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 cot bed. It can also fold down to a quarter of its size and then put in a handy bag for transport.
Just remember that the crib should only be used to sleep and that toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows are an entrapment risk.
Safety
When you are looking for a travel crib it is important to make sure that the manufacturer is compliant with all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website is an excellent place to start. It will tell you whether a crib that is portable has ever been removed from the market. You'll also want to choose a mattress that is the right size for your baby's crib so that it doesn't fall into the gaps between the crib's sides or create a suffocation hazard.
Look for cribs or bassinets that meet the current safety standards for 2022. Avoid cribs with older designs and modified for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs have not been tested and could pose a risk to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be strong and well-constructed. Make sure you check for broken, missing or loose screws, as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have a secure wall and mesh windows for proper air flow. The crib's slats should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent baby's head or limbs from becoming trapped. Also, never put blankets, pillows or toys with stuffed animals in the crib. These items can choke or drown your baby. They should be removed as soon as they are able to stand up on their own, or before the age of 5 months.
It's also important to check regularly for broken or loose hardware and screws, particularly when you travel with your infant. Make sure to remove all plastic from the crib before use, as well.
If you are using a portable baby crib ensure that it's not placed directly in front of a large window. Windows pose an injury risk for falls and if your baby rolls into it, they may get injured. Even if your baby is old enough to be able to roll over, it's best to keep their sleeping area away from windows. If your child starts to roll over during sleep it's a good idea wake them up to prevent injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards, as they're sometimes called) are a great choice for those who are going on vacation, having family members over, or just needing a safe crib for use during a sleepover or with friends. These foldable contraptions are easy to put together and compact when closed, and feature an incredibly comfortable mattress that can support newborns up to 15 kg.
MFM home testers are awestruck by the BabyBjorn travel crib because it's easy to fold and to store. Its easy drop-down panels that are one-handed are also a breeze for parents who are bleary-eyed. It's not our tiniest pack-and-play play, but at 15 pounds, it's an acceptable weight. It also has regular handles instead of a backpack-style strap, which some parents find more comfortable.
Another excellent option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which combines a bedside crib and bassinet into a compact unit that's ideal for both holidays and overnight visits to friends and family. It's not the cheapest, but it has many dancing and all-singing features like a basket for storage as well as calming colour-changing lights for the night, lullabies and white noise to help your baby fall asleep, and its bassinet setting is higher than other models to make it easier to use in the early hours when mum is still recovering.
It's also easy to clean, with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. And, despite its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when it's open), it's relatively lightweight at just 12kg and slots neatly into a compact, practical bag included perfect for trips away from home. It has six height settings, including the tilt of the tummy for reflux/colic babies, and is able to fit beds of all sizes. It's also incredibly quick to install, with our MFM tester having it ready in just 10 minutes. It will require a separate mattress.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is safe and comfortable when you travel, whether for pleasure or business. While some families may be tempted to use a bassinet or a crib that they already own however, it's recommended to purchase one that is specifically made for travel. These are smaller, have mesh sides to allow parents to check on their children without disturbing them and are light enough for simple transport between destinations. They also meet all the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been recalled.
If you must use a crib that is placed at your bedside it is recommended that your baby be positioned on their backs and that the sleeping surface be free of pillows, blankets and animals stuffed. This kind of sleeping arrangement increases the risk of SIDS. If you must co-sleep at times, make sure that you do it only when your baby is asleep and you are completely dressed and awake.
There are many types of cribs for babies and newborns.
Some are shaped as a mini-crib or Moses basket, while others have sides which can be put into parent's bed. This lets parents access their infant in the middle of the night to soothe and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP warns against this due to the danger of being suffocated. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, an infant bed that is attached to the sides of a parent's mattress. This is a good option for older children, as the sides can be elevated so that you can reach the infant without having to lift them out of the bed. The travel cot that has built-in cribs that can be removed enables you to raise a sleeping baby to allow feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are an excellent method to sleep in a safe environment with your baby. They are placed next to your bed during the night, so that you can reach over easily for feedings at night and observe them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs have drop sides that can be lowered to make this easier, and others have an adjustable height so that they will accommodate your bed when you are at home or when you are away.
While it used to be advised that babies sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is now a growing preference for parents to share a bed with their infants. Also known as rooming in, this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents, but remain safe and separate from their own bassinet or crib. There are a variety of co-sleepers that are available such as the iCrib, an inflatable crib that is designed to be placed on the top of a bed or a crib. It comes with a lightweight frame, a mattress that can be removed, and can be folded up for easy storage. There's also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that is attached to the edge of a bed and includes 7 adjustable height positions and an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers highly praised the crib for its compact folding design and its ease of use. It's also available in different colours.
There are also bedside cribs, like our Lilly and Alain cribs, which can be positioned alongside an existing bed frame. The cribs feature a side barrier that can slide down to allow you to grab your child for feedings at night. However, the cribs are fully enclosed so that your baby can remain asleep peacefully. They also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements that specify that the 120mm high barrier should be installed between your mattress and your child's cot.
Lastly, there are cribs designed for travel and are made to be carried on the road. They tend to be smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, making it easier to carry them in and out hotels and vehicles. bedside crib vs cot , for example can be assembled in just a few minutes and folded down in less than three pounds. It is therefore simple to lift and move.