Modern children's stores offer a variety of devices that help parents facilitate the care of their babies. No exception and a nest for newborns. This is a very useful product for swaddling and laying the baby. What kind of device is this, why is it needed, and is it possible to make it yourself?
Nest for newborns: description
The nest (or cocoon) was originally invented for premature or underweight babies. Such a device is usually used up to four months old baby. It helps young mothers when feeding, transporting in transport and carrying in their hands.
Newborn children are very sensitive to the new microclimate and the world around them. Cocoon thanks to its design gives the baby a sense of comfort and security.
Why is it called a nest or a cocoon?
This name is due to the anatomical form of the device. Its contours accurately repeat the bends of the body of the newborn. Thanks to this, it becomes much easier for the child to adapt to a new life outside the mother’s tummy, because he feels the same as being in the womb. Thus, the nest-cocoon for the newborn provides a position in a comfortable position for him and calm.
Why is it worth buying such a cocoon?
- The nest gives a feeling of comfort and security, so the baby’s sleep will be more calm and long.
- The child can take a comfortable position, which prevents colic in the tummy, and the baby cries less.
- The correct shape of the skeleton is formed, muscle tone decreases.
- Using a nest for newborns, you can not worry that the baby will roll over and accidentally fall out.
- The child can be placed in a cocoon in a comfortable position, which will facilitate the feeding process for young parents.
- It allows you to comfortably equip your baby while swimming.
- The nest is often used for sleeping in the parent's bed.
What are nests?
- Nest-mattress. This type has wide application. It is usually used up to four months of age as a place for feeding, playing and sleeping the baby. If you make a nest for newborns with your own hands, then you should keep in mind that for the manufacture of such a mattress it is better to choose a material such as polyurethane or polyamide.
- Envelope nest. Used for discharge from the hospital, visiting the clinic, walking in the stroller in the cool season, since this option is very warm and comfortable. Outwardly resembles an envelope, hence the name. Buttons or zippers act as fasteners. For sewing such a nest, choose fur, wool and fleece fabric.
- Nest-diaper. The name itself makes it clear that this type is used for swaddling and stronger fixation of babies of any height and age. It is convenient that the product is fastened with Velcro. You can either sew a nest for a newborn, or buy such a diaper option. If you do it yourself, then you should give preference to cotton material.
- Nest bag. It differs from a mattress and an envelope in that it has a solid base and durable handles. This cocoon is convenient for moving with a baby at a distance: from home to the street, to guests, public places. The nest bag often comes with a stroller, but after the child reaches the age of ten months, it is usually no longer used.
We make a cocoon. Useful Tips
Many caring mothers themselves do baby things. Why do they do it? First, the family budget savings are noticeably noticeable. Secondly, the baby will always have unique and exclusive things. And of course, mother’s love will be felt in this.
Do-it-yourself nest for newborns is a feasible task for everyone, but it all depends on the skills and preferences of the needlewoman. So, there are several options for making a cocoon for a baby.
- Sew from fabric.
- Knit with needles.
- Crochet.
Each of the methods is suitable to make any cocoon nest for a newborn (mattress, diaper, envelope or carrying). The product will become unique if you add decorative elements and decorations: embroidery, appliqués, beads, ribbons. For girls, flowers, princesses, butterflies are suitable as a drawing, and for boys - boats, planes, cars. A nest with ears or even in the form of an animal or some kind of superhero will look very original.
Of course, the first thing to do is take measurements from the future owner of the cocoon. If you make a nest for newborns, the pattern usually has standard sizes: 90 centimeters - length, and 60 centimeters - width.
Choosing materials for the nest
What materials should be preferred in the manufacture of cocoons? Those that will not cause allergies and prick in contact with the delicate skin of the baby. These materials include wool mixture, they are natural and soft, which is important if you are making a nest for newborns. A workshop on the choice of fabric suggests that synthetics are not the best option for a baby. But if there is no choice, then it will be necessary to make a lining of flannel or cotton.
In the knitted version of the nest, the choice of yarn is also a very important step. The threads should not be pricked and cause allergies, because the product will be made for a baby with delicate skin. It is better to stop your choice on soft yarn with a minimum content of synthetic fibers. Acrylic threads are very popular among needlewomen when knitting children's things. They are pleasant to the touch, do not cause allergies, and the color palette allows you to realize any ideas. You will get a nice bright cocoon if you knit with yarn of contrasting colors.
We sew a nest for a newborn
What is required:
- fabric (two meters);
- synthetic winterizer / foam rubber (two meters two centimeters thick);
- slanting inlay (three meters);
- cord (three meters);
- irresistible desire to make a nest for newborns.
The pattern is shown in the photo. Thus, we cut out two identical parts from the fabric. Sweep them together inward with the front side. Sew them, but leave half of each tongue open. We turn out the product. It should turn out so that the front side looked outward, and the wrong side inward. On a stitched seam, we sweep a slanting inlay. If everything suits - sew. Cut the oval bottom out of the foam. Try on stitched details, outline with chalk. Lay the line along the lines. We insert the bottom inside. We twist the synthetic winterizer into a roll, insert it through the tongue. We cut the excess, lay the line. Now it remains to issue a slanting inlay. In the resulting border, insert the lace, tighten and tie.
Now the nest for the newborns is ready. The master class, of course, suggests that there is already a knowledge of the basics of sewing.
How to tie a diaper nest on knitting needles
To make a knitted cocoon, which will certainly please the baby, you will need about one hundred to two hundred grams of yarn. When choosing it, you should remember that it should not cause allergies. Knitting needles are best taken from the third to fifth numbers. The thickness of the thread should match the selected tool. The larger it is supposed to tie the nest for newborns with your own hands, the more you need to choose a number for the knitting needles.
Before buying yarn and choosing a tool from a baby, you must take measurements. When knitting a diaper nest, two indicators are important: the baby's body length from the fingers of the legs to the armpits and the circumference of the chest. Of course, you can stick to the size of a standard pattern, but then it can happen that the cocoon is too small or large for the baby. It is worth remembering that the number of loops should correspond to the volume of the chest.
You can focus on your style of knitting or choose from the proposed simple options.
- Light pattern, but no less pretty - elastic. Knits with standard loops (alternating two facial and two wrong). Convex gum, pearl or corn will look more interesting.
- Pattern "garter stitch". In this case, the entire cocoon needs to be knitted only with facial loops. The product will be dense, but the yarn will leave more.
In principle, you can knit a cocoon according to the scheme of any children's hats. It is better to start work from above, and to finish bottom, gradually reducing loops in rows.
A nest for babies, created with your own hands, will gain a highlight if you combine various patterns and add decorative elements in the form of beads, ribbons or knitted flowers.
How to crochet a diaper nest
The process of crocheting a cocoon is almost no different from the knitting method. Everything is done in exactly the same way: take measurements, choose yarn, hook number and pattern. Drawings can be knitted similarly: shawl knitting, elastic - or stop at a more airy version, which is inherent in crocheted products.
Crochet will differ from the option with knitting needles in only one. Getting started is better from the bottom. The bottom must also be knitted according to the scheme of the cap. Only the bottom of the cocoon will match the crown of the headgear. The rest of the nest is knitted with a continuous fabric without adding loops.
So, this article showed how to tie or how to sew a nest for a newborn, which will not only save the family budget, but also distinguish the baby from other babies.