Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are perfect for mums. It's larger than a Moses Basket, but smaller than the Cot Bed. It's also foldable down to just a quarter of its original size, and can be put into a convenient bag for travel.
Make sure that the crib is only for sleeping. twin bedside cot or blankets, pillows and pillows can suffocate a child.
Safety
If you're looking to purchase a travel crib you'll want to be sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) site is an excellent place to start. It will let you know if a portable crib has ever been recall. It is also important to select the right size for the crib of your baby, so it doesn't slip into the gaps between the sides of the crib or cause suffocation hazards.
Find bassinets or cribs that are in line with the latest safety standards of 2022. You should also avoid cribs with a long history and cribs that have been modified or drop side cribs that are repurposed for travel because these aren't tested and could pose a risk to your baby's health.
A travel crib must be sturdy and well-constructed. Examine for loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have a secure wall and mesh windows to ensure adequate air flow. The crib slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby's head and legs from getting trapped. Don't put any toys, blankets or stuffed animals in the crib. These can cause suffocation or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib as soon as your child is able to push up on their hands and knees or before 5 months old or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
It is also essential to check often for loose or broken hardware and screws, particularly when you travel with your infant. Remove all plastic from the crib, too.
If you're using a portable crib for your baby, make sure it's not positioned directly under the large windows. A window can be an accident hazard and if your baby falls into it, they could be injured. Even if bedside travel cot is old enough to be able to roll over, it's best to keep their sleeping area away from windows. If your child starts to roll over in bed it's best to wake them up to prevent injury.
Portability
Whether you're going on holiday, have family staying with you, or need a secure bedside crib for sleepovers with friends, an portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're sometimes called) is an excellent option. These playards fold up easily to build and are compact when closed, and come with an incredibly comfortable mattress that can support newborns up to 15kg.
MFM home testers appreciate the BabyBjorn travel crib due to the fact that it's easy to fold and store. Its simple drop down panels that can be operated by one hand are also convenient for parents with a bleary eye. It's not the tiniest of packs-and-play on our list, but it's a good weight at just over 15 pounds, and it features standard carry handles rather than an e-bag strap, which some find more comfortable to haul around.
Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which combines a bedside crib and bassinet in one compact unit that's ideal for holidays as well as overnight visits to relatives and friends. It is not the cheapest alternative, but it comes with various features, such as an organizer basket as well as calming lights for the night that change colour as well as lullabies and white noise to aid your child to fall asleep.
It's also easy to clean, with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. It's also relatively lightweight, at just under 12kg and easily fits into the small, handy travel case that comes with it. It has six different height settings as well as an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It can fit any size bed. It's also very easy to set up and our MFM tester able to get it ready in just 10 minutes. It will require a separate mattress.
Feeding
When you travel for pleasure or business, it's important to ensure your baby is comfortable and safe when traveling. It is better to buy a travel-specific crib or bassinet instead of using one you already own. These are smaller and have mesh sides that permit parents to check on their children without disturbing them, and are lightweight enough for easy transport between places. These also meet the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you must utilize a crib for your bed, it's recommended that your infant be positioned on their backs and the mattress be free of blankets, pillows and stuffed animals. Sharing a bed with parents isn't advised for any baby, regardless of age, and this type of co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. If you do have to sleep with your partner at times ensure that your baby is asleep and that both you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.
There are many kinds of cribs for babies and infants.
Some are designed like a mini crib or a Moses basket, while others have sides that can be lowered down into the parent's bed. This gives parents access to the baby for feeding and comforting while avoiding the dangers of co-sleeping that the AAP cautions against due dangers of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that attaches to the mattress of a parent. It can also be an ideal option for older babies because the sides are easily raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting them out. Another option is a travel cot that has a built-in bassinet which can be removed from the top of the crib, which makes it easier to raise the sleeping infant to feed or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are an excellent way to safely co-sleep with your baby. They are placed near your bed at night, so that you can reach over easily for night feeds and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs have a drop side that can be lowered to make it easier, and others have an adjustable height adjustment to make sure they fit your bed at home or when you are away.
While it used to be recommended that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is a growing trend for parents to co-sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents but remain safely separated on their own bassinet or crib. There are several types of co-sleepers available such as the iCrib that is designed to be an easy-to-move crib that can be placed on the top of your bed, or a standard crib. This model includes a light frame, a mattress that is removable and is able to be folded into a compact size for storage. It also comes with the Joie Roomie Go crib, that can be attached to the edge of the bed and has 7 height settings that can be adjusted as well as an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. The crib was praised by our MFM home testers for its user-friendly design and compact folding, and it is also available in a variety of colors.
There are also bedside cribs, like our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be positioned on top of the traditional bed frame. The cribs feature an elongated side that can slide down to allow you to pick up your baby for feedings at night. However they are also self-contained, allowing your baby to remain asleep peacefully. They also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements that specify that a 120mm high barrier must be placed between your mattress and your child's cot.
Additionally, there are cribs for travel that are specially designed to be taken on the road. These are usually smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, which makes it easier to transport them in and out hotels and cars. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example, can be set up and taken down in less than a minute and it weighs just 3 pounds, making it easy to move and carry.