Mobile (English "mobile" - mobile, moving) - a device that is a few small toys, freely suspended on a cross and moving in a circle using a built-in mechanism. Because of this feature, the device is called a carousel.
Mobile for a newborn
It is known that prototypes of modern mobiles were used by ancient Russian parents, who placed bags of herbs, straw figures, wooden birds on pendants above the cradle as a talisman for a child from the evil eye.
Modern baby crib mobile lost its protective purpose, but it also benefits:
- toys placed in the baby's field of vision become the first objects of study of the surrounding world;
- bright accessories attract the eye of the baby and train attention and visual activity;
- the carousel carries the baby away for a while, while the parents solve household issues;
- the device alternates melodies and helps the baby to fall asleep or sets the rhythm while awake;
- removable hanging figures are used for games when the child grows up;
- the gadget is a wonderful decoration for a children's room.
At what age do they hang a mobile on a crib
Experts do not give an unambiguous answer to this question. In the first 4 weeks of life, a newborn child still weakly sees (and notices only motionless objects) and only needs food, sleep and dry comfortable clothes. If the gadget has already been purchased, then for the newborn, they quietly turn on music for a short time.
A two-month-old baby is able to focus on a moving object. Many experts recommend using a mobile from this age, while:
- do not use crumbs constantly during each wakefulness;
- do not turn on the music at full power, since a loud sound overloads the baby's psyche and causes restless behavior and insomnia;
- dismantle the device as soon as the baby learns to sit down on his own and catch the figures with his hands.
Important! A toddler sitting down on his own can accidentally break the mount of the mobile and be injured.
Carousel over the crib
Mobile selection criteria
Retail chains offer a large selection of baby carousels. What they look for when choosing an accessory:
- On the material and frame. A strong, rigid arched base is made of plastic with a screw, clip or strap fastening.
- For a twisting mechanism (mechanical or electronic).
- For musical accompaniment. Before purchasing the device, they listen to all the offered melodies, it is also desirable to have a silent mode.
- For hanging elements, which are textile (cotton, synthetic), wood or plastic. Parents usually prefer models with removable toys. A high-quality mobile has no chemical odors and is not painted with acid-colored paints.
- For additional options: a remote control, a projector, a player, a relay that responds to a crying baby, a volume control, rotation modes and others.
- On the integrity of parts, uniformity and durability of color, practicality in everyday life.
Important! Before buying, be sure to make sure that the attachments for a particular baby cot are appropriate.
Plastic carousels and removable elements are easily treated with disinfectants, multifunctional, but if dropped, they can slightly injure or scare the baby. Textile elements are injury-free, but quickly get dirty, which is eliminated by a conventional washing machine.
Devices are purchased only in specialized stores, after checking all documents and safety certificates.
Parents can choose a mobile for their child, based on their own taste, preferences and financial capabilities.
Types of mobiles for the crib
There are a large number of mobiles for different purposes, functionality and quality. Basically, they are divided into 3 groups:
- Decorative. They serve to decorate a children's room, do not have a rotating element and musical accompaniment.
- Mechanical. The twisting mechanism is set in motion by means of a crank; one winding is enough for 3-5 minutes. work. These models have no additional options and are low cost.
- Electronic. They work on batteries continuously for up to 30 minutes, are easy to operate, do not require constant recharging. Most often they have several additional functions: music selection, backlight, projector, and so on. Depending on the material, manufacturer and set of additional options, they have a wide price range.
Rating of the top 5 best mobiles for the crib
Manufacturers present a large and varied range of crib accessories, and it is difficult for parents to decide which mobile is best for a newborn.
1st place is taken by the mobile for newborns Tiny Love "Island of sweet dreams".
Mobile Tiny Love "Island of Sweet Dreams"
Main characteristics of the device:
- the set includes a night lamp, attractive removable toys, remote control;
- four melodies are recorded, which can sound loudly and quietly for up to 20 minutes, there is a “silent” function;
- an electronic mechanism that rotates the suspension in a circle and around its axis;
- can be divided into a night light and a music box if necessary.
The downside is the high price.
The 2nd place belongs to the Fisher-Price mobile “Dreams of butterflies three in one”. The advantages of the gadget:
- built-in projector (night light at the same time), music unit (classical music, nature sounds, heartbeat recording) and removable plush toys;
- electronic rotation mechanism;
- remote control control;
- volume control.
Cons - the projector turns on only with the music, the remote control can be controlled only in loud sound mode, a large number of rechargeable batteries is required.
