How to choose a transformable crib for newborns, tips for choosing

In anticipation of a newborn, parents begin to prepare a sleeping place for him in advance. Which cribs should I take? And for twins? It needs to be comfortable, safe and functional. And not for a couple of years, but at least until school. The problem may be the size of the apartment. In a one-room apartment it is difficult to fit a bed, a chest of drawers and a changing table without taking up a lot of space. Such problems are solved by a transformable crib. It combines several pieces of furniture at once.

Advantages

• Most models are capable of accommodating the child's increasing growth. We just extend the sleeping area. Save on a new bed.

• Lots of features. Designs including a changing table, chest of drawers, playpen, shelves for children's things. There are cribs that become a cozy sofa or table when the child grows up.

• Comfort and safety. The sides will prevent the child from falling out. Many cribs can be attached and secured to the parents' crib. Rocking with a pendulum will ensure a quick fall asleep, giving mom's tired hands a rest.

• There are cheap models.

Advantages of using transformable furniture

The main advantages of practical choice include the following points:

1. Saving free space that young parents can use for other, more significant purposes. In this case, you should leave a small platform for the bed in a disassembled state.
2. Almost all modern models of cribs are equipped with built-in drawers and shelves, which are a convenient storage area. An excellent find is a transforming bed with a built-in changing table. All mothers have to do is purchase a mattress for their baby, and maximum comfort and practicality are guaranteed.
3. Furniture with a transformation function is very mobile, which plays an important role during cleaning and arranging the room. And even a child can operate the movable accessories.

Today, such models are very relevant and in demand among users. And thanks to the ideas of designers and manufacturers, official catalogs present a rich assortment of a wide variety of models, varying in shape, external design, cost and type of construction.

Flaws

In a very small nursery, such a bed will take up a lot of space. The reason is that Transformers are slightly larger than normal ones. Basically, all models are capable of increasing the length, but not the width of the berth. And for an increased length you will have to take a new mattress. Cribs with a chest of drawers also have a drawback - many mothers complain about a narrow chest of drawers that cannot accommodate all the baby’s things.

Disadvantages of Practical Choices

Unfortunately, transformable cribs are not without some disadvantages, which include:

• The need for constant monitoring of the condition of movable fittings, runners, removable headboards and sides. During operation, these parts may wear out and require timely replacement.
• When purchasing, you should evaluate the condition, mobility and quality of the crib in more detail, because the safety of the baby is the first task of every parent.

Cribs built into wall niches, cabinets, as well as crib-tables require preliminary repairs and preparation of the alcove itself before installing the structure.

Types of transformable beds

1. With a wardrobe or chest of drawers (classic model)

Includes three elements: chest of drawers + crib (60x120) + teenage crib (70x180). The surface of the chest of drawers can be used as a changing table. Look at the drawers, they should be roomy. Otherwise you will have to buy a separate cabinet.

2. Bed-bed and sofa-bed

These are ordinary standard cribs, the walls of which can be easily removed. Remove the front room and you will have a sofa; remove the two bars and you will have a bed. For the option with a sofa, there is an age limit of up to 4 years. There is not enough sleeping space, but you can leave a comfortable sofa.

3. With a pendulum

This rocking design will easily lull your baby to sleep. You don't need to pick him up to rock him to sleep. The pendulum will work for a slight movement. May contain additional elements (drawers, wardrobe or chest of drawers). There are 2 types of pendulums - on wooden planks and on bearings. The latter are durable and silent, and the wood creaks over time.

4. Collapsible model

It can have many additional elements in addition to the sleeping area (changing table, shelves and cabinets, etc.).
You can gradually remove or transform components. For example, turn cabinets into a bedside table. 5. Round transformable bed for newborns

Popular among parents due to its convenience and functionality. It has a number of undoubted advantages:

• Many modification options (8 in 1 transformer). It grows with the child, turning into an oval shape for the already grown baby. The bottom is made lower - this is already an arena. It can easily be converted into a comfortable sofa or changing table. If the little one has grown up and wants to do his own thing, convert it into a table with chairs. They will find a use when the children grow up. Can't stop your baby from co-sleeping? One movement, and the round crib became an add-on.

