Which crib to choose for baby? - Les Petits
Choosing the right bed for your child is an essential step, both for their comfort and safety. Depending on their age, needs, and the space available at home, several options are available to you. In this article, we help you gain clarity with an overview of the different types of beds for babies and children, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.
The needs of your child for their sleep
Sleep plays a crucial role in your child's development. A bed suitable for their age and growth ensures not only peaceful nights but also optimal safety. Baby needs a reassuring, comfortable space that meets safety standards. As they grow, their need for autonomy and exploration also influences the choice of bed. Therefore, practicality, comfort, and safety must be combined at every stage of their life.
Our feedback on the different types of baby cribs
Today, there is a wide variety of children's beds, each catering to specific needs. From the cozy cradle to the playful cabin bed, including adjustable models, each bed has its advantages... and sometimes its limitations.
Convertible beds
Convertible beds are designed to grow with the child: they adapt to each stage of their growth, transitioning from a small crib to a junior bed, or even to a standard bed depending on the models. This type of bed represents a sustainable, practical, and economical solution to support your child for several years.
Benefits
- Accompanies the child from birth to several years.
- Economic in the long term.
- Practice with its different configurations (crib, small bed, large bed).
Disadvantages
- Higher investment at purchase.
- The assembly can be complex.
- Can be bulky in a small room.
CAM CAM Harlequin Evolutive Baby Bed 60x120 Cm - Sand
OLIVER FURNITURE Evolutive Baby Bed Wood Mini+, With Junior Kit Included, White/Oak
LEANDER Evolving Baby Bed, Classic, Cerused
Oeuf NYC Sparrow Birch Evolutive Baby Bed 70x140 Cm
OLIVER FURNITURE Evolutive Baby Bed Wood Mini+, Oak
Cradles and baskets
Cradles and bassinets are perfect for the very first months of a baby's life. Small, cozy, and enveloping, they provide a reassuring environment that resembles the mother's womb. Their lightness makes them easy to move around the house.
Benefits
- Ideal for the first months, very reassuring for the baby.
- Light, easy to move.
- Design often very soft and enveloping.
Disadvantages
- Usable only up to 4-6 months.
- Requires a bed change quickly.
- Sometimes less stable than traditional beds.
BERMBACH HANDCRAFTED Baby Bed and Rattan Mattress Emil
CHARLIE CRANE Kumi Cradle With Foam Mattress - Black And White
QUAX Luxury Rocking Cradle - Cream
CHARLIE CRANE Kuko Fur Milk Basket
Co-sleeping beds
The co-sleeping bed is designed to allow parents to sleep in close proximity to their baby while maintaining their own space. It attaches to or is placed right next to the parental bed, facilitating breastfeeding and nighttime awakenings.
Benefits
- Allows you to sleep close to baby, convenient for breastfeeding.
- Strengthen the parent-child bond.
- Reduces nighttime awakenings.
Disadvantages
- Usable for a limited period (usually up to 6 months).
- Less suitable if the baby moves a lot.
- Can complicate the transition to individual beds.
CHARLIE CRANE Kodo Structure Cododo in Beech & Foam Mattress
BERMBACH HANDCRAFTED Lit Cododo and Rattan Mattress Martha
OLIVER FURNITURE Cododo Wood Bed With Conversion Kit - White/Oak
Cabin beds
Very trendy, the cabin bed appeals to both children and parents! It combines sleeping and play space in a playful and inspiring environment. Perfect for stimulating the imagination while promoting independence.
Benefits
- Encourages imagination and play.
- Encourage the child's independence.
- Aesthetics highly appreciated by children.
Disadvantages
- Take up more space.
- Less suitable for very young children.
- The price can be high depending on the model.
MATHY BY BOLS Montessori Cabin - Color of Your Choice
VIPACK Babs Cabin Bed With Trundle Bed
VIPACK Dallas Lit Cabane Ladder White
VIPACK Dallas 2 Cabin Bed With Drawer - Natural
VIPACK House Bed Casami 90 X 200 Cm
Beds Flexa
The Flexa beds are modular models from Scandinavian design. What makes them special? They evolve with the child thanks to transformable structures and great robustness, all in a sleek and contemporary style.
Benefits
- Modular, robust, and scalable.
- High manufacturing quality.
- Very minimalist Scandinavian design.
Disadvantages
- Substantial budget.
- Less well-known, therefore a more limited selection in store.
- Sometimes long assembly.
