A baby mobile or cot mobile is what you call the thing that hangs over crib. It’s essential for the first few months of a baby’s life since they are always lying down. It provides them with entertainment, keeps them calm, and even lulls them to sleep.
If you plan to get yourself a baby crib hanging thing, you are in the right place. I have compiled a list of five of the best baby mobiles you can get.
5 Best Things That Hang Over Baby Cribs
Tiny Love Meadow Mobile
This baby mobile comes with three colorful toys that spin around. Above the toys are flaps with black and white designs to enhance visual stimulation.
In addition, the mobile features five melodies that can play continuously for 30 minutes. You don’t have to keep going back to turn it on every few minutes.
Now, this mobile is not just a thing that hangs above crib but also strollers, carriers, bassinets, and more. Its three attachment methods make it possible to use it with various accessories. That way, you can carry it wherever you go to keep the baby occupied.
Highlights
- Portable
- Attaches to various accessories
- 30 minutes of continuous music
- Five melodies
Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Projection Mobile
The mobile has four plush toys to help keep your baby company and teach them to focus.
Further, the mobile has various songs and sounds that it can play for up to 20 minutes uninterrupted.
For convenience, it comes with a remote control that enables you to restart the mobile quickly. Even more, you can set the combination of music, motion, and projection at any given time.
Highlights
- Projection feature
- Wide range of songs and sounds
- 20 minutes of uninterrupted music
- Remote control
VTech Soothing Slumber Mobile
This baby mobile has an ocean them and comes with ocean animal toys. It also has a projector that shows star and moon images on the ceiling.
In addition, it has 45 songs, melodies, and phrases that it can play for an extended 40 minutes. You can control the music volume as needed.
And once your baby outgrows the baby crib hanging thing phase, the mobile transforms into a crib toy. The crib toy is set in a way that’s safe for the baby to play with.
Highlights
- Has a projector
- 45 music options
- Up to 40 minutes of extended music play
- Volume control
- Transforms into a crib toy
Manhattan Toy Infant Stim-Mobile
If you’re more interested in your baby’s development than in getting them entertained, this is the baby mobile for you. It doesn’t come with music or projectors like the rest of the things that hang over baby cribs.
This mobile focuses on your baby’s visual development. It comes with hanging cards of different designs with highly contrasting colors.
The card designs vary in complexity to provide different levels of stimulation and are labeled by age. There are ten cards that you can use interchangeably.
Moreover, this mobile grows with your child as it has an adjustable cord to set your preferred length. That way, the baby doesn’t get to reach it, and you can bring it closer for a newborn.
Now, it’s not just visual development that your baby benefits from. The mobile also enhances eye-hand coordination, a sense of object permanence, self-awareness, gross motor skills, among others.
Highlights
- Focused on child development
- Ten interchangeable cards
- Varying stimulation levels by age
- It has an adjustable cord
KiddoLab Baby Crib Mobile
This is one beautiful spinning thing above baby crib with its colorful pet toys and stars. Your baby will love to watch them twirl.
With its overhead projector, this mobile projects a lovely light show of stars and the moon on the ceiling.
It also has a wide range of calming sounds and songs that you can choose to play in two ways. The first option is to have the music play then stop after 15 minutes. The other is to have non-stop soothing lullabies and nature sounds.
Highlights
- Colorful design
- Overhead projector
- Plenty of music choices
- It has a non-stop music option
How to Choose Your Thing That Hangs Over Crib
There are several factors to consider when buying a baby mobile. These are:
The Type of Crib You Have
Baby crib mobiles do not necessarily fit into all cribs. Some are built for round cribs, while others are made for cribs with square rails.
Hence, it is crucial to confirm with your supplier whether the mobile is compatible with your crib.
Installing the wrong baby mobile could destroy your bed or even pose a safety hazard to your baby.
Portability
If you would like to carry your baby mobile during your outdoor trips, ensure your get a portable option.
Music
Crib mobiles operate music in two different ways; wind up or battery. You have to physically turn a key or handle in the wind-up option for the music to play.
Usually, the music plays for a short while, and you have to keep winding every few minutes. The battery option enables the mobile to play music continuously over a more extended period.
It is also essential to check the volume of the music. You don’t want it to be too loud for a newborn. This tip is especially vital for those mobiles that do not have a volume control option.
The Mobile Operation Mechanism
A crib mobile can spin either by itself with the help of batteries or by physical operation. The physical ones can also be moved by wind since the toys are usually lightweight.
However, that’s not always effective as it only spins for a short while before stopping again.
So if you want a convenient option, choose a battery-operated one. The only downside of batteries, though, is that you have to buy them regularly.
Extra Features
Depending on your preferences, you might want to get a baby mobile with a projector, remote control, or Bluetooth capability.
Your Nursery Theme
If you have a nursery theme you intend to stick to, choose a baby crib hanging thing with your color scheme.
Tips To Safely Use the Spinning Thing above Baby Crib
Safety is of utmost priority when it comes to babies. Here are some issues you should take note of.
Ensure the Mobile Is Well Secured
An unstable baby mobile poses a risk to the newborn if it falls on them. The newborn would not be able to pull it off or to move themselves.
Therefore, ensure that you install it properly and check it often for any loosening.
Check for Potential Choking Hazards
Small, detachable parts on your baby mobile pose a choking hazard to your baby.
Regularly check for such loose elements and reinstall well or get rid of them if they can’t be fixed.
Keep The Crib Mobile out Of Baby’s Reach
The main aim of a baby mobile is to create visual stimulation and to entertain them. They are not supposed to hold them.
You should, therefore, ensure that the mobile is placed at a height that the baby can’t reach. Also, check for any dangling strings that they can pull.
Remove It Once Your Baby Is Of Age
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you should stop using a baby mobile once the baby is five months.
And if they start reaching out to things earlier than that, remove it then. There is a high risk of injury when they can grab it. They could also get strangled if the mobile has strings.
Is It Safe To Hang Things Above Baby Cribs?
Yes. It’s safe. But, precautions must be taken to ensure that they are securely installed and out of the baby’s reach.
Do All Baby Mobiles Attach To Cribs?
No. There are also ceiling-mounted baby mobiles available. These types of mobiles are attached to your ceiling by use of a hook or screw. The disadvantage with that is that on the removal of the mobile, a hole may be left. Then, you might have to patch it up.
Conclusion
Choosing the thing that hangs over crib depends on your needs and preferences. If you love going outdoors with your baby, then the Tiny Love Meadow Days Take Along Mobile is for you.
If you like the extra entertainment that comes with a projector, go for the VTech Soothing Ocean Slumber Mobile. The Fisher-Price Precious Planet 2-in-1 Projection Mobile comes in a close second in that category. The KiddoLab Baby Crib Mobile takes third place.
And finally, if your main interest is in developing your child’s skills, buy the Manhattan Toy Wimmer-Ferguson Infant Stim-Mobile. It’s made by an award-winning company known for making developmental toys.
Choose what works for you and get your baby entertained!
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