How to choose the ideal crib model for your baby

Anyone who is already a mother knows: choosing the ideal crib model for the baby requires attention to several details, especially nowadays, when the options found on the market are endless.

The choice, of course, goes far beyond aesthetics! For the architect and interior designer Taciana Leme, the most important requirements when choosing a crib are: safety, comfort and functionality.

Alessandra Rodrigues, architect and landscaper, from the Mangô Arquitetura Office, comments that the choice of the baby’s crib is mainly related to the family’s characteristics. “We can do several projects in a single room with different models of crib, but it’s the style and the day to day of the parents that will define which option is most in agreement for the little room”, she says.

Round crib, portable crib, bassinet crib, among many other options… In practice, how to choose? After all, each model has its advantages and disadvantages.

Danielle Negri, pediatrician at Perinatal, exemplifies: crib with changing table or built-in dresser is recommended for small rooms and space utilization. “Mini cribs allow you to move around the house and take up less space, however, they only accommodate the baby up to six months”, she says.

“Some cribs can be transformed into a mini bed, which can be a saving factor in the future and increases the furniture’s useful life by up to two years. Portable crib is good for travel, it can be disassembled and assembled anywhere, but it’s simple. Stability is reduced and there are no accessories such as adjustable rails and mobile platform”, adds the pediatrician.

In this context, below, you know a little more about the characteristics of the main models of crib sold on the market today, to choose the one that has more to do with the needs of your baby and your family!

1. Traditional crib

Maria Rosimeire Rodrigues de Souza Cruz, owner of Misk Decor, explains that the advantages of this type of crib are its smaller size (compared to other models, such as those with a built-in dresser) and the fact that it is more economical. “The downside, however, is that it doesn’t become a mini bed and has an inferior design,” she says.

For Alessandra Rodrigues, this is the most practical and fastest option for those who need to assemble the baby’s room quickly. “With two standards (Brazilian and American), the important thing is to check if the cribs follow the safety requirements (locking, rounded rails, non-peelable material, etc.)”, she says.

2. Mini-bed crib

Taciana explains that the difference between the traditional crib and the mini-bed is that the second can, with some parts dismantled and the base placed in the lowest position, turn into a bed with the same dimensions as the crib, but lower than a bed. conventional. “Its usefulness will depend a lot on the individual development of each child… Some, as soon as they start to walk, already want to jump out of the crib, in this case it is safer to use the mini bed; others do well in their crib until over two years old,” she says.

Alessandra points out that, with this type of crib, the railings can be removed, the platform lowered and, thus, the child will have a bed for up to three years. “Look for models that maintain the mattress patterns (to facilitate the purchase of kits), that come with an assembly manual and without corners so the baby doesn’t get hurt when he starts to walk”, she guides.

3. Crib with changing table, dresser and bunk bed (multifunctional)

For Alessandra, this model called multifunctional is one of the best options. It is a bed/futon with crib, a changing table and a built-in dresser. “It fits those who have a small room, have another child in the room, need a ‘guest’ bed, want to enjoy the furniture for a longer time… In the future, the bed will be for the bigger baby and the dresser becomes a nightstand… But stay tuned! The changing table is small and many parents are unsure of using it and prefer a larger space in case the baby rolls over,” she says.

Taciana highlights that cribs with changing table and bunk bed are ideal for those who have little space and need to optimize some functions in the same piece.

This is an ideal type of crib for those looking for practicality, as it is a multipurpose piece of furniture that, in addition to ensuring comfort for the child, has space to store their clothes, hygiene products, etc. Maria Rosimeire highlights that the great advantage of this crib model is practicality, since the dresser is very close (to get clothes and everything).

In relation to the bunk bed (which is below the crib), the advantage is also practicality. “Parents can sleep together with the baby, for example, when they need to”, comments Maria Rosimeire.

Taciana comments that this model of crib that includes a bunk bed is widely used by those who need to accommodate a baby and a child in the same room or by those who have a nanny.

It is worth mentioning that some models still only offer the changing table next to the crib. This model, although not so complete, offers more comfort, as it will not be necessary to change the child on the bed, for example.

4. Rocking crib

Taciana comments, first of all, that there are traditional, older rocking cribs, which are small and take up little space, however, offer less comfort and, although they pack the baby, they will need to be changed after little use. “And then there are the ‘modern rocking cribs’ that keep the baby close to the parents during the day as they move around the house,” she says.