The 3rd place is taken by the mobile Tiny Love Boom-Box. The advantages of this model:
- holder in the form of a white palm tree with removable textile figurines;
- electronic rotating element;
- the mobile music unit includes 15 different-style melodies, detaches from the structure and is used independently;
- has a sound volume control;
- serves as a night light.
Cons - no remote control, not suitable for all beds, high cost.
The 4th place is occupied by the Chicco mobile “Magic Stars”. Strengths of this device:
- electronic rotation mechanism;
- a projector that broadcasts the starry sky and outer space (used as a night light);
- a sound sensor that reacts to the crying of a baby and starts a carousel;
- removable textile hanging star figures;
- infrared remote control;
- high quality materials.
Cons - "girly" color, unregulated sound, fast battery drain, high cost.
The 5th place belongs to the Russian mobile phone of the Chinese assembly "Giraffe". The advantages of this model:
- low cost and acceptable design;
- electronic rotation mechanism, working with and without sound;
- the ability to choose one of 18 melodies;
- built-in timer;
- removable plastic hanging toys with movable limbs and rubberized inserts are often used as teethers or rattles;
- safe mirror for babies.
Cons - a short holder, the fastening system does not fit all cots and strollers, the rotating mechanism is noisy, some modes do not function correctly.
Giraffe
How to make a carousel with your own hands
Adults do not always have the opportunity to purchase a high-quality mobile for newborns. In this case, creative parents make a carousel with their own hands, observing a number of rules:
- use natural safe hypoallergenic materials (wood, textiles, felt and others);
- monitor the safety of the suspended structure and fasteners;
- the smartest invent a musical system with calm, quiet music;
- for the manufacture of mobiles, materials are selected in pastel colors.
Important! Quality materials do not have pungent odors (wood blanks may have a slight woody aroma) and unstable paints.
DIY mobile
The advantages of making a carousel with your own hands:
- parents make an accessory that fully meets their needs;
- the master personally monitors the strength and safety of individual elements and the entire structure as a whole;
- for a grown-up baby, a mobile is designed, focusing on his preferences;
- homemade device is charged with positive parental energy;
- some make a carousel-amulet according to ancient Russian canons;
- they spend much less money on the purchase of materials and independent production of toys than on the purchase of finished ones.
Cons of making the device yourself:
- to create a carousel with their own hands, they spend a significant amount of time, materials and labor;
- the result (especially for novice craftsmen) may not meet the initial expectations.
How to create a carousel with your own hands
The process of making a mobile is divided into 2 stages: preparation of the base frame and the creation of suspension elements.
The base frame is a supporting element of the structure, to which suspended figures are attached from below, from the upper part it is suspended from the ceiling or canopy. The frames are made cruciform or round in shape.
To create a cruciform timber frame you will need:
- 2 sticks made of wood (chopsticks for Chinese food are suitable);
- high-quality glue (you can "Moment");
- strong twine or clothesline;
- safe jewelry to the taste of the master.
Operating procedure:
- the sticks are measured and marked at each center (Chinese food sticks are made symmetrical on both sides);
- combine the centers of the sticks and glue them crosswise with glue (for strength, a shallow groove is made in the place of gluing);
- one side of the rope or twine is firmly wrapped around the glued section, the other side is made in the form of a loop, for which the cross will be suspended;
- leave the glued structure to harden the glue for a while (indicated in the instructions for use of the glue);
- decorate the mount at the discretion of the master.
A circular frame is easier to manufacture, but such a carousel is inactive. For such a module, a hoop for embroidery, a decorative rope or satin ribbon up to 1 cm wide, reliable glue, and scissors are prepared.
Operating procedure:
- the hoop is separated and a smaller circle is taken as a basis;
- make decorative wrapping with rope or ribbon;
- firmly fix the ends of the winding;
- make a loop for hanging.
Then, hanging toys are made for the newborn's crib. For example, to create a figurine of a felt bird you will need:
- felt pastel colors,
- threads to match,
- 2 small beads,
- needle,
- scissors,
- crayon or pencil
- filler (sintepon, holofiber),
- glue.
Carousel with felt birds
They draw a small silhouette of a bird on thick paper, cut it out. 2 details of the bird are cut out of felt in a mirror image. Fold the parts together and sew along the edges with a buttonhole seam, leaving a hole on the abdomen for stuffing. After stuffing and sewing, the gaps on the sides are glued on the wings, and the bead eyes are firmly sewn.
Other figures are made according to the same principle.
If a mother knows how to knit, then hanging toys are knitted from natural threads with a durable color. Detailed patterns for knitting toys are posted on the Internet.
No less interesting are soft textile pendant elements in Waldorf style, tildes, teddy bears and others.
