The perfect Baby Bed

November 3, 2020

Contents

Baby equipment guide: Find the best baby bed

A baby spends an average of 18 hours a day in his bed during the first year of life. Every single day they experience the world in a whole new way and get a lot of new impressions - nothing to say that they need a lot of sleep.

This means that a baby spends many of the hours of the day in his bed, which places great demands on the bed.

But which bed should it be? The possibilities are very many, which is why it can be challenging to find your way around the many different types.

Overall, it can be said that the bed for your baby should be both comfortable and safe. Also, the choice depends entirely on your wishes and interior design style, as cots are available in all sorts of different designs, models, materials, and colors.

In this guide, you will get good advice on what you should be aware of when investing in a cot.

Types of baby cribs

Whether your baby needs to sleep in a crib from birth, sleep in the double bed, or spend a few months in a crib is entirely up to you. Since the vast majority of children at some point end up sleeping in a crib or crib, many parents choose a crib from the start. This can be easier and cheaper in the long run.

In addition, there are also good multifunctional options that, in the same model, can go from being a cradle to a cot, while others can go from a baby to a junior bed.

If you choose to inherit or purchase a used crib, be aware that the standards and requirements for safety may have changed. At the same time, older cribs can also be more fragile, depending on how much they have been used.

Cradle

A crib for your baby's first months can be a cozy addition to a baby's room, even if it's not an absolute necessity.

The advantage of a cradle may be that the tight space that encloses the baby can be reminiscent of life in the mother's womb. This can provide closeness and security.

Another advantage is the size of a cradle, which makes it portable and allows you to move it around the house.

Some cradles are fixed to a stand or have wheels, while other cradles hang from a standing rack. Many cradles can be attached to the ceiling or from a door frame with a hook or a special bracket. When the cradle is set in "swing," the calm and rocking movements can help calm a restless child. This type of cradle (or a nature sway sling cradle) is recommended for children with colic.

A cradle is not an absolute necessity. Even if it takes up less than a crib, your baby will still need a "regular" crib in just 3-6 months.

Co-sleeper and baby beds for co-sleeping

Many parents choose to sleep with the child in the double bed in the beginning. If this is the case, a co-sleeper might be a good idea.

A co-sleeper is a crib for sleeping together that is connected to and can be an extension of your bed.

With a co-sleeper, you can have your baby in the same bed without being afraid to roll over the baby during the night.

Another option is a baby nest, which can also be used for much else. A baby nest can be adjusted to fit your baby's size and development perfectly.

As a crib, a co-sleeper is not an absolute necessity and cannot make it out to be a "real" crib.

Bed and crib

When it comes to choosing a crib and bed, it is again a matter of taste and pleasure.

A cot is available from 50 $ to several 100$. The cot can be used from the baby is newborn to approx—3 years of age.

Most cots are 60 × 120 cm in mattress size, and the vast majority of cots today have the option of height adjustment so that the bottom can be adjusted in height.

With a baby, it can be really nice that the child is lying high so that your / your back is spared. As the child grows, one can lower the bottom so that when the child is able to turn himself, sit, etc., the bottom is at its lowest level.

It is recommended that the bottom is lowered completely, and the sling side is fully raised when the child is approximate five months and more mobile. Then you do not risk your child falling out of bed.

A bed that can grow with the baby can be a good investment as it can be used by the baby for several years. For example, Stokke, Leander, and Sebra produce some really nice cribs, where expansion kits can be purchased so that the bed can be extended and used for several years.

If you choose to use a crib from the start, you can also create a "cradle-like" life in other ways. For example, place the lift in the cot or use a baby nest or headboard as a kind of bed reducer in the cot so that it does not seem so big and scary.

Weekend bed

A weekend bed can be a real lifesaver for parents who are often on the go or to the grandparents' house.

Some weekend beds can be folded out so that they can also be used as a playpen in everyday life.

When you are looking for a weekend bed, make sure it can be light enough for your needs, easy to set up and take down again, easy to clean, and durable enough for repeated use.

You will most likely be happy to invest in a travel bag or handle so you can easily take the weekend bed with you.

A weekend bed is typically not very expensive, but is definitely worth an investment!

Accessories for baby bed

Baby mattress

When you buy a bed, a mattress is not always included.

Just like if you were looking for a mattress for your bed, you also need to have a good mattress for your baby. And maybe the baby's mattress needs to be even better, as babies lie down a lot.

The typical recommendation is, the firmer the mattress, the better. The firm mattress gives the baby better support, which can ensure a more restful and stable sleep.

A good baby mattress ensures your child a better sleep and can reduce neck and back problems.

Witch Baby duvet to put in

A nice and soft baby duvet is also an essential accessory, where it pays to invest a little extra in good quality.

Choose a duvet that can withstand high degrees of washing and tumble drying, as "accidents" can happen.

Bed rocker and baby bouncer

A smart extra purchase for a cot is "bed rockers" and "baby bouncer." These are placed under the cot, and thus the cot also has a rocking function.

Features you should consider

• Multifunctionality: It can be an excellent investment to buy a bed that grows with the child and can be adjusted from cradle to cot to junior bed. You can do this, for example, with the brands Leander and STOKKE Sleepi.

• Adjustable bed height: All cots have 3 or 4 mattress height settings. The idea behind is to set the mattress high in the beginning, so it is easier to reach down into the bed when you, e.g., must breastfeed during the night. As your child gets older and more mobile, the beds are lowered - also to prevent the child from jumping, climbing, or falling out of bed.

• Storage under the bed: The vast majority of beds have either plenty of space under the bed or a built-in drawer system. Here, storage drawers can be a perfect idea for saving space.

• Good space: Make sure the crib or cot has a breathable construction and enough space for your child. If the bed feels too big for the child, a headboard or baby nest can be used to "fill the space" and create more closeness and security.

• Cradles and co-sleepers are in principle only for newborns. Depending on your bed and your baby's size, these can only be used for 3-6 months.

• A cot can be used from day one and can be used by the vast majority until the child turns 2. A clear sign that your child is growing out of the cot is when the child tries to climb out.

Remember safety

Although comfort and design play a role, safety is paramount. The Consumer Agency has a number of advice and recommendations that are really good to keep in mind when you are looking for a safe cot.

First and foremost, it is important that the bed is made of robust material and is stable so that it does not collapse if / when you jump in it. You can see if the bed is marked with the European standard for cots by looking for the mark "EN719 + year".

If you buy a cot with adjustable bottom height, there must be a minimum of 30 cm from the bottom to the top of the cot in the highest setting. At the same time, there must be no more than 6 cm between the slats, and if the baby bed has net sides, the stitches must not be more than 7 mm.

If the cot has lowerable sides, they must not be able to be lowered from the bed. There should, therefore, preferably be two locking mechanisms, which, for example, must be activated with the hands simultaneously on each side.

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