Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The size of this crib is ideal for moms. It's bigger than a Moses Basket, but smaller than the Cot Bed. It also folds down to just a third of its original size, and can fit into a convenient travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Keep in mind that the crib is only for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can make a child suffocate.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot make sure that the manufacturer adheres to all safety standards. One good starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which will inform you whether or not a particular portable crib has been recalled. Choose a mattress that fits the crib of your child so that it doesn't slide through the gaps or pose the risk of suffocation.
When selecting a bassinet or crib, look for one that conforms to the latest safety standards that were updated in 2022. Avoid cribs with older designs and designed for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs haven't been tested, and could pose a risk to your baby's safety.
Link Website needs to be well-constructed and sturdy. Examine for loose, missing or broken screws as well as other hardware. If you are using a playard it should be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls for air circulation. The slats of the crib should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to prevent baby's head or limbs from becoming trapped. Don't put any blankets, pillows, stuffed animals or toys in the crib. These items can suffocate or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib at the time your child is able push up on their knees and hands or before 5 months old or 5 months, whichever is first.
Examine regularly for loose or broken screws and hardware. This is especially crucial when traveling with an infant. Take all plastic out of the crib too.
If you're using a portable crib for your baby, make sure it's not placed directly beneath a large window. A window is an accident hazard and if your child rolls into it, they may get injured. Even if your child is old enough to be able to roll over it is recommended to keep their sleeping area away from windows. It's crucial to wake your baby if they begin to roll over during sleep.
Portability
Whether you're going on holiday, have family staying over, or simply want a safe crib for sleepovers with your friends, the portable crib (or playard, as they are sometimes called) is an excellent option. These portable cribs are simple to put together and compact when closed, and come with an incredibly comfortable mattress that can hold newborns up to 15kg.
MFM home testers appreciate the BabyBjorn travel crib because it's simple to fold and store. Its easy drop down panels that can be operated by one hand are also convenient for parents who are bleary-eyed. It's not our tiniest pack-and-play play, but with just under 15 pounds it's still a good weight. It also comes with regular handles instead of a backpack style strap, which some parents find more comfortable.
Another excellent option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which combines a bedside crib and bassinet into a compact unit that is ideal for both holidays and overnight visits to relatives and friends. It's not the most affordable one, but it does come with an abundance of all-singing and all-dancing features such as a storage basket and soothing night lights that change colour, lullabies and white noise to aid your baby to fall asleep, and its bassinet setting is higher than the majority for easier access during the early days when mom is still recovering.
The fabrics are machine washable and wipeable, making it easy to clean. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when it's open) it's light at just under 12kg and fits neatly into a small, handy travel bag included ideal for trips away from home. It has six different height settings as well as an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It's able to fit all bed sizes. It's also very easy to set up and has our MFM tester having it ready in just 10 minutes. You'll need to buy an additional mattress however.
Feeding
If you're traveling for pleasure or business it's essential to keep your baby happy and safe while traveling. While some families may be inclined to use a bassinet or crib that they own, it's best to buy one that is specifically designed for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides that permit parents to monitor their children without disturbing them and are lightweight enough for easy transport between places. They also meet the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been recalled.
If you must utilize a crib for your bed it is recommended that your infant be laid on their backs and that the sleeping surface be free of any blankets, pillows and animals stuffed. This kind of sleeping arrangement increases the risk of SIDS. If you are forced to co-sleep on occasion, ensure that you do it only when your baby is asleep and that you're completely dressed and awake.
The bedside cribs that are available for babies and infants include:
Some are designed to look like a mini-crib or Moses basket, while others have sides which can be put into parents' bed. This allows access to the baby for feeding and comforting without exposing the risk of co-sleeping that the AAP cautions against due the risk of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that is attached to a parent's mattress. This can also be a safer option for older babies since the sides are easily raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. Another option is a travel cot that has a built-in bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib, making it easier to lift up the sleeping infant to feed or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are an excellent method to sleep in a safe environment with your baby. They are set next to your bed to allow you to easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleeping without disturbing them. Some cribs come with drop-sides that can be lowered for this purpose, while others come with a height adjustment, so they can fit into your bed at home and away.
It was previously recommended that infants be in their own room. However parents are increasingly choosing to co-sleep. This arrangement, also known as rooming in, allows infants to remain close to their parents, while remaining in their own crib or a bassinet. There are many types of co-sleepers available, including the iCrib which is designed to be a portable crib that fits on the top of your bed, or a standard crib. It has a light frame and a mattress that can be removed and can be folded to make it easy for storage. It also comes with the Joie Roomie Go crib, which fastens to the edge of a bed. It includes 7 adjustable height positions and a tummy tilt to help with reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers highly praised this crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It's also available in various colors.
There are also cribs for bedside use, such as our Lilly and Alain, that can be placed next to the traditional bed frame. They come with a moveable side barrier that slides down to allow you pick your baby up for dinner at night, but the crib is otherwise self-contained and your baby will sleep soundly throughout this time. They also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which stipulate that 120mm high barriers must be present between your mattress and the cot of your child.
Additionally, there are cribs for travel that are specially designed to be used on the road. These are typically much smaller and lighter than standard cribs which makes them easier to carry in and out of hotels and cars. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for instance, can be set up and taken down in less than an hour and weighs only three pounds, so it is easy to lift and carry.