What you need in a crib for a newborn

The birth of a child is an important event in the life of every family. After being discharged from the maternity hospital, the mother has many questions regarding the care and sleep of the baby: should newborns sleep in cribs or with the mother in bed, why in some cases it is impossible to put toys in the cradle, when the presence of sides should be excluded. A good place to sleep is the key to a healthy spine, so you should think about a high-quality crib of suitable sizes in advance.

Crib and baby in a cocoon

Baby's sleeping area

What should you buy for a newborn's crib first, how much will it cost, what is included in the complete list - these are the very first questions of future parents even when they first learned about the upcoming addition. Some people don’t think at all about a place to sleep, knowing that the baby will lie calmly in the first months in a stroller or in the arms of the mother, while others select a quality attribute with excitement and anxiety.

Immediately after birth, the baby sleeps about twenty hours a day. In order for its development to proceed harmoniously, proper sleep should be organized. The industry that sells all the necessary things for children is very developed today. It can offer a large selection of cribs, cradles, orthopedic mattresses, warm ones for winter or light thin blankets for babies, flannel or cotton diapers, and special bolsters that should be placed under the back of the baby. The key criterion in choosing the right product is the safety of the baby in the crib.

Important! When purchasing certain accessories, there is a possibility of buying something that will lie idle for a long time. Children's pediatrician and candidate of medical sciences, Evgeniy Komarovsky, assures that when asked whether a baby needs a pillow in a crib, the answer is clear: it will not be useful until the age of two. This attribute, according to the doctor, should not be purchased in order to avoid sad consequences.

It is necessary to purchase new furniture at least 2 weeks before the birth. The specific smell will have time to disappear within 14 days and will not cause discomfort to either mother or baby. It is important that the crib is made from absolutely natural raw materials; the product must have a quality certificate. The presence of sharp corners on the structure is a sign of a low-quality product that is not worth buying.

What to look for when choosing a sleeping place:

• frame;
• the base of the crib and its appearance;
• mattress composition;
• what are the sides and blanket made of?
• bed linen material.

Choosing a place for a child's bed

Pediatricians say that the right place for a baby to sleep plays a big role in his development.

If the size of the apartment allows, then future parents immediately have a question: should they put a crib for a newborn in a separate room or put it in the bedroom.

It is believed that it will be better for a child to sleep in the same room with his parents until he is about a year old . Psychologists even recommend taking the baby into the parent’s bed in the first months of life, since sleeping next to the mother is healthier and calmer.

When choosing a place for a crib, you must be guided by the following points:

1. The optimal air temperature for a baby is 18-22 degrees. It is important to understand that it is dangerous not only to overcool a child, but also to overheat. Therefore, the crib should not be placed next to heating devices.
2. There should not be a large number of soft toys, non-closing cabinets or bookshelves near the crib. All this accumulates a lot of dust and can become a habitat for dangerous microbes and bacteria.
3. Ideally, the room where the baby will live has a balcony. As you know, fresh air has a beneficial effect on a child’s healthy sleep. Also, regular ventilation will harden the baby and make his body more resistant to various diseases.
4. The bed should not be located on the window-door line, as the baby will constantly be in a draft.
5. Pediatricians recommend placing the crib with the side facing the wall, so the baby will have a feeling of security.
6. Many parents try to isolate their child from noise.
   Subsequently, this can lead to the baby waking up from any rustle. It is better to teach him to fall asleep listening to conversations or noise coming from the street; This way you can calmly go about your business while the child sleeps. A TV, computer, or stereo system have a negative impact on the baby’s nervous system and should be removed from the room.
7. The crib for a newborn should be in a well-lit place. The child should have maximum visibility so that he can see, remember, observe and develop well.

It is important not to forget about the safety of the baby: the crib should not be located near sockets or electrical appliances, and shelves and lamps should not hang above it.

Negative consequences of choosing the wrong place for a crib:

• Failure to choose a location relative to windows or heating appliances can lead to overheating or colds of varying severity.
• The lack of light or fresh air affects the baby's behavior: he will be capricious a lot, and his sleep will be less restful. This may subsequently affect the emotional state or development of the child.
• Failure to follow safety precautions may result in injury to the baby.

