Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The size of this crib is ideal for mothers. It's larger than a Moses Basket but smaller than a Cot Bed. It can fold down to a third of its original size, and can fit into a compact travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Remember that the crib should only be used to sleep and that toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows are a suffocation hazard.
Safety
When you're looking for a travel cot make sure that the manufacturer adheres to all safety standards. The best place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a specific crib for portable has been recall. It is also important to select a mattress that is the correct size for your baby's crib, so it doesn't slip into the gaps between the sides of the crib or create a suffocation hazard.
Find bassinets or cribs that meet the updated safety standards of 2022. Avoid older cribs and cribs 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 well-constructed and sturdy. Check for missing, loose or broken screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls for air circulation. The slats of the crib should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to keep baby's head and limbs from being trapped. Also, never put pillows, blankets or toys with stuffed animals in the crib. These objects can choke or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib when your child is able to push up on their hands and knees or before 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
It is also essential to check often for loose or broken hardware and screws, especially when you travel with your infant. Remove all plastic from the crib too.
If you are using a portable crib be sure that it's not placed directly beneath the large windows. Windows pose an injury risk for falls and if your child rolls into it, they could be injured. It is recommended to keep your baby's bedroom away from windows, even if they are old enough to roll over. It's important to wake up your baby if they start to sleep on their backs.
Portability
Whether you're going to a holiday, have relatives staying over, or simply want a safe bedside crib for sleepovers with friends, the portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're often called) is a good option. These playards fold up and include a comfortable mattress that can support children up to 15 kg. They are simple to assemble and compact when closed.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favourite with MFM home testers, who love the fact it can be folded and stored in just a few minutes and that its easy-to-use drop-down panels are easy for even bleary-eyed parents to use. It's not the lightest backpack and play, but at under 15 pounds, it's a good weight. It also comes with regular handles instead of a backpack style strap that some people prefer.
Another option that is worth considering is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which includes a crib for bed and a bassinet into a compact unit that is ideal for both holidays and overnight visits to relatives and friends. It's not the cheapest alternative, but it comes with many options, including an organizer basket as well as calming lights for the night that change color, lullabies, and white noise, to aid your child to fall asleep.
The fabric is machine washable and washable, making it easy to clean. It's also relatively lightweight, at just under 12kg and fits nicely into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It has six different height settings, as well as the ability to tilt the tummy for reflux/colic babies. It's suitable for all sizes of beds. It's also extremely easy to set up and our MFM tester having it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. bedside crib with wheels 'll need to purchase an additional mattress, however.
Feeding
It's important that your baby is safe and secure when you travel, whether on pleasure or business. While some families may be tempted to use a bassinet or crib that they own however, it's recommended to purchase one that is specifically made for travel. They are smaller, with mesh sides that allow parents to monitor their babies without disturbing them and are light enough for simple transport between destinations. They also conform to the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you have to utilize a crib for your bed, it's recommended that your infant be laid on their backs and the mattress be free of pillows, blankets, and animals stuffed. Sharing sleeping in a bed with parents isn't advised 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 at times, make sure that you only do this while your baby is asleep and you are completely dressed and awake.
The bedside cribs that are available for infants and young children include:
Some are shaped like miniature cribs or Moses basket, and others have sides that can be put down into the bed of the parent. This gives parents access to the baby for feeding and comforting without exposing the risk of true co-sleeping, which the AAP recommends against due to the risk of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, which is a bedside sleeper that connects to the parent's mattress. This can also be an ideal option for older babies since the sides can easily be raised to let you reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting them out. The travel cot with a built-in crib that can be removed allows you to raise a sleeping baby to allow feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a great way to safely co-sleep with your baby. They are placed near your bed at night, allowing you to reach over easily for night feeds and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs have an opening on the side that can be lower to make it easier, and some have an adjustable height to make sure they accommodate your bed when you are at home or away.
It was previously recommended that infants be in their own room. However parents are increasingly opting to sleep in a co-sleep. This arrangement, also referred to as rooming in, allows babies to stay close to their parents, while remaining in their own crib or bassinet. There are many types of co-sleepers available, including the iCrib which is designed to be an easy-to-move crib that can be placed on the top of your bed or a regular crib. This model comes with a lightweight frame, a mattress that can be removed and is foldable up for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It is attached to the bed's edge and comes with 7 height positions, as well as a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. This crib was loved by our MFM home testers for its user-friendly design and compact folding, and it is also available in a variety of colours.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs like our Lilly or Alain which you can put on top of an existing bed frame. The cribs have an elongated side that slides down to allow you to pick up your child for feedings at night. However, the cribs are self-contained, allowing your baby to continue sleeping peacefully. These cribs meet the latest BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm gap between your mattress and child's cot.
Additionally, there are cribs designed for travel and are made to be carried on the road. They tend to be smaller and more compact than standard cribs, making it easier to move them into and out of cars and hotels. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example, can be set up and put down in under an hour and weighs only three pounds, making it easy to carry and lift.