What to Look for When Purchasing a Mobile
By Elaine Farber
Newborns spend most of the time in their crib. But babies need some stimulation during the day, and mobiles are their first form of entertainment.
Babies are ready for a mobile between six and eight weeks of age. Soothing music and soft glowing lights are ideal for calming baby in her crib at night.
Mobile Buying Tips
A battery-operated mobile will run as long as you like; there’s no winding to be bothered with every two minutes.
A remote control mobile means that mom or dad can stop or start the mobile’s motion with the click of a button. When you get tired of the music, simply push the button or use the remote control to turn it off. Some mobiles can even be activated by your baby’s own voice.
When you’re purchasing a mobile for your child’s crib consider colors and dimensionality. Get underneath the mobile and look at it from the baby’s point of view. With many flat, two-dimensional mobiles the objects seem to disappear when you look from the baby’s angle. The best mobiles are three-dimensional, in which case the toys stand out.
Many mobiles also play music. Listening to the tunes available will help you decide between similar mobiles.
If you are having a single baby, one mobile is all you need. If you are having twins and are going to sleep them in the same crib you still only need one mobile. If you are going to sleep your twins in separate cribs it would be nice to have a mobile for each baby.
Using and Installing Your Mobile
If baby is going to watch his mobile after eating, you can place him on a Boppy pillow in the crib. A baby placed flat on his back after eating is likely to spit up. Elevating baby on a Boppy will make him feel more comfortable and help prevent spitting up. Never leave baby unattended on a Boppy pillow.
Mobiles attach to and hang above the crib. Never hang the mobile directly over the baby. Make sure the mobile is securely attached to the crib and is high enough so the baby can’t reach.
The mobile needs to be removed from the baby’s crib when she reaches six months old, or as soon as she begins to sit up. But removing the mobile from the crib doesn’t mean you have to put it away: many mobiles are designed so you can mount them on the wall for baby’s enjoyment.
Some babies need a distraction when having their diaper changed or when they are getting dressed. Keep your baby entertained and happy while he’s on the changing table with a mobile that attaches right to the changing table.
Baby Lists recommended changing table mobile:
Infantino Changing Table Mobile at Amazon.com
Infantino Changing Table Mobile at Target
Suction Cup Wall Mounted Mobile
A suction cup, wall-mounted mobile can be hung anywhere in the house to entertain your baby. Hang it over the crib for play time, hang it over the changing table to distract baby while you’re changing diapers or getting baby dressed. As your baby grows you can hang the mobile in any room, out of reach, so baby can still enjoy it.
Baby Lists recommended wall mounted mobile:
Sassy Caterpillar Mobile with Suction Arm at Amazon
Here are more Baby Lists crib mobile recommendations that offer music, lights and some have a remote control:
Friendly Firsts Smart Response Musical Mobile by Fisher Price