• The presence of wheels makes it easy to move it around the house without damaging the floors.

• Adjustable in height. For example, the Sleep and Smile model has three different heights. For the cradle it is better to make the maximum. When it starts to get up - average. And the low one is already a playpen. Remove one bar and your baby can climb into the crib on his own.

• There are no sharp corners, and the round shape is the best option for a newborn (reminiscent of the mother's womb).

This type of bed does not have a closet, so you will have to purchase one. Suitable for children up to 5-6 years old. It has the highest cost, but the versatility of the product justifies it.

Type of cribs

On the market, transformable cribs for newborns with a changing table are available in a variety of variations. There is a whole diagram of a transformer crib:

• Sofa bed. Over time, the baby grows up and is already able to climb onto his crib. You can make this task easier for him by removing the side so that you end up with a sofa. This approach is best practiced at the age of 3-4 years. This crib model ensures the child’s comfort and fits perfectly into the home interior. Thanks to the transformation, the free space of the bed increases, allowing you to use the transforming crib for a long time.
• Bed-bed. The side bars can be removed so that the bed can easily adapt to the baby's height. This bed option is suitable even for a schoolchild. Parents avoid additional expenses and purchase goods with a long-term future.
• Collapsible. A universal option for all occasions. The furniture includes a changing table, shelves, cabinets and a bed. When the baby grows up, you can turn the changing table into a desk; slightly expand the sleeping space; cabinets are transformed into a cabinet.
• Dresser-bed. It looks in a minimalist style: it contains a sleeping place and a small closet. Everything necessary is always at hand for the child and mother.
• With a pendulum. The crib sways easily at the slightest movement of the baby due to the increased sensitivity of the pendulum. It is enough for the mother to lull the baby with one hand. Thanks to the special crib legs, the floor remains intact without a single scratch.
• Table-dresser-bed. The multifunctional design serves as a versatile choice. Includes a table for changing clothes, swaddling and other functional elements.
• The round product is transformed into an oval one, due to which the service life is extended to five years. This design protects against possible injuries due to the absence of sharp corners. As a result, we get a bed, a table and a nightstand.
• Bunk bed. Intended for children aged three years and older. Ideal solution for two children. The product saves space and fits perfectly into the interior of a children's room.

Materials

There are many types, but not all are so safe. There can be several of them in one design. They must be natural. The child will chew on the grate or edge. You need to find out what kind of paint coating it is (water-based or not).

• Wood is a very good option, harmless and safe. These beds are well ventilated. The material has hypoallergenic properties and retains heat. Solid beech, cherry, unpainted oak are some of the best and most durable species.

• Metal is also a harmless material. Very strong and durable. There is a drawback - it is cold. Also keep in mind that hitting metal and wood are two different things. This crib needs soft sides.

• Laminated chipboards (LDSP). They are cheap and durable. The characteristics are similar to wood. However, resins are added during production, which can negatively affect the baby’s health. Check if the product has a quality certificate.

• Plastic. Its advantage is a light bed. This is a durable material, but the most unsafe. Toxic substances are added during production. This applies to careless manufacturers.

Think carefully before purchasing such a model.

Choosing a size

The sizes of the beds are determined according to standards. For newborns (up to six months), the diameter of a round sleeping place should be about 90 cm. For an oval one - 125 by 75 cm (length and width, respectively). There are models on sale that can expand to dimensions of 160 by 90 cm.

When purchasing, you should consult in advance whether the crib has the ability to resize and transform. The oval crib is 120 cm long and about 65 cm wide and can only be used for children under 3 years of age. For children 5-7 years old, it is necessary that the product can be extended to a length of 160 cm.

You can also find products with the ability to extend up to 190 cm and expand up to 90 cm. This is the most practical option with a long service life, but not affordable for everyone.

Parents can adjust the height of the sides themselves. A comfortable height for newborns is 40-70 cm. As the child grows up, the sides drop lower, and over time they can be removed altogether.

