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's also foldable down to a quarter of its original size, and can be put into a convenient bag for transport.
Remember that the crib is intended for sleeping. Toys or blankets, pillows and pillows can make a child suffocate.
Safety
When you're looking for a travel cot make sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website is an excellent place to start. It will let you know whether a crib for portable use has ever been recalled. Pick a mattress that's suitable for your baby's crib so it won't slip through the gaps or create a suffocation risk.
Find bassinets or cribs that are in line with the latest safety standards of 2022. Also, avoid older cribs and cribs that have been modified or drop side cribs that are recycled for use in travel, as they have not been tested and may pose risks to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be well-built and sturdy. Check for missing, loose or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have sturdy walls and mesh windows to ensure proper air flow. The slats on the crib should be spaced no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to prevent baby's head or legs from getting trapped. Also, do not put blankets, pillows toys, stuffed animals or other items in the crib. These can cause suffocation or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib at the time your child is able to push up on their knees and hands or before 5 months of age or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
It's also important to check frequently for loose or broken hardware and screws, especially when traveling with your child. Remove all plastic from the crib, too.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure it's not placed directly in front of a large window. A window is an accident hazard for your baby could be injured in the event that they crash into it. Even if your child is old enough to roll over it is best to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If your child begins to roll over during sleep it's a good idea wake them up to prevent injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards which is what they're sometimes referred to as) are a great option for anyone who is on vacation, has a family members over, or simply wanting an appropriate crib for a sleepover with friends. These portable cribs have a comfortable mattress that can support babies up to 15kg. They are simple to assemble and compact once 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 a few minutes and that its easy-to-use 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 a good weight. It also has regular handles instead of a backpack strap that some people prefer to use.
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 holidays as well as overnight visits to family and friends. It's not the cheapest one, but it does come with many all-singing and all-dancing features like a basket for storage and soothing night lights that change colour as well as white noise and lullabies to aid your baby to fall asleep and sleep. Its bassinet is higher than other models to make it easier to access during the early days when mum is still recovering.
It's also easy to keep clean with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's on the bulkier side when open) it's surprisingly light at just under 12kg and fits neatly into a small, handy bag that comes with it ideal for trips away from home. It comes with six different height settings, including the tilt of the tummy for reflux/colic infants, and it can be adapted to beds of all sizes. It's also very easy to install and has our MFM tester able to get it set up in only 10 minutes. It will require a separate mattress.
Feeding
If you're traveling for pleasure or business it's crucial to ensure your baby is comfortable and safe on the road. It's better to purchase a travel-specific crib or bassinet than to use one that you already own. bedside crib vs cot are smaller, have mesh sides to allow parents to check on their babies without disturbing them. They are light enough to allow for easy transportation between locations. These also conform to the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been subject to recalls.
If you must use a crib beside your bed, it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The sleeping surface should be free of pillows, blankets and toys. This kind of sleeping arrangement increases the risk of SIDS. If you have to sleep with your child at times, make sure that you only do this when your baby is asleep and that you are completely dressed and awake.
The types of bedside cribs for babies and infants include:
Some are shaped like miniature cribs or Moses basket, while others have sides that can be lowered down into the bed of the parent. This allows access to the baby for feeding and comforting without exposing the risk of true co-sleeping, which the AAP cautions against due the risk of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, an infant bed that is attached to the sides of a parent's mattress. It is a good choice for older children, as the sides can be raised so that you can reach the infant without having to lift them out of the bed. Another option is a travel cot with an integrated bassinet that 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 placed near your bed, allowing you to easily reach them during night feedings and check on their sleeping without disturbing them. Some cribs have an adjustable drop-side that can be lowered for this purpose, while others have a height adjustment to ensure they can fit into your bed at home or away.
It was previously recommended that infants sleep in their own bedroom. 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 being separated from their own crib or a bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers available, such as the iCrib, which is an inflatable crib that is designed to be able to sit on the top of a bed or a crib. It has a light frame and a removable mattress and folds up for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another option. It is attached to the bed edge and has seven height positions, as well as a tummy-tilt to ease colic and reflux. Our MFM home testers praised the crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It's also available in different colours.
You can also purchase freestanding bedside cribs like our Lilly or Alain that you can put on top of an existing bed frame. The cribs come with a side barrier that slides down to allow you to pick up your baby for feedings at night. However the cribs are completely self-contained, allowing your baby to remain asleep peacefully. They also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which stipulate that the 120mm high barrier should be placed between your mattress and the cot of your child.
There are also travel cribs that are specifically designed to be taken on the road. They tend to be smaller and lighter than standard cribs, making it easier to transport them from and into hotels and vehicles. Munchkin Brica, for example can be set up in just a few minutes and folded down in less than three pounds. It is therefore simple to lift and move.