Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are ideal for mothers. It's bigger than the Moses Basket, but smaller than the Cot Bed. It can also be folded down to just a quarter of its original size, and then put in a handy bag for travel.
Keep in mind that the crib is intended for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can suffocate a child.
Safety
When you're looking for a travel cot, make sure that the manufacturer adheres to all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) site is a good place to begin. It will let you know if a portable crib has ever been recalled. Pick a mattress that's suitable for the crib of your child so that it won't fall through the gaps or cause an suffocation hazard.
Look for cribs or bassinets that are in line with the latest safety standards for 2022. Avoid cribs that are older or modified for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs haven't been tested, and may pose a risk to your baby's safety.
A travel crib must be well-built and sturdy. Make sure you check for broken, missing or loose screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have sturdy walls and mesh windows to allow for proper air circulation. The crib slats shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Also, never put blankets, pillows or toys with stuffed animals in the crib. These items could strangle or suffocate 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.
Check often for broken or loose screws and hardware. This is particularly important when traveling with a baby. Take all plastic out of the crib, too.
If you're using a portable crib, be sure that it's not close to the window. Windows pose an accident hazard and if your baby rolls into it, they may be injured. It's best to keep your baby's sleeping space away from windows, even if they are old enough to roll over. It's important to wake up your baby when they begin to sleep on their backs.
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 simply wanting a safe crib for use for a sleepover with friends. These foldable contraptions include a comfortable mattress that can hold children up to 15 kg. They are easy to assemble and compact when closed.
MFM home testers appreciate the BabyBjorn travel crib because it is easy to fold and store. Its simple drop-down panels that are one-handed are also easy for parents with a bleary eye. It's not the tiniest of packs-and-play on our list, but it's a good weight at just a little over 15 pounds. It has regular carry handles rather than a backpack-style strap which some prefer to carry around.
Another excellent option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which incorporates a bedside crib and bassinet into one compact unit that is ideal for both overnight and holiday visits to friends and family. It's not the least expensive one, but it does come with an abundance of all-singing and all-dancing features like a basket for storage, soothing colour-changing night lights, lullabies and white noise to aid your baby to fall asleep, and its bassinet setting sits up higher than most to make it easier to use in the beginning of the day when mom is still recovering.
It's also easy to keep clean, with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. It's also relatively lightweight at less than 12kg, and fits neatly into the small, handy travel case that comes with it. It comes with six different height settings that include the tilt of the tummy for reflux/colic babies, and can fit beds of all sizes. It is also very easy to install. Our MFM tester was able to set it up in less than 10 minutes. You'll need to purchase an additional mattress for it however.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is comfortable and safe when you travel, whether for business or pleasure. It's better to purchase a bassinet or crib designed for travel than to use one that you already own. These are smaller and have mesh sides that permit parents to monitor their children without disturbing them, and are light enough for simple transport between destinations. They also comply with the safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been subject to recalls.
If you are required to use a crib next to your bed it is recommended that you put your baby on their back. The bed should be free of pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys. This kind of sleeping arrangement increases the chance of SIDS. If you are forced to co-sleep at times, make sure that you only do so when your baby is asleep, and that you are completely dressed and awake.
There are a variety of cribs for newborns and babies.
Some are designed like a mini crib or a Moses basket, while others have sides that can be lowered to the bed of the parent. This allows parents to access their infant in the middle of the night to comfort and feed them, while avoiding the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP warns against this due to the risk of the risk of suffocation. twin bedside cot include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, which is a bedside sleeper that connects to the side of a mattress for a parent. It is a good choice for older children, since the sides can be elevated to allow you to reach the baby without having to lift them out of the bed. Another option is a travel cot, which has a built-in bassinet which can be removed from the top of the crib which makes it easier to raise the sleeping infant to feed or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to sleep with your baby in a safe and secure way. They are placed next to your bed during the night so that you can reach over easily for night feeds and observe them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs have an opening on the side that you can lower to make this easier, and some have an adjustable height setting to make sure they be able to fit in your bed at home or away.
Although it was previously advised that babies sleep in a separate bedroom, there is a increasing preference for parents to sleep with their infants. This arrangement, also known as rooming in, allows infants to stay close to their parents while remaining in their own crib or bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers available, such as the iCrib, an inflatable crib that is designed to be able to sit on top of a bed or a crib. This model comes with a lightweight frame, a mattress that can be removed, and can be folded into a compact size for storage. There is also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that can be attached to the edge of the bed and includes 7 adjustable height positions as well as an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers loved the crib for its compact folding design and its ease of use. It's also available in various colors.
There are also cribs for bedside use, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be positioned next to the traditional bed frame. The cribs feature the side barrier that can be lowered to allow you to pick up your baby for feedings at night. However they are also self-contained so your baby can remain asleep peacefully. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm separation between your mattress and the child's crib.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are specifically designed for use on the road. These are typically much smaller and lighter than standard cribs which makes them easier to carry in and out of cars and hotels. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for instance, can be set up and packed down in less than a minute and it weighs only three pounds, so it is easy to lift and carry.