How to Make a Baby Mobile

Tailor your baby mobile to fit your own needs--and your budget.

Buying a mobile for your baby's nursery can be quite expensive. It can also be difficult to find a mobile that coordinates with your nursery decor. One solution is to make your own mobile, so you can choose exactly what theme and color scheme to use.

Things You'll Need

• Mobile mounting arm
• Plastic tube
• Craft knife
• Heavy-duty string
• Objects to tie to mobile

Instructions

1. Affix a baby-safe purchased mobile mounting bracket arm to the head board of the crib with the included clamp.

2. Cut small grooves with a craft knife in the top edge of an 12-inch, 1-inch diameter plastic tube -- about 2 inches from each end and 2 inches past each of those grooves, moving toward the center.

3. Cut four pieces of heavy-duty string, each no more than 7 inches long to comply with current safety regulations.

4. Fit the pieces of string into the grooves. Knot them onto the tube with the strings hanging down, opposite the grooves -- the grooves should keep the strings from slipping down the length of the tube.

5. Tie booties, infant toys and rattles or any infant-safe toy on the mobile. Be sure the tube maintains its balance. Toys must be larger than 1 1/4 inches in diameter so they do not pose a choking hazard.

6. Cut a groove in the center of the tube on its underside. Slip a short length of heavy-duty string into the groove and securely knot it to the tube. Hang the tube by tying the other end of the string to the mobile bracket that is already affixed to the crib.

7. Change out the items often to maintain your baby's interest.

Tips & Warnings

• Mount the mobile off the one side on the headboard to encourage your child to turn his head when drifting off to sleep. This helps prevent a flat spot from developing on the back of a baby's soft head.

• Be sure that all objects are tied securely to the mobile.

• Be sure that the mobile is out of baby's reach to avoid injury or choking.

• Remove the mobile once your baby can sit up to prevent her from pulling it down.

References

• Dr. Spock: Crib Safety
• Child Safety Central: Avoiding Choking Hazards in Children's Toys
• Babycenter: Will Sleeping on His Back Cause a Flat Spot on My Baby's Head

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish