a newborn in advance? Throw aside all fears and prejudices. Pregnancy is the optimal time to take a balanced and responsible approach to choosing the attributes necessary for a toddler. In addition to this, there is a mandatory list of supplies and accessories that you will need in the maternity hospital and after discharge from it.