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.