Crib sizes

In the classic version, the dimensions of the bed are 60x120. They may differ for transformers:

• For the 3 in 1 model, the length is 170-180 cm, width 60-80 cm. Even a teenager can sleep.
• Those with retractable sides have dimensions of 70x140.
• An oval transformable bed is usually 75x130.

Review of manufacturers

Furniture production offers a huge selection of transformable beds. Here are the most popular and reliable ones:

• “Fairy” is a well-proven production of children's furniture, created on the basis of the Votkinsk Machine-Building Plant (Udmurtia).

• IKEA is a world-famous Dutch retail chain. The choice in favor of children's furniture from IKEA is made by parents who value laconic design and low price. You will find out what other beds are in the stores of this manufacturer in our article.

• Antel is a Nizhny Novgorod company specializing in the production of children's furniture. The most popular transformer model is “Ulyana”. The company produces ECO cribs for newborns, made from the safest materials.

• "SKV-Company" is an Arkhangelsk production company that has been specializing in the production of children's furniture for more than 15 years.

Twin beds

You had twins and your apartment is small?
Then buying two beds will be irrational due to their large dimensions. There are special cots for twins. Choose according to your taste! 1. Twin bed

Two beds in one bed, separated by a barrier. There are options: long with a partition and “side by side”. In the first case, one long bed was divided across, and in the second - along. In general, these models are bulky, but smaller than two separate beds. The downside is that babies will quickly outgrow these cribs.

2. Two-tier model

It saves space a lot, this is the main advantage.
Will take the place of one standard one. But when the kids start sitting down, it will have to be disassembled. Then there will be two small separate beds. It is quite expensive and is usually made to order. 3. Playpen bed

There are two cradles installed in the rectangular playpen.
When the little ones grow up, they are removed and only one playpen remains. Usually cradles have to be removed by 4 months. How the children will sleep in the future, puzzle yourself. But this model is in demand. 4. Transformer for twins - the height of engineering!

For ease of understanding, these are two transformable beds folded into one. The partition between them is a closet or chest of drawers (there is only one). The sleeping space for newborns has the same dimensions as separate beds. But teenage ones are reduced because of one bedside table (they will last until the start of school age).

When choosing, pay attention to the presence of a durable frame and safe metal joints (must be closed). The bottom of the bed must be adjustable, otherwise children will quickly climb out and may be injured.

The carrycot should have enough space for two babies.

Oval

Round and oval cribs look cozy and original. They usually have a limited list of functions:

• cradle;
• playpen;
• table and chairs.

At the same time, the demand for such structures is constantly increasing. The reason for this growing interest lies in the impressive list of advantages of oval cribs. Namely:

• simplicity and ease of design;
• high-quality ventilation;
• absence of traumatic angles;
• adjustable bed bottom height;
• mobility – wheels on legs;
• the width is less than the doorway, which means the crib can be transported between rooms;
• quick change of functions (expanding the crib, creating a table or chairs).

Tips for choosing transformable beds

• Choosing the type of bed. What goals do you pursue when purchasing it? If you need to have everything close by, buy a 3-in-1 model. If you need a place to store diapers and things, get a chest of drawers. Need a multifunctional one? Buy a round one! Consider the size of the room where you will place it, choose the appropriate dimensions.

• Buy from a trusted supplier. Look at reviews on the Internet and approximate prices. It is better to buy in children's or furniture stores, where a guarantee is provided for the product.

• Inspect the selected model for defects. Check the serviceability of the design right in the store. Check for a quality certificate. If it is available, it means that all materials are safe and meet quality standards.

• Avoid bright colors that will irritate your baby. Soft pastel colors are better. Another thing to consider is whether the design matches the baby’s room.

Advantages and disadvantages

Undoubtedly, transformers have a number of advantages :

1. Many designs contain drawers, cabinets, bedside tables, shelves, changing tables, chests of drawers, which do an excellent job of saving space in a small apartment. Parents will no longer have to spend money on new cabinets.
2. Most transformers are aimed at the rapid growth of the baby: their side or front walls are removed. Changing tables are converted into desk tables. Dressers with a changing surface can also be easily transformed. All this allows the furniture to be used for a long time.
3. All transformer models purchased from reliable manufacturers meet safety regulations. They are equipped with sides of sufficient height to prevent falls during sleep. Fastening parts, screws and mechanisms are inaccessible to an inquisitive little one.
4. If we compare the price of a transforming bed and the price of a furniture set assembled separately, the first will compare favorably with the second.

