Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Moms love this crib's dimensions it's larger than a Moses basket, but smaller than a crib bed. It can fold down to a third of its original size, and can fit into a convenient travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Make sure 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 complies with all safety standards. One good starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a specific crib is being recall. It is also important to select appropriate for your baby's bed to ensure it doesn't slide into the gaps between the crib sides or create a suffocation hazard.
Look for cribs or bassinets that are in line with the latest safety standards for 2022. Avoid cribs with older designs and designed for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs have not been tested, and could cause danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib should be sturdy and well-constructed. Examine for loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you are using a playard it should be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls for air circulation. The crib's slats must not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby's head and legs from getting trapped. Don't put any pillows, blankets or toys with stuffed animals in the crib. These objects can strangle or suffocate your baby. They must be removed as soon as they are able to stand up independently or before the age of 5 months.
Check frequently for broken or loose screws and other hardware. This is particularly important when traveling with a child. Make sure to remove all crib furniture before use, as well.
If you are using a portable baby crib, make sure it's not positioned directly beneath an enormous window. A window could be an accident hazard for your baby could be injured if they roll into it. It's recommended to keep your baby's room away from windows, even if they are old enough to roll over. It's crucial to wake your baby if they begin to sleep on their backs.
Portability
If you're planning a trip on vacation, have family staying over, or just need a secure bedside crib for sleepovers with your friends, a portable crib (or playard, as they are sometimes called) is a good option. These playards fold up easily to assemble and compact when closed, and feature a comfortable padded mattress that can support newborns up to 15kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers, who appreciate the fact that it can be folded and stored in just one or two 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 our lightest pack-and play, but at just 15 pounds, it's a good weight. It also comes with regular handles instead of a backpack style strap that some people prefer to use.
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 family and friends. It's not the cheapest, but it has a wealth of features that are all-dancing and all-singing like a storage basket and soothing night lights that change colour and white noise. It also has lullabies to aid your baby to fall asleep, and its bassinet setting sits up higher than most for easier access in the beginning of the day when mum is still recovering.
The fabrics can be washed in the machine and washable, which makes it easy to clean. It's also light, at just under 12kg and easily fits into the small, handy travel case that comes with it. 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 very easy to install and our MFM tester able to get it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. You'll need a separate mattress for it, however.
Feeding
Whether traveling for pleasure or business it's crucial to keep your baby comfortable and safe on the road. While some families might be inclined to use a bassinet or a crib that they already own but it's better to purchase one specifically made for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides that permit parents to monitor their babies without disturbing them. They are lightweight enough for easy transport between destinations. They also meet the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been subject to recalls.
If you are required to use a bedside crib it is recommended that your infant be placed on their back and that the bed be free of blankets, pillows and toys. Co-sleeping can increase the risk of SIDS. If you are forced to co-sleep occasionally, ensure that you only do so when your baby is asleep and you're both awake and fully dressed.
There are a variety of cribs for newborns and babies.
Some are designed as a mini-crib or Moses basket while others have sides which can be placed on parents' bed. This gives parents access to the baby for feeding and comforting while avoiding the risks of co-sleeping that the AAP cautions against due the risk of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper which attaches to a mattress that is used by a parent. foldable bedside crib can also be a safer option for older babies because the sides can easily be raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting them out. The travel cot that has a built-in crib that can be removed allows you to easily lift a sleeping baby for feeding or for care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a great way to safely co-sleep with your infant. They are placed next to your bed so you can easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleep without disturbing them. Some cribs have drop sides that can be lower to make this easier, and some have an adjustable height to ensure they are able to fit your bed at home or away.
In the past, it was suggested that infants sleep in their own bedroom. However, parents are increasingly preferring to co-sleep. This arrangement, referred to as rooming in, allows babies to remain close to their parents while remaining safely separated in their own crib or a bassinet. There are many types of co-sleepers such as the iCrib, a portable crib designed to be placed on top of a bed or a crib. This model comes with a light frame and a mattress that can be removed and it folds up for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another option. It is attached to the bed edge and comes with 7 height positions, as well as a tummy tilt to help with colic and reflux. This crib was praised by our MFM home testers for its ease of use and compact folding, and it is also available in a range of colours.
There are also freestanding cribs for bedside use, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be positioned on top of the traditional bed frame. The cribs have the side barrier that can slide down to allow you to pick up your baby for feedings at night. However they are also self-contained so your baby can remain asleep peacefully. These cribs meet the latest BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm barrier between your mattress and the child's crib.
Additionally, there are travel cribs that are specifically designed to be used on the road. They are usually smaller and lighter than a standard crib, making them more convenient to take into and out of hotels and cars. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for instance, can be set up and taken down in less than a minute and it weighs only three pounds, so it is easy to carry and lift.