Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The crib's size is a hit with moms it's larger than a Moses basket, but smaller than a cot bed. It can also be folded down to one-quarter of its original size, and fit into a handy bag for transport.
It is important to 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, make sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. One good starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which will inform you whether or not a specific crib is being removed from the market. Choose a mattress that fits the crib of your baby so it doesn't slide through the gaps or create an suffocation hazard.
Search for bassinets and cribs that meet the updated safety standards of 2022. Avoid cribs that are older or that have been modified for travel, or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs have not been tested and could be a danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib should be sturdy and well-constructed. Examine for loose, missing or broken screws, as well as other hardware. If you are using a playard, it should be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls for air flow. The slats on the crib should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to prevent baby's head or limbs from being trapped. Don't put any toys, blankets, or stuffed animals in the crib. These items can suffocate or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib as soon as your child is able push up on their knees and hands or before five months of age, whichever comes first.
It's also important to check often for loose or broken screws and hardware, especially when you travel with your infant. Make sure to remove all crib furniture before use, as well.
If you are using a portable crib for your baby ensure that it's not placed directly in front of the large windows. A window can be an accident hazard for your baby could be injured if they roll into it. It's best to keep your baby's bedroom away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. If your baby starts to roll over while sleeping, it's a good idea awake them to prevent injuries.
bedside co sleeper
Whether you're going to a holiday, have relatives staying over, or just want a safe crib for sleepovers with friends, a portable crib (or playard, as they are sometimes called) is a good option. These foldable contraptions are easy to put together and compact when closed, and come with the most comfortable padded mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15 kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers, who appreciate the fact it can be folded down and stored in just several minutes and its simple one-handed drop-down panels are easy for even bleary-eyed parents to use. It's not the lightest pack-and-play on our list but it's a decent weight at just over 15 pounds. It features standard handles instead of a backpack-style strap which some find more comfortable to carry around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another great alternative. It incorporates a bedside bassinet as well as a crib into a compact unit. This is perfect for overnight stays during holidays and with friends and family. It's not the most affordable alternative but it does come with a variety of features, such as a storage 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 keep clean with machine-washable and wipeable fabrics. And, despite its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when it's open) it's light at less than 12kg. It fits neatly into a compact, convenient bag that comes with it perfect for trips away from home. It comes with six height settings and a tummy tilt for reflux/colic infants, and it can be adapted to beds of all sizes. It's also extremely easy 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's crucial that your baby is safe and secure when you travel, whether for pleasure or business. It's better to purchase a crib or bassinet designed for travel instead of using one you already have. These are smaller, have mesh sides to allow parents to check on their babies without disturbing them. They are lightweight enough for easy transportation between locations. They also meet the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you must use a bedside crib, it's recommended that your baby be placed on their back and that the bed be free of pillows, blankets and animals stuffed. This type of co-sleeping increases the risk of SIDS. If you are forced to co-sleep occasionally, ensure that you do it only while your baby is asleep and that you are completely dressed and awake.
The kinds of cribs that are available for babies and infants include:
Some are designed as a mini-crib or Moses baskets, while others have sides that can be placed on 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 sleeping with their child. The AAP warns against this due to the risk of being suffocated. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, an infant bed that is attached to the side of a mattress for a parent. It is a good choice for older children since the sides can be elevated so that you can reach the baby without having to lift them out of bed. Another option is a travel cot that has an integrated bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib which makes it easier to lift a sleeping infant for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are an excellent method to sleep in a safe environment with your baby. They are placed near your bed, allowing you to easily reach them for night feedings and check on their sleeping without disrupting them. Some cribs have drop sides that you can lower to make this easier, and others come with an adjustable height setting to make sure they be able to fit in your bed at home or away.
Previously, it was recommended that infants be in their own room. However parents are increasingly opting to sleep in a co-sleep. Also known as rooming in, this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents but remain safe and separate from their own crib or bassinet. There are many types of co-sleepers available such as the iCrib, a portable crib designed to fit on top of a bed or a crib. This model comes with a light frame and a mattress that can be removed and it folds up for easy storage. It also comes with the Joie Roomie Go crib, that is attached to the edge of a bed. It includes 7 adjustable height positions and a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers loved this crib for its compact folding design and its ease of use. It's also available in various colors.
You can also purchase bedside cribs that are freestanding, such as our Lilly or Alain which you can put on top of a standard bed frame. The cribs feature the side barrier that can be lowered to allow you to pick up your baby for night feedings. However the cribs are completely self-contained, allowing your baby to rest comfortably. These cribs also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements that specify that the 120mm high barrier should be placed between your mattress and the cot of your child.
Travel cribs are also available. They are designed specifically to be carried on the road. They are typically smaller and lighter than standard cribs, which makes it easier to move them from and into hotels and vehicles. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example can be set up and packed down in under an hour and weighs only three pounds, making it easy to carry and lift.