In search of the ideal crib for their newborn baby, happy parents spend hours browsing the websites of online stores specializing in the sale of children's furniture. The furniture market is so diverse that it is very difficult to immediately choose the right model. Among all the huge abundance of assortment of children's furniture stores, a crib with a pendulum is especially popular. Unlike conventional cribs, it is equipped with an additional option, with the help of which the baby’s sleeping place methodically rocks, which allows you to free up the mother’s hands and put the baby to sleep faster. But about what types of this type of furniture exist and whether the pendulum function is needed at all, read on.
Main types of cribs with a pendulum
The crib's pendulum mechanism is designed to rock the baby directly into the crib. There are three different varieties of the mechanism mentioned above, each of which imitates the process of manually lulling a child in a different way:
- with a transverse pendulum;
- longitudinal pendulum;
- with a universal pendulum.
The design of this piece of children's furniture is based on a wooden, plastic, or metal frame, which gives the product the required shape: rectangular, oval, or round. The range of colors is not great! This is probably largely due to the fact that for small children it is recommended to select furniture in neutral, calm and natural colors. In the lower part, under the mattress, there is a bottom and a pendulum mechanism that sets oscillatory movements with a small amplitude of action. Therefore, the device operates very smoothly, completely silently, and if necessary, it can even be stopped and blocked.
This mechanism greatly simplifies the life of a young mother. The baby grows and over time his weight begins to increase, and accordingly, holding him in your arms for a long time becomes very tiring.
What if the birth was difficult, or the baby was born by Caesarean section? Then mommy is generally not recommended to lift weights for a long time. And in the current situation, the pendulum crib is not only an additional helper in the household, but also simply a necessary thing.
With longitudinal pendulum
The process of operating a crib with a longitudinal pendulum is very similar to the natural manual rocking of a child. Thanks to this, the baby quickly calms down and falls asleep.
With transverse pendulum
The transverse pendulum mechanism in the crib provides uniform and leisurely rocking from side to side, similar to the principle of an old-fashioned cradle.
With universal pendulum
This type of pendulum, if necessary, can operate in any of the previously mentioned modes. With a crib equipped with such a universal mechanism, you can easily choose the most suitable method of lulling your baby to sleep.
Video instruction
Assembling a crib for a small family member will not be difficult. However, in order to avoid making a mistake and not leaving any important part unscrewed, you can refer to video instructions, where experienced craftsmen will tell and show close-up which bolts should be screwed where, which parts are connected to each other in what manner. The authors of the video will share some tips on how to simplify the task.
We can safely say that a bed for a child is the first and most important furniture for a newborn. It should be as comfortable and safe as possible. In a word, furniture must include all the necessary features for the growth and development of the baby. It is not surprising that parents not only choose it wisely, but also want to assemble it correctly. To understand how to assemble a pendulum crib, instructions and videos will help you best.
Round and oval cribs
Round or oval-shaped beds have an extremely presentable appearance. Especially if the frame has a milky, white, or cream color. They take up a little more space than classic rectangular cribs, but at the same time they fit perfectly into absolutely any interior.
Most models of modern cribs additionally include a changing table, which is conveniently attached to the frame part of the product. This accessory allows the mother to quickly change the baby's clothes or change his diaper.
Some models of round-shaped cribs with a built-in pendulum can be flexibly modified. And in a matter of minutes it can be transformed into a comfortable and roomy playpen. This option is perfect for an older child and will help save the family budget on the forced purchase of an expensive playpen.
The streamlined, rounded shapes of the product allow you to make the most of your sleeping space. Your baby will sleep very spaciously and comfortably in such a crib. In addition, the lion's share of round cribs can be transformed into oval ones, which will come in handy as the baby grows older.
Instructions for assembling a transforming crib
A transformable crib will allow you to manually increase the sleeping space at any time, thanks to the ability to remove the bedside table. This design consists of a bed, a table, a bedside table and a chest of drawers. The bedside table and table can be detached, thereby increasing the size of the crib itself.
Frame assembly
First of all, we screw the guides to the side backs and connecting partitions of the future design. We assemble the frame. First of all, we screw on the back part and the connecting partition, then we install the right and left backrests. Finally, all that remains is to screw the front part of the crib to the frame structure.
Fixing the middle bottom
We install the bottom of the crib, again, in accordance with the age of the baby. For newborns, a high seating position is optimal; for older children, the bottom drops lower.
Assembling a chest of drawers or cabinets
Assembling the drawers of the transformable crib. We connect the walls of the box, nail the bottom, and screw the guides. We insert the finished box into the frame. Assembling the chest of drawers. We connect the back and side parts of the chest of drawers together. Two boards with holes for self-tapping screws are installed under the cover. Two similar planks are screwed at the base. Install guides for drawers. As a rule, markings are provided for the guides on the walls of the chest of drawers. Following the markings, we screw the guides to the walls.
We connect the back and walls of the structure together. Preparing the base for the pendulums. We screw the bolts into the prepared holes and secure them with nuts. We install the chest of drawers on the frame. Screw the lid of the chest of drawers using self-tapping screws.
Installation of grilles or limiters, headboard, top bottom
We make blanks for pendulums on the back of the cradle. We install the backrests. We collect the lamellas. We install the remaining structural parts. Screw on the folding side of the crib.
Bottom assembly
We fasten the bottom of the structure with screws.
Advantages and disadvantages. Is a pendulum mechanism necessary?
