BABY CRIB MOBILE WOODEN WIND CHIME BED BELL, NURSERY MOBILE CRIB

Is your baby irritable in bed or when trying to go to sleep and you’re hoping a distraction may help?

Some babies still need stimulation when they are trying to fall asleep to help distract them from the idea of immediately wanting mom. A baby mobile can be a great addition to your baby’s crib or sleeping area because it can provide the necessary stimulation that may help distract your baby from missing you.

There are many different mobiles on the market, so it may be tricky to find one that best meets your needs. Here’s what you need to know when looking to purchase the best baby mobile.

What Is A Baby Mobile?

A baby mobile is a structure that hangs above your baby’s sleeping area and has hanging toys or objects to help entertain your baby.

Some mobiles are more complex than others and may include other features than just hanging toys.

There really isn’t a right or wrong choice when choosing a baby mobile, but it is important that you find one that satisfies your baby. Sometimes the extra features may be the secret key in keeping your baby content and entertained.

Why Buy A Baby Mobile?

As you have probably heard many times by now, back is best when it comes to babies sleeping. When your baby is on their back in their sleeping area, the ceiling above can be a rather uninviting place to look.

Babies thrive on the stimulation and having something entertaining to look at maybe the difference in your baby being content and then quickly becoming fussy. No one wants to stare at a blank ceiling, but if there is an interesting object above, your baby will become intrigued.

Types Of Baby Mobiles

Aside from the fact that baby mobiles have different features, many of them are built and attach in different ways. It is important that you become familiar with all the different kinds of attachments, uses, and features, so you can make an easier decision when it comes time to make a purchase.

There are typically three types of baby mobiles:

• Crib-mounted: This is the most popular type of baby mobile, and it is also the easiest to assemble. All you have to do is clip it to the side of the crib and your job is done. These types of mobiles can support more weight, so they often have more complex items hanging from them.
• Ceiling-mounted: This type of mobile is no longer as popular because of the fact that you have to make a hole in your ceiling. A hook would be placed into the ceiling and this item would hang from it. A downside to this is that if you ever want to move the location of the mobile, you would have to create another hole in the ceiling.
• Portable: Much like the crib-mounted mobile, portable ones often clip onto whatever item you choose. The difference between these and the crib-mounted ones is that the items will not be as heavy because it is meant to be frequently moved around and not stationary.

Some parents choose to make their own baby mobiles, and that is perfectly acceptable as long as safety is in mind. If you choose to make your own, most often it will be ceiling mounted.

Features of the Best Baby Mobiles

It is important you find a mobile that is going to satisfy your baby.

When you are on the hunt, you should keep the following features in mind.

1. Is There a Movement?

A baby mobile that moves will be much more fascinating to your little one than one that remains in place. Baby mobiles that move are somewhat heavier than stationary ones because there has to be room for the motor and batteries. One downside to a moving mobile is that you will have to replace the batteries frequently.

2. What Movement Direction Do You Want?

Baby mobiles used to just spin around in circles by the breeze in a room when windows were open, but now motors can make them do all sorts of things. You can purchase a mobile that moves clockwise, counterclockwise, up and down or a combination of the three.

3. What Kind of Toys?

There are hundreds of options of toys on baby mobiles. You need to find one that catches your baby’s attention. If your baby has never looked twice at a monkey, you probably shouldn’t buy a mobile with monkeys.

Try to identify what toys seem to intrigue your little one. If your baby loves Elmo, try to find a mobile with the Sesame Street characters.

Or you may want mellow toys that aren’t too stimulating to promote sleep.

4. Make Sure It Fits Your Crib

Crib-mounted baby mobiles are designed to fit cribs, but not all of them fit every crib. You should make sure that if your crib has rounded edges, you find one that can accommodate that type of edge. You should do the same thing if your crib has square edges.

There may be some crib mobiles that are universal and can accommodate any crib, but it is important you double-check before purchasing.

5. Do You Like The Music?

If you are leaning more toward a mobile that plays music, make sure you like the music that is playing. Most baby mobiles play soothing tunes, but you never know if yours may choose to play a fast-paced version of a nursery rhyme. Calming melodies are typically the most preferred option.

You should also pay attention to how the music will be played. If you have to wind the mobile every time you want the music to be played, that may become a pain. Most parents prefer mobiles with musical timers. A set amount of music is good, babies go into a deeper sleep with a constant white noise like a fan, than they do with changing sounds like music.

6. Baby’s Point of View

The mobile is for your baby, so you need to make sure it caters to your baby. Some mobiles look great from the parents’ perspective and for decoration purposes, but they aren’t all that appealing from your baby’s point of view.

Make sure you view the mobile from underneath so you have a better idea of what your baby will see and make sure that it seems stimulating and entertaining.