When choosing a crib, it is recommended to take into account several factors: the practicality and safety of the material and design, the appearance and functionality of the product. Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of models to suit every taste and budget.
The round crib has become especially popular lately. It attracts not only with its unusual shape, but also with the versatility of its design, the possibility of its transformation and use as the child grows up.
Round baby crib
Features of a round transformable crib
The main difference between this toddler's sleeping place is its appearance. If the usual standard crib is always rectangular, then this one has the shape of a circle. The second feature is functionality. Since a tiny round crib cannot be used for long (the baby is growing), its design allows for changes and modifications. This makes it possible to call it a transformer.
Materials
Round cribs are usually made from natural materials. Wood manufacturers usually choose birch, aspen or beech. Pine is also used, but it breaks down faster - it is not as dense. Paints are only non-toxic, specially made for children's furniture.
A round bed can consist of the following elements:
- Solid half-arches;
- Quarter circles.
The first option is more reliable - it does not have two connecting seams, which makes the structure stronger. The second option is cheaper.
Functionality
For a newborn, a small round bed is better than a large classic one, according to manufacturers. The small size of the bed reminds of the most measured time of the baby - in the womb. This means that the baby’s sleep will be calmer and he will feel more protected.
This bed itself is not durable. Babies are growing quickly, they will not have enough space. In order to be able to use the sleeping place longer, the crib can be extended and its bottom can be lowered as needed, thereby increasing its service life. How long it can last depends on the modification.
The baby's cradle is already too small
Dimensions
A round transformable crib for newborns usually has a bed diameter of 75 cm. This is an average figure, it may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The enlarged sleeping area becomes approximately 125x75 cm.
Interesting. There can be only one mattress: if it is a transformer, then an extension part for a larger bed is attached to the small round one (for a cradle). You can buy two different, separate mattresses.
Available in oval or semicircular
When a round bed for newborns grows after its owner, it becomes oval. Extension sides are inserted between the two semicircles, new slats are added to the bottom, and a new mattress is placed - the sleeping bed for an older child is ready. Moreover, at this moment you can lower the bottom a little lower so that the baby, who is learning to sit down, cannot fall out.
There is no semicircular bed. Experience shows that it is impractical. However, the seats of chairs can be semicircular, which can be made from a bed later (more on all the transformation possibilities below).
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.
Pros and cons of a round crib
Leukocytes in the stool of a child under one year old - the norm, reasons for the increase
Every day there are more and more mothers who give their preference to round and oval beds. Here's what they like:
- No corners. The coordination of the baby's movements leaves much to be desired. He may fall; hitting a corner (especially with his head) can cause injury. In addition, corners are a source of creaks and loosening. Therefore, a round cradle is safer and more comfortable.
- Mobility. A round baby bed is usually equipped with wheels. Thanks to this, as well as its compact and lightweight design, you can easily move it around the house with you.
- Beauty. Many mothers choose this first piece of furniture for their baby precisely because of its stylish design. The most popular color is white, which is suitable for both girls and boys. Beige shades and dark tones are used less often. Very rarely – bright colors.
Design of a nursery with a white cradle
- Long lifespan. This indicator depends on the possibilities of transformation - from 4 to 12 years.
- Space saving. For the first six months of a baby’s life, its bed is more compact and will fit even in a small corner.
- Convenience. You can approach the bed from any side, place it along the wall, diagonally from the corner, whatever you like. In addition, it is more convenient for a little person to view the world from it.
- Baby's comfort. A small cradle is considered the best option for a newborn. She reminds him of his mother's womb and gives him a feeling of security.
Such transforming beds have disadvantages:
- No drawers. The design usually does not provide for them. The maximum that can be installed is a pendulum system for the cradle.
- Price. As a rule, such furniture is more expensive than classic options.
- Several mattresses. One, as in a standard rectangular bed, is no longer enough. You need to buy either two, or a transformer, this will also be more expensive.
Mattresses
An oval bed for newborns is initially equipped with a mattress. The set includes 2 or 3 types of products, differing in size.
To fill them, latex or polyurethane foam, as well as a layer of coir, are used. This combination has the necessary rigidity and provides proper support for the body.
All products, regardless of size, are equipped with removable covers. It is recommended to use only natural materials for their manufacture.
Mattresses that are a one-piece product are considered more comfortable. However, many manufacturers offer models that follow the shape of the base parts. In this way, they achieve increased functionality. Semicircular elements are later used to increase the comfort of chairs. And so that they do not move from the surface of the seat, they are supplemented with ties.
How to choose a good crib
Apgar scale for newborns - scores at birth, table
Choosing a good transformable bed for your baby is very important. Mom and her child will have to use this item for a long time; it should be comfortable and reliable.
