Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The crib's size is a hit with moms - it's bigger than a Moses basket but smaller than a crib bed. It folds down to a third of its original size, and can fit into a handy travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Just remember that the crib should only be used for sleeping. Toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose dangers to suffocate.
Safety
When you're looking for a travel cot make sure that the manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards. One good starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which will let you know whether or not a particular crib for portable has been removed from the market. You'll also want to choose a mattress that is the right size for the crib of your baby so that it doesn't fall into the gaps between the crib sides or cause suffocation hazards.
Search for bassinets and cribs that are in line with the latest safety standards for 2022. You should also avoid cribs that are older or cribs that have been modified, or drop side cribs that are recycled for use in travel, as they aren't tested and could pose a risk to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be well-built and sturdy. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken 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 keep baby's head and limbs from being trapped. Do not put any toys, blankets or stuffed animals in the crib. These can cause suffocation or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib when your child is able to push up on their knees and hands or prior to five months of age or 5 months, whichever is first.
It's also important to check regularly for broken or loose hardware and screws, especially when you travel with your infant. Make sure to remove all crib furniture prior to use, too.
If you are using a portable crib be sure that it's not placed directly in front of the large windows. A window is an accident hazard and if your baby falls into it, they may be injured. Even if your child is old enough to be able to roll over it is best to keep their sleeping area away from windows. It's crucial to wake your baby if they begin to sleep on their backs.
Portability
Whether you're going on vacation, have family staying over, or just want a safe bedside crib for sleepovers with friends, a portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're often called) is a good option. These playards fold up and have a comfortable mattress that can support infants up to 15kg. They are easy to assemble and compact once closed.
MFM home testers are awestruck by the BabyBjorn travel crib because it is easy to fold and to store. Its easy one-handed drop down panels are also easy to use for parents who are tired. It's not our tiniest pack-and-play play, but at just under 15 pounds, it's an adequate weight. It also comes with regular handles instead of a backpack style strap, which some prefer to use.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another fantastic option. It combines a bedside bassinet and crib into one compact unit. It is ideal for holidays and overnight stays with friends and family. It is not the cheapest option but it does come with a variety of features, such as a basket for storage and calming night lights that change colour and lullabies, as well as white noise, which can aid your child to fall asleep.
The fabric is machine washable and washable, which makes it easy to clean. It's also quite light at just 12 kilos and easily fits inside the compact, convenient travel case that comes with it. It comes with six different height settings and the ability to tilt the tummy for reflux/colic babies. It can fit all bed sizes. It's also very simple to set up. Our MFM tester was able to set it up in less than 10 minutes. It'll require a mattress that is separate.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is safe and secure when you travel, whether for pleasure or business. It is better to buy a crib or bassinet designed for travel rather than using one you already own. They are smaller and come with mesh sides, which allows parents to monitor their child without causing any disturbance to them. They're also light and can be easily transported between places. They also meet 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 that you place your baby on their back. The mattress should be free of pillows, blankets, 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 must co-sleep on occasion, ensure that you do it only while your baby is asleep and you're at all times dressed and awake.
The types of bedside cribs for babies and infants include:
Some are designed to resemble an oversized crib or Moses basket, and others have sides that can be put to the bed of the parent. This allows access to the baby for feeding and comforting without exposing the risk of co-sleeping that the AAP recommends against due to dangers of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, which is a bedside sleeper that connects to the side of a mattress for a parent. It is also an ideal option for older children because the sides are easily raised to let you 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 easily lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to sleep peacefully with your baby. twin bedside cot are placed next to your bed during the night, allowing you to reach out easily for night feeds and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs have an opening on the side that can be lower to make this easier, and others come with an adjustable height setting to make sure they accommodate your bed when you are at home or when you are away.
Previously, it was recommended that infants be in their own room. However, parents are increasingly preferring to co-sleep. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents yet remain safe and separate from their own bassinet or crib. There are a variety of co-sleepers that are available, such as the iCrib, an inflatable crib that is designed to be able to sit on the top of a bed, or a crib. This model comes with a lightweight frame, a mattress that can be removed and is able to be folded into a compact size for storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another option. It is attached to the bed edge and comes with seven height positions as well as a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers loved the crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It's also available in a variety of colors.
You can also purchase bedside cribs that are freestanding, such as our Lilly or Alain that you can place next to a standard bed frame. The cribs come with 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, allowing your baby to remain asleep peacefully. These models meet the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards which require a 120mm barrier between your mattress and the child's cot.
Additionally, there are cribs designed for travel and are designed to be used on the road. They are usually smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, making them more convenient to take into and out of cars and hotels. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example, can be set up and taken down in under one minute, and weighs just three pounds, so it is easy to carry and lift.