A longitudinal pendulum in a crib is like

Having decided to buy a bed with a pendulum, parents wonder which mechanism is better, more convenient and, most importantly, safer for the child? Recently, furniture with longitudinal motion sickness has become increasingly popular. After all, pediatricians believe that this option is more suitable for the child.

Features and advantages of a crib with a longitudinal pendulum

This mechanism allows forward and backward movements. It works thanks to special bearings that provide smooth vibrations. The amplitude depends on the applied force.

The lower part of the furniture remains motionless during motion sickness. This makes it more stable in comparison with other models, in particular, the “rocking wheel”.

ATTENTION! The main advantage of the longitudinal mechanism is its maximum similarity to rocking in the mother’s arms. The baby quickly calms down and falls asleep.

The advantages of such furniture are:

1. Ease. It is more convenient for a mother to rock her baby than in a bed with a transverse pendulum.
2. Falling asleep quickly. This is confirmed by numerous reviews from parents who have tried longitudinal motion sickness in practice.
3. Safety.Pediatricians advise purchasing cradles with longitudinal rocking, since they do not have a strong impact on the undeveloped vestibular apparatus of a newborn, unlike the transverse one.

There are also disadvantages - spacious rooms are required to install furniture. After all, you need to leave space against the wall for the crib to work properly. In addition, the longitudinal mechanism is more expensive than the transverse one.

IMPORTANT! To prevent an older child from swinging the pendulum on his own, it is recommended to buy a locking mechanism.

What other types of pendulums exist?

Manufacturers of children's furniture, in addition to the longitudinal mechanism, make cribs with a pendulum:

1. Transverse. They swing across the width, that is, from left to right. They are the most popular because they are suitable for compact apartments, where every centimeter is used to advantage.
2. Universal (longitudinal-transverse). They are good because they allow you to quickly change from one type of swing to another. Convenient when you need to move the bed from one place to another. But you will have to fork out for such models.
3. Automatic. The furniture is equipped with an electronic control unit. Typically, there are 3 operating modes: automatic rocking, amplitude selection, and starting the mechanism when the baby wakes up. Beds with automatic rocking are rarely seen today, and they are very expensive.
4. Electric. This is a special device that is installed on a crib with a pendulum and allows it to work automatically.

Is a pendulum needed in a crib?

There cannot be a definite answer since the choice depends on the preferences of the parents and the characteristics of the child:

• if the baby falls asleep well without rocking, then he does not need a pendulum;
• If the child is restless and does not fall asleep without rocking, it is better to purchase a bed with a pendulum.

Some doctors have expressed concerns about children's beds with a rocking mechanism. The fact is that young children have a weak vestibular apparatus, so intense motion sickness can cause dizziness and even nausea.

These assumptions have not been confirmed by science. But most parents noted that moderate rocking has a beneficial effect on the quality of the baby’s sleep and his psychological state.

REFERENCE! A child who is accustomed to falling asleep only with rocking will then have a more difficult time adapting to normal sleep.

Since pediatricians have different opinions about the need for pendulums, the choice depends entirely on the parents. The main thing is that the baby's sleep is serene and calm.

Which crib with which pendulum is better to choose?

Which type of motion sickness to choose is an individual question. You need to pay attention to the following points:

1. Location. If the furniture will stand near the wall, a longitudinal mechanism will do. At night, it is convenient to move it sideways to the parents' sleeping place in order to rock the child when he wakes up.
2. Benefit for the child and safety. Longitudinal motion sickness is considered less harmful to the vestibular system.
3. Price. Beds with transverse rocking are cheaper, and they are more suitable for small rooms.
4. Functionality. If you consider the possibility that the crib will have to be moved from place to place, it is better to choose one with a universal mechanism.
5. Autonomy. The transverse pendulum can swing not only when it is rocked, but also when the child turns over from side to side (this applies to children over three months old).Thus, it turns out that the baby rocks himself to sleep while he sleeps.

In general, doctors believe that it is better to completely abandon the possibility of motion sickness for the baby. But this only applies to those children who fall asleep well. If the baby cries, worries, and demands his mother’s hands, it is best to buy furniture with a pendulum.