However, many adults are afraid to purchase multifunctional designs due to some objective reasons:

1. If the space allotted to the baby in the room is too small, then the transformable device can “
   eat
   ”
   him even more due to its dimensions.
2. If the crib can be modified as the baby grows, then the size of the mattress remains unchanged. Therefore, parents will have to buy a new high-quality mattress each time that is suitable in size.
3. Children may become bored with the same furniture over time. With age, their tastes and preferences often change: what a two-year-old child liked will not always please a first-grader. Some types of beds are designed for use from infancy to adolescence.

Best cribs according to reviews

• SKV-Company 83003x. A modern domestic model with a chest of drawers, a drawer for things and a changing table. Very comfortable. Converts into a teenage bed and chest of drawers. Two bottom height positions, a lowering backrest and a transverse pendulum mechanism. The average cost is about 11,000 rubles. Disadvantages in the availability of chipboard elements.

• FAIRY 1100. Also Russian production 3 in 1. Not inferior to the previous version. However, there are complaints about the pendulum mechanism (it creaks, it flies out). Costs about 10,000 rubles.

• Red star Paulina-2 C422. This is a round crib made of solid birch. It is roomy and multifunctional: a cradle, an oval crib with 3 levels of sleeping bed height, a playpen, a changing table, a sofa and a table with armchairs. Equipped with a high-quality pendulum. Costs about 18,000 rubles. Compared to imported analogues, it is cheaper.

• AZZURRA DESIGN GEMINI. Italian model for twins on wheels. This is a twin bed and can be separated. Made from natural materials. Suitable up to four years of age. Price about 66,000 rub. No additional elements.

• NUOVITA NIDO MAGIA. Italian round crib (made here) 5 in 1: cradle, side crib, sofa, playpen, oval bed. Made of beech and covered with harmless enamel. Price on average 22,000 rub.

What to choose is up to you. Let your choice be right! Coziness and comfortable, healthy sleep are important for the full development of the baby. A transformable crib can provide this for several years. Let it serve your grandchildren! And your children will sleep soundly and grow up healthy! Author: Yulia Tamanskaya especially for the website Matrasium.ru

What else do you need to know before purchasing?

When purchasing, keep in mind that different manufacturers offer different product packages. The more functions a structure can perform, the more expensive its cost. The following elements help to complete all tasks:

• Wheels with stoppers. The crib can be easily moved to any place in the room and its position can be fixed where needed.
• System for adjusting the height of the base (bottom). It is thanks to her that the product turns into a changing table, playpen or crib of the required depth.
• Removable partitions. The presence of collapsible parts allows you not only to expand the sleeping area, but also to create an additional crib next to the parents' sleeping area. To do this, you just need to remove the walls in the right place. For children in the first months of life, this option is the most relevant, since at this age they often wake up at night, and parents do not have to get out of bed every time to calm and feed the baby.
• Pendulum mechanism. An additional function with which you can rock and lull a very small child.
• Additional drawers and shelves. By adding a place to store children's accessories to the overall design, you can significantly increase the ease of use of the product.
• Special plastic and silicone pads. They provide additional protection from impacts, and during the period when the baby is teething, they will prevent damage to the surface of the furniture.

Design options

Chest of drawers or wardrobe

A transformable crib with a chest of drawers or a wardrobe is a piece of furniture of a modular type, with a combination of two or more elements. The position of the chest of drawers can be changed by placing it on the left or right side of the crib. In the lower part that unites them, there is often a full-length drawer. When the baby grows up, the bars are removed from the crib and the chest of drawers is removed, increasing the length of the bed.

The good thing about the design is that you don’t need to think about where your grown-up son (or daughter) will sleep. The savings are obvious. In addition, it allows you to diversify the environment. But the fact that the height of the sleeping place usually cannot be varied is not very convenient.

