Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are ideal for moms. It's larger than a Moses Basket but smaller than the Cot Bed. It's also foldable down to just a quarter of its original size, and fit into a handy bag for travel.
Remember that the crib should be used only to sleep and that toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose an entrapment risk.
Safety
When you are looking for a crib for travel it is important to make sure the manufacturer meets all safety standards. The best starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which will let you know whether or not a particular portable crib has been removed from the market. Choose a mattress that fits 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 for 2022. Also, avoid cribs with a long history and cribs that have been modified or drop side cribs that are used for travel as they aren't tested and could pose a risk to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be well-built and sturdy. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have sturdy walls and mesh windows to allow for proper air flow. The slats on the crib should be spaced no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to keep baby's head and limbs from being trapped. Do not put any toys, blankets, or toys that are stuