A children's bed with a pendulum is functional and comfortable furniture. It allows you to rock your baby to sleep without taking him out of bed. It's no surprise that cribs quickly became popular. And now there are models on the market with different types of pendulum mechanisms and automatic motion sickness. New elements are added to make the furniture more functional and comfortable.
Variety of children's beds
A newborn baby spends a lot of time in a lying position, so choosing a crib that is comfortable for the mother and safe for the baby is very important.
The crib models on the market can be classified into the following types:
- ordinary cribs with straight legs, sometimes with removable wheels;
- rocking beds on skids (with curved runners);
- pendulum beds equipped with a bed swing mechanism;
- side cribs - are firmly attached to one side of the parents' bed and do not have a wall on this side, but are suitable only for babies;
- cribs, hanging or floor-mounted, are also only suitable for babies up to 6 months;
- transformable cribs, which are a set of several blocks: the crib itself, a bedside table or chest of drawers, a changing table, etc.; The main difference between these beds is that they “grow” as the child grows, while the chest of drawers is moved outside the crib, and the changing table can easily be transformed into a desk.
Let’s take a closer look at pendulum beds: what’s special about them and how much do children need them?
What is a pendulum crib
A pendulum is a mechanism that is installed on a crib during its production and allows you to swing the berth, while the legs remain motionless.
Thus, a pendulum crib equipped with such a mechanism is capable of moving almost independently, with minimal effort from parents, and calming the child, creating a semblance of the natural motion sickness he is accustomed to.
The structure of the pendulum and its varieties
The pendulum mechanism consists of wooden planks, bushings and hinges. There are three types of pendulum cribs on the market, each of which has its own characteristics. The main difference is the swing trajectory:
- The longitudinal pendulum creates vibrations in the direction from the head to the feet, rocking the sleeping place back and forth.
- The transverse mechanism swings to the sides, left and right.
- The universal option allows you to rock your baby in all four directions.
The amplitude of vibration varies depending on the model and ranges from 5 to 15 cm.
Doctors recommend using a longitudinal motion sickness mechanism. Movement back and forth is closer to humans from a physiological point of view. Cranial pressure remains normal.
The swinging method can be manual or automatic:
- The first option is driven by pushing the side by hand. The oscillation time depends on the strength of the push and lasts on average up to 7-8 minutes.
- The second method involves equipping the structure with an electric control unit. This model needs to be connected to the network and started remotely using the remote control. Some advanced modifications begin motion sickness on their own when the baby starts crying. The secret is highly sensitive sensors that respond to noise. The operating cycle of the mechanism is 10-15 minutes, and you can stop it manually if the baby has already fallen asleep.
Types of pendulums in cribs
There are 3 types of swing mechanism:
Longitudinal
Swinging is carried out according to the forward-backward principle. This method is the most natural: this is how the mother rocks the child, holding him in her arms.
The disadvantages of this type include the impossibility of installing such a crib in a corner, since to swing it you need free space on both short sides, otherwise there is a risk of hitting a wall or the edge of furniture.
Transverse
The bed swings left and right. It requires much less space, while most models allow the crib to be installed almost flush against the wall, since the lateral swing is carried out in a fairly small range.
The disadvantage of this type is that the lateral swing is not very “natural” and is more reminiscent of “shaking”, but many children like such pendulums.
Universal or longitudinal-transverse
Such a pendulum can be easily reconfigured from longitudinal to transverse and back, which is extremely convenient if the child has not decided on swing priorities or if you need to radically change the location of the crib itself (for example, rotate it or move it to another room).
The disadvantages include the very need to mechanically reconfigure the pendulum, that is, the mechanism does not allow alternate use of both directions of motion sickness without additional actions.
Video: How a pendulum works on a crib
Is a pendulum needed in a crib?
It is impossible to give a definite answer whether your baby needs a crib with a pendulum. No one knows how active or “tame” a child will be, what he will like and what he will dislike.
The pendulum mechanism will make life much easier for the mother in the case when the child has to be rocked in her arms for a long time and often, for example, with severe colic or if she has problems falling asleep. But it is impossible to predict this: some children go through such periods quite calmly and do not “strain” their parents too much, while others do not get off their hands and require almost constant “shaking” and rocking.