Children's transforming bed with chest of drawers (photo)

Transformable bed with pendulum

The pendulum-type system is a useful invention that allows you to lull a baby to sleep without extra effort. It is enough to move the crib a little, and the pendulum starts. And it can also work even when the baby is restlessly tossing and turning and trying to wake up. There are models that turn on from the sound of crying.

Transformable children's beds with a pendulum may not have additional accessories and can last up to three years. When the bottom is lowered, they turn into a playpen. If there are drawers under the pendulum system, they can then be removed and the level of the sleeping bed can be changed. Such models can be used for up to five years. Well, cribs with a removable chest of drawers and a pendulum will last up to twelve years.

Children's transforming bed with chest of drawers and pendulum (photo)

The pendulum system can be built on silent bearings or on wooden planks. The first option is preferable, since the wood may creak as it wears out. The mechanism is equipped with locks that, if necessary, will make the crib stable. Note that models with pendulums are more stable than those with runners. And they don't damage the floor.

There are two types of such systems: longitudinal and transverse.

Some experts argue that longitudinal rocking is more beneficial for infants, as it is more natural. But this is a controversial issue - after all, our ancestors for hundreds of years rocked children in cradles exactly across. In any case, keep in mind that you need to leave room for the pendulum so that the crib does not hit the wall.

Dresser and changing table

The simplest models have a folding changing table attached to one of the backrests. In some cases, it can be transformed into an extension of the sleeping area. It is important that the fastening is sufficiently reliable - check this before purchasing.

Well, if you have a chest of drawers, then why not equip its upper part with a changing device? This is what many manufacturers do, equipping the chest of drawers with convenient guards (this is very important for the safety of the baby).

Transformable crib with changing table

Chest of drawers and workplace

Some cribs, when transformed, are capable of even greater miracles. There are models of transformable children's beds that allow you to build a comfortable table for an older child, resting on the top of a chest of drawers removed from the bed. The second support will be the lattice wall, which is no longer needed. And next to it we’ll put a drawing board (formerly the back wall of the crib).

Transformable bed into a workplace

There is no doubt about the practicality of such a design. The only downside sometimes is that the table turns out to be too small.

Oval transformable baby crib

These models are extremely elegant - smooth, rounded shapes look very stylish. In addition, the absolute absence of sharp corners increases the safety of the product, and the baby inside is very comfortable. And such a crib takes up less space than a rectangular one.

But this is not all the advantages of such structures. They are also very deft at transforming. A round transformable crib can become a cradle, a round playpen, a small or large (if you move the walls apart) oval crib, a sofa, armchairs with a table. Thanks to its variety, it will never get boring.

Oval transformable crib (photo)

Transformable bed Ikea

The Swedish manufacturer loves transformers - he has many collections based on the modular type, where products are easy to combine and combine with each other. As for cribs for babies, these from this manufacturer are designed for up to three years and have a bottom adjustment in three positions. Stuva models are equipped with drawers at the bottom.

But for slightly older children (from one year old), Ikea offers to buy transforming cribs that extend in length and grow with the child (for example, models Sundvik, Minnen, Trugen). Many are equipped with a low safety guard (this can be purchased separately). And Cure's crib with a ladder has two sides: for the little one they arrange a sleeping place below, and later, turning the bed over, they transfer the child to the second floor.

Transformable children's bed from Ikea (photo)

Playpen bed

The design of this crib uses an aluminum folding base, as well as fabric and mesh. The bottom can usually be installed in two positions, and there are wheels that can be locked if necessary. The lightweight playpen folds up quickly, much like an umbrella, turning into a bag, and quite compact at that.

It is very convenient to take such a product with you to the dacha or on a trip, but sleeping in it all the time is not very useful for a baby. After all, the materials used here are mainly synthetic, and the folding bottom is not very smooth. And it’s a bit stuffy for the little one inside. Therefore, it is better to buy a transformable children's bed in the form of a playpen in addition to a regular crib. If, of course, there is a possibility and necessity.

Example of a functional children's transforming bed (video):