Types of crib bases

Should I wake my newborn for feeding?

Choosing the right crib size and its location in the room is a responsible and important task for parents. It should be away from direct sunlight and drafts, and not close to heating appliances. The standards for the length and width of a crib for modern models are 60*120 (for the first two years) and 70*140 (up to school age).

Baby crib "Promtex" with slatted base

The basis is:

• Solid – flat bottom made of plywood, MDF sheet;
• Slatted or lamellar - a frame on which rows of bent-glued wooden planks are fixed. This type of base is preferable because it helps to properly distribute the weight load and form a healthy posture for the baby.

What material and filler do you prefer for a baby blanket?

First of all, you should not listen to the opinion of “experienced” mothers of the older generation who claim that natural comes first. Or go along with the reasoning of young mothers, for whom what is more expensive is better. You can judge for yourself what your baby needs now. You cover yourself with a blanket, and you know what kind and how it behaves. You just need to make an adjustment to the baby’s need to be constantly warm, but not to steam.

Because overheating is much more dangerous for newborns than hypothermia. No one will argue that natural fillers are better, but they are heavier than synthetic ones and wear out faster. In the era of new technologies, so many modern fillers have been created that the main thing is to decide: for what purpose the blanket is being purchased and in what season it will be used. Let's consider several types of blankets.

Wool: sheepskin, goat, camel

A woven wool blanket is warm and lightweight.

They are made from natural wool of camel, goat, merino, sheepskin is more common. These blankets are warm and hygroscopic. Under this look, the baby will be warm and will not sweat. Wool blankets are classified as knitted, woven or quilted. In the case of the latter type, wool acts as a filler. It is placed in a special cover made of natural or artificial fabric, which is then evenly stitched over the entire surface. This prevents the fur from bunching up.

These blankets will be indispensable for walking and playing on the floor. Lightweight options are woven or knitted wool blankets. However, it should be taken into account that moths really like them and are possible causative agents of allergies.

Downy

They are made from the down of birds (loon, swan, often goose). But at the same time, they often harbor down mites, which can cause allergic reactions. Therefore, these products require constant and careful care.

Down blankets are lightweight, extremely warm and no less hygroscopic.

It is also necessary to ensure that the fluff does not become damp from the fumes of the baby’s skin. Its ability to retain heat is both a plus and a minus. The use of such a blanket is justified if the temperature in the child’s room does not exceed 18 degrees, otherwise the baby will be very hot under such a blanket.

Cotton

As the name suggests, the cotton filler is environmentally friendly and natural cotton wool. But the demand for these blankets has recently fallen due to their heaviness compared to other varieties, as well as the ability of cotton wool to absorb moisture and clump.

The cotton wool filling retains heat well and does not cause allergies.

Synthetic

There is now a wide selection of these products available. They come with various artificial fillers - padding polyester, aerofiber, comfortel, Thinsulate or holofiber. All are hypoallergenic, retain heat, withstand frequent washing and come into shape after washing. The only negative is that they do not remove moisture, and there is a chance that the child will wake up wet.

Synthetic fillers are cheaper than their natural counterparts and are lighter.

Lungs

These are a variety of blankets and light blankets, which are made from various natural and synthetic materials. They are perfect both in summer and in the off-season.

Photos of various summer discharge kits for newborns can be found at the link.

These brief characteristics will help you decide on the purchase of a blanket and the choice of the right filling. But don't forget about its size. After all, the ease of use and comfort of the baby also depends on this. A flannelette blanket for newborns is suitable as a lightweight product.

Sides

Registration of a newborn child - what is needed

Sides are an essential component of a baby crib. Fencing of the sleeping area can be:

• solid;
• rack and pinion

The slatted sides are attached to the crossbars, and the solid ones cover one side entirely. The most popular today are slatted structures that help protect the baby from falling and help him explore the world around him. Air circulation is better with slatted sides.

Rules for choosing a crib with slatted sides:

• between the rods the distance is 5-6 cm, no more;
• from the edge of the side to the berth - at least 45 cm.