It should also be borne in mind that most pediatricians agree that motion sickness is not a child’s best friend and is only acceptable in the very early period of his life.
Crib with or without pendulum
Each parent, based on their preferences and experience, independently decides whether a pendulum mechanism is needed in a crib or whether it can be done without it.
But even if you decide to use a regular crib without a pendulum mechanism, then - if necessary - the problem of long-term rocking of the baby can be solved with other devices, such as: electric chaise lounges, multifunctional high chairs with similar functions, electric swings for babies and many others.{banner_serefs }
Basic criteria for choosing a crib
Looking through cute photos of cribs, parents pay attention to the visual appeal of the furniture. In fact, the design of the crib is far from the main selection criterion in terms of the baby’s needs. The following characteristics are much more important:
- The material from which the crib is made;
- Arrangement of a sleeping place;
- Protective elements.
Frame materials
The first thing you should pay attention to is the characteristics of the pendulum crib frame. The optimal solution must meet the following criteria:
- It must be environmentally friendly, that is, made from materials that are safe for the baby’s health. The best option is natural wood. More budget models can be made from MDF, laminated chipboard or plastic.
- The top horizontal bar should be covered with food-grade plastic or silicone. The fact is that during the period of teething, babies who can stand on their feet with support often taste this very crossbar. A thick layer of food-grade plastic is a guarantee of safety, thanks to which your child will not get a splinter or damage his gums.
- The main elements of the pendulum mechanism are subject to constant load, so they must be made of metal, not plastic. Otherwise, it is better to choose a crib without metal elements, as they are cold to the touch.
Design Features
The crib frame itself should also be selected based on rational considerations:
- It is advisable to buy a model of standard sizes 120 by 60 cm - this way you can easily buy bed linen. Some imported models have dimensions of 125 by 65 cm, which complicates the process of selecting sheets - they often have to be sewn to order.
- The sheathing is no less important. The distance between the elements should be such that the baby cannot stick his head between them and get stuck in this position.
- The sides of the crib can be removable or stationary. Removable ones can be removed when the baby grows up and can climb onto the crib himself. You can also get rid of them and move the baby crib close to the parent's.
- Also, the outer side of the bed can be height-adjustable or regular. The first option allows you to remove the top bar to make it more convenient to take your baby out and lay him down while he is not yet able to stand with support. When raised, the bar will protect him from falling if he wakes up and stands on his feet.
- The side that meets the wall can be lattice or blank. The second option is less common, but it is more rational. Children often tear wallpaper by sticking their hands through the bars.
Base structure
Usually baby cribs have slatted bottoms. This solution has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that the mattress lying on the slats will “breathe,” which is important, since they often get wet and mold can form inside. However, as children grow up and become more active, the slats can break when the little ones jump.
A solid bottom is stronger in this sense, but it prevents air circulation. The mattress will have to be dried separately, and this is not always convenient.
Additional functionality
In stores you can find the simplest models without any additional sections. They are compact and lightweight, suitable for small rooms.
If you have enough space, you can purchase a more functional design with storage drawers. They are usually located below or to the side of the bed. The compartments can store diapers, a change of clothes, bed linen, care products and towels.
Some models are even equipped with pull-out changing tables, which make it convenient to change diapers and change your baby's clothes.
Also in the markets you can find cribs that are equipped with supports for canopies. They are usually made of durable plastic or metal.
Which bed is better: pendulum or rocking chair
Both cribs serve the same purpose - they help rock the baby to sleep and calm him down before bed. In the old days, hanging cradles attached to the ceiling were used for these purposes: uniform rocking movements calmed the baby and helped him fall asleep faster. Modern pendulums and rocking chairs perform the same function.
However, significant disadvantages of rocking chairs include the possibility of a naughty baby overturning the crib on its own, therefore, as soon as the child begins to be active in a sitting position, and even more so when he tries to stand up and stay upright, it is strongly recommended to remove the runners from the rocking crib and install the crib on wheels with fixation or on legs.
Types of pendulum beds and their features
Like almost any type of bed, pendulum beds have many different shapes and configuration features. Let's look at their main varieties.
