Even in the days of Ancient Russia, pendants from grass bags, straw figures and wooden pigeons were hung over the children's cradle. It was a kind of mobile for a crib for newborns, only it was intended to protect against the evil eye.
Currently, such pendants no longer have a sacred meaning, their purpose is the development of a child literally from the first days of life. However, the advantages of this multifunctional device do not end there.
Attractive crib toys and musical accompaniment will help distract the child, cheer him up or, on the contrary, calm him down while the parents are doing household chores. You just need to choose a cradle pendant that will appeal to both mother and baby.
What is a mobile?
Mobile (from the English "mobile" - mobile, moving) - a structure, which is a cross on which small toys are suspended. Thanks to mechanical winding or batteries, hanging accessories move in a circle like a carousel. That is why the mobile is also called a carousel.
Toys for children's mobile are different: plush, rubber, plastic. Most often, manufacturers place on the suspension:
figurines of animals;- cartoon or fairy tale characters;
- butterflies;
- fruit;
- various geometric figures;
- asterisks.
figurines of animals;When the music mobile is switched on, soft music sounds. It can be sounds of rain, sea, calm classical melodies, songs from cartoons. Some models are additionally equipped with a projector, night light.
As noted above, mobiles are not a new invention, but an improved version of an old amulet toy. In ancient times, straw, textile or wooden figures were hung over a crib, which protected from damage, the evil eye and the tricks of evil spirits.
Why do you need a baby cot suspension?
A musical carousel for a crib is not just a beautiful toy that will delight the eyes of a child and his mother. A mobile is a versatile device that can perform several functions at once.
child development. The newborn from the moment of birth begins to cognize the surrounding reality. Toy accessories, hung over the child's head, turn into objects of study on which the child focuses his gaze, examines their color and details. This allows you to train attentiveness and visual memory. Matured kids will reach for toys, trying to take them in their pens;- distracting the child. A toy carousel is a great distraction for your little one. By turning on the device, mom can do personal or household chores. Calm or funny pieces of music alternate, depending on whether the baby is awake or asleep. This allows you to diversify children's leisure time, activate or "lull" the newborn;
- decoration of the nursery. Many mobiles for young children are very attractive. Such designs can become successful design finds. If the game accessories are removable, then in the future they can be used separately, as ordinary toys - ringing, spinning, noisy.
child development. The newborn from the moment of birth begins to cognize the surrounding reality. Toy accessories, hung over the child's head, turn into objects of study on which the child focuses his gaze, examines their color and details. This allows you to train attentiveness and visual memory. Matured kids will reach for toys, trying to take them in their pens;The device, which includes a small tape recorder, can also serve as an entertainment function. In addition, some models work as night lights, which is very important to prevent the occurrence of night fears.
From what age can you use?
There is no unequivocal answer to the question of whether a mobile is needed in a crib for newborns. The choice always remains with mom and dad. A very small child is not interested in anything at all, his vital needs are feeding, sleeping and clean clothes.
In favor of the later acquisition of the mobile is the fact that newborn babies see very poorly. In addition, they are only able to notice static objects. But if the game carousel has already been purchased, you should first just turn on quiet music, if, of course, there is such a function.
Around the fourth week, the baby begins to pay attention to nearby objects. However, even at this age, rotating toys do not appeal to him. He studies his mother's face with intense attention, black-and-white motionless objects.
But in the second month of life, visual acuity begins to increase, the child fixes his gaze on distant objects. Rotating toys also attract his attention. Many experts are convinced that it is at this age that it will be right to introduce children to the mobile.
Remember that children are sensitive to hearing. Do not turn on your music mobile at full volume. An overly sounding toy will quickly "overload" the child's psyche, as a result, instead of a calm baby, parents will get an overexcited and capricious toddler.
Interesting moving objects stimulate the child to get up quickly and develop grasping movements. However, at the age of six months, when the baby will already try to rise, it is recommended to remove the mobile. Otherwise, the structure may break off and injure the baby.
If the play accessories are removable, it is best to let them play separately. You can also hang toys from a stroller, walker, or exercise mat. The music block can be left - let it serve for playing lullabies.
Types of mobiles
A crib mobile for tiny newborns is a common device. Therefore, there are many different models in the store - from simple to multifunctional. They differ in several main characteristics.
Rotation mechanism
There are two main categories based on how the game carousel is operated:
mechanical;- electrical.
mechanical;In the first case, the carousels are activated by manual winding, like a barrel organ. A mechanical mobile can work for about 3 - 5 minutes, after which it needs to be rewound. Such models are cheap, but they do not have additional functions (illumination, music selection, projector).
Electric suspensions are battery operated. The rotation time is approximately half an hour. This option is easier to operate because parents do not need to wind up the gaming device regularly.
Battery-powered carousels can often play multiple pieces of music, allowing you to choose your favorite. More expensive models are equipped with additional functions, for example, a backlight, a projector.
