Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The crib's size is a hit with moms It's larger than the size of a Moses basket, but smaller than a crib bed. It can also be folded down to one-quarter of its original size and then put in a handy bag for transport.
It is important to remember that the crib should only be used to sleep and that toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose an entrapment risk.
Safety
As you shop for a crib for travel it is important to make sure that the manufacturer is compliant with all safety standards. The best place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which will let you know whether or not a certain crib is being recalled. Select a mattress that is suitable for the crib of your baby so it won't slip through the gaps or pose the risk of suffocation.
Find bassinets or cribs that are in line with the latest safety standards of 2022. It is also recommended to avoid cribs that are older and cribs that have been modified or drop side cribs that have been repurposed for travel because these aren't tested and may pose risks to your baby's health.
A travel crib must 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 mesh windows and sturdy walls to allow air flow. The crib slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Also, do not put blankets, pillows or toys with stuffed animals in the crib. These items can suffocate or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib when your child is able to push up on their knees and hands or before five months of age or 5 months, whichever is first.
It's also important to check regularly for broken or loose hardware and screws, particularly when traveling with your infant. Take all plastic out of the crib too.
If you are using a portable crib be sure that it's not placed beneath the large windows. A window can be a fall risk and if your child rolls into it, they could get injured. Even if your child is old enough to roll over, it's best to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If your child starts to roll over while sleeping it's a good idea wake them up to prevent injury.
Portability
If you're on vacation, have family staying with you, or need a secure bedside crib for sleepovers with your friends, an portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're sometimes called) is a good option. These portable cribs include an extremely comfortable mattress that can hold babies up to 15kg. They are easy to assemble and compact when closed.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers, who love the fact that it can be folded and stored in several minutes and its easy-to-use drop-down panels 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 good weight, weighing just under 15 pounds, and it has regular handles instead of the backpack-style strap that some prefer to carry around.
Another option that is worth considering is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which includes a crib for bed and a bassinet into one compact unit that is ideal for both overnight and holiday visits to family and friends. It's not the most affordable option but it does come with a variety of features, such as a basket for storage and calming night lights that change color and lullabies, as well as white noise, which can help your child sleep.
It's also easy to keep clean with machine washable and wipeable fabric. It's also quite light at just 12 kilos, and fits neatly inside the compact, convenient travel case that comes with it. It comes with six different height settings as well as an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It's suitable for all bed sizes. It's also extremely easy to set up and has our MFM tester able to get it set up in only 10 minutes. cot for bedside 'll need to buy an additional mattress, however.
Feeding
If you're traveling for pleasure or business it's crucial to keep your baby happy and safe when traveling. While some families may be attracted to use a bassinet or crib that they have but it's better to purchase one that is specifically made for travel. They are smaller, have mesh sides to allow parents to check on their babies without disturbing them, and are light enough for simple transport between places. They also conform to the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you are required to use a crib that is placed at your bedside, it's recommended that your baby be laid on their backs and the mattress be free of any blankets, pillows, and animals stuffed. Sharing sleeping in a bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby regardless of age, and this type of co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. If you do have to sleep with your partner at times ensure that your baby is sleeping and that both you and your partner are dressed and awake.
There are many types of cribs for newborns and babies.
Some are designed to resemble a mini crib or a Moses basket, whereas others have sides that can be set down into the parent's bed. This gives parents access to the baby to feed and comfort without exposing the risk of true co-sleeping, which 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 the mattress of a parent. This is a great option for older children since the sides can be elevated so that you can reach the baby without lifting 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 raise a sleeping infant for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to sleep peacefully with your baby. They are set next to your bed to allow you to easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleep without disturbing them. Some cribs have a drop-side that can be lowered for this purpose, whereas others come with a height adjustment, so they will fit in your bed at home and when you go away.
While it used to be recommended that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is a growing preference for parents to sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming-in this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents, but remain safely separated on their own crib or bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleeper available like the iCrib, which is designed to be portable and can be placed on the top of your bed, or a standard crib. This model has a lightweight frame, a mattress that can be removed, and can be folded up for easy storage. It also comes with the Joie Roomie Go crib, that is attached to the edge of a bed. It features 7 adjustable height positions as well as a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers praised this crib for its compact folding and easy to use. It's also available in different colours.
You can also purchase bedside cribs that are freestanding, such as our Lilly or Alain which you can put on top of an existing bed frame. They come with a moveable side barrier that slides down to allow you take your baby to a night feeding, but the crib is completely self-contained and your baby will be sleeping comfortably throughout this time. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130 safety standards, which require a 120mm separation between your mattress and child's cot.
Additionally, there are cribs designed for travel and are designed to be used on the road. These are typically much smaller and lighter than a standard crib which makes them more convenient to take into and out of hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be put together in under a minute and folded down in just three pounds. It is therefore simple to move and lift.