Padded sides, cotton linings

The sides are made of wood, plastic, metal, the most popular are rounded rods.

Interesting. To ensure that the baby is protected from bruises and his legs and arms do not fall between the slats, special soft pads are used - cushion sides.

They are made from:

• fabrics,
• plastic,
• silicone.

These pads are attached to the slats using ribbon ties. Silicone types are placed on the edges of the sides and protect the baby from injuries to the oral cavity when he begins to chew everything around him.

There are some opinions that there should not be additional padding on the sides; they are contraindicated. Also, most pediatricians answer negatively to the question of whether a baby can and should sleep on a pillow - this can have negative consequences for his health.

Additional Information. In rare cases, precisely because of the presence of these accessories, a sudden stop in breathing occurred when the baby, burying his nose in a pillow or side, suffocated. Since the baby begins to roll over only at 3-4 months, some pediatricians recommend eliminating the presence of these attributes in the cradle.

Some crib models allow you to remove one side of the bed. In this case, you can move the baby’s crib to the parent’s bed. This makes the process of night feedings easier and allows the mother to sleep more peacefully.

Sleep of newborns and infants: general norms

Most parents are so worried about their newborn children that they put three layers of clothing on them, as grandmothers insist on. However, this should not be done. The child’s body thermoregulation is established in the first 3-4 weeks after birth, and if you interfere with the processes too aggressively (overheat, overcool), this can cause many problems in the future.

Sleep norm: temperature within 18-20 degrees and humidity 40-65%. Relevant for newborns, infants, children, teenagers and even parents.

For a newborn baby, it is enough to wear cotton pants and a shirt.

Be careful with fluffy blankets. It is better not to use them at all for up to a year due to the risk of suffocation. Make sure that your child does not get entangled in the fabric.

Crib set

Should you bathe your newborn every day?

The crib set includes:

• bed sheets;
• blanket and pillow;
• lining-sides;
• bedding set.

Set for a crib with sides

For a newborn, it will be enough to have two sets of high-quality, natural bed linen; in addition, you can purchase several sheets, since they get dirty quickly, or diapers.

The linen is made of cotton, it should have a pleasant, not too bright color, there should be no ruffles, ties or loops so that the baby does not get entangled in small details. It is important that the fabric does not fade after washing.

How to refill it?

After the parents have decided on a place for the newborn’s crib, it is necessary to make it properly. To do this, you need to prepare a mattress, a couple of oilcloths, 2-3 sets of bed linen and two blankets. Instructions:

1. It is better to choose a mattress for a newborn of medium hardness and with natural filling. Nowadays, mattresses are most often made double-sided - one side is harder (for newborns), the other is softer (for babies over one year old). It must be selected exactly according to the size of the bed, so there will be no problem of the child’s arms or legs getting into the gap.
2. It is recommended to put oilcloth on the mattress. Even if parents put their baby to sleep in a diaper, it can leak.
3. A sheet is spread over the oilcloth.
   In the cold season, it is better to use flannelette; in summer, calico is suitable. The sheet should not bunch up, as the baby's skin is sensitive and irritation may occur from the fold. Now in stores you can find a large selection of sheets and oilcloths with elastic; it is more convenient to purchase this option.
4. If parents decide to put the child to bed without a diaper, they need to put another oilcloth on the sheet (the size can be half the bed, not the whole one).
5. A blanket for a newborn should be soft and light. It’s better to have two of them: a woolen one for the winter and a thin flannelette for the summer.

We invite you to watch a video on how to properly make a baby's crib:

What should be in a baby's cradle

List of necessary attributes of a baby crib:

• Mattress made from quality raw materials;
• Natural bed linen;
• Winter and summer blankets for newborns. You can cover your baby with a sheet or diaper in the summer, and buy a thick woolen blanket for the winter.
• Overlays-sides;
• Whether a baby really needs a pillow - each parent will answer for themselves. It is permissible to take an anatomical or inclined pillow.

Blanket

A blanket for a newborn is selected depending on the temperature in the room. You will need several of them.