Conventionally, stationary toys can also be attributed to mobiles, which are attached to a wooden cross and set in motion by hand. Such models can be made independently by simply attaching various figures to the bar, which change as the child grows up.
Mount type
Depending on the fasteners, mobiles for children can be divided into several categories:
With a hook. Such a mount is equipped with budget devices. They are distinguished by their mobility and lightness, so they can be removed and hung in another place in the shortest possible time. However, the hook is not a reliable type of fastener, so a slightly matured child is able to pull out the hook and drop the entire structure onto himself.- With clip. This is a universal fastening made of plastic clips or clips with fixing elements. This type of fastener has a fairly high degree of reliability.
- With Velcro. Sticky elastic bands will allow you to attach the structure almost anywhere: on a bed, in a car seat, on a stroller or in a playpen. Convenient, but not secure enough fastening.
With a hook. Such a mount is equipped with budget devices. They are distinguished by their mobility and lightness, so they can be removed and hung in another place in the shortest possible time. However, the hook is not a reliable type of fastener, so a slightly matured child is able to pull out the hook and drop the entire structure onto himself.The heavier the structure, the more durable and reliable the fasteners must be. Usually, high-quality models are characterized by increased safety, so you don't have to worry that the mobile will fall and injure the child.
Multifunctionality
Today's mobile for a tiny newborn is a multifunctional design, equipped with additional options. If the simplest device will serve a child only up to six months of age, then improved models will brighten up children's leisure up to 3 years.
Additional options:
projector, which is aimed at the ceiling and displays a variety of pictures, for example, the stars and the moon;- night lamp - night light function allows you to use the mobile as a table lamp;
- player - after the child grows up, the game carousel becomes a music player;
- voice activation - some advanced models can turn on automatically when the child starts crying or emit loud screams (that is, they work like a professional nanny);
- automatic shutdown - this function resembles the previous one: as soon as the baby calms down, the mobile turns off so as not to interfere with the child's sleep;
- remote control - this device will help you turn on and off your mobile, select a piece of music, activate a night light or a projector, without going to the baby's bed.
projector, which is aimed at the ceiling and displays a variety of pictures, for example, the stars and the moon;Many parents increasingly prefer to choose 3 in 1 mobiles. These are multifunctional models, which are a pendant with toys, a night lamp and a music player. Such toys allow a child to play up to three years old.
How to choose a mobile for a newborn?
Your music mobile should be chosen very carefully. In order not to be mistaken in the choice, it is important to know a few main points to which you should pay special attention:
- Toys. When choosing carousels with animals or cartoon characters, you need to make sure that they are hung behind their backs and look "face" at the child. In this case, the baby will develop the correct perception of the shape.
- Material. Play equipment for a child, especially in the first 12 months, must be made of absolutely safe materials. Plastic and rubber parts of high-quality products are non-toxic, do not smell. Plush toys should not have a long nap, they are also quick and easy to wash and clean, paint from them does not flow.
- Shape and color. Hanging figurines should be large and bright. For newborns, it is better to choose toys with geometric patterns, moreover, in black and white. Then you can pick up mobiles with fairy-tale characters.
- Melodies. Choose from classic music, cartoon songs or nature sounds. The most important thing is the volume and unobtrusiveness of the melodies. The child will have to listen to the toy for a long time, so you need to turn on sounds before buying and refuse a mobile with a squeaky or harsh sound.
- Remote control. This is an optional feature, but having a remote control will make life much easier. As soon as the baby begins to doze off to the sound and movement of the toy, you can turn off the mobile without going to the bed and not attracting the attention of the dormant little one.
We have already mentioned such a function as projection of an image onto the ceiling. A child may be interested in a flickering image, but the light projection will be noticeable only in the dark, when the baby has been sleeping soundly for a long time. Is this option needed? It's up to you to decide.
TOP 5 most popular mobiles for newborns
When choosing a play carousel for a child, you should give preference to products of well-known world brands. The most popular manufacturer is Tiny Love from Israel. In addition, the products of Fischer Price, Tomy, Taf Toys, Chicco enjoy the love of parents and children.
Let's consider the most popular and high-quality models in more detail.
1st place. Tiny Love "Island of Sweet Dreams"
This music mobile with a night lamp and attractive toys can be purchased for the smallest child. The device is suitable for any child's condition: active knowledge of the world, rest or nap.
The Island of Sweet Dreams has been the most popular mobile for several years now. And this is not surprising, since manufacturers have improved the features of rotation: each toy moves not only in a circle, but also around its own axis.
Main advantages:
- quality performance;
- figures can rotate both in a circle and around themselves;
- 3 positions of volume: loud, quiet, silent;
- 4 tunes that give 20 minutes of continuous music accompaniment;
- there is a night light;
- there is a remote control;
- pendants can be removed;
- you can further use the mobile as a night light and a music box.
Main disadvantages:
- high price.
