Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are ideal for mothers. It's larger than the Moses Basket but smaller than a Cot Bed. It can also fold down to one-quarter of its original size and can be put into a convenient bag for travel.
Keep in travel cot bedside crib that the crib is designed for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can cause a child to be suffocated.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards. The best place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a particular portable crib has been recalled. Pick a mattress that's suitable for the crib of your child so that it doesn't slide through the gaps or pose a suffocation risk.
When you are choosing a crib or bassinet make sure it conforms to the latest safety standards, which were updated in 2022. You should also avoid cribs with a long history and cribs that have been modified or drop side cribs that were recycled for use in travel, as they have not been tested and may pose risks to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be well-constructed and sturdy. Examine for loose, missing or broken screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should have sturdy walls and mesh windows to allow for proper air flow. The crib's slats must not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and limbs becoming trapped. Don't put any toys, blankets, or toys that are stuffed with animals in the crib. These items can strangle or suffocate your baby. They must be removed when they are able to stand on their own, or before the age of 5 months.
It's also important to check frequently for loose or broken hardware and screws, especially when you travel with your infant. Make sure to remove all plastic from the crib before using it, and.
If you're using a portable crib ensure that it's not placed in front of an enormous window. A window can be an accident hazard for your baby could get hurt in the event that they crash into it. Even if your child is old enough to roll over it is recommended to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If your child begins to roll over during sleep it's a good idea get them up in order to avoid injury.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards, as they're sometimes called) are a great choice for those who are going on vacation, having family members over, or simply needing a safe crib to use during a sleepover or with friends. These playards fold up and have an extremely comfortable mattress that can accommodate babies up to 15kg. They are simple to assemble and compact when closed.
MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib because it's easy to fold and put away. Its easy drop-down panels that are one-handed are also a breeze to use for parents who are tired. It's not the lightest backpack on our list, but it's a good weight, weighing just under 15 pounds, and it has regular carry handles rather than a backpack-style strap which some prefer to haul around.
Another excellent option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which includes a crib for bed and a bassinet into one compact unit that's ideal for both overnight and holiday visits to friends and family. It's not the least expensive however it comes with a wealth of dancing and all-singing features like a basket for storage and soothing night lights that change colour as well as white noise and lullabies to help your baby fall asleep, and its bassinet setting is higher than other models for easier access in the beginning of the day when mom is still recovering.
It's also easy to keep clean, with machine washable and wipeable fabric. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's on the bulkier side when it's open) it's light at just under 12kg and fits neatly into a small, handy travel bag included perfect for trips away from home. It has six height settings and a tummy tilt for reflux/colic infants, and it can be adapted to beds of all sizes. It's also very easy to set up, with our MFM tester able to get it set up in only 10 minutes. It'll require a separate mattress.
Feeding
Whether traveling for pleasure or business it's essential to keep your baby happy and safe on the road. While some families may be tempted to use a crib or bassinet that they have, it's best to buy one specially made for travel. These are smaller and with mesh sides that allow parents to monitor their children without disturbing them and are light enough to allow for easy transport between destinations. They also meet all safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been subject to recalls.
If you have to use a crib alongside your bed, it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The bed should be free of pillows, blankets and toys. Sharing the bed with parents isn't recommended for any baby, regardless of age, and this type of sleeping with a partner is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you must occasionally co-sleep, make sure that your baby is asleep and that both you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.
There are a variety of cribs for babies and infants.
Some are designed to resemble a mini crib or a Moses basket, while others have sides that can be put down into the parent's bed. This lets parents access their child in the middle of the night to soothe and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP warns against this due to the danger of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, which is a bedside sleeper that connects to the side of a mattress for a parent. This is a good option for older children, as the sides can be elevated to allow you to reach the baby without having to lift them from the bed. The travel cot that has a built-in crib that can be removed allows you to easily lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a great method to sleep in a safe environment with your infant. They are placed near your bed at night, so that you can reach out easily to feed them and observe them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs come with an adjustable drop-side that can be lowered for this purpose, while others come with a height adjustment, so they will fit in your bed at home and when you go away.
It was previously recommended that infants sleep in their own bedroom. However parents are increasingly opting to co-sleep. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents but remain in a safe space on their own bassinet or crib. There are several types of co-sleepers available like 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 lightweight frame, a mattress that can be removed, and can be folded up for easy storage. There is also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that can be attached 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 loved this crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It's also available in different colours.
You can also purchase freestanding bedside cribs like our Lilly or Alain that you can place on top of the standard bed frame. The cribs have an elongated side that slides down to allow you to grab your baby for feedings at night. However, the cribs are self-contained so your baby can continue sleeping peacefully. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130 safety standards, which require a 120mm gap between your mattress and the child's crib.
There are also travel cribs that are specifically made to be carried on the road. They are usually smaller and lighter than a standard crib and are therefore easy to transport into and out of hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be set up in just a few minutes and folded down in three pounds. It is therefore simple to lift and transport.