Note! It is important that the baby does not overheat, so you should pay attention to the baby’s sleep. If you wrap a child tightly, he will sleep restlessly and be capricious.

Baby blankets for newborns are conventionally divided into:

• warm - for the cold season,
• light - for summer.

At temperatures above 24 degrees, the baby is covered with a regular diaper, up to 21 degrees - with a light flannel blanket, at 18 - with a thick tweed blanket.

Important! A baby may be allergic to wool if the blanket is made of padding polyester.

What size blanket to choose for a newborn depends on the bedding. Blankets for babies come in sizes from 90*90 cm to 120*120 cm.

Bon Bon brand baby blanket

Do I need to buy a blanket for a newborn if I already have an envelope? In the first weeks, such a cocoon will be very appropriate; later you will have to purchase a blanket.

Mattress

Mattresses are usually not included in the delivery of cribs, so parents have to choose this bedding.

What types are there:

• without springs;
• with independent spring block;
• orthopedic;
• with springs - “Bonnel”.

Children's orthopedic mattress

For babies, it is better to choose springless types, where the block with filler is wrapped in a special case. As a filler you can choose:

• natural or artificial latex;
• coconut coir;
• seaweed;
• camel wool;
• synthetic filling.

The mattress should be hard so that the baby’s spine does not suffer.

Pillow

Evgeny Komarovsky pays special attention to the question of whether a newborn needs a pillow in his crib. Adults cannot sleep without this accessory, complaining of headaches if this item is missing. Until the age of two, the child will not need this attribute at all.

The correct shape of a pillow for a baby

Future parents think for a long time about what kind of pillow a newborn should have in his crib, and, having learned that there is no need to buy one, they are emotionally perplexed, claiming that the child will not get enough sleep, will start crying at night, and will not give anyone peace. This is a deep misconception.

Before answering the question whether a newborn can sleep on a pillow, you should study the dangers of its presence:

• there is a high probability of sudden infant death syndrome;
• at the moment of revolutions, the baby can block the nasal passages in his sleep when he buries himself in the pillow;
• cervical vertebrae may be damaged;
• the pillow filling will cause a fatal allergic reaction.

You need to understand that a child’s body has a different structure than an adult’s. The baby's head is larger in area than the body, so they should be on the same plane during sleep.

Note! Will a newborn need a pillow, and is it worth buying? If the baby is diagnosed with torticollis, hypertonicity, or has excessive regurgitation, then this accessory should be purchased after consultation with a pediatrician. However, in this situation we are talking about special orthopedic products.

Necessary accessories

What else you need to buy:

• mobile and pendant toys - with them the baby will learn to grab objects with their hands, developing tactile sensations;

Mobile and toys in the crib

• organizer pockets so that everything is at hand at the right time;
• a canopy will create coziness and remove bright daylight;
• oilcloth for the mattress, which will retain heat and absorb liquid in case of leakage;
• roller and heating pad;
• nest - optional, some children find it easier to sleep in such a sleeping place.

What to buy for the crib is an individual question. A crib is a necessary accessory; additional parts can always be purchased when needed.

How to properly make a baby's crib

The wide range of baby cribs includes wooden, metal and even plastic frames. But despite this, most manufacturers prefer to use wood, since this material is safe and environmentally friendly. But this is far from his last advantage. Natural wood lasts a very long time, so in such a crib not only the child, but also his grandchildren will have sweet dreams.

Mattresses for newborn babies should be optimally hard. It would be good if they were filled with natural material, such as coconut. Modern manufacturers often make children's mattresses double-sided. One side is tougher, for a newborn baby, while the second, softer, for babies after a year of life.

It is strongly recommended to cover any mattress with thick oilcloth. Even if the little one sleeps in a diaper, there is a high risk that it will simply leak at the most inopportune moment. Therefore, such a strong film is indispensable if you want to keep the mattress clean.

Do not forget that you must place a sheet or one large diaper on top of the oilcloth. In the cold season, the sheet can be made of flannel, but in the summer it will be good to lay ordinary calico. Manufacturers produce sheets and oilcloths with elastic bands around the perimeter. This is actually a very good idea as they don't pill and therefore don't wrinkle.

