With the advent of the child in the family, the life of his parents changes dramatically, new chores and worries appear, because you need to provide the baby with everything necessary. The newborn spends the first six months almost all the time in the crib, so her choice is one of the main issues that worries newly minted mothers and fathers. A wide range makes selection difficult.
It has long been known that a child quickly falls asleep under rhythmic movements, so it is recommended to choose a crib with the function of motion sickness. If the child is worried, wakes up, you can rock him, not getting out of bed. Now in specialized stores sold improved traditional models - cradles and rocking skids. Such beds have many shortcomings: they move by inertia from swinging for a short time, movements are uneven, irregular, and traces remain on the floor.
A more modern and convenient option is a bed with a pendulum mechanism. In its composition there are bearings that make the movements soft, smooth; the bed (lower part) remains motionless.
There are two directions of movement of the crib-pendulums: longitudinal - from head to feet and transverse - left-right. This article will help you decide which pendulum is better - longitudinal or transverse. As the main criterion, we give the opinions of doctors. In addition, detailed instructions for assembling a longitudinal pendulum are given here. So let's get started.
Cot with a longitudinal swing mechanism
When mom shakes the baby, she makes longitudinal movements - from legs to head. When swinging in a wheelchair, such movements are also made. That is, such swings for the child are more familiar, so under them he falls asleep faster, sleep is stronger and healthier.
Such cots are non-compact. They take up a lot of space due to the fact that you have to indent from the wall, given the amplitude of the swing.
Cot with a pendulum
Such cots are perfect for those who have every square meter counted, because they take up less space than the previous model.
Another advantage is their autonomy: waking up and tossing and turning in a dream, the child sets the bed in motion, and it begins to swing, thereby lulling the baby. But children learn to roll over only by 3 months. For mothers, this option is very convenient, because they do not even have to go to the bed.
Universal pendulum
A cot with a universal pendulum can perform two types of swings, but not simultaneously. When assembling the crib, you can install a longitudinal or transverse pendulum. If necessary, the direction of swings can be changed by reassembling the crib.
This type of crib is good in that in case of rearrangement, they can be made more compact or, conversely, if space permits.
Such cribs are functional: often they can remove the walls and extend the bed.
Pendulum selection criteria
When choosing which pendulum is better - longitudinal or transverse, you should pay attention to the following aspects:
- mom’s location relative to the crib during a swing;
- the size of the room where the child’s bed is located;
- baby reaction to different directions of swings.
It is more convenient to swing the crib in the direction away from you - towards yourself, rather than left-to-right. Therefore, if a place for mom is equipped on the side of the crib, it is better to choose a transverse pendulum, and if at the head, then a longitudinal one.
If there is a lot of room for a crib in the bedroom, then you can afford to install a cot with a longitudinal pendulum, and if the room is small, then a cross is recommended.
As for the reaction of the baby: it can be recognized only if the pendulum is universal. You need to observe how the baby falls asleep when swinging in each of the directions, and determine which is best for him - longitudinal or transverse. But this selection criterion is unreliable, because many different factors (for example, well-being) can affect the falling asleep of a baby.
Doctors' opinion on crib pendulums
The main factor determining the choice of a pendulum is its effect on the baby’s health.
Doctors advise to completely abandon swings and crib-pendulums. They argue that the child should be able to fall asleep himself, without any additional influence from the outside. Doctors recommend rocking the child only if necessary: the babies have a highly excitable nervous system, and sometimes it cannot be braked on its own.
But if you choose which pendulum is better (longitudinal or transverse), then doctors recommend a longitudinal one. The vestibular apparatus in children is not yet developed, so you need to handle it carefully. With a longitudinal swing, the child’s head does not rotate left and right, and, accordingly, there is no negative effect. In addition, if you swing from head to foot, intracranial pressure is normal.
Which pendulum is better - longitudinal or transverse
When deciding on the type of pendulum that is suitable for the child, all the factors listed above must be taken into account. And if the dimensions of the room are small, then parents are likely to choose a lateral swing pendulum. And the child can fall asleep under it faster and sleep harder. But the baby’s health should be in the first place, so it’s better to choose a bed with a longitudinal pendulum (and even if the size of the room does not allow, it is advisable to save space on some other piece of furniture). In addition, with a longitudinal swing, the child has a feeling that his mother is rocking him, because it’s more familiar.
Assembling a crib with a pendulum
Having decided on which pendulum — transverse or longitudinal — is more suitable, you can proceed with the assembly of the crib. Its main details include: the case, the supporting part of the mattress, sides, legs, pendulum.
As for the preparatory work: you need to start assembling in the room where the crib will stand, so that later it can not be moved, not scratched. When unpacking, small parts should be put on a white cloth or paper so as not to lose. Having examined the instructions, you need to check the presence of all parts and parts of the fasteners. All parts should be inspected, including the details of the pendulum mechanism. If some are missing, there are notches, damage, you need to exchange them or return to the store. After all, the safety of the baby depends on this.
The assembly begins with the study of schemes, photographs, drawings in the instructions (if this is not in the instructions, you need to contact the store or look at the store / manufacturer's website).
You need to start collecting from the back wall: determine where the top is the bottom, put it with the inside up and screw the sides. They must be screwed very tightly, because the safety of the child depends on this.
Then the bed is screwed (the supporting part of the mattress, which is a wooden or plywood rectangle). The boards are placed in the grooves of the back of the crib. Screws are loosely screwed into the box (slightly baited).
The front part is inserted into the grooves of the side, the screws on the supporting part are tightened.
This design is flipped to secure the pendulum.
Assembly of the swing swing
We begin the assembly of the pendulum mechanism of the longitudinal swing from the assembly of its frame: with Euroscrews, a pulling beam of the base is screwed to the back of the base of the pendulum, as in the diagram below.
After that, 4 support bars are screwed to the frame: 2 - to the left back of the base and 2 - to the right.
Then, to the bottom of the frame, nails-bearings are nailed.
So that the Euroscrew caps are not visible, decorative caps are installed on them.
Furniture screws are inserted into the holes on the pendulum arms, onto which plastic bushings are then put on. The screws are screwed into the sleeve nuts, which are located on the support bars of the frame.
The assembled bed is installed on the floor above the pendulum support. Furniture screws are screwed into the bushings located in the legs of the backs of the crib.
If necessary, you can install 2 pendulum stops (left and right of the crib) through the center of the levers.
Pendulum beds are practical, high-quality and durable. They will become for the baby a cozy, safe place for growth and formation, where he learns to roll over, sit and get up. Therefore, they must be selected, assembled and installed with special responsibility.