The ideal bed for an infant or toddler is a crib crafted by Amish craftsmen from solid hardwoods, native to North America. Although the Amish have perfected the art of baby beds, cribs, armoires and changing stations they did invent the practical child’s bed. Baby cribs have been around for centuries. As early as Moses, babies may have been placed in baskets. The famous manger scene also denotes a need for the Christ child to have a bed of his own, separate from his parent’s. Native Americans cradled their babies in a multitude of styles, including bark cradles, skin cradles, lattice cradles, board cradles, basket cradles and many more.

Until the mid-1600’s bedrooms were less common than beds, since any room in the house could have one and sitting areas commonly had beds similar to daybeds. The first types of cribs used were most likely like cradles placed right next to the parent’s bed. The earliest and most common type of cradle had rockers or a rocking capable shape. Often converted from other items, most were homemade from things like hollowed out logs or other wood that could be found easily and crafted by the man of the house. Cradles began to be designed and produced by woodworkers, not unlike the Amish woodworkers today, who also designed other home furnishings of the time. More sophisticated cradle designs included a cheval style frame so they could be rocked gently.

Once the child outgrew the cradle they often slept in a small bed, or trundle, that could fit under the parent’s bed during the day. This trundle bed was a low bed meant to be slid under a higher bed. By the 19th century more modern versions of the crib arrived and were meant to be the next step after a cradle. Cradles and cribs were often passed down through many children of the household and became heirlooms just like the cherished ones available from the Amish.

While crib design has shown a steady improvement of features, the same basic shape and form have remained unchanged. The Amish craft cribs that are under stringent quality and safety rules to ensure that children are safe from harm. These government standards coupled with the self-regulations of the Amish are continually being updated. New products are tested for safety and any expert in child care knows the value of hardwoods in crib design. An heirloom Amish crib or cradle will give no indication of ever wearing out, no matter how many hands may rock it.

                                          
You’ve spent months selecting the perfect solid hardwood baby crib by Amish craftsmen. You’re comforted in knowing you’ve bought the best for your newborn. This heirloom quality investment will last your child through many years, as it converts to their first big kid’s day bed, then later a single bed with designer head and footboards.

Whether the crib was an Amish traditional or contemporary design the crib mattress deserves to be given careful consideration, especially as the child grows and your Amish baby bed converts. Youngsters in their early development spend the majority of their days and nights lying in or playing in their baby crib. Since most crib mattresses are used for at least 2-4 years, growing bones need the best support you can afford.

The most common types of crib mattresses sold today are foam and innerspring. While a good quality foam mattress will last as long and give as much support as an innerspring crib mattress, the tie breaker is quality. Buy the best your budget can afford whether foam or innerspring.Today’s technology has developed a high grade of foam for mattresses. Foam’s resiliency is important and your mattress regaining its original shape quickly after weight is removed is essential. The next quality standard in selecting your child’s foundation is firmness and weight. With foam baby beds weight means density and the denser the better.

When considering any mattress the layers, and quality of layers, matter. The innerspring layer and the insulator pad layer and not the number of springs or coils is what makes the difference. The mattress border rods, or frame, are very important since they provide the edge support, where most children tend to stand and even bounce. A good mattress for your Amish crib should have a lower gauge of steel because it adds thickness. A good guide to buying an innerspring is:

150 coils. 

13.5 gauge carbon tempered steel coils.

 9.0 gauge steel border rods. 

A baby mattress should be covered in an easy to clean vinyl cover that is hospital grade and double or triple lamination. Remember to read the mattress label for specifications of the components. Better quality bedding will also include a warranty even if limited. Since you are buying a hand crafted heirloom from Amish craftsmen, buy a mattress that matches your valuable investment.