The following criteria will help you make the right choice:
- Material. It is better to choose beech. It is the most durable. Pine will quickly become covered with scratches and gouges; it is not worth taking. Chipboard and laminated chipboard are also not suitable.
- Dye. It must be non-toxic and certified for use for such purposes.
- Fastenings. Plastic and wood will not work. All fasteners must be metal and must not be accessible to the baby.
- Rods. They should be at a distance of approximately 10 cm from each other, so as not to pinch the child's hand or leg, but also not to miss the head. It is also good if the rods do not have corners.
Rods without corners
- Quality. Furniture must be stable and strong. There should be no unplanned gaps. It is desirable that the assembly be as simple as possible.
Cradles
This type is very popular among parents who want to create comfortable conditions for themselves and their children. Such a model can be equipped with an arc with toys, a visor, wheels and other elements, but the main feature is a manual or automatic motion sickness system.
Typically, such models are intended for babies up to 8-12 months, so their length does not exceed 85-95 cm and width 50 cm. When the baby is 8-12 months old, the crib will have to be changed to another.
The disadvantage of such models is that they do not have proper stability. This must be taken into account during operation.
A simple cradle that can independently rock a newborn, supporting a weight of up to 20 kg.
8 in 1 round crib review
Red spots on the back of a baby's head - what are they?
Modifications of round and oval cribs for newborns are different: from 3 in 1 to 11 in 1. Today we will talk about the most popular option - 8 in 1. This means that from one set, gradually changing the composition of its parts, you can assemble:
- Round cradle for a newborn;
- Baby changing table;
- An oval bed for an older child;
- Manege;
- Bed for children from 3-4 years old;
- Add-on infant bed;
- Two armchairs;
- Table.
What are its advantages
The advantage of buying such furniture is obvious - it will last for a long time. While an ordinary classic crib will last a maximum of 3-4 years, a round transformer will be useful for up to 10-12 years, maybe longer if chairs with a table are used.
Some of the crib transformation options
Assembly instructions
Assemble the crib like this:
- For a round cradle. Connect the quarters of a circle or half-arc and install the bottom. If necessary, screw on the wheels or install a pendulum.
- Baby changing table. Assembled from a kit for extending the cradle, the bottom is located high on the free straight sides.
- For an oval crib. The half-arcs unwind, and a straight side is placed between them. The mattress is changed, if necessary, the bottom is lowered.
- Side bed. One straight side of the oval crib is removed, the resulting opening is located close to the parent's sleeping place. It is advisable to secure the connection using special straps.
Note! An additional cot can serve as a sofa for older children.
- For the playpen. The bottom is lowered to the lowest possible position. Before this, the wheels and pendulum are removed.
- Bed from 4 years. Straight sides are placed on one side (the other without fencing), the bottom is lengthened. For this modification, a new mattress is purchased. You can increase the sleeping area up to 175 cm.
- Armchairs. The half-arcs are disconnected from each other. In the middle position, a half of the round bottom is installed, on which the pad is placed.
- Table. It is assembled in the same way as a changing bag, but its surface is lower.
Choice of bed linen
For bedding, you will need to purchase a pillow and blanket, sheets, a mattress, pillowcases and duvet covers, soft bumpers and a canopy. The sides consist of fabric and foam filling. They are attached to the crib railing with ribbons.
The choice of bedding for a newborn should be approached responsibly
Side using the Bon-Bon technique
The bottom of the crib has ventilation holes to ensure air circulation. A mattress with an orthopedic effect should have these same qualities. Products filled with foam rubber or holofiber are environmentally friendly, do not allow moisture to pass through and have sufficient rigidity.
Mattress with coconut fiber and latex foam
To make a removable cover, natural fabric should be used - cotton or wool. Synthetics can cause allergies and irritation to the baby's skin, so they are not used.
Set of underwear for girls
The blanket should be light - flannelette or wool. The canopy, according to some pediatricians, reduces the amount of oxygen in the crib, so it is recommended to use it as little as possible, for example, to protect the child from bright light while he is falling asleep. The pad should be thin; at first, you can discard it altogether or use a diaper folded several times.
Sheet with elastic
The sheet should be made of waterproof fabric with an elastic band to securely fix the fabric on the mattress - the child spins around a lot and wrinkles the sheet. The color chosen is neutral and not irritating to the eyes. Large drawings attract attention and influence the development of the baby.
Bed linen is selected in accordance with the design of the crib and room
Finding linen for such a mattress in a regular store is problematic. And branded underwear costs a lot of money. Therefore, you can sew a round sheet yourself.
The elastic band will allow you to securely fix the sheet to the mattress
For work you will need 1 - 1.45 m of fabric.
Table 2. How to sew a sheet for a round mattress.
| Illustration | Description |
Step 1 | A fragment 780 mm long is cut, taking into account allowances and fabric shrinkage. |
Step 2 | To cut a square of 780 x 780 mm, you need to bend the corner of the fabric. |
Step 3 | Cut out a square of the required size. |
Step 4 | The fabric is folded into a triangle. |
Step 5 | 390 mm is set aside from the top of the corner. |
Step 6 | The mark is fixed. |
Step 7 | The same value is noted in several places of the triangle. Goal: mark the points of the circle. |
Step 8 | The serifs are connected using a pattern. |
Step 9 | Excess fabric is cut along the intended line. |
Step 10 | The result is an even circle. It is put aside for a while. |
Step 11 | The fabric is folded 4 times. If the thickness of the mattress is 100 mm, you will need to put this value and 100 mm under the fold of the sheet under the mattress and allowances (for sewing on the circle and inserting the elastic). As a result, you will need to postpone 2 times 200 mm. |
Step 12 | Connect serifs. |
Step 13 | Cut according to the markings. |
Step 14 | Cut off the edges. |
Step 15 | The strips are connected with their faces facing inward. |
Step 16 | The remaining 5 mm piece of fabric is folded in. |
Step 17 | The folded fragment is stitched. |
Step 18 | The resulting tape is sewn to the circle, retreating 10 mm from the edge |
Step 19 | The excess is cut off, leaving an allowance for the connection. |
Step 20 | The edge where the elastic will be inserted is folded by 5 mm, then another 10 mm and the stitching is performed |
Step 21 | The length of the elastic is half the length of the tape into which it will be inserted. |
Step 22 | The elastic band is inserted and secured. |
Cost of popular models
The price of oval and round cribs for newborns is not low, although justified - one set replaces many other purchases. The most famous manufacturers have set the following price for their goods[1]:
- Ellipsebed, modification 5 in 1 – 25,000 rubles.
Ellipsbed bed in the interior
- Round Stokke Sleepi Mini – 35,000, oval Stokke Sleepi – 55,000 rubles.
- Giovanni Shapito Tree O 6 in 1 – 10,500 rubles.
- Everflo Allure with a 7-in-1 pendulum – 13,000 rubles (without – 10,000 rubles).
- Sweetbaby Delizia with a pendulum – 11,500 rubles (without rocking system – 9,000 rubles).
What materials are used in the production of children's furniture?
A variety of materials are used for production: metal, wood, MDF. The main requirement is safety for the baby.
The best choice is a wooden crib made of birch, alder, maple, and pine. As for the latter, this is an economical option. Products made from solid pine are cheaper, but the wood is not hard and durable and quickly scratches, losing its aesthetic appearance.
Important! When choosing lacquered furniture for a children's room, the products should not emit a strong odor. A product that smells may be hazardous to health.
Parents in their reviews of baby cots do not recommend choosing glued cradles made of plywood or wood board. The presence of glue makes such products toxic, and therefore dangerous for a fragile tiny organism.
Round bed or classic: which is better?
Only parents can choose whether a round transformable crib for newborns is better or a classic one. The best option is considered to be the one that is safe and convenient for mom, dad and their child. If adults like timeless classics, if the design of a children's room involves using it, then there is no point in buying a transformer. In addition, not all parents can afford to buy such first furniture.
If you have the opportunity and desire to choose a modern, stylish and thoughtful option, then it will be the best solution.
The main thing is when choosing a crib for a newborn girl or a tiny boy, pay attention to the quality of the furniture. It is this criterion that should be dominant. In second place are budget and ease of use.
Additional items
The functionality of modern children's beds is regularly expanded. In the struggle for buyers, children's furniture manufacturers are developing new features and additional functions for their models that make child care easier.
Wheels with locks
Two cribs can be combined into one if there are twins in the family
The versatility of the models allows you to avoid purchasing additional furniture and save a lot of money. Using special fasteners and additional elements in addition to the crib, you can assemble a playpen, changing table, and chest of drawers.
Thus, an attached cradle, which is attached to the mother’s bed with special fasteners, is used in the first months of a child’s life, when he still urgently needs maternal closeness. This option is good because in the future you won’t have to painfully and for a long time wean your baby from his parents’ bed.
Attached model
In addition, manufacturers of round cribs offer a wide range of bed linen and mattresses, organizers, protective bumpers and canopies.
For teenagers
A teenager needs an almost “adult” bed, with a bed size of 70-90 cm by 180-190 cm, up to 50 cm in height. Imported designs are wider - about 100 cm. There are also sliding options that change as they grow older - from 120 to 180 cm. The model is convenient because it does not require replacement after a couple of years - the crib is made as durable as possible, from high-quality materials.
