Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Mums love this crib's size - it's bigger than the Moses basket but smaller than a cot bed. It's also foldable down to just a quarter of its size and can be put into a convenient bag for traveling.
Make sure that the crib is intended for sleeping. Toys or blankets, pillows and pillows can suffocate a child.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) site is the best place to start. It will inform you if a portable crib has ever been recalled. Pick a mattress that's suitable for the crib of your baby so it won't slip through the gaps or pose an suffocation hazard.
Look for cribs or bassinets that meet the current safety standards of 2022. You should also avoid cribs that are older or cribs that have been modified, or drop side cribs that are used for travel as they aren't tested and may pose risks to your baby's well-being.
A travel crib must be well-constructed and sturdy. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls for air flow. The crib's slats should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to keep baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Also, do not put pillows, blankets toys, stuffed animals or other items in the crib. These items could cause strangulation or death to your baby. They should be removed when they are able to stand independently or before the age of 5 months.
Make sure you check frequently for broken or loose screws and other hardware. This is particularly important when traveling with a child. Make sure to remove all plastic from the crib before use, as well.
If you are using a portable baby crib, make sure it's not placed beneath the large windows. A window is an injury risk for falls and if your baby falls into it, they may be injured. Even if your baby is old enough to be able to roll over it is best to keep their sleeping area away from windows. If your baby starts to roll over while sleeping it's a good idea wake them up to prevent injury.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards or playards, as they're often referred to) are a great choice for anyone going on vacation, having guests over, or simply wanting a safe crib for use for a sleepover with friends. These playards fold up easily to build and compact when closed, and come with an incredibly comfortable mattress that can hold newborns up to 15kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers, who appreciate the fact it can be folded and stored in several minutes and its simple drop-down panels that can be operated with one hand are simple enough for even sleepy parents to use. It's not the lightest backpack and play, but with just under 15 pounds it's still a good weight. It also comes with normal handles instead of a backpack strap, which some parents prefer to use.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another excellent alternative. It includes a bassinet for the bed and a crib into a compact unit. This is perfect for overnight stays during holidays and with family and friends. It is not the cheapest option but it does come with various features, including a storage basket as well as calming lights for the night that change color, lullabies, and white noise, which can aid your child to fall asleep.
The fabrics can be washed in the machine and washable, which makes it easy to clean. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's on the bulkier side when it's open), it's relatively lightweight at just under 12kg and slots neatly into a compact, convenient bag that comes with it perfect for trips away from home. It has six different height settings, as well as the ability to tilt the tummy for reflux/colic babies. It's able to fit all sizes of beds. It's also easy to set up. Our MFM tester was able to set it up in just 10 minutes. You'll need to purchase a separate mattress for it however.
Feeding
It is essential that your child is safe and secure when you travel, whether on business or pleasure. It's better to purchase a travel-specific crib or bassinet rather than using one you already have. They are smaller and come with 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 all the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and have not been recalled.
If you must use a crib next to your bed, it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The sleeping surface should be free of pillows, blankets and toys. Co-sleeping can increase the risk of SIDS. If you have to sleep with your child on occasion, ensure that you only do so while your baby is asleep, and that you are both awake and fully dressed.
The types of bedside cribs for infants and young children include:
Some are designed like miniature cribs or Moses basket, and others have sides that can be lowered down into the parent's bed. This allows parents to reach their baby at any time during the night to soothe and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP cautions against this because of the risk of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that attaches to the mattress of a parent. It is also a safer option for older babies since the sides are easily raised to let you reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. Another option is the travel cot with a built-in bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib, which makes it easier to lift the sleeping infant to feed or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a fantastic method to sleep in a safe environment with your baby. They are set next to your bed so you can easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleep without disturbing them. Some cribs have a drop side that can be lower to make this easier, and others come with an adjustable height adjustment to make sure they accommodate your bed when you are at home or on the go.
While it was once advised that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is a growing trend for parents to share a bed with their infants. Also known as rooming-in this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents but remain in a safe space on their own bassinet or crib. There are a variety of co-sleeper available like the iCrib, which is designed to be portable and can be placed on top of your bed or a regular crib. This model comes with a lightweight frame, a removable mattress and is foldable into a compact size for storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It is attached to the bed edge and has 7 height positions, as well as a tummy tilt to help with colic and reflux. The crib was well-received by our MFM home testers for its user-friendly design and compact folding, and it comes in a range of colours.
There are also bedside cribs, like our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be placed alongside an existing bed frame. The cribs have an elongated side that can slide down to allow you to grab your baby for feedings at night. However, click here are self-contained so your baby can continue sleeping peacefully. These cribs also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which stipulate that 120mm high barriers must be present between your mattress and the cot of your child.
Additionally, there are cribs for travel that are specially designed to be taken on the road. They are usually smaller and lighter than a standard crib, making them more convenient to take into and out of hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be put together in just a few minutes and folded down in less than three pounds. It is therefore simple to lift and transport.