How to choose your baby bed?

Categories: Baby's Room

For parents, choosing a baby bed often raises many questions. And for good reason, baby will spend a large part of their time there during their first months of life. It is therefore important to have furniture perfectly adapted to baby's sleep. So, how do you choose a baby bed according to your child's age? What criteria should you consider? When is it time to switch to a child's bed? We explain everything about infant sleep.

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Choosing a baby bed is primarily based on your child's age. Indeed, a newborn of a few weeks won't have the same needs as a baby of several months. It is therefore recommended to have furniture that is adapted to your child's age.

From birth to 6 months

Very young babies need to feel as contained and reassured as possible, this reminds them of their mother's womb and thus helps them find sleep more easily. From birth, you can opt for a cradle. This small format is perfect from birth until 6 months of age. After that, baby might feel a bit too cramped.

Moreover, you can opt for a co-sleeping baby bed. This is a baby bed where one side opens to attach to the parents' bed (and secure with a dedicated system). This way, one parent can easily access baby to meet their needs throughout the night. If a parent is breastfeeding, co-sleeping is an even more appreciable solution, as it avoids having to get up.

After 6 months

Once your baby is past 6 months, they might feel a bit cramped in their cradle or co-sleeper bed. At this point, it's recommended to use what we call a baby bed, or a crib with bars. More spacious while remaining perfectly secure, the crib with bars is perfect for this period of baby's life.

The different baby bed formats

We mentioned the cradle and co-sleeper, but there are many other possibilities when it comes to baby beds such as:

The simple baby bed: This is a classic crib with bars. However, materials can vary with, for example, mesh fabric instead of bars.
The convertible baby bed: This bed transforms from a crib with bars to a child's bed. A few adjustments guided by the instruction manual allow you to completely transform the furniture. You can even choose a convertible baby bed 0-6 years that transitions from a cradle to a baby bed and then to a child's bed. The convertible baby bed is both practical and economical.
The combination baby bed: What we call a combination baby bed is a model that combines both a baby bed and storage elements and/or a changing table. Moreover, a combination baby bed can also be a convertible baby bed.
The twin baby bed: This solution is dedicated to setting up twins. Here, everything is doubled and designed optimally to take up as little space as possible.

What selection criteria should be considered?

To choose your baby bed, you can consider several criteria such as:

The materials: Prioritize FSC or PEFC certified solid wood, as well as solvent-free varnish and paint, or ecological wood panels with low formaldehyde content, like on our Archipel convertible baby bed for example.
Manufacturing origin: Made in France or made in Europe allows you to consume closer to home and prioritize quality furniture.
The brand: Preferably choose a brand specialized in furniture manufacturing and particularly children's furniture to ensure well-designed products.
The price: The price of your baby bed can range from a few hundred euros to over 1,000 euros. This offers you a wide choice of products. If you opt for a convertible baby bed, keep in mind that while its cost is higher than a simple baby bed, it is designed to last until your child is 6 years old.

How to choose the right mattress?

The choice of mattress is also crucial for a baby bed. Indeed, the benefits of a good children's bed on sleep should not be overlooked. Most often, the mattress is sold with the cradle or co-sleeper bed due to the specific shape of this type of furniture. However, it needs to be purchased separately for a baby bed.

The baby mattress is generally available in two different dimensions: 60x120 cm or 70x140 cm. Make sure you know the bed dimensions before making your choice. Moreover, it is recommended to choose a mattress specifically dedicated to babies and children (this information is always specified). This ensures that the chosen product will provide the necessary support for your child's proper development and comfort.

When should you switch to a child's bed?

Generally, it is recommended to transition from a baby bed to a child's bed around the age of 2. This is often when your child will try to escape by climbing over the bars, creating a risk of falling. It's better to adapt quickly and switch to a child's bed at this time.