Thread: Baby Rocking Cradle

Nice work, Klepet, particularly well executed if you were just working from a picture.

One concern though - and a warning to others - although it is difficult to tell from looking at a picture, I think that the spacing between the rungs it too great. It would probably not satisfy Australian standards. The spacing should be sufficiently smaller that the size of an infant. Some believe as long is is smaller that the head - it's ok. But imagine if the body can slip through but the head can't. Actually - it's something we don't want to think about.

Here's the standards that apply to all houshold cots for infants.

# Cots must meet the Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS 2172:1995).

# Cots should be well-finished and made from quality materials.

# If made of metal, they shouldn't be bent or rusty, and their joints should be close-fitting and securely and cleanly welded.

# Timber cots shouldn't have dowels, nails and screws that are exposed above the surface.

# The timber shouldn't have large knots, insect damage, cracks or splinters.

# There should be no sharp edges or points that could cause a cut or head injury.

# There should be no gaps where children can trap their limbs or head.

# No knobs or protrusions that could catch a child's clothing.

# No decorative transfers that can come off easily.

# No crossbars or trim that could be used as a foothold.

# No bumpers or anything else inside the cot that has strings or ties.

# No choking hazards such as small toys, small items, medication, string or elastic in the cot.

# Make sure that the mattress you buy corresponds to the cot manufacturer's size recommendations - it should fit snugly with no gaps.

# Check that locking devices are easy to use for an adult but very difficult for a child.

# Check that the locking mechanism has a clear difference between locked and unlocked.

# Make sure there are no pillows, comforters or other soft products under infants while they sleep.

# Make sure the cot is placed at a reasonable distance from from curtains, blinds, heaters and power points.

# Move children to a single bed once they start climbing out of their cot.

Please check this out for the safety of the child.

Don,
Thank you for your comments. I fully agree with you on all safety issues. The safety is the reason that you can hardly find a few plans for baby cradles. The selection of rocking cradles for babies worldwide is very poor too. I can assure you that I would never expose my children or family to any risk. Due to the safety concerns I have decided not to follow designs available on the web. I have made this cradle for our new baby that is expected to arrive in 4-5 weeks. In the design I have also used observations and experience within our first baby.

The cradle is rock solid and 8 times heavier than an average weight of a new born baby. The clearance between rails is 70 mm that complies with AS. The cradle is quite big that is why the clearance appears bigger than it is (90 x 45 cm mattress). The cradle fully complies with all requirements you have listed. The base width is greater than the cradle width. Etc.

Not to be pedantic, but I learned of one more requirement for rocking cradles. The cradle should be limited to a 20 degree arc, i.e. 10 degrees either side of the vertical position. If your rocks greater than this, it would likely be easy to build in a stop to prevent it moving outside this arc.

Strange isn't it. I don't think that I ever gave these matters any thought when my children were infants. Now that I'm a grandparent, my kids have made me very aware of these safety issues.

Very nice Klepet.

Originally Posted by DPB

Not to be pedantic, but I learned of one more requirement for rocking cradles. The cradle should be limited to a 20 degree arc, i.e. 10 degrees either side of the vertical position. If your rocks greater than this, it would likely be easy to build in a stop to prevent it moving outside this arc.

My cradle rocks within 17-18 degree arc .

Thank you for the requirement, anyway. I really appreciate all comments and inputs.

Hi Klepet,
Congratulations on the approach of your new child....
I have just had our first a month ago, and it is great....
a piece of advice..... Do not let SWMBO con you into buying a change table..(you know those three shelved open things).
Make her one....
this is one of the best cons I have come across...

I volunteered to make one(I hven't finished yet as baby came early) the benefits of this are:
* use it as an excuse to get more tools: commercial one is about $300, you spend $50 on timber, you have $250 to spend on tools....
* it is fun to make.
* if you set up the heights of the shelves to fit some plastic storage boxes it is really good.
* put wheels on the bottom of each of the four legs.
* but most importantly, make it the same height as your workbench, that way you are really making a movable support/storage system for your own workshop once all the kids are gone!!!!!!


So let SWMBO think you are doing in for the baby, BUT it is really for you in the long term.

Greg.

The cradle is very nice. I love taking care of my grandchildren. I have made many a cradle. My family guards them with their life. It will make great memories. Let us know when the baby comes. I will send you a new tool instead of cegar if you give me an address to send it to. I will be in Coffs next month. Best to you and your family. Richard It quit raining here in California . 24 inches in 5 days. Floods everywhere.

I love deadlines. I love the sound of them going by.

Originally Posted by Greg_stewy

Hi Klepet,
shelves to fit some plastic storage boxes it is really good.
* put wheels on the bottom of each of the four legs.

FWIW, Hare & Forbes had castors with brakes on sale @ 4 for $10. Might be worth checking out.

Originally Posted by Greg_stewy

* but most importantly, make it the same height as your workbench, that way you are really making a movable support/storage system for your own workshop once all the kids are gone!!!!!!


So let SWMBO think you are doing in for the baby, BUT it is really for you in the long term.

Greg.

Now THAT make real sense!

Sorry to appear stupid - SWMBO????

Simon, you identify yourslef as coming from the UK, 30 (my age) and you don't know "SWMBO"???

a few lead in hints....

Leo McKern....

Lawyer......

Rumpole of the Bailey.......

She Who Must Be Obeyed........ = SWMBO

or in simple terminology, "The Boss", "The ball and chain", "The other half", "The wife", "the missus", etc etc etc....

Hi guys, im making something similar to this and wondering about the best way to go about the pivot point.. Do i use dowel or bolts or what?

thanks in advance!!

Very nicely finished and constructed Klepet . Seems we've got a baby theme going with cradles and change tables

Peter

Firstly great cot!

It is amazing to see how safety standards change over the years - or the total lack of them.

My grandfather used to put my other in a sling and spin her around (like water in a bucket) - not over head but in a wide horizontal circuit.

Apparently it was the only way they could get her to sleep (loss of blood to head maybe?).

Now I only need to hope my mum (whom I love dearly) does not read that last line.

Also think of car seats - my nephew who just turned 21 was transported in a bassenet with a seatbelt netting. Now we have pods and car seats...

Sometimes though I do think we go too far - like for example the private members bill that was introduced (and defeated thankfully) that required all hot wter heaters to only go to a set temp (forget which temp) but I know it was only a tad above warm. (whats wrong with safety tap covers?)