Alessandra explains that rocking cribs are comfortable for the baby and practical for the parents, as they can help the baby sleep at night. “Some models are foldable, but check if the model has adequate locking and the maximum weight/age limit, so there is no risk of the baby turning over”, guides the architect.

5. Montessori cradle

Alessandra explains that the Montessori room is a concept that is very popular with doctors and pedagogues, as the idea is to make the child more autonomous in the space in which he is. “However, the crib often brings a rejection from the parents for being too close (or directly) to the floor. The best alternative is to choose Montessori cribs that are height-adjustable according to the size of the baby, and can become a mat bed,” she says.

For Taciana, the correct thing is not to say Montessori birthplace. “Because, within this Montessori bedroom proposal, the baby must have freedom, so the recommendation is the use of mattresses protected by pillows, or a Montessori bed protected by pillows, which is nothing more than a bed on the floor”, he says. the architect and interior designer.

6. Stork crib

Alessandra comments that the baby is going through a transition from uterine life to this new world, and the stork crib was made to make this moment smoother. “The movements in the crib are similar to movements in the mother’s womb, making the baby more comfortable and relaxed. Made to accommodate the child up to three months, it must be installed in the parents’ room for greater safety”, she says.

In general, this is not a crib that will have a long life, as it is small and does not offer the necessary security for babies over three months, but it can be seen as an alternative to leaving the small baby next to the parents’ bed, not replacing the use of another fixed crib.

7. Moses cradle

Alessandra highlights that this is another great option for parents to have the baby closest to them in the first few months. “Check the quality of the product and installation, but as soon as you notice that the baby has started to roll over, it is a sign that it needs more space, so switch to a conventional crib”, she says.

Maria comments that this type of crib is practical and good for the first few months of a child’s life. It is easy to transport and is close to the mother anywhere, but, as in the case of the stork crib, it does not have a long life and ends up not replacing the conventional (fixed) crib.

8. Portable crib

Taciana points out that portable cribs have a great cost and several possible dimensions, however, they are not very comfortable. “They are usually used for those who travel a lot or to leave the child at their grandparents’ house. Choose the lightest and easiest to clean and assemble,” she says.

Despite being quite interesting, it is not the most suitable to be used as a permanent crib, as it is less resistant and, in some cases, can be less comfortable. Its main objective is to make parents’ lives more practical, as with this type of crib it is possible to travel with babies more easily or, simply, leave them sleeping in other places (such as, for example, in the parents’ room or grandparents house).

Maria Rosimeire reinforces that this type of crib offers easy transport, being a practical option for parents to accommodate the baby anywhere.

Alessandra warns about the care at the time of purchase: “The care in this case must be redoubled. Some models on the market do not have the breathable fabric, which can suffocate the baby. Opt for hollow models with firm sides to avoid the risk of the baby getting stuck”, she guides.

9. Round/oval crib

Taciana explains that, normally, round cribs are the first assembly of an oval crib. “In this format, it is usually used until about six months of age, after that it tends to be tight, so it is mounted in the oval format”, she says.

“In the round shape, the crib can walk around the house and accompany parents wherever they are. This type of crib has a high cost, as it can only be made of wood, but it can be transformed into four versions: round (works like a bassinet), common crib, mini bed and even two armchairs”, adds the architect Taciana.

Alessandra points out that, also known as “grow”, these cribs are practical, with casters and adjustable in size for the baby’s growth. “What should be analyzed is the cost of the layette with two sizes (which are not standard) for the crib: the round and the oval”, she explains.

How to choose the ideal type for your child?

Professionals explain what aspects should be taken into account when choosing the ideal crib for your baby!

safety and quality

Pediatrician Danielle highlights that safety for the baby is the main aspect to be checked when choosing a crib. “The most common size is the American standard (130cm x 70cm). It is important that there are no corners or ends that make it possible to secure the baby’s clothes”, she says.

“Regarding the grid, the distance between the smaller grids should be smaller than the baby’s head (approximately 6.5 cm). Between the platform and side rails, the distance must be less than 2.5 cm, to prevent the child from catching hands and feet. The mattress must be firm, adjusted to the size of the crib”, highlights the pediatrician.

Danielle adds that the crib must allow adjustment of the height of the mattress and have the Inmetro seal. “Mobile bars, even on one side only, are contraindicated today. Casters, if present, should have locks,” she says.

The architect Taciana recommends giving preference to cribs that do not have small pieces that come loose, with rounded corners and that move with firmness. “The function of different heights for the platform allows you to…