A mattress for a “growing” bed does not always need to be completely replaced - individual options are created using one or two fragments of the same texture as the main product.
Bed sizes for preschoolers and schoolchildren
A crib for a child 4-7 years old has the following dimensions: sleeping area 60 by 140 cm, height from the ground - about 30 cm. After three to four years, the railings disappear. The student bed is a little larger: 80 by 160 cm, height from the floor level 40 cm. There are other parameters: 75 by 150 cm. Many of these products are painted in bright colors, stylized as boats, cars, decorated with lace trim, a canopy of delicate colors, equipped with a drawer that can serve not only as storage, but also as an additional surface for board games.
Children of any age love to jump on the bed, so that the furniture does not break too quickly, it is recommended to buy a structure with the most durable base.
Loft bed
The sleeping place for this model is located above the floor at a height of 1 to 1.5 meters, and below it is an area for games, sports or a table for studying. This crib is equipped with sides on the sides to prevent the child from falling while sleeping. It is worth noting that such a bed is very large, but will allow the child to organize his own personal corner in the room.
The loft bed is a compact two-story structure with a sleeping area on the second floor.
Transformers
Transformable beds are very convenient to use in small apartments. Some models can turn into a table or other piece of furniture. There are baby cribs with sides that can be used from birth to school age. As the baby grows, parents remove the high sides and buy a larger mattress. High-quality furniture of this type can be used for up to 10 years.
Single
It is better for school-age children to purchase bed models. They can be no smaller in size than adult beds, but differ in the requirements for the quality of materials used and design.
The standard size of a single bed is 100 cm wide and 190 cm long.
Bunk
This model is ideal for a small room where two children aged 7 years and older live. Takes up less space than single structures. Most two-tier products have a size of 90 x 190 cm - this is the standard. Due to decorative and additional functional elements, the length sometimes increases to 210 cm. The height usually does not exceed 180 cm. This parameter should be selected based on the height of the ceilings in the room.
What you shouldn’t look for when buying a crib
When entering a children's furniture store, future parents are confused by the variety on offer. Most often, pregnant women like miniature cribs with canopies in pink or blue colors. These are the ones that your favorite dolls slept in when the expectant mother was a little girl. Another category of women wants so much to buy the “best” things for their child that price becomes the decisive criterion. “The more expensive, the better,” they argue.
Neither the first nor the second approach is correct. By focusing only on appearance, you risk purchasing a crib that is too small and uncomfortable. And the second approach will force you to purchase furniture with a lot of unnecessary elements.
Color spectrum
Another important criterion that parents don’t think much about is the shade of the linen.
Carefully measuring the child’s height and the dimensions of the mattress, they manage to focus on safety and comfort, completely losing sight of the colors. Psychologists say that with the help of the right color scheme, you can grow a talented, self-confident person, and sometimes even cure mental illness
The effect of color on a child's body is indicated in the table below.
Table - Primary colors and their effect on the child’s body
| Bed color | Impact on the psyche |
| Green | - Helps relax; - promotes calmness |
| Red | - Causes aggression; - capable of oppressing |
| Yellow | — Improves mood; - causes joy; – provokes anxiety (if abused) |
| Blue | — Normalizes sleep; - promotes relaxation; - provides calming to the nervous system |
| Blue | — Eliminates tension (only as small accents); — helps to fall asleep (if the shade is not dominant); - depresses the nervous system (if blue is the main color) |
| White, beige | — Calms the nervous system; - ensures restful sleep; - leads to melancholy if not diluted with bright colors |
| Grey | — Promotes self-confidence (only small accents) |
| Brown | - Causes boredom; - can provoke apathy |
| Black | — Causes destruction of the child’s psyche (in large quantities); - neutral if used as outlines of a picture or small print |
Basic safety requirements that are considered convenient
The distance between the rods of the sides should be within the parameters of five to seven centimeters. If the position is more frequent, the baby’s limbs may get stuck between them; if the position is less frequent, the baby’s head may get stuck.
The distance from the bottom of the crib, which is in the lower position, to the top edge of the sides should be at least sixty-five centimeters. This will prevent the risk of falling out for an older and fairly active baby.
The materials used to make the crib, as well as the children's mattress, must be environmentally friendly. This information must be contained in the hygiene certificate supplied with the product. If the seller does not have one, you should refuse the purchase.
One side of the crib must be removable. Thanks to this feature, it will be possible to move the crib close to the parent’s bed, so that at any moment in the middle of the night you can pick up and calm the awakened baby.
The top rail of the bed rails should have safe pads (dental rails), allowing the baby to massage itchy gums against them during teething. This will protect the crib from damage, and the baby’s gums from splinters.
Economical model from IKEA (photo)