Parents' opinions on this issue are divided in two. Some believe that a pendulum in a crib is an extremely useful thing, while others argue that it is completely unnecessary and you can do just fine without it. Probably, arguing with someone and convincing them of the opposite is completely wrong? It is important to respect other people's opinions! And it would be better to simply highlight the main advantages of cribs with a pendulum mechanism and talk about their disadvantages. So, the advantages of a pendulum crib are:
— Various modes of operation of the pendulum mechanism;
— the ability to rock the baby directly in the crib;
— the presence of a transformation function into a playpen or a larger crib.
The main disadvantage is the high cost of the product and the lack of choice of budget options.
So the price range starts from five thousand rubles, and sometimes rises above thirty thousand.
How to assemble
The process of assembling a crib must be taken with full responsibility. The bed must be constructed firmly and securely to support the weight of children and not cause harm to the little ones.
Tools
For assembly you will need the disassembled crib itself, bolts, plugs included in the kit, as well as screwdrivers of suitable sizes. During the process, you need to check the instructions for your model.
Preparing parts
It is best to immediately assemble the crib directly in the nursery, so that later there will be no problems with dragging the finished structure. Unpack the box and make sure that all parts of the future structure are present. Carefully read the instructions for your model, paying attention to assembly recommendations.
Checking the condition of each part
Check, according to the instructions, that all the details of the future design are present in the kit. Check the condition of the structural parts. Make sure there is no damage to the parts.
Bracket fastening
Place the base with the inside facing up. The brackets must be attached so that they face inward. Some models already have brackets attached to the top by default. For a small child, the base of the crib should be set high. Children aged six months and older need lower cribs.
Wheel fastening
Now you need to secure the wheels. It is necessary to insert the pins of the wheels into the brackets on one side of the structure and attach the wheels to it. Sometimes the pins are not secured to the wheels initially, so we secure them manually with screws. In some models, the wheels are already attached to the side boards.
Fastening the mattress
Next you need to attach the support panel. Install both parts of the base using screws. Brackets may be needed to connect the parts. The height of the supporting part is different for children of different ages: for babies under six months old we fix it higher, for older children we lower the supporting part down.
Examination
After installing the support board, attach the wheels to the front. Check the reliability of the resulting design. The bottom must be secured so that it can be moved vertically. Place the mattress on a support board. There should be a small distance between the side panel and the mattress, no more than two fingers thick. Regularly check the reliability of the structure for sharp corners or looseness.
Which crib to choose
The choice of children's furniture for a child is a purely individual matter for his parents. Each family has its own established traditions and experience of education. The only thing I would like to focus on is, of course, the safety of the baby! Choose products made from natural wood, well equipped and with a certificate of conformity. From the range of models produced by Russian manufacturers, you can choose a truly high-quality model that meets all the necessary requirements.
When choosing a comfortable crib, do not forget about the aesthetic side of the issue. Choose a suitable model so that it matches the style of the bedroom and its overall color background.
Basic principles of assembling a children's bed
A child's sleeping place must ensure the safety of the child. All materials, if possible, should be natural. Most manufacturers make beds for children exclusively from wood. You should also refrain from decorating the crib yourself with various toxic varnishes and paints. Follow the factory instructions for using the furniture.
Check the stability of the structure; the sleeping place should not wobble. The legs should be fixed clearly at the same level to avoid slipping. The assembly diagram for a children's bed with drawers provides for the presence of 4-6 support legs.
The height of the sides should be 60-75 centimeters from the mattress. The bottom of most models can drop, so check the adjustment mechanism to ensure it meets manufacturer's standards. If according to the instructions you need to attach the slats to the grille yourself, remember that it is optimal to attach them at a distance of 5 centimeters of arcs from each other.
Tips and tricks
Make sure that the crib parts are made from environmentally friendly materials. At the same time, they should not have sharp corners so as not to injure the baby. Regularly check the structure for stability and strength of fasteners, do not allow it to become loose. Clean the bed periodically with mild cleaners and water.
If you are assembling a pendulum bed, make sure that nothing stands near the bed, as foreign objects will interfere with the swinging of the bed.
Among the pendulum varieties there are beds with transverse or longitudinal swing. Longitudinal rocking is considered more beneficial for the baby's health, since his head does not sway from side to side, which negatively affects the vestibular apparatus. The pendulum mechanisms should be lubricated from time to time to prevent them from squeaking and wearing out. Care should be taken when choosing a crib with a drop-down side. Despite the fact that this design is convenient to use, the sash may fall and injure the baby. You should securely fasten the sash or purchase a classic version, without a lowering wall.
Children's cribs are presented in a wide range. They differ in design, construction and additional features. Due to the large number of offers, the selection process often becomes difficult. In this article we will take a closer look at beds with a pendulum - the most popular option.
Necessary tools and components
It is advisable to assemble the bed in the room where it will always be located - this way you will avoid additional inconvenience and loss of time. First of all, you need to carry out preparatory work, which involves preparing the required tools and components.
Remove the packaging that the product came in. Large elements are removed. It is advisable to lay out fasteners and additional devices on a sheet of paper or light cloth. It is better to assemble the crib without the presence of a child, as he may take one of the small parts. It is necessary to check which spare parts are included in the kit - not all components may be included during its assembly. In this case, you will have to buy them yourself. You can check the presence of fasteners by checking the instructions. The absence of drawings and spare parts indicates the purchase of a piece of furniture from an unscrupulous service provider.
To work, you need to prepare the following tools: a reversible wrench, screwdrivers, a hammer, pliers and a screwdriver. Every owner has them, so there is no need to purchase them. The required components vary depending on the model. As a rule, there are more of them in transformers than in traditional versions.
Installation diagram of components:
