A mobile bed is a device whose history began many centuries ago. In the old days, parents hung various trinkets over the cradle of the newborn. So they tried to protect the child from evil spirits and the evil eye, to give him a healthy and happy life. Today, placing toys over the cradle does not have a sacred meaning, this is done for the entertainment and development of children.
What is a mobile bed for?
First you need to understand what it is. The mobile on the bed is a rotating carousel that is attached to the sides on the bracket or hung on a hook. This toy performs a number of useful functions, which are discussed below:
- Distraction Nowadays, music mobiles have gained great popularity. Such a toy helps to reassure the baby when he is upset, and also set him up for sleep.
- Development. A mobile, if you hang it at the right distance, helps the child learn how to focus on the subject. The kid follows him, learns to distinguish colors and shapes. Then he makes attempts to reach the toy, which also contributes to the development of vision.
- Interior decoration. Manufacturers pay great attention to mobile design. Many companies offer whole sets made in the same style. Such a set may include the toy itself, bedding, bumpers. The pendants themselves are interesting, which can take the form of charming animals, beautiful fairies, bright stars and moving cars.
For the smallest
Should I buy a mobile for a baby bed? Such a question can often be heard from inexperienced mothers. Unfortunately, there is no universal answer to it. Some experts recommend purchasing this item as early as possible, while others object to the early use of these products. In any case, you should heed the tips that are listed below:
- The toy should not be located above the baby’s head, but above his chest. Only in this case the mobile will bring maximum benefits.
- The distance between the device and children's eyes should be approximately 30 centimeters.
- In the first month of a child’s life, you should not include a toy for more than five minutes a day. Excessive frivolity will overwork him, he will be tired of the excess of impressions.
Two to four months
At this age, the mobile on the crib brings maximum benefit. The kid is animated by hearing a familiar tune. He likes to keep an eye on moving pendants, his focus is on the fixture.
Limitations still exist. Experts do not recommend including music to the child before going to bed, even if it is a lullaby. This sound will have an exciting effect on the nervous system, the baby will fall asleep worse.
Up to six months
When choosing a mobile bed for a baby who is 4-6 months old, parents should give preference to a solid device. At this age, children not only observe the toy, but also try to grab it. The development of a grasping skill is very important, and the suspension effectively contributes to this.
Moms and dads should remember that the baby should not be left alone for a long time with a movable toy, even if it is securely fixed. It is better to let the child have fun in the presence of adults.
From six months
Is a bed mobile at this age relevant? A child who is already six months old is not easy to keep in place. The kid gets up on his feet, crawls, almost not in bed. A funny toy no longer causes him as much interest as before, it is used less and less.
However, it is too early to abandon the mobile, you should only give preference to the musical device. Such a toy is used primarily as a player. A cheerful melody not only entertains the baby, but also helps him in acquiring crawling and walking skills.
Wooden Toys
Children's mobile bed can be made of various materials. Wooden products are simple toys that remain relevant for many years. Their main advantage is ease of use. Parents only need to buy a device and properly hang it. As a mount, a cord or rope can be used. It should be noted that the mobile, made of natural wood, is absolutely safe for the baby from an environmental point of view.
The main disadvantage of wooden mobiles is the inability to adjust them in height. It is not surprising that their service life does not exceed 5-6 months. But mothers and fathers can change pendants independently, focusing on their taste.
Mechanical toys
Mechanical mobiles resemble music boxes in their principle of action. The movement mechanism is driven by manual winding, lighting is not provided. For the operation of such a suspension does not require batteries. There are more toys than a wooden product.
Many parents refuse to purchase a mechanical model because of the "modest repertoire." As a rule, there is only one melody.
Electronic toys
An electronic mobile on a bed is more of an entertainment complex than a toy. Such a device does not need constant winding, since its operation is provided by batteries. The remote control is used to adjust the speed of rotation. There is also a backlight, as well as several musical accompaniments to choose from.
