Children, on average, require much more space than adults, and are usually given the smallest room in the apartment. As a result, parents have to puzzle over how to put everything they need in the nursery, and even leave enough free space for active games. The situation is especially aggravated if there are two or more children in a family, because the overwhelming majority of old-type dwellings are objectively not designed for large families. Children's folding beds may be a good solution to this problem.
Features and Benefits
People of the older generation will probably think that we are talking here about ordinary Soviet-style folding beds, however, nowadays such products are practically not found - modern requirements for comfort and the absence of harm to health cancel out all the prospects for such furniture. Today's rollaway bed is designed to provide a relaxing environment that is no different from that guaranteed by any other standard bed. At the same time, much attention is paid to maximum space saving and ease of transportation, if the need arises.
Another factor contributing to the choice of a large number of consumers in favor of this particular product is good variety of models produced. Finally, the child does not always sleep at home - many families have their own summer cottages, and it can be problematic to acquire separate beds for an apartment and a country house.
If we talk about the specific advantages of such a solution, then they are on the surface:
- Most manufacturers of this type of furniture for children take into account the basic requirements for products for children, and this, first of all, environmental friendliness of the materials used... In addition, since we are talking about a sleeping place for a child, a good orthopedic effect is ensured, because it is at this stage of life that the spine and posture are formed.
- This is without exaggeration the most compact sleeping place, since all other options are usually either quite heavy, or strictly tied to the place in which they are installed. The children's folding bed does not just fold when no one sleeps on it, expanding the free space, but also easily moves to any secluded corner. The child himself can easily handle it.
- Rollaway bed predictably turns out to be much cheaperthan the vast majority of alternatives. In the case of adults, it is worth purchasing an expensive bed, because it can last for several decades, and in the case of a child, one must remember that he is constantly growing, so the crib will have to be changed several times. It is much easier to do this if you choose an inexpensive but convenient folding option.
Contrary to popular belief, modern models are quite comfortable.
- The fear of many parents is caused by the fact that children are very fond of using the bed as a trampoline, and the folding bed, due to its lightness and external fragility, does not seem suitable for such entertainment - it will break itself, and the child may be injured as a result. In fact, now such furniture is usually made taking into account the possibility of such situations, therefore clamshells are produced not only durable, but also stable.
- After shelling out a little more money for a more expensive clamshell, a fairly durable model can be purchased. Even if its dimensions are very limited, you can still find a plus in this, for example, if there are many children in the family. If the baby is alone, and no others are planned, as it grows, the product can simply be resold, returning part of the money spent in due time.
Models
A children's folding bed only at first glance seems to be too simple a product so as not to have any varieties, but in fact there are not so few of them.
First of all, you should consider the very classic model, to which everyone is biased. It is not necessary that way - now it is much more reliable, and more convenient. The folding bed of the classic type has a fabric base, mainly of unnatural origin, which is characterized by the highest strength and reliability.
Depending on the degree of possible stretching of the tissue, it is attached either directly to the body, or indirectly - using springs.
Models of this type are chosen mainly for the minimum weight and extremely low cost. However, there are quite a few disadvantages to such a solution, and the most important thing is that it does not provide any benefit to the back of a growing organism. The degree of support for the spine is highly dependent on the extent of subsidence of the base, and it is also not stable, because over time, any tissue is stretched, and the springs weaken. In addition, such a bed is not usually sold with a mattress. You can lie on it without it, but for a comfortable sleep you need to buy it, which means that you will have to think about this problem as well.
The disadvantages of the classic model largely determine the popularity of the type of folding bed with slats. The lamellas are an alternative to the fabric backing - they are transverse wooden boards of small thickness and width, which are attached directly to the body. They provide sufficient rigidity to support the back during sleep in the correct position, but they also have a certain elasticity, bending somewhat under the weight of the child. The modified base can withstand on average one and a half to two times heavy loads (100-120 kilograms, up to 250), and also "breathes", letting in heat and moisture. All these advantages successfully offset the only small drawback - a slightly higher price, which, moreover, has one more practical reason - such beds are almost always sold complete with a comfortable mattress already selected.
The orthopedic folding bed on slats is also good because it can be additionally equipped with various small bonuses. Some varieties are complemented by a wooden headboard, which does not allow the pillow to fall, and when folded turns into a kind of table - this solution is called a bed-cabinet. For beds of relatively heavy weight, a complete set with wheels in the middle is provided - then when folded it resembles a large suitcase on wheels, which simplifies its transportation.
It should be noted that sometimes even folding beds on a carapace mesh come across, which by most indicators can be called something averaged between fabric folding beds and orthopedic models on slats.
Nevertheless, they are so rare that most experts are not even mentioned.
Brands
Since the choice of a baby bed depends not only on the convenience, but also on the safety and health of the child, many parents prefer to trust not so much their own intuition as the experience of previous consumers. In other words, they are trying to somewhat narrow down the potential choice of clamshells, giving preference only to those brands that have already earned some respect among buyers. If you are one of these customers, be sure to pay attention to the manufacturers, which will be discussed below.
Predictably, the main demand is directed to models of domestic production, among them the company's beds are stable in popularity "Dream M"... The manufacturer himself positions its lineup as beds for a summer residence, since it produces products with a textile base, however, unlike many competitors, it immediately equips the product with a mattress.
Among the advantages, designed to interest the child, are the bright colors of the covers and the low weight (within 4-6 kilograms), which allows the baby to fold and unfold his sleeping place on his own.
If we talk about models designed for constant sleep, then the brand's products are of the greatest consumer interest. "Relax". The price will be approximately three times higher - get ready to pay a few thousand rubles, but you don't have to worry about the orthopedic moment, because eleven birch slats will provide reliable back protection and will allow you to withstand up to 200 kilograms of load. The furniture is completed with a thick foam mattress, which provides maximum comfort during sleep.
We take into account the age
Choosing a clamshell for a baby, you should also start from his age - this is the only way to determine the dimensions of the product and the sufficient level of withstand load.
Since the folding bed can be changed quite often, in terms of dimensions it should correspond as much as possible to the current parameters of the child. It is recommended to choose a berth that is 15-20 centimeters longer than the child's height; the width is about 80 centimeters for children from 3 to 10 years old, and 90-100 centimeters for teenagers. The height of the product in this case is not so important, but for kids the level of the bed together with the mattress should not exceed half a meterotherwise it won't be easy to get there on your own.
With regard to the weight to be held, always take with a margin, as the child will most likely want to jump on the cot. On average, multiply the child's weight by two, that is, for a conditional first grader, you need a folding bed that can withstand 70-80 kilograms.
How to decide on the choice of a folding bed? See our next video for purchase recommendations.