FLEXA Simple Bed 210 Cm - White
FLEXA Semi-High Bunk Bed with Straight Ladder - Washed Grey Pine
FLEXA Simple Bed with Classic House for Single Bed - Washed White/Grey
Lits Mezzanine
The loft bed is an excellent way to save space in a child's room. By elevating the sleeping area, it frees up floor space for a desk, a play area, or storage. An ideal solution for older children.
Benefits
- Optimize the space: raised bed corner, office or play area underneath.
- Very appreciated by older children.
- Allows you to create a personalized universe.
Disadvantages
- Not suitable for children under 6 years old (risk of falling).
- Requires sufficient ceiling height.
- Request increased monitoring.
OLIVER FURNITURE Mid-High Loft Bed Wood Mini+, White/Oak
OLIVER FURNITURE Mid-High Loft Bed Wood Mini+, Oak
FLEXA Mid-Height Bed, Inclined Ladder & Cabin Bed Facades, White/Oak/Oak Frame
VIPACK Kiddy Lit Mezzanine White
Montessori Lits
Inspired by Montessori pedagogy, this bed is placed directly on the floor to encourage autonomy from a young age. The child can get in and out of it by themselves, thus promoting their independence and freedom of movement.
Benefits
- At ground level, promotes the child's autonomy.
- 'Without bars, total freedom of movement.'
- Simple and natural design.
Disadvantages
- Requires a secure room (no fall protection).
- Less integrated storage.
- May disturb some children used to a more enclosed bed.
OLIVER FURNITURE Junior Wood Mini+ Bed, Oak
Oeuf NYC Lit Junior Classic Children's Bed - Walnut
LEANDER Evolving Baby Bed, Classic 0 -7 Years, White
VIPACK White Evolutive Jumper 90 X 140 Cm
Sofa beds
The daybed is a multifunctional piece of furniture: it serves as a bed at night and as a sofa during the day. This format is particularly suitable for older children or small spaces, while adding a nice decorative touch.
Benefits
- 2-in-1: can serve as a sofa by day, bed by night.
- Ideal for older children's rooms or small spaces.
- Often evolving.
Disadvantages
- Less comfortable for toddlers.
- Requires a good mattress.
- May not be suitable for very young children.
OLIVER FURNITURE Original Wood Banquette Bed, White/Oak
CAM CAM Harlequin Lit Banquette 90 X 200 Cm - New Model
VIPACK Captain Fritz Bed With 3 Drawers & Trundle 90 X 200 Cm
FLEXA Lit Banquette With Trundle Bed And 2 Drawers - White Oak
Lits toboggan
The slide bed transforms bedtime into a playful moment! Very popular with children, it adds a playful dimension to their room while fulfilling its role as a sleeping space. A fun choice, but it needs to be well supervised.
Benefits
- Fun and playful, the children love it!
- Encourage play and motor skills.
- Often exists in combination with mezzanine.
Disadvantages
- Poorly suited for small rooms.
- "To be reserved for older children (from 4-5 years old)."
- Requires increased supervision during play.
MATHY BY BOLS Lit Cabane Superposée Et Toboggan Seul
VIPACK Bed Mid-Height With Slide, 2 Drawers & Shelf 90 X 200 Cm
FLEXA Mid-Height Bed With Slide, Vertical Ladder - White Oak
VIPACK Bed Mid-Height With Slide & 2 Drawers Gray 90 X 200 Cm
What type of bed for what age?
0 - 6 months
The cradle, the bassinet, or the co-sleeping bed are the most suitable. They provide a reassuring cocoon, close to mom and dad, and are designed for newborns who sleep a lot but need to feel contained.
6 months - 2 years
At this age, the baby starts to move more. The crib remains the safest option. One can consider a convertible bed or a small Montessori bed, depending on the child's independence.
2 years - 5 years
"This is often the age when the child moves to a 'big bed'. Evolutive beds, cabin beds, or Montessori beds are perfect for this phase. A bench bed can also be introduced for more versatility."
5 years and older
Children want more space, independence, and fun. The loft bed, the slide bed, or models like Flexa fit into their world. One can also choose a combined bed with a desk or storage.
Choosing the right bed for your child is primarily about adapting to their age, needs, pace... and your daily life. Whether it's a crib for the first few months, a convertible bed to follow their growth, or a cabin bed for imagination, each option has its advantages. There is no "best" universal bed, but rather the bed that suits your little one, your lifestyle, and the space you have available.
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