Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The size of this crib is ideal for mothers. It's larger than the Moses Basket, but smaller than a Cot Bed. It also can fold down to a third of its original size and fits into a convenient travel bag, making it ideal for travel.
Remember that the crib should only be used for sleeping and that toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose a suffocation hazard.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot, ensure 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 particular crib for portable has been recalled. Select a mattress that is suitable for your baby's crib so it doesn't slide through the gaps or cause a suffocation risk.
When you are choosing a bassinet or crib, look for one that meets the newer safety standards that were updated in 2022. Avoid cribs that are older or designed for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs haven't been tested, and could cause danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib should be well-built and sturdy. Make sure you check for broken, missing or loose screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard, it must be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls for air circulation. The crib slats shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and legs from getting trapped. Do not put any toys, blankets, or toys in the crib. These objects can choke or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib as soon as your child is able to push up on their hands and knees or prior to five months of age or 5 months, whichever is first.
It's also important to look frequently for loose or broken hardware and screws, particularly when traveling with your child. Take all plastic out of the crib as well.
If you're using a portable crib for your baby ensure that it's not placed under the large windows. A window can be a fall risk and if your baby rolls 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 child starts to roll over during sleep it's best to wake them up to prevent injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards or playards, as they're often referred to) are a great choice for those who are who is on vacation, has a family stay over, or just needing a safe crib to use during a sleepover or with friends. These foldable contraptions are easy to put together, compact when they're closed, and feature an incredibly comfortable mattress that can hold newborns up to 15kg.
MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib due to the fact that it's easy to fold and to store. Its easy drop-down panels that are one-handed are also a breeze for parents with a bleary eye. It's not the lightest backpack and play, but at under 15 pounds it's still a good weight. It also has regular handles instead of a backpack-style strap, which some prefer to use.
Another option that is worth considering is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which incorporates a bedside crib and bassinet into a compact unit that's perfect for both holidays and overnight visits to family and friends. It's not the most affordable, but it has a wealth of features that are all-dancing and all-singing such as a storage basket, soothing colour-changing night lights and white noise. It also has lullabies to help your baby sleep and its bassinet is higher than the majority to make it easier to access in the beginning of the day when mum is still recovering.
It's also easy to keep clean with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. And, despite its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when open), it's relatively lightweight at just under 12kg and slots neatly into a compact, convenient travel bag that comes with it perfect for trips away from home. It comes with six different height settings as well as an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It's suitable for any size bed. It's also very simple to install. Our MFM tester could do it in only 10 minutes. It will require a mattress that is separate.
Feeding
It is essential that your child is safe and secure when you travel, whether on pleasure or business. While some families may be inclined to use a crib or bassinet that they own, it's best to buy one that is specifically made for travel. They are smaller and come with mesh sides, which allows parents to monitor their child without disturbing them. They're also light for easy transportation 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 utilize a crib for your bed it is recommended that your child 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 recommended for any baby regardless of age, and this type of co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. If you must occasionally co-sleep ensure that your baby is asleep and that you and your partner are dressed and awake.
There are many kinds of cribs for newborns and babies.
bedside cots for newborns are designed to look like a mini-crib or Moses basket, while others have sides that can be lowered into the parent's beds. This allows access to the baby for feeding and comforting without exposing the risk of co-sleeping that the AAP recommends against due to the risk of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that attaches to the mattress of a parent. It can also be an option for older babies because the sides are easily raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. The travel cot with an integrated crib that can be removed allows you to lift a sleeping baby for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you sleep with your baby in a safe and secure way. They are placed near your bed during the night, allowing you to reach out easily to feed them and observe them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs have drop sides that can be lower to make this easier, and others come with an adjustable height setting to ensure they are able to accommodate your bed when you are at home or on the go.
It was previously 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 safely separated on their own crib or bassinet. There are many types of co-sleepers that are available like the iCrib, which is designed to be a portable crib that fits on top of your bed or a standard crib. This model has a lightweight frame, a removable mattress, and can be folded into a compact size for storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another option. It is attached to the bed edge and features seven 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's also available in a variety 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 have a movable side barrier that can slide down so you can pick your baby up for night feeding, but the crib is self-contained and your baby will be sleeping comfortably throughout this time. These models meet the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards which require a 120mm gap between your mattress and child's crib.
Additionally, there are cribs designed for travel and are designed to be used on the road. They are typically smaller and more compact than standard cribs, which makes it easier to carry them in and out hotels and vehicles. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example can be set up and taken down in less than an hour and weighs only three pounds, making it easy to lift and carry.