Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The size of this crib is ideal for mothers. It's larger than the Moses Basket, but smaller than a Cot Bed. It can fold down to a third of its original size and fits into a convenient travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Keep in mind that the crib is intended for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can suffocate a child.
Safety
When you are looking for a crib for travel it is important to make sure that the manufacturer is compliant with all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) site is an excellent place to start. It will let you know if a portable crib has ever been removed from the market. Select a mattress that is suitable for the crib of your baby so it doesn't slide through the gaps or cause the risk of suffocation.
Search for bassinets and 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 were repurposed for travel because these aren't tested and may pose risks to your baby's safety.
A travel crib must be built well and strong. Examine for broken, missing or loose screws, as well as other hardware. If you are using a playard, it must have mesh windows and sturdy walls to allow air circulation. The slats of the crib should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to prevent baby's head or limbs from being trapped. Also, do not put blankets, pillows toys, stuffed animals or other items in the crib. These items can cause strangulation or death to your baby. They must be removed when they can stand up independently or before the age of 5 months.
Make sure you check regularly for loose or broken screws and hardware. This is especially crucial when traveling with a child. Remove all plastic from the crib too.
If you're using a portable crib for your baby ensure that it's not positioned directly under a large window. A window is an injury from falling and your baby could be injured in the event that they crash into it. 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 begins to roll over in bed it's a good idea to wake them up to prevent injury.
Portability
If you're planning a trip to a holiday, have relatives staying over, or simply need a secure bedside crib for sleepovers or with friends, a portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're often called) is a good option. These foldable contraptions are easy to assemble, compact when they're closed, and feature an incredibly comfortable mattress that can hold newborns up to 15 kg.
MFM home testers appreciate the BabyBjorn travel crib due to the fact that it's simple to fold and to store. Its easy one-handed drop down panels are also a breeze for parents who are bleary-eyed. It's not the tiniest of packs-and-play on our list but it's a decent weight, weighing just under 15 pounds. It has regular carry handles instead of the backpack-style strap that some find more comfortable to haul around.
Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which combines a bedside crib and bassinet into one compact unit that's ideal for both holidays and overnight visits to family and friends. It's not the most affordable alternative but it does come with many features, such as a storage basket as well as calming lights for the night that change color as well as lullabies and white noise to help your child fall asleep.
The fabrics can be washed in the machine and washable, making it easy to clean. It's also relatively lightweight at less than 12kg and fits nicely into the small, handy 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 can fit any size bed. It's also incredibly quick to set up, with our MFM tester able to get it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. You'll need to buy an additional mattress for it, however.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is safe and comfortable when you travel, whether for pleasure or business. While some families might be attracted to use a bassinet or a crib that they own but it's better to purchase one specially made for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides that permit parents to check on their children without disturbing them and are light enough to allow for easy transport between places. They also meet all the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and have not been recalled.
If you are required to use a crib beside your bed it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The mattress should be free of blankets, pillows and toys. Sharing a bed with parents isn't advised for any baby, regardless of age, and this form of sleeping with a partner is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you are forced to co-sleep at times, make sure that you do it only when your baby is asleep and you are completely dressed and awake.
The kinds of cribs available for babies and infants include:
Some are shaped as a mini-crib or Moses basket, while others have sides which can be placed on parents' beds. This allows parents to access their baby in the middle of the night to comfort and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP warns against this due to the risk of being suffocated. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper which attaches to a mattress that is used by a parent. This is a good option for older children, as the sides can be elevated to allow you to reach the baby without having to lift them out of the bed. The travel cot with an integrated crib that is removable allows you to easily raise a sleeping baby to allow feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are an excellent way to safely co-sleep with your infant. They are placed near your bed to allow you to easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleeping without disturbing them. Some cribs come with drop-sides that can be lowered to make it easier for you to do this, while others come with a height adjustment, so they can fit into your bed at home or away.
It was previously recommended that infants have their own bedrooms. However, parents are increasingly preferring to co-sleep. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents yet remain in a safe space on their own bassinet or crib. There are a variety of co-sleepers that are available, including the iCrib which is designed to be an easy-to-move crib that can be placed on top of your bed or a standard crib. This model has a lightweight frame and a removable mattress and it folds up for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It is attached to the bed's edge and features seven height positions as well as a tummy tilt to help with colic and reflux. The crib was loved by our MFM home testers for its user-friendly design and compact folding. it comes in a variety of colors.
There are also bedside cribs, such as our Lilly and Alain, that can be positioned next to an existing bed frame. 4-in-1 bedside crib have an elongated side that can be lowered to allow you to grab your baby for night feedings. However, the cribs are self-contained so your baby can rest comfortably. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130 safety standards, which require a 120mm separation between your mattress and the child's cot.
Lastly, there are cribs for travel that are specially designed to be taken on the road. They tend to be smaller and lighter than standard cribs, which makes it easier to move them from and into cars and hotels. Munchkin Brica, for example can be set up in under a minute and folded down in just three pounds. It is therefore simple to lift and transport.