A "cradle" is a small bed designed for infants, typically featuring a rocking or swinging motion to soothe babies to sleep. Cradles are often made of wood or metal and can be portable, allowing parents to move them easily from room to room. They usually have a soft mattress and may include safety features like side rails to prevent the baby from rolling out. In addition to its practical use, the term "cradle" can also refer to the early stages of development for various things, such as ideas or technologies. For example, the cradle of civilization refers to regions where early human societies began to form, significantly impacting history and culture.