Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Mums love this crib's size it's larger than a Moses basket but smaller than a crib bed. It also can fold down to a third of its original size, and can fit into a handy travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Just remember that the crib should be used only for sleeping. Toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose dangers to suffocate.
Safety
When you're looking for a travel cot, make sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The best starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which will let you know whether or not a certain crib for portable has been recalled. bedside cot mattress should also select a mattress that is the correct size for your baby's crib to ensure it doesn't slide into gaps in the crib's sides or cause suffocation hazards.
Search for bassinets and cribs that meet the current safety standards of 2022. Avoid older cribs and cribs 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 should be strong and well-constructed. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws as well as other hardware. If you are using a playard, it must have mesh windows and sturdy walls to allow air flow. The slats of the crib should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to keep baby's head and limbs from being trapped. Never put toys, blankets, or stuffed animals in the crib. These objects can choke 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 before 5 months old or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
Examine often for broken or loose screws and other hardware. This is particularly important when traveling with an infant. Remove all plastic from the crib as well.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure it is not located directly under the window. Windows pose an injury risk for falls and if your baby falls into it, they may be injured. Even if your child is old enough to be able to roll over, it's best to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If your child starts to roll over in bed, it's a good idea get them up in order to avoid injuries.
Portability
If you're on vacation, have family staying with you, or want a safe bedside crib for sleepovers or with friends, an portable crib (or playard, as they are sometimes called) is a good option. These playards fold up and include a comfortable mattress that can accommodate children up to 15 kg. They are simple to put together and compact when closed.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favourite with MFM home testers who appreciate the fact that it can be folded and stored in just several minutes and its simple drop-down panels that can be operated with one hand are easy for even bleary-eyed parents to use. It's not the tiniest of packs-and-play on our list but it's a decent weight at just over 15 pounds, and it comes with standard carry handles rather than an e-bag strap, which some find more comfortable to haul around.
Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which incorporates a bedside crib and bassinet in one compact unit that's perfect for both holidays and overnight visits to relatives and friends. It's not the most affordable alternative however it has many features, including an organizer basket as well as calming lights for the night that change colour as well as lullabies and white noise, which can help your child sleep.
It's also easy to clean, with machine-washable and wipeable fabrics. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's on the bulkier side when open) it's light at less than 12kg. It fits neatly into a compact, practical bag included perfect for trips away from home. It comes with six height settings that include a tummy tilt to help with reflux or colic infants, and it can be adapted to beds of all sizes. It is also very easy to install. Our MFM tester was able to do it in less than 10 minutes. You'll need to buy a separate mattress for it however.
Feeding
Whether traveling for business or pleasure, it's important to ensure your baby is comfortable and safe on the road. While some families might be tempted to use a crib or bassinet that they own however, it's recommended to purchase one specially designed for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides so parents can check on their baby without causing any disturbance to them. They're also light for easy transportation between destinations. They also meet the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been subject to recalls.
If you are required to use a crib that is placed at your bedside it is recommended that your child be placed on their back and that the sleeping surface be free of pillows, blankets and toys. Sharing a bed with parents isn't recommended for any baby regardless of age, and this type 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 sleeping and that you and your partner are dressed and awake.
There are many kinds of cribs for newborns and babies.
Some are shaped as a mini-crib or Moses basket while others have sides which can be put into parents' beds. This allows parents to access their infant in the middle of the night to comfort and feed them, while avoiding the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP cautions against this due to the risk of the risk of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, a bedside sleeper that attaches to the sides of a mattress for a parent. This can also be a safer option for older babies because the sides can be easily raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. The travel cot with an integrated crib that can be removed allows you to lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you sleep peacefully with your baby. They are placed near your bed to allow you to easily reach them for night feedings and check on their sleeping without disturbing them. Some cribs have drop-sides that you can lower to make it easier for you to do this, while others have a height adjustment so they can fit into your bed at home and when you go away.
While it used to be advised that babies sleep in a separate bedroom, there's a growing trend for parents to share a bed with their infants. This arrangement, also known as rooming in, allows infants to be close to their parents while remaining in their own crib or a bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers like the iCrib, which is a portable crib designed to be able to sit on top of a bed or a crib. This model includes a light frame, a mattress that is removable and is foldable 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 as well as a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers highly praised this crib for its compact folding design and its ease of use. It's also available in different colours.
There are also freestanding cribs for bedside use, such as our Lilly and Alain, that can be put next to the traditional bed frame. They come with a moveable side barrier that can slide down so you can take your baby to a night feeding, but the crib is self-contained and your baby will continue sleeping soundly during this time. These models meet the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards which require a 120mm barrier between your mattress and child's crib.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are specifically designed to be taken along when traveling. They are usually smaller and more compact than a standard crib and are therefore easy to transport into and out of hotels and cars. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example, can be set up and taken down in less than an hour and weighs just 3 pounds, so it is easy to move and carry.