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 a Cot Bed. It also folds down to just a third of its original size and fits into a compact travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Make sure that the crib is intended for sleeping. Toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows can cause a child to be suffocated.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot, make sure that the manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards. One good place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can inform you whether or not a certain crib is being recall. Pick a mattress that's suitable for the crib of your child so that it won't fall through the gaps or create an suffocation hazard.
Search for bassinets and cribs that meet the updated safety standards of 2022. Avoid older cribs and cribs designed for travel or cribs with drop-sides. bedside travel cot been tested, and may pose a risk to your baby's safety.
A travel crib must be well-built and sturdy. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws, as well as other hardware. If you are using a playard it should have mesh windows and sturdy walls to allow air flow. The slats of the crib should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to prevent baby's head or legs from getting trapped. Don't put any toys, blankets or toys that are stuffed with animals in the crib. These objects can choke or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib when your child is able push up on their knees and hands or before 5 months old, whichever comes first.
It's also important to check frequently for loose or broken hardware and screws, especially when you travel with your infant. Make sure you take out all crib furniture prior to use, too.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure it's not placed in front of the large windows. A window can be an injury risk for falls and if your baby falls into it, they may get injured. Even if your baby is old enough to roll over it is recommended to keep their sleeping area away from windows. If your baby starts to roll over while sleeping, it's best to wake them up to prevent injuries.
Portability
If you're planning a trip to a holiday, have relatives staying with you, or want a safe bedside crib for sleepovers with your friends, an portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're often called) is an excellent option. These foldable contraptions are easy to put together, compact when they're closed, and feature a comfortable padded mattress that can hold newborns up to 15 kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a fav among MFM home testers, who love the fact that it can be folded down and stored in a few minutes and that its simple one-handed drop-down panels are easy for even bleary-eyed parents to use. It's not our lightest pack-and play, but at 15 pounds, it's an acceptable weight. It also comes with regular handles instead of a backpack style strap, which some prefer.
Another excellent option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which incorporates a bedside crib and bassinet into a compact unit that is ideal for holidays as well as overnight visits to family and friends. It's not the cheapest alternative but it does come with various options, including a storage basket and calming night lights that change colour, lullabies, and white noise, which can help your child fall asleep.
It's also easy to keep clean, with machine washable and wipeable fabric. It's also relatively lightweight at just 12 kilos and easily fits into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It comes with six different height settings and an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It can fit all bed sizes. It's also easy to install. Our MFM tester was able to do it in just 10 minutes. You'll need to purchase an additional mattress for it, however.
Feeding
When you travel for business or pleasure it's essential to keep your baby happy and safe on the road. It is better to buy a crib or bassinet designed for travel than to use one that you already own. These are smaller and have mesh sides so parents can observe their baby without causing any disturbance to them. They're also light for easy transportation between destinations. These also meet the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you have to use a crib that is placed at your bedside it is recommended that your infant be laid on their backs and that the bed be free of pillows, blankets, and animals stuffed. Sharing sleeping in a bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby regardless of age, and this type of sleeping with a partner is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you are forced to co-sleep at times, make sure that you only do this while your baby is asleep and you are completely dressed and awake.
The kinds of cribs that are available for infants and young children include:
Some are designed like an oversized crib or Moses basket, whereas others have sides that can be set to the bed of the parent. This lets parents access their child in the middle of the night to comfort and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP cautions against this because of the danger of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, which is a bedside sleeper that connects to the mattress for a parent. This is a great option for older children, since the sides can be elevated to allow you to reach the infant without having to lift them out of bed. Another option is a travel cot, which has an integrated bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib which makes it easier to raise an infant who is sleeping for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to co-sleep safely with your baby. They are set next to your bed to allow you to easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleep without disturbing them. Some cribs have drop-sides that can be lowered for this purpose, while others come with a height adjustment, so they will fit in your bed at home and away.
It was previously recommended that infants have their own bedrooms. However parents are increasingly opting to co-sleep. Also known as rooming-in this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents but remain safely separated on their own crib or bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers, such as the iCrib, a portable crib designed to fit on the top of a bed, or a crib. This model comes with a light 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's edge and features seven height positions and a tummy-tilt for reflux and colic. The crib was highly well-received by our MFM home testers for its ease of use and compact folding. it's also available in a range of colours.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs such as our Lilly or Alain that you can put next to a standard bed frame. They come with a moveable side barrier that slides down so you can pick your baby up for evening feeding, however the crib is otherwise self-contained and your baby will continue sleeping soundly during this period. These cribs also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements that specify that the 120mm high barrier should be present between your mattress and the cot of your child.
Travel cribs are also 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 move them in and out hotels and vehicles. Munchkin Brica, for example can be set up in under a minute and folded down in just three pounds. It is therefore simple to lift and transport.