A significant advantage of such bedding is that the skin of a newborn baby is still very sensitive. Therefore, any “drape” in his crib or on his clothes can easily damage his delicate body. If you plan to put your baby to bed without wearing a diaper, you need to lay down one more additional oilcloth.

It does not have to be large; the size of half a sleeping place is allowed. And on top you should put another diaper, which can also be medium in size. In the event of a “baby surprise,” a tired mother will not need to change the bed linen in the entire crib every time, but only quickly change the diaper. She will take the entire “blow”.

Parents will have to forget about buying a pillow for their baby. The newborn must not know about it until his second birthday. Orthopedists explain this theory by the fact that the baby does not yet have the curves of the ridge formed by nature. Therefore, the best place to sleep is a smooth and moderately hard bed.

Blankets for newborns must be soft and light. Often, young parents opt for a thin flannelette for the summer and a woolen one for the winter.

Modern stores offer a large assortment of children's bedding, as well as crib sets, for example, bumpers or canopies. But parents should not forget that everything must be made from natural raw materials. It is also important to pay attention to the quality of the selected textiles, since cheap sheets can even cause allergic reactions in the baby.

Most parents are convinced that buying bumpers is a waste of money, as they interfere with normal air circulation. And this is to some extent true. But high-quality sides are truly reliable protection against injury. After all, a newborn will not get his limbs into the crib bars and will not hit his face against them.

But under no circumstances should these soft restrictions be stretched too far.

After all, if a child suddenly turns over so that his face lies pressed into them, he may simply suffocate. After all, a baby doesn’t have much strength to lift his body. Moreover, he sleeps relaxed. As for the canopy, it is truly an unnecessary purchase. But if you really want to decorate your baby’s bed a little with it, then you need to remember to wash it frequently.

When buying a crib, you should pay attention not only to the price, but also to its appearance. There are several important factors that will help you navigate the variety of cribs.

Crib dimensions

The usual dimensions of a baby crib are 120x60 cm. But you can find models with lengths from 59 (cradle) to 180 cm, and widths ranging from 42 (cradle) and 55 cm (crib) to 140 cm.

When choosing a crib, you should pay attention to its location in your home. Not everyone can boast of a large living space, and often a crib has to fit into a very limited space, when literally every centimeter counts. Make sure that the crib is in a comfortable place that is not subject to drafts.

If you are choosing a non-standard sized crib, consider whether you can match the bedding and mattress to it.

Crib bottom positions

Modern cribs are usually equipped with several bottom positions. The upper position is used for a newborn baby. The bottom is lowered to the bottom position when the baby begins to stand on his feet, this prevents unpleasant situations and your baby from “escaping” from his crib.

Availability of a self-supporting wall and ways to “grow” the crib

An auto-wall is the mobility of one of the side walls, which can be lowered and raised. Serves the same purpose as changing the height of the bottom, but if in order to move the bottom level, it is necessary to disassemble and reassemble the bed, then the auto-wall can be moved literally in one movement.

Also, some cribs have a special side that is placed in place of the auto-wall when your baby becomes more independent and can get out of the crib on his own.

Bed with rocking chair and wheels

Instead of legs, the crib can be equipped with curved runners, which, if necessary, allow you to rock the sleeping baby. Well-designed cribs are usually equipped with special holes for wheels, which allow you to fix the crib on 4 support points. There is also an option for twisting the runners, in which case the crib stands on 4 legs.

Some crib models do not have a rocking chair, but they are also equipped with wheels, which allows you to conveniently and quickly move the crib around your home. The wheels are easy to unscrew and this crib also stands on 4 regular legs.

Cribs with a pendulum mechanism

They are cribs with a movable plastic mechanism, which allows you to effectively rock the baby without picking him up. The pendulum can be longitudinal (along the baby’s body), transverse (respectively, across) or universal (swing in two directions).

Consider this point: depending on the type of pendulum, it is necessary to allocate at least another 10 centimeters to the length or width of the crib in order to swing it. Such cribs have special latches, thanks to which the crib can be fixed motionless.