Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are ideal for mothers. It's bigger than the Moses Basket but smaller than a Cot Bed. It folds down to just a third of its original size, and can fit into a handy travel bag, making it ideal for travel.
Remember that the crib should be used only to sleep and that toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose dangers to suffocate.
Safety
If you're looking to purchase a travel crib it is important to make sure the manufacturer meets all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website is an excellent place to start. It will tell you if a portable crib has ever been recall. Pick a mattress that's suitable for your baby's crib so it won't slip through the gaps or create a suffocation risk.
When selecting the right bassinet or crib choose one that meets the newer safety standards that were updated in 2022. You should also avoid cribs that are older and cribs that have been modified or drop side cribs that have been recycled for use in travel, as they have not been tested and could pose a risk to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be built well and strong. Make sure you check for broken, missing or loose screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should have sturdy walls and mesh windows to ensure proper air circulation. The slats on the crib should be spaced no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent baby's head or limbs from being trapped. Don't put any blankets, pillows toys, stuffed animals or other items in the crib. These objects can strangle or suffocate your baby. They must be removed as soon as they are able to stand on their own or before the age of five months.
Check often for broken or loose screws and other hardware. This is especially important when traveling with a child. Make sure you remove all crib furniture before use, as well.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure it is not located close to the window. A window can be an injury risk for falls and if your child rolls into it, they may get injured. Even if your child is old enough to roll over it is best to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If your baby starts to roll over during sleep, it's a good idea to awake them 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 family stay over, or simply wanting a safe crib for use for a sleepover with friends. These foldable contraptions are easy 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 fav among MFM home testers who appreciate the fact it can be folded down and stored in a few minutes and that its simple drop-down panels that can be operated with one hand are easy for even bleary-eyed parents to use. It's not the tiniest of packs-and-play on our list however it's a decent weight, weighing just under 15 pounds, and it has regular handles instead of the backpack-style strap that some prefer to haul around.
Another option that is worth considering is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which combines a bedside crib and bassinet into a compact unit that's ideal for both holidays and overnight visits to friends and family. It's not the cheapest one, but it does come with an abundance of dancing and all-singing features like a basket for storage, soothing colour-changing night lights as well as white noise and lullabies to help your baby sleep and sleep. Its bassinet is higher than other models to make it easier to use in the early hours when mum is still recovering.
It's also easy to keep clean, with machine-washable and wipeable fabrics. And, despite its size and weight (it's more bulky when opened), it's relatively lightweight at just 12kg and fits neatly into a compact, practical travel bag that comes with it - perfect for trips away from home. It has six different height settings, as well as the ability to tilt the tummy for reflux/colic babies. It can fit any size bed. It's also extremely easy to set up and has our MFM tester having it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. You'll need to purchase a separate mattress for it however.
Feeding
If you're traveling for business or pleasure it's essential to keep your baby happy and safe while traveling. It's better to purchase a crib or bassinet designed for travel rather than using one you already have. They are smaller, have mesh sides that permit parents to check on their children without disturbing them. They are light enough for simple transportation between locations. They also meet all the 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 put your baby on their back. The bed should be free of blankets, pillows and stuffed toys. Sharing a bed with parents isn't advised for any baby regardless of age, and this form of sleeping together is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you have to sleep with your child at times, make sure that you do it only when your baby is asleep and you are both awake and fully dressed.
The kinds of cribs available for newborns and young babies include:
Some are designed to resemble a mini crib or a Moses basket, whereas others have sides that can be put down into the parent's bed. This allows for middle-of-the-night access to the baby for feeding and comforting while avoiding the dangers of co-sleeping that the AAP recommends against due to suffocation risks. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, which is a bedside sleeper that connects to the sides of a mattress for a parent. It is a good choice for older children, as the sides can be raised to allow you to reach the baby without having to lift them out of bed. The travel cot that has an integrated crib that can be removed allows you to easily lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a great option to sleep comfortably with your baby. They sit next to your bed during the night so that you can reach them easily for feedings at night and observe them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs come with a drop-side that you can lower for this purpose, while others have a height adjustment to ensure they can fit into your bed at home and when you go away.
While bedside cot for twins used to be recommended that babies sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is now a growing preference for parents to share a bed with their infants. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents, but remain safe and separate from their own crib or bassinet. There are several types of co-sleepers that are available such as the iCrib that is designed to be a portable crib that fits on the top of your bed or a standard crib. This model comes with a light frame and a mattress that can be removed and can be folded to make it easy for storage. There is also the Joie Roomie Go crib, which fastens to the edge of a bed. It includes 7 adjustable height positions as well as a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. The crib was loved by our MFM home testers for its user-friendly design and compact folding. it's also available in a range of colours.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs like our Lilly or Alain which you can put next to an existing bed frame. They come with a moveable side barrier that can slide down so you can pick your baby up for night feeding, but the crib is self-contained, and your child will be sleeping comfortably throughout this period. These models also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which stipulate that 120mm high barriers must be placed between your mattress and your child's cot.
Travel cribs are also available. They are designed specifically to be carried on the road. They are usually smaller and more compact than a standard crib which makes them more convenient to take into and out of hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be assembled in just a few minutes and folded down in less than three pounds. It is therefore easy to lift and transport.