Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The crib's size is a hit with moms - 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 traveling.
Just remember that the crib should be used only to sleep and that toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose an entrapment risk.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot, ensure that the manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards. One good place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a certain crib is being removed from the market. Pick a mattress that's suitable for the crib of your baby so it doesn't slide through the gaps or cause a suffocation risk.
When choosing a bassinet or crib make sure it conforms to the latest safety standards that were revised in 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 could pose a risk to your baby's well-being.
A travel crib should be built well and strong. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have sturdy walls and mesh windows to ensure adequate air circulation. The slats of the crib should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent baby's head or limbs from becoming trapped. Never put toys, blankets, or toys that are stuffed with animals in the crib. These items can strangle or suffocate your baby. They must be removed when they can stand independently or before the age of 5 months.
It's also important to look frequently for loose or broken screws and hardware, especially when traveling with your infant. Remove all plastic from the crib, too.
If you're using a portable crib, be sure that it's not close to a window. Windows pose a fall risk and if your baby rolls into it, they may be injured. It's recommended to keep your baby's bedroom away from windows, even if they are old enough to roll over. If your child begins to roll over in bed, it's a good idea 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 going on vacation, having family members over, or simply wanting a safe crib to use during a sleepover or with friends. These portable cribs come with an extremely comfortable mattress that can hold children up to 15 kg. They are simple to assemble and compact when closed.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a fav among MFM home testers who appreciate the fact it can be folded and stored in just one or two minutes, and its simple one-handed drop-down panels are simple enough for even sleepy parents to use. It's not our tiniest pack-and-play play, but with just under 15 pounds it's still an acceptable weight. It also comes with regular handles instead of a backpack-style strap that some people find more comfortable.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another fantastic alternative. It incorporates a bedside bassinet as well as a crib into one compact unit. It is ideal for holidays and overnight stays with friends and family. It's not the cheapest alternative, but it comes with many features, including an organizer basket and calming night lights that change color, lullabies, and white noise, which can aid your child to fall asleep.
The fabrics are machine washable and wipeable, making it easy to clean. In spite of its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when it's open) it's surprisingly light at just under 12kg and can easily fit into a compact, convenient bag that comes with it - perfect for trips away from home. It comes with six different height settings, including a tummy tilt to help with reflux or colic babies, and is able to fit beds of all sizes. It's also very simple to set up. Our MFM tester could do it in just 10 minutes. It'll require a mattress that is separate.
Feeding
When you travel for pleasure or business it's essential to keep your baby comfortable and safe on the road. While some families may be attracted to use a crib or bassinet that they own but it's better to purchase one specially designed for travel. They are smaller, have mesh sides to allow parents to monitor their children without disturbing them, and are light enough to allow for easy transport between places. They also meet the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been subject to recalls.
If you have to use a crib next to your bed, it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The sleeping surface should be free of blankets, pillows and toys. Sharing the bed with parents isn't advised for any baby, regardless of age, and this kind of sleeping together is associated with 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 at all times dressed and awake.
The kinds of cribs for newborns and young babies include:
Some are designed as a mini-crib or Moses basket, while others have sides that can be placed on parents' bed. bedside crib co sleeper allows for middle-of-the-night access to the baby to feed and comfort while avoiding the risks of co-sleeping that the AAP advises against due to the risk of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that is attached to a parent's mattress. This is a good option for older children, as the sides can be raised so that you can reach the baby without having to lift them from the bed. The travel cot that has built-in cribs that is removable allows you to lift a sleeping baby for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to co-sleep safely with your baby. They sit next to your bed at night so that you can reach out easily for feedings at night and monitor them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs come with drop-sides that you can lower for this purpose, while others have a height adjustment so they can be placed in your bed at home and when you go away.
In the past, it was suggested that infants sleep in their own bedroom. However, parents are increasingly preferring to co-sleep. This arrangement, also known as rooming in, allows babies to be close to their parents, while being separated from their own crib or a bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers that are available, including the iCrib which is designed to be a portable crib that fits on the top of your bed or a regular crib. It includes a light frame, a mattress that is removable, and can be folded up for easy storage. There's also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that can be attached to the edge of a bed and has 7 height settings that can be adjusted and a tummy tilt to help with reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers loved this crib for its small folding and ease of use. It's also available in different colours.
There are also freestanding cribs for bedside use, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be positioned on top of an existing bed frame. They have a movable side barrier that can slide down so you can pick your baby up for evening feeding, however the crib is self-contained, and your child will continue sleeping soundly during this period. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards which require a 120mm separation between your mattress and the child's crib.
Lastly, there are cribs designed for travel and are designed to be taken on the road. These are usually smaller and more compact than standard cribs, making it easier to carry them from and into hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be assembled in just a few minutes and folded down in three pounds. It is therefore simple to move and lift.