The invention relates to a contact spring (1) for an electrical switching element, a cradle (79) for an electrical switching element and an electrical switching element, in particular a cradle relay. In order to provide a contact spring (1), a cradle (79) and an electrical switching element, whereby the mounting of a cradle (79) on at least one contact spring (1) is facilitated, and in order to provide a possibility of producing compact electrical switching elements, it is intended according to the invention for the contact spring (1) that the contact spring (1) has at least one hook-shaped attaching mechanism (27) with at least one material tongue (39) which is bent back towards the contact site (11) of the contact spring (1) at least in sections. For the cradle according to the invention, it is intended that the cradle has at least one attaching means (95) for a contact spring (1), wherein the at least one attaching means (95) has a contact spring shaft (97) which extends perpendicular to a connecting line (87) between an armature- side end (83) and a spring-side end (85) of the cradle (79). For the cradle relay, it is intended that a hook-shaped attaching mechanism (27) of a contact spring (1) is received in a contact spring shaft (97) of an attaching mechanism (95) of the cradle (79), wherein the contact spring shaft (97) extends in a straight line perpendicular to a connecting line (87) between an armature-side end (83) and a spring- side end (85) of a cradle (79), wherein the hook-shaped attaching mechanism (27) and the attaching means (95) form a form fit in an undetachable manner.