Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The size of this crib is ideal for mothers. It's larger than a Moses Basket, but smaller than the Cot Bed. It also folds down to just a third of its original size and fits into a convenient travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Just remember that the crib should be used only for sleeping and that toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose dangers to suffocate.
Safety
As you shop for a travel crib you'll want to be sure that the manufacturer is compliant with all safety standards. The best starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a specific crib is being removed from the market. You should also select a mattress that is appropriate for your baby's crib, so it doesn't slip into the gaps between the crib sides or create a suffocation hazard.
When choosing a bassinet or crib make sure it is in compliance with the latest safety standards that were revised in 2022. It is also recommended to avoid cribs that are older, modified cribs or drop side cribs that are used for travel as they aren't evaluated and could pose dangers to your baby's health.
A travel crib should be well-built and sturdy. Examine for broken, missing or loose screws, as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have a secure wall and mesh windows to ensure proper air flow. The crib slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and legs from getting trapped. Do not put any toys, blankets or toys that are stuffed with animals in the crib. These items can choke or drown your baby. They must be removed when they can stand up on their own or before the age of 5 months.
It's also important to look frequently for loose or broken hardware and screws, especially when traveling with your child. Make sure you remove all plastic from the crib prior to use, too.
If you're using a portable baby crib be sure that it's not placed directly beneath an enormous window. Windows pose a fall risk and if your baby rolls into it, they could be injured. Even if your child is old enough to roll over it is recommended to keep their sleeping area away from windows. If your child starts to roll over during sleep, it's a good idea get them up in order to avoid injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards or playards, as they're often referred to) are a great option for anyone going on vacation, having guests over, or simply needing an appropriate crib during a sleepover or with friends. 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.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a fav among MFM home testers, who appreciate the fact that it can be folded down and stored in just several minutes and its simple drop-down panels that can be operated with one hand are simple enough for even sleepy parents to use. It's not the lightest backpack on our list but it's a decent weight at just over 15 pounds. It comes with standard handles instead of an e-bag strap, which some prefer to haul around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another fantastic option. It includes a bassinet for the bed and a crib into one compact unit. This is ideal for long-term stays and holidays with friends and family. It's not the most affordable alternative however it has many features, such as a storage basket and calming night lights that change colour as well as lullabies and white noise, to help your child fall asleep.
It's also easy to keep clean with machine-washable and wipeable fabrics. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's more bulky when it's open) it's surprisingly light at less than 12kg. It fits neatly into a small, handy travel bag that comes with it ideal for trips away from home. It has six height settings, including the tilt of the tummy for reflux/colic babies, and can fit beds of all sizes. It's also incredibly quick to install and has our MFM tester being able to have it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. It'll require a mattress that is separate.
Feeding
It's important that your baby is safe and secure when you travel, whether for pleasure or business. While some families might be tempted to use a bassinet or crib that they have but it's better to purchase one that is specifically made for travel. They are smaller and have mesh sides so parents can check on their baby without disturbing them. They're also light for easy transportation between destinations. They also comply with the safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been subject to recalls.
If you have to use a crib next to your bed it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The mattress should be free of pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys. This type of co-sleeping increases the risk of SIDS. If you must co-sleep on occasion, ensure that you only do so while your baby is asleep, and that you're at all times dressed and awake.
The types of bedside cribs available for infants and young children include:
Some are shaped like miniature cribs or Moses basket, whereas others have sides that can be put down into the bed of the parent. bedside crib or cot allows access to the baby to feed and comfort while avoiding the risks of true co-sleeping which the AAP cautions against due suffocation risks. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper which attaches to a mattress that is used by a parent. This is a good option for older children since the sides can be elevated so that you can reach the baby without having to lift them from the bed. Another option is the travel cot with a built-in bassinet which can be removed from the top of the crib making it easier to lift an infant who is sleeping for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you co-sleep safely with your baby. They are placed near your bed at night, so that you can reach over easily to feed them and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs have an opening on the side that can be lowered to make this easier and others have an adjustable height setting so that they will accommodate your bed when you are at home or when you are away.
It was previously recommended that infants sleep in their own bedroom. However, parents are increasingly preferring to co-sleep. This arrangement, also referred to as rooming in, allows babies to be close to their parents while remaining in their own crib or bassinet. There are many types of co-sleepers that are available, such as the ICrib, which is an inflatable crib that is designed to be placed on the top of a bed or a crib. This model has a lightweight frame and a mattress that can be removed and it can be folded to make it easy for storage. There is also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that is attached to the edge of a bed and features 7 adjustable height positions as well as an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. The crib was well-received by our MFM home testers for its ease of use and compact folding, and it is also available in a range of colours.
You can also purchase bedside cribs that are freestanding, such as our Lilly or Alain that you can put on top of an existing bed frame. bedside co sleeper have a movable side barrier that slides down so you can take your baby to a night feeding, but the crib is completely self-contained, and your child will be sleeping comfortably throughout this time. These cribs meet the latest BS EN1130:2019 safety standards which require a 120mm gap between your mattress and child's cot.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are designed specifically to be taken along on the road. These are usually smaller and lighter than standard cribs, which makes it easier to transport them in and out hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be set up in under a minute and folded down in just three pounds. It is therefore simple to move and lift.