Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are ideal for moms. It's larger than the Moses Basket, but smaller than a Cot Bed. It folds down to a third of its original size, and can fit into a handy travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Remember that the crib should be used only for sleeping. Toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows are dangers to suffocate.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot make sure that the manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website is the best place to start. It will tell you whether a crib for portable use has ever been removed from the market. Select a mattress that is suitable for your baby's crib so it doesn't slide through the gaps or cause the risk of suffocation.
When choosing a crib or bassinet, look for one that is in compliance with the latest safety standards that were updated in 2022. Avoid cribs that are older or modified 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. Make sure you check for broken, missing or loose screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard, it must have mesh windows and secure walls to allow air circulation. The crib's slats should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to keep baby's head and legs from getting trapped. Also, do not put pillows, blankets, stuffed animals 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 pull up on their knees and hands or before 5 months old or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
It's also important to check frequently for loose or broken hardware and screws, especially when traveling with your child. Remove all plastic from the crib as well.
If you're using a portable crib, be sure that it's not right under windows. A window is a fall hazard and your baby may be injured if they roll into it. Even if your child is old enough to roll over, it's best to keep their sleeping area away from windows. It is important to wake your baby if they begin to roll over during sleep.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards which is what they're sometimes referred to as) are a great choice for anyone going on vacation, having family stay over, or simply wanting a safe crib for use for a sleepover with friends. These foldable contraptions come with a comfortable mattress that can hold children up to 15 kg. They are easy to assemble and compact once closed.
MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib because it's easy to fold and store. Its simple drop down panels that can be operated by one hand are also a breeze to use for parents who are tired. 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 a backpack-style strap which some find more comfortable to carry around.
Another option that is worth considering is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which includes a crib for bed and a bassinet in one compact unit that's ideal for both overnight and holiday visits to relatives and friends. It is not the cheapest alternative, but it comes with a variety of features, including an organizer basket and calming night lights that change color as well as lullabies and white noise, which can help your child fall asleep.
It's also easy to clean, with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's on the bulkier side when open) it's light at just 12kg and can easily fit into a compact, practical travel bag that comes with it - perfect for trips away from home. It comes with six different height settings, as well as the ability to tilt the tummy for reflux/colic babies. It can fit all sizes of beds. It's also very simple to install. Our MFM tester was able to do it in only 10 minutes. You'll need an additional mattress for it, however.
Feeding
If you're traveling for pleasure or business it's crucial to keep your baby comfortable and safe while traveling. While some families might be attracted to use a crib or bassinet that they have but it's better to purchase one that is specifically designed for travel. They are smaller and have mesh sides, which allows parents to observe their baby without disturbing them. They are also lightweight for easy transportation between destinations. These also conform to the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you must use a crib beside your bed it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The sleeping surface should be free of blankets, pillows and stuffed toys. Sharing sleeping in a bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby, regardless of age, and this form of sleeping together is associated with 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 dressed and awake.
There are many types of cribs for babies and newborns.
Some are shaped like miniature cribs or Moses basket, whereas others have sides that can be lowered to the bed of the parent. This allows for middle-of-the-night access to the baby to feed and comfort while avoiding the dangers 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 is a good choice for older children, since the sides can be raised so that you can reach the baby without lifting them out of bed. The travel cot that has an integrated crib that is removable allows you to easily lift a sleeping baby for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a fantastic way to safely co-sleep with your baby. They are set next to your bed to allow you to easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleeping without disturbing them. Some cribs come with a drop-side that you can lower to make it easier for you to do this, while others come with a height adjustment, so they can be placed in your bed at home and away.
It was previously recommended that infants be in their own room. However parents are increasingly opting to sleep with their children. This arrangement, also referred to as rooming in, allows infants to be close to their parents, while being separated from their own crib or a bassinet. There are many types of co-sleeper available like the iCrib, which is designed to be an easy-to-move crib that can be placed on the top of your bed, or a standard crib. It has a lightweight frame, a mattress that can be removed and is foldable into a compact size for storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It is attached to the bed's edge and features seven height positions, and a tummy-tilt to ease colic and reflux. Our MFM home testers praised the crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It's also available in various colors.
There are also freestanding bedside co sleeper as our Lilly or Alain which you can put on top of the standard bed frame. The cribs have a side barrier that can slide down to allow you to grab your baby for night feedings. However, the cribs are fully enclosed so that your baby can continue sleeping peacefully. These cribs meet the latest BS EN1130 safety standards, which require a 120mm gap between your mattress and the child's cot.
Travel cribs are also available. They are designed specifically to be taken along on the road. These are usually smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, which makes it easier to move them into and out of hotels and cars. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for instance can be set up and taken down in less than one minute, and weighs just 3 pounds, making it easy to move and carry.