Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The crib's size is a hit with moms - it's bigger than the Moses basket but smaller than a crib bed. It can also be folded down to one-quarter of its original size and can be put into a convenient bag for traveling.
Remember that the crib is intended for sleeping. Toys or blankets, pillows and pillows can make a child suffocate.
Safety
If you're looking to purchase a crib for travel it is important to make sure the manufacturer meets all safety standards. A good starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can inform you whether or not a specific portable crib has been removed from the market. It is also important to select a mattress that is appropriate for your baby's bed to ensure it doesn't slide into gaps in the crib sides or create a suffocation risk.
Search for bassinets and cribs that are in line with the latest safety standards of 2022. You should also avoid cribs with a long history or cribs that have been modified, or drop side cribs that were repurposed for travel because these aren't evaluated and could pose dangers to your baby's safety.
A travel crib should be strong and well-constructed. Make sure you check for broken, missing or loose screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have mesh windows and sturdy walls for air flow. The crib's slats should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to keep baby's head and legs from getting trapped. Don't put any toys, blankets, or toys that are stuffed with animals in the crib. These can cause suffocation or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib when your child is able push up on their knees and hands or prior to 5 months old or 5 months, whichever is first.
Check frequently for broken or loose screws and hardware. This is particularly important when traveling with a baby. Remove all plastic from the crib too.
If you're using a portable crib for your baby be sure that it's not placed in front of the large windows. A window is a fall risk and if your baby falls into it, they may be injured. Even if your baby is old enough to roll over, it's best to keep their sleeping area away from windows. If your child begins to roll over in bed, it's a good idea wake them up to prevent injury.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards which is what they're sometimes referred to as) are a great choice for those going on vacation, having guests over, or simply needing an appropriate crib for a sleepover with friends. These portable cribs come with an extremely comfortable mattress that can hold children up to 15 kg. They are easy to assemble and compact when closed.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers, who appreciate the fact it can be folded down and stored in one or two minutes, and its simple one-handed drop-down panels are simple enough for even sleepy parents to use. It's not the lightest pack-and-play on our list however it's a decent weight, weighing just under 15 pounds, and it comes with standard handles instead of a backpack-style strap which some prefer to carry around.
Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which includes a crib for bed and a bassinet in one compact unit that is ideal for both holidays and overnight visits to friends and family. It's not the cheapest however it comes with 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 help your baby sleep and its bassinet is higher than other models to make it easier to access in the early hours when mum is still recovering.
baby bedside cot are machine washable and washable, which makes it easy to clean. It's also quite light at less than 12kg and fits nicely into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It has six different height settings as well as an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It can fit all sizes of beds. It is also very easy to install. Our MFM tester was able to set it up in less than 10 minutes. It'll require a separate mattress.
Feeding
When you travel for business or pleasure it's essential to keep your baby happy and safe when traveling. It's better to purchase a travel-specific crib or bassinet rather than using one you already have. They are smaller and have mesh sides that allow parents to check on their baby without disturbing them. They're also light to make it easy to transport between locations. They also conform to the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you are required to use a crib next to your bed it is recommended you place your baby on their back. The bed should be free of pillows, blankets and stuffed toys. Sharing a bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby regardless of age, and this kind of sleeping together is associated with an increased risk 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 types of bedside cribs available for newborns and young babies include:
Some are shaped as a mini-crib or Moses basket while others have sides that can be lowered into the parents' bed. This gives parents access to the baby to feed and comfort without exposing the risk of true co-sleeping which the AAP cautions against due suffocation risks. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that is attached to the mattress of a parent. It can also be an ideal option for older children because the sides can easily be raised to allow you to reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting them out. The travel cot with a built-in crib that is removable allows you to easily lift a sleeping baby for feeding or for care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are an excellent method to sleep in a safe environment with your newborn. They are placed next to your bed, allowing you to easily reach them for night feedings and check on their sleep without disrupting them. Some cribs have drop sides that can be lower to make this easier, and others come with an adjustable height to ensure they are able to be able to fit in your bed at home or away.
Previously, it was recommended that infants sleep in their own bedroom. However parents are increasingly choosing 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-sleeper available like the iCrib, which is designed to be a portable crib that fits on the top of your bed or a standard crib. It has a lightweight frame, a removable mattress, and can be folded into a compact size for storage. It also comes with the Joie Roomie Go crib, that is attached to the edge of a bed and features 7 adjustable height positions and an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers highly praised this crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It is also available in a variety of colors.
There are also bedside cribs that are freestanding, such as our Lilly or Alain that you can put next to a standard bed frame. These have a movable side barrier that can slide down so you can take your baby to a night feeding, but the crib is completely self-contained, and your child will sleep soundly throughout this period. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm separation between your mattress and child's cot.
Travel cribs are also available. They are designed specifically to be taken along when traveling. They are usually smaller and more compact than standard cribs, making them more convenient to take into and out of hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be set up in less than one minute and folded down in just three pounds. It is therefore simple to lift and transport.