Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Mums love this crib's size - it's bigger than the Moses basket but smaller than a crib bed. It can also be folded down to one-quarter of its original size and can be put into a convenient bag for travel.
Make sure that the crib is intended for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can cause a child to be suffocated.
Safety
If you are looking for a travel cot, ensure that the manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards. A good starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a certain crib is being recalled. Choose a mattress that fits your baby's crib so it won't slip through the gaps or create an suffocation hazard.
Search for bassinets and cribs that meet the updated safety standards of 2022. You should also avoid cribs that are older, modified cribs or drop side cribs that were repurposed for travel because these aren't tested and may pose risks to your baby's health.
A travel crib needs to be well-constructed and sturdy. Examine for loose, missing or broken screws, as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have sturdy walls and mesh windows for proper air flow. The crib slats shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby's head and limbs becoming trapped. Also, do not put blankets, pillows, stuffed animals or toys in the crib. These can cause suffocation or strangle your baby. They 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 old or 5 months, whichever is first.
Examine regularly for loose or broken screws and other hardware. This is especially important when traveling with a baby. Take related webpage out of the crib too.
If you're using a portable crib, be sure it is not located right under the window. A window can be a fall risk and if your child rolls into it, they could get injured. It is recommended to keep your baby's room away from windows, even if they are old enough to roll over. If your child starts to roll over during sleep it's a good idea awake them to prevent injury.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards, as they're sometimes called) are a great option for anyone traveling on vacation, having a guests over, or just needing a safe crib to use during a sleepover or with friends. These foldable contraptions are easy to build and compact when closed, and feature the most comfortable padded mattress that can support newborns up to 15kg.
MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib because it is easy to fold and to store. Its easy drop down panels that can be operated by one hand are also a breeze for parents who are bleary-eyed. It's not the lightest backpack and play, but with just under 15 pounds it's still an acceptable weight. It also has regular handles instead of a backpack style strap, which some parents prefer to use.
Another excellent option 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 is not the cheapest alternative but it does come with a variety of options, including a storage basket and calming night lights that change colour as well as lullabies and white noise to 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 under 12kg and easily fits inside the compact, convenient travel case that comes with it. It has six different height settings as well as an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It can fit all bed sizes. It's also extremely easy to install and has our MFM tester able to get it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. You'll need an additional mattress, however.
Feeding
When you travel for business or pleasure, it's important to ensure your baby is comfortable and safe when traveling. It is better to buy a travel-specific crib or bassinet than to use one that you already have. These are smaller and have mesh sides so parents can monitor their child without disturbing them. They're also light to make it easy to transport between locations. They also conform to the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you have to use a bedside crib, it's recommended that your baby be laid on their backs and that the sleeping surface be free of any blankets, pillows and animals stuffed. This type of co-sleeping increases the chance of SIDS. If you must co-sleep on occasion, ensure that you only do this while your baby is asleep and you are completely dressed and awake.
There are many types of cribs for babies and newborns.
Some are designed to resemble miniature cribs or Moses basket, and others have sides that can be lowered down into the bed of the parent. This allows for middle-of-the-night access to the baby for feeding and comforting while avoiding the dangers of co-sleeping that the AAP recommends against due to dangers of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that attaches to a parent's mattress. It is a good choice for older children, as the sides can be raised so that you can reach the baby without having to lift them from the bed. Another option is a travel cot, which has a built-in bassinet which can be removed from the top of the crib, making it easier to lift up an infant who is sleeping for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you co-sleep safely with your baby. They are set next to your bed to allow you to easily reach them for night feedings and check on their sleep without disturbing them. Some cribs come with drop-sides that can be lowered for this purpose, whereas others come with a height adjustment, so they can fit into your bed at home or away.
Although it was previously advised that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is now a increasing preference for parents to share a bed with their infants. This arrangement, also referred to as rooming in, allows babies to stay close to their parents while remaining safely separated in their own crib or a bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers available such as the iCrib, an inflatable crib that is designed to fit on the top of a bed, or a crib. It includes a light frame, a mattress that can be removed, and can be folded up for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It is attached to the bed edge and has seven height positions, and a tummy-tilt to ease colic and reflux. Our MFM home testers highly praised the crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It's also available in a variety of colors.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs such as our Lilly or Alain that you can put on top of the standard bed frame. These have a movable side barrier that can slide down to allow you pick your baby up for night feeding, but the crib is completely fully enclosed and your baby will sleep soundly throughout this time. These cribs also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which require that a 120mm high barrier must be present between your mattress and your child's cot.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are designed specifically to be carried when traveling. They tend to be smaller and more compact than standard cribs, making it easier to move them into and out of hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be assembled in under a minute and folded down in less than three pounds. It is therefore simple to move and lift.