Shape: rectangular, round, oval
As a rule, cribs are rectangular in shape. However, recently, cribs of round and oval shapes have begun to gain popularity.
The diameter of round cribs usually does not exceed 90 cm, that is, they are intended for children from birth until 3-6 months, after which the crib needs to be changed. Often, round cribs are transformable and when the child reaches a certain height, they easily lengthen, turning into oval ones.
Photo: Pendulum crib and its varieties (by shape)Oval shapes do not have any special advantages over rectangular ones and are usually a kind of “item of status”. Such cribs are not very convenient to place against a wall; as a rule, they look more beautiful and organic in the center of a child’s room. You should also keep in mind that the cost of mattresses and linen for round and oval cribs is slightly higher than the cost of similar products of standard rectangular shapes.
By type of pendulum: manual, automatic
The easiest way to rock is manually, and the pendulum mechanisms are triggered even by a slight push and, by inertia, rock several more times, which may well be enough to put a baby to sleep if he wakes up in the middle of the night.
Mom doesn’t even need to get out from under the blanket for this. This significantly saves the mother’s energy during long periods of rocking the baby.{banner_ondes}
An electric pendulum does the same work, but without human intervention. Some automatic pendulums have sound sensors and turn on when they “hear” that the child has begun to wake up. However, this function is not always convenient, since the mechanism cannot distinguish the place of origin of the sound and can rock an empty crib for 15-20 minutes just because a screaming child just ran past.
More convenient are programmable automatic pendulums that are turned on by parents with a preset motion sickness program, after which the pendulum itself will turn off without disturbing the child’s sleep.
According to completeness: without drawer, with drawer, with chest of drawers
Many cribs have additional equipment, for example, under the berth there can be runners for a retractable linen drawer, in which you can also store toys and other children's things.
Some models have built-in children's chests of drawers with changing tables. This “hybrid” is very convenient to use and allows you not to waste money and effort on finding additional children’s furniture that matches the style and size. However, please note that these beds will be equipped with a transverse pendulum.
The simplest cribs do not have changing tables or cabinets, however, parents can independently add suitable size drawers, chests of drawers and other necessary items to the crib.
Mobility: on wheels, without wheels
Most cribs are equipped with wheels with locks, and some cribs, in principle, cannot be used without wheels. Cribs with legs (without wheels) are also found and, as a rule, belong to a lower price segment.
However, the presence of wheels is not so necessary: anyway, the crib spends most of its time with fixed wheels, which is not fundamentally different from a crib simply installed on legs.
Difficulty: transformable bed with pendulum
Transformer beds, as a rule, have a whole set of additional parts and even types of furniture that can be used by both a baby and an older child. Often, such a crib first has the size of a cradle, then it is extended into a crib with a side, and for an older baby it turns into almost a full-fledged bed.
Photo: Transformable bed and options for its transformation
Such cribs can also be equipped with a pendulum mechanism, of course, in configurations designed for the little ones.
According to bed size
The standard size of a sleeping place for babies is 120x60 cm. Larger cribs are less common - 140x70 cm.
The same dimensions are used by textile factories when sewing children's bedding.
But demand creates supply, and the widespread use of round and oval cribs has led to the emergence of other bed sizes:
- round with a diameter from 65 to 90 cm, with the most popular diameter being 75 cm;
- oval with dimensions from 90x60 to 125x75 cm.
What is a crib pendulum and why is it needed?
This is a device that rocks a sleeping place. Externally, beds with such a mechanism do not differ from ordinary ones. But they are capable of performing oscillatory movements.
During motion sickness, the sleeping place moves horizontally, the base remains motionless. Furniture can be used from infancy to 3–5 years.
Reference: the peculiarity of the pendulum is to imitate motion sickness in a mother’s arms, which is an additional calming factor. This bed serves as a cradle and a sleeping place at the same time.
The benefits include:
- smooth, quiet swing;
- starting the mechanism with one movement of the hand;
- long-term motion sickness, unlike a rocking chair, since the pendulum moves by inertia;
- stable, motionless position of furniture;
- long service life.