Electronic Mobile Tiny Love Sweet Dreams Island (376)
2nd place. Fisher-Price Butterfly Dreams 3 in 1
Mobile for a crib with a projector, a music unit and removable plush figures. Multicolored soft bears with wings will surely interest the child and help develop his visual abilities and attentiveness.
The projector creates attractive images on the ceiling, and the melody unit plays classics, natural sound and even the so-called "white noise" - the heartbeat, that is, the noise that the baby heard in the womb. They say it helps to calm.
Main advantages:
- multifunctionality of the device;
- high-quality performance;
- available "white noise";
- the ability to adjust the volume of sounds;
- removable toys;
- control using the remote control;
- a projector that is also used separately as a night light.
Main disadvantages:
- the projector does not work without music;
- a lot of batteries;
- the remote control turns on only if the mode is “loud”.
Fisher-Price Butterfly Dream E-Mobile (CDN41)
3rd place. Mobile Tiny Love Boom Box
This mobile is characterized by an interesting appearance - a white palm tree with textile toys. The music module can be detached and used as a player that the child, when he grows up, can take it outside.
The toy is easily attached to the bed back. A newborn baby will be able to look at a giraffe, a monkey and a baby elephant and hear pleasant melodies. An older child will begin to feel and explore play accessories.
These pendant toys are made of high quality safe textiles. The music block contains 15 pieces of music of various styles, so that mom can choose a melody to her or children's taste. They are played in random order or as programmed by the parent.
Main advantages:
- night light function;
- the ability to adjust the volume (there is a silent mode);
- cute toys;
- pendants are firmly attached to the holder;
- the ability to transform the mobile into a tape recorder;
- nice clear sound.
Main disadvantages:
- high price;
- does not attach to all surfaces.
Electronic Mobile Tiny Love Boom Box Princess (547)
4th place. Chicco "Magic Stars"
This device is a soothing harness for a baby bed. The built-in projector shows the child clear and bright images of the starry sky, space. The existing audio sensor reacts sensitively to crying and turns on automatically.
A very young child will be able to play with very cute pendants-stars. As they grow older, soft toys are removed, and the mobile easily turns into an ordinary night light and a projection device, which allows you to extend the life of the game carousel.
Main advantages:
- high quality materials;
- two styles of music: classical and modern;
- automatic switching on when a baby cries;
- the ability to control a toy from a distance using an infrared remote control;
- very attractive projector;
- the ability to remove and wash toys.
Main disadvantages:
- the color is more suitable for girls;
- batteries run out very quickly;
- loud noise;
- high cost.
Chicco e-mobility Magic stars
5th place. Mobile "Giraffe"
The Russian musical toy from the Giraffiki brand (assembled in China) attracts parents, first of all, by its rather low cost and stylish design.
The carousel can operate in 2 modes: rotation with music and melodies without rotation. In addition, the mobile is equipped with a timer, the ability to adjust the volume and select pieces of music. Parents will be able to play funny songs - for wakefulness, calm sounds - for falling asleep.
Pendant toys are plastic, they can be removed from the carousel and played with them separately. In animals, the limbs and head rotate. And in a safe mirror, the child will be able to look and study himself carefully.
Main advantages:
- attractive price;
- pleasant-sounding melodies;
- 18 pieces of music;
- the ability to turn on the mobile without music;
- some toys have rubberized elements, so they are often used as teethers;
- removable pendants are used as rattles.
Main disadvantages:
- short holder;
- fasteners are not suitable for all surfaces;
- weak Velcro;
- noisy rotation mechanism;
- sometimes not all modes work.
Electronic mobile Giraffi Giraffe (939402)
The selected mobile must have all the accompanying documents that guarantee the quality of the product. You should also purchase a children's toy exclusively in specialized stores. This will eliminate the purchase of a low-quality product.
Summarizing
A play carousel is a device designed to calm, entertain and develop a child. Models "3 in 1" with a music player and night light will faithfully "serve" the baby up to three years of age. And the simplest products need to be removed from the crib at 5-6 months.
To get a really good toy, you should consider a number of important nuances.
- First of all, decide if your little one really needs a mobile. Perhaps he feels calm without additional play devices.
- Study the selected models very carefully. They should not smell of plastic; fasteners should be reliable and versatile. Listen to the melodies - they should not sound too loud or be accompanied by extraneous noises. It is better if the mobile has both calm and funny pieces of music.
- The pendant toys themselves should not be poisonous bright. Natural shades that will not irritate children's eyes are welcome.
- The presence of a remote control will greatly simplify mother's life, since she will not need to approach the crib again, therefore, the baby will not shake and wake up with every movement.
Turn on the game carousel gradually. For a newborn, a melody will be enough. As soon as it grows up a little, you can turn on the movement of the toy.
A musical mobile is a device that is undoubtedly useful, but how much it is necessary for a particular child is up to parents to decide. In addition, it should be understood that not a single even the most "sophisticated" gaming device can replace live communication with your beloved mom or dad.