Modern models also have a projector and a nightlight. The kid will be able not only to follow the movement of the pendants, but also to admire the "starry sky". Perhaps the only significant drawback of such a product is its high cost.
Tiny love
When choosing a toy, it is worth paying attention to the manufacturer. Very popular with moms and dads is the mobile on the Tini Love crib. Regardless of the model, the music carousels of this brand have the following features:
- battery operation;
- reliable fasteners;
- playing pleasantly sounding melodies;
- high quality and safety of materials;
- possibility of use from birth.
Also, a mobile phone for a Tini Love crib, designed for older children, may have the following options:
- volume control;
- remote control;
- a projector that creates images on walls or ceilings;
- several options for rotation of the suspension.
Musical carousels from this manufacturer not only decorate the room and entertain the kids. The Tiny Love crib mobile also contributes to baby development. When a child watches little animals spinning to tunes, he learns a lot. Focusing attention, focusing your eyes, improving your hearing - all this is provided by the toy. Also, the mobile helps the kid to know the world.
Other manufacturers
A Tiny Love crib mobile is not all that the modern market offers parents. Products from other manufacturers also deserve attention. For example, you can give preference to the Tomy musical carousel, which is decorated with plush cartoon characters. Other toy options are a collection of three melodies, a night light with a light diffusion. The product is powered by batteries; regulation of the direction of rotation of toys and volume is available.
Chicco mobiles are also noteworthy. This toy is a pendant consisting of products in the form of houses in which the characters live. Includes a remote control. Also, kids love to look at themselves in a small safe mirror, which is part of the device.
Melody
What should I remember when choosing a music mobile for a crib? The melody of mechanical products should be caressing, pleasant. When buying an electronic pendant, you should definitely listen to the whole set of songs, as you can skip the looped sections of music.
An important option is the ability to control the volume. It’s great if the model allows you to make the melody quieter or completely disable it.
Choose a mount
Obviously, the mobile must be not only beautiful and multifunctional, but also reliable. In many respects it depends on the fastening of the toy. For inexpensive models, hooks are traditionally attached to help fix them in the right place. The main advantage of such a connection is the mobility of toys. But this option cannot be called completely safe, since the baby can pull the hook from the attachment point when swinging.
You can install the mobile using a special clamp. Such designs are characterized by increased strength, but a child who knows how to stand, can still swing the toy. For fastening devices, Velcro is also used, which allows you to fix them in a walker, car seat, arena.
Mobile Toys
A mobile for a crib can have both removable toys and pendants that are fixed forever. The first option is good because some toys can always be replaced by others.
The material from which the pendants are created also plays an important role. Toys for mobiles can be made of plastic and fabric. The latter are more pleasant to the touch, but serve as "dust collectors". Therefore, many parents prefer plastic toys that are healthier and safer.
Do it yourself
Parents have a wide selection of carousels for the cradle. However, many mothers and fathers prefer to create a mobile on the bed with their own hands. Creative ideas are listed below:
- The toy can be made from a bicycle wheel and paper planes, which are created from the pages of a comic book magazine. The safety of such a product for the baby depends on the reliability of the mount.
- The mobile is easy to create from balloons and threads. To do this, it is necessary to inflate a round ball, grease it with a layer of petroleum jelly and wrap it with a cotton thread moistened with PVA glue. After the glue dries, the ball is punctured and removed. Creative pendant is ready.
- The mobile can be made from cuts of colorful fabric and ribbons. For fastening ribbons, you can use, for example, embroidery hoops. It is important to ensure that such a toy does not turn out to be too colorful. This should be remembered when choosing tissue cuts.
- The carousel on the bed can be created from paper pendants made using the origami technique. It is advisable to give preference to bright paper, since pastel colors will not interest the child.
- Those who know how to crochet can create miniature toys in the form of animals with cute faces and colorful characters.
This is undoubtedly a necessary thing for any child. Good luck choosing!