Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Moms love this crib's dimensions It's larger than a Moses basket, but smaller than a 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.
Make sure that the crib is only for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can cause a child to be suffocated.
Safety
When you're looking for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The best starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can inform you whether or not a particular crib is being recall. Choose a mattress that fits the crib of your baby so it won't fall through the gaps or create an suffocation hazard.
Find bassinets or cribs that meet the updated safety standards for 2022. Avoid cribs that are older or that have been modified for travel, or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs haven't been tested, and may cause danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib must be sturdy and well-constructed. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have sturdy walls and mesh windows to ensure adequate air circulation. The slats on the crib should be spaced no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to keep baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Do not put any toys, blankets or stuffed animals in the crib. These objects can strangle or suffocate your baby. They should be removed when they can stand up on their own or before the age of 5 months.
It's also important to look often for loose or broken screws and hardware, especially when traveling with your infant. Take all plastic out of the crib too.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure that it's not directly under a window. A window could be an accident hazard for your baby may be injured if they roll into it. It is recommended to keep your baby's sleeping space away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. If your baby starts to roll over during sleep, it's best to wake them up to prevent injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards, as they're sometimes called) are a great choice for those who is on vacation, has a guests over, or simply wanting a safe crib to use during a sleepover or with friends. These foldable contraptions are easy to put together and are compact when closed, and come with a comfortable padded mattress that can hold newborns up to 15 kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favourite with MFM home testers who appreciate the fact it can be folded and stored in several minutes and its simple drop-down panels that can be operated with one hand are simple for even sleepy parents to use. It's not the lightest pack-and-play on our list, but it's a good weight at just a little over 15 pounds. It comes with standard carry handles rather than a backpack-style strap which some prefer to carry around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another excellent alternative. It combines a bedside bassinet and crib into a compact unit. This is perfect for long-term stays and holidays with family and friends. It's not the cheapest, but it has many all-singing and all-dancing features like a storage basket, soothing colour-changing night lights, lullabies and white noise to help your baby fall asleep, and its bassinet setting is higher than the majority to make it easier to access in the early hours when mum is still recovering.
It's also easy to clean, with machine washable and wipeable fabric. And, despite its size and weight (it's more bulky when opened), it's relatively lightweight at just under 12kg and slots neatly into a compact, practical bag included - perfect for trips away from home. It comes with six different height settings, as well as the ability to tilt the tummy for reflux/colic babies. It can fit all sizes of beds. 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 will require a mattress that is separate.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is comfortable and safe when you travel, whether for business or pleasure. While some families might be tempted to use a bassinet or a crib that they have however, it's recommended to purchase one specially designed for travel. They are smaller and come with mesh sides that allow parents to monitor their child without disturbing them. They are also lightweight and can be easily transported between places. They also meet all the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been subject to recalls.
If you are required to use a crib next to your bed it is recommended that you put your baby on their back. The sleeping surface should be free of blankets, pillows and toys. newborn bedside cot of sleeping arrangement increases the chance of SIDS. If you have to occasionally co-sleep, make sure that your baby is sleeping and that you and your partner are dressed and awake.
The bedside cribs that are available for infants and young children include:
Some are designed to resemble an oversized crib or 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 risks of true co-sleeping, which the AAP advises against due to dangers of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, an infant bed that is attached to the parent's mattress. This is a great option for older children since the sides can be elevated to allow you to reach the infant without lifting them from the bed. The travel cot with built-in cribs that is removable allows you to lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you co-sleep safely with your baby. They are placed near your bed, allowing you to easily reach them during night feedings and check on their sleep without disturbing them. Some cribs have an adjustable drop-side that can be lowered for this purpose, whereas others have a height adjustment to ensure they can be placed in your bed at home and when you go away.
Previously, it was recommended that infants have their own bedrooms. However, parents are increasingly preferring to sleep with their children. 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 many types of co-sleepers, such as the iCrib, which is an iCrib-style portable crib that can be able to sit on the top of a bed, or a crib. This model has a lightweight frame and a mattress that is removable and folds up for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another option. It attaches to the bed edge and comes with seven height positions, as well as a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers highly praised this crib for its small folding and easy to use. It is also available in a variety of colors.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs, such as our Lilly and Alain, that can be positioned alongside an existing bed frame. The cribs feature a side barrier that can slide down to allow you to grab your baby for feedings at night. However, the cribs are self-contained, allowing your baby to remain asleep peacefully. These models also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which require that 120mm high barriers must be present between your mattress and your child's cot.
There are also travel cribs that are specifically designed to be taken on the road. They are typically smaller and more compact than standard cribs, making it easier to move them in and out hotels and vehicles. Munchkin Brica, for example can be assembled in under a minute and folded down in just three pounds. It is therefore simple to move and lift.