There are also disadvantages:
- The likelihood of the child rocking the sleeping place independently. Models with clamps will help to avoid this.
- Getting used to motion sickness. It is not known for certain whether the child really gets used to this. But if so, then it will be difficult for him to fall asleep without motion sickness.
- higher cost compared to a rocking bed.
Pendulum bed: which one is better?
If your baby falls asleep well without motion sickness, then purchasing a bed with a pendulum mechanism and accustoming your child to motion sickness is not worth it. If the baby constantly cries, is capricious and cannot sleep, then you should think about purchasing a model with a longitudinal or universal pendulum. The latter will give you the opportunity to try both options and understand what suits your baby best.
When purchasing, also take into account such parameters as dimensions (dimensions), manufacturing materials, the presence of wheels, a lowering side panel or bar, additional elements (drawers, chest of drawers, changing table), etc. Try to select furniture with the optimal price/quality ratio.
Popular models, prices
Let's consider and compare several popular models of pendulum beds.
Model “Chunga-Changa”, transformer (Island of comfort)
A charming transforming crib with a pendulum swing mechanism. Equipped with a chest of drawers, a drawer and a changing table. Made from wood and chipboard, available in two colors. Bed sizes from 120x60 cm to 170x60 cm. Manufacturer: Island of Comfort. Prices range from 8.2 to 9.8 thousand rubles.
Model "Ulyana-2", transformer (Antel)
Another transformer with a strict design and clear lines. The Ulyana-2 bed has two drawers, a chest of drawers, and is equipped with a transverse pendulum. The frame is made of wood and chipboard, there are several color options. Bed dimensions: 120x60, 170x60 cm, chest size - 40x60 cm. Prices: from 7 to 10.5 thousand rubles for a model with photo printing.
Model “Julia” with a universal pendulum (Gandylyan)
This model is equipped with a universal pendulum and a drawer at the bottom. Presented in light and dark colors. It has a standard sleeping place - 120x60 cm. Price from 12.5 thousand rubles.
Cots from the company Mozhga (Red Star)
Russian (Udmurt Republic, Mozhga) occupies a worthy place among manufacturers of cribs, in no way inferior to foreign analogues. Krasnaya Zvezda produces reliable and high-quality models for different price segments. For example:
- the “Regina” model, equipped with a pendulum mechanism and made from natural varnished wood, costs more than 20 thousand rubles;
- model “Kiryusha” - a transforming bed with a chest of drawers and a drawer, costs about 23 thousand rubles;
We also recommend paying attention to various models from the brands: Alita, Lel and Fairy.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine in advance what type of rocking crib will be “approved” by a particular baby, so the choice of this function entirely depends on the preferences of the parents: for some, rocking will be very popular, while for others it may not be useful at all.
However, when deciding whether to equip a crib with rocking mechanisms, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- Will mother and baby sleep together?
- is there enough space in the room to swing the cradle in the maximum ranges back and forth and/or from side to side;
- Will parents be concerned about the possibility (albeit unlikely) of the child independently rocking the bed of the crib;
- At what age is the child expected to “fix” the crib, that is, for how long is it planned to use additional rocking mechanisms?
If you nevertheless decide that motion sickness is an important and necessary part of the crib, then you should give preference to universal pendulums, of course, if there is sufficient free space for swinging.
Practical advice
Let's consider a few more nuances that will affect the comfort of using the crib in the future:
- The ability to vary the level of the bed is a convenient additional feature. This is especially true for the first months of a baby’s life, when he still does not know how to stand up and roll over. The bottom can be set higher so that the mother does not have to bend over too much each time, laying the baby down and straining her back.
- Wheels on the legs allow you to change the position of the crib without extra effort. This is convenient for small rooms, when part of the crib may block the passage to the balcony, closet or other interior items.
- Transforming models are a convenient option for budget-conscious people. Those who prefer multifunctional and “long-lasting” things. Such cribs are modified over time due to removable parts, changing and adapting to the growing body.
Finally, let us remind you that any products for children should be, first of all, safe. A prerequisite is the presence of a certificate for the product. If it is missing, this is a reason to doubt the quality of the product and give preference to more reliable models tested by specialists.
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