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 cot bed. It folds down to just a third of its original size, and can fit into a compact travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Just remember that the crib should only be used for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets are dangers to suffocate.
Safety
As you shop for a travel crib you'll want to be sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The best place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which will let you know whether or not a specific portable crib has been recall. Select a mattress that is suitable for your baby's crib so it won't fall through the gaps or cause an suffocation hazard.
Find bassinets or cribs that meet the current safety standards of 2022. Avoid older cribs and cribs designed for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs haven't been tested, and may cause danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib must be well-constructed and sturdy. Check for missing, loose or broken screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have secure walls and mesh windows to ensure proper air flow. The crib slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Don't put any toys, blankets or toys that are stuffed with animals in the crib. These items can suffocate or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib at the time your child is able to push up on their hands and knees or before five months of age, whichever comes first.
Examine often for broken or loose screws and hardware. This is especially important when traveling with a baby. Make sure you take out all crib furniture prior to use, too.
If you are using a portable crib for your baby, make sure it's not placed directly under an enormous window. A window is a fall hazard and your baby may be injured if they roll into it. Even if your baby is old enough to be able to roll over, it's best to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If your child begins to roll over in bed, it's a good idea to get them up in order to avoid injury.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards or playards, as they're often referred to) are a great choice for those who are traveling on vacation, having a guests over, or simply wanting a safe crib to use during a sleepover or with friends. These foldable contraptions are easy to assemble, compact when they're closed, and feature the most comfortable padded mattress that can support newborns up to 15 kg.
MFM home testers appreciate the BabyBjorn travel crib due to the fact that it's simple to fold and to store. Its simple drop-down panels that are one-handed are also a breeze for parents with a bleary eye. It's not our lightest pack-and play, but with just under 15 pounds it's still an adequate weight. It also comes with normal handles instead of a backpack style strap, which some parents prefer to use.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another great alternative. It incorporates a bedside bassinet as well as a crib into one compact unit. This 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 options, including an organizer basket, soothing night lights that change color, lullabies, and white noise, which can help your child fall asleep.
It's also easy to clean, with machine-washable and wipeable fabrics. It's also relatively lightweight at just 12 kilos and easily fits into the small, handy travel case that comes with it. It comes with six height settings, including a tummy tilt for reflux/colic babies, and is able to fit beds of all sizes. It's also incredibly quick to set up and has our MFM tester able to get it set up in only 10 minutes. It will require a separate mattress.
Feeding
It is essential that your child is safe and comfortable when you travel, whether on pleasure or business. While some families might be inclined to use a bassinet or crib that they have however, it's recommended to purchase one specially made for travel. They are smaller and have mesh sides, which allows parents to observe their baby without causing any disturbance to them. They're also light and can be easily transported between places. They also conform to the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been subject to recalls.
If you have to use a bedside crib it is recommended that your baby be placed on their back and that the sleeping surface be free of any blankets, pillows, and toys. Sharing a bed with parents isn't advised for any baby regardless of age, and this form of co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. If you do have to sleep with your partner at times ensure that your baby is asleep and that you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.
The types of bedside cribs available for babies and infants 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 parents to reach their infant during the middle of the night to comfort and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP warns against this because of the risk of being suffocated. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, which is a bedside sleeper that connects to the sides of a mattress for a parent. This is a good option for older children, since the sides can be raised to allow you to reach the baby without lifting them out of the bed. The travel cot that has an integrated crib that can be removed enables you to easily raise a sleeping baby to allow feeding or for care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a fantastic option to sleep comfortably with your newborn. They sit next to your bed during the night, so that you can reach out easily for night feeds and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs have drop sides that can be lowered to make this easier, and some have an adjustable height setting so that they will be able to fit in your bed at home or away.
Although it was previously recommended that babies sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is a increasing preference for parents to sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming in, this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents yet remain safely separated on their own crib or bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers available like the ICrib, which is an inflatable crib that is designed to fit on the top of a bed or a crib. bedside sleeper cot has a light frame and a mattress that can be removed and it can be folded to make it easy for storage. There is also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that can be attached to the edge of a bed and features 7 adjustable height positions as well as a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers praised this crib for its small folding and easy to use. It's also available in various colors.
There are also cribs for bedside use, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be positioned next to an existing bed frame. These have a movable side barrier that can slide down to allow you to take your baby to a dinner at night, but the crib is completely self-contained and your baby will be sleeping comfortably throughout this time. These models meet the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm barrier between your mattress and child's crib.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are specifically designed for use when traveling. They tend to be smaller and more compact than standard cribs, making it easier to carry them in and out hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be set up in less than one minute and folded down in three pounds. It is therefore simple to lift and transport.