Today we will try to figure out whether a newborn (or its parents) needs a hanging cradle, or, as it is also called, a shak. In the old days, almost all babies in their first year of life both slept and were awake in such cradles, but now they are not found in homes so often. Despite the fact that they are gaining popularity again, not all young parents decide to purchase baby hanging cradles for their child, although they look at them with interest in stores. Let's see how the main models of the cradles differ from each other, and also take an interest in what parents who already bought similar accessories for their kids think about them.
The wisdom of generations
Why is the hanging cradle so interesting? What is special about it and why should it be used when caring for a newborn baby? Small cradles attached to the ceiling or wooden stick-holder were a safe haven for children from birth. In them, they felt comfortable and safe. The houses of our ancestors were very different from the modern homes of people, and besides, they had completely different standards of hygiene. This was especially true of village huts and poor urban estates. Often families were large, and there was simply not enough space for everyone in the house, so several people slept in one bed. Naturally, the newborn needed to allocate his place. He became the hanging cradle.
A separate berth of this format is good at once for several reasons:
- in the cradle, the child is safe, because she will not roll over by herself or because of the carelessness of older children;
- it is very simple to take care of the cradle - its base can simply be wiped with a damp cloth, and the textile elements can be washed;
- being in the cradle, the child experiences about the same sensations as in the mother’s tummy - high sides make the space small and closed, slightly darkened, and smooth swaying soothe the baby;
- as a rule, children who are not placed in a traditional crib, but in a cradle, sleep longer and harder, so they relax more and develop better.
An additional advantage that hanging cradles for newborns have is that the mother needs to swing the baby less in her arms.
What are hanging cradles?
First of all, the materials from which the cradle itself is made differ. In our country, baby cradles were woven from willow twigs or carved from wood. The wicker cradle is light and affordable, so any family could afford it. Actually, such a hanging cradle was made most often with one's own hands.
A wooden cradle is most often also handmade. Experienced craftsmen decorate such products with beautiful carvings and ornaments. Our ancestors put on the cradle not just arbitrary patterns, but runes and various esoteric symbols that were supposed to protect the child during sleep.
There are also a variety of textile options for shakes, made in the form of hammocks or braided from ropes using the macrame technique. There are also more practical cradles made of fabric - with a rigid base, a comfortable mattress and high sides, as well as additional accessories. Actually, it is these cradles that are most popular with buyers.
Ceiling suspension
The suspended cradle is mounted directly to the ceiling with one large hook. The ropes are first fixed at the corners of the cradle, and then converge into a cable, which is tied to a ceiling mount. When assembling the structure, it is important to correctly calculate the load per hook. If it is too weak or is not driven deep enough, the cradle may break. Newborns gain weight very quickly - in the first half of the year, almost 700-800 g per month, and this must be taken into account. A big plus of the hanging cradles is that they do not occupy precious square meters on the floor. This is very important for those people who have small-sized apartments. In addition, such cots for babies look very nice.
Cradle on a stand
No matter how attractive the idea of saving space due to the cradle suspended from the ceiling seems, it is far from always possible to realize it. Modern houses are by no means built according to the canons that were a hundred years ago, and the now fashionable stretch and suspended ceilings simply can not withstand such a load. In addition, a hanging cradle will be needed not so long - a maximum of one year.
Alternatively, you can use a more practical version of the crib for newborns. For example, such a cradle, as in the previous photo. The rack for a hanging cradle can be made in the form of a tripod, an arc or supports, as in a children's swing.
Two in one
Discussing this topic, one cannot but mention the cradles that are hung directly in the crib. They are also different. The simplest ones are hammocks-extensions, but there are also such cradles that have a rigid bottom and sides. Elongated straps allow you to swing the berth a bit, but with a small amplitude. Such inserts allow the child not to “get lost” in the bed, which is still large for him, to feel safe and comfortable.
What should I look for when making a choice?
The main thing is that the cradle is safe. Before parents put their baby in it, they must double-check several times whether the cables and the holder are firmly fixed. No less attention should be paid to the integrity of the cradle, as well as to the availability of any removable parts and elements in the child’s access - everything should be firmly fixed. Such children's accessories are usually made of natural materials - wood or textile, but it is necessary to pay attention to the quality of painting of individual elements of the cradle, because manufacturers often try to save money and deceive buyers on such trifles.
Parent Experience: Owner Reviews
Surely readers will be curious to know how customers respond to hanging cradles. Those who have already used them argue that this is a very useful acquisition. In a hanging cradle, the baby sleeps much more soundly than in a simple crib. If it is located right next to the parent's bed, then the child does not even need to get up every time he wakes up at night. It is enough to shake the cradle gently, and the baby will soon fall asleep again.
The choice of shakes should be approached carefully. You should not buy models that are too closed, which have excessively high sides - because they complicate the process of laying the child, bad air gets into the berth. Also, according to the reviews of the parents, it’s good if the cradle has external pockets for various little things and special grooves for installing the arc with developmental toys.