Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Moms love this crib's dimensions It's larger than the size of a Moses basket, but smaller than a crib bed. It's also foldable down to one-quarter of its size and fit into a handy bag for travel.
Just remember that the crib should only be used to sleep and that toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose dangers to suffocate.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot make sure that the manufacturer adheres to all safety standards. A good place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a particular portable crib has been recall. You should also select the right size for your baby's crib to ensure it doesn't slide into gaps in the crib's sides or create a suffocation risk.
Find bassinets or cribs that meet the current safety standards of 2022. Avoid cribs with older designs and that have been modified for travel, or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs haven't been tested, and could be a danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be strong and well-constructed. Make sure you check for broken, missing or loose screws as well as other hardware. If you are using a playard, it must have mesh windows and secure walls to allow 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 becoming trapped. Never put toys, blankets, or toys in the crib. These items can suffocate or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib as soon as your child is able to push up on their knees and hands or prior to 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
Examine often for broken or loose screws and other hardware. This is especially crucial when traveling with a baby. Make sure you remove all plastic from the crib prior to use, too.
If you are using a portable crib for your baby ensure that it's not placed directly under a large window. A window can be an injury risk for falls and if your baby falls into it, they could be injured. It is recommended to keep your baby's sleeping space away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. If your child begins to roll over during sleep, it's best to awake them to prevent injury.
Portability
Whether you're going to a holiday, have relatives staying over, or simply need a secure bedside crib for sleepovers with your friends, the portable crib (or playard, as they are sometimes called) is a great choice. These foldable contraptions have an extremely comfortable mattress that can hold babies up to 15kg. They are simple to assemble and compact once closed.
MFM home testers are awestruck by the BabyBjorn travel crib because it is easy to fold and put away. Its easy drop-down panels that are one-handed are also convenient for parents with a bleary eye. It's not the lightest backpack on our list but it's a decent weight, weighing just under 15 pounds. It has regular carry handles rather than an e-bag strap, which some prefer to carry around.
Another excellent option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which combines a bedside crib and bassinet into one compact unit that's ideal for holidays as well as overnight visits to friends and family. It's not the cheapest option however it has a variety of features, including a basket for storage and calming night lights that change colour as well as lullabies and white noise, to help your child sleep.
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 slots neatly into a compact, practical bag that comes with it ideal for trips away from home. It has six different height settings and a tummy-tilt for reflux/colic baby. It's suitable for any size bed. It is also very easy to set up. Our MFM tester was able to do it in only 10 minutes. It'll require a separate mattress.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is comfortable and safe when you travel, whether for business or pleasure. It's better to purchase a travel-specific crib or bassinet than to use one that you already own. These are smaller and have mesh sides that permit parents to monitor their children without disturbing them, and are light enough for simple transport between places. They also meet the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 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 mattress should be free of pillows, blankets and toys. Sharing the bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby regardless of age, and this kind of co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. If you are forced to co-sleep occasionally, ensure that you only do this while your baby is asleep and that you're both awake and fully dressed.
The types of bedside cribs that are available for infants and young children include:
Some are designed to look like a mini-crib or Moses basket while others have sides which can be lowered into the parents' bed. This allows access to the baby to feed and comfort while avoiding the risks of true co-sleeping, which the AAP advises against due to suffocation risks. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, an infant bed that is attached to the parent's mattress. It is a good choice for older children since the sides can be raised so that you can reach the baby without having to lift them from the bed. The travel cot with a built-in crib that can be removed enables you to lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or for care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are an excellent method to sleep in a safe environment with your infant. They sit next to your bed at night, allowing you to reach over easily to feed them and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs have a drop side that can be lower to make this easier and others come with an adjustable height to make sure they fit your bed at home or away.
While it was once advised that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there's a growing trend for parents to co-sleep with their infants. This arrangement, also known as rooming in, allows babies to remain close to their parents, while remaining in their own crib or a bassinet. There are travel cot bedside crib of co-sleepers like the iCrib, which is a portable crib designed to fit on the top of a bed or a crib. This model comes with a light frame and a removable mattress and folds up for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It is attached to the bed edge and comes with 7 height positions, as well as 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 bedside cribs, such as our Lilly and Alain, that can be positioned next to the traditional bed frame. The cribs have a side barrier that can slide down to allow you to grab your baby for feedings at night. However the cribs are completely self-contained so your baby can remain asleep peacefully. These models also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which stipulate that a 120mm high barrier must be placed between your mattress and your child's cot.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are designed specifically to be taken along when traveling. These are typically much smaller and lighter than standard cribs which makes them more convenient to take into and out of cars and hotels. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for instance, can be set up and put down in under an hour and weighs only three pounds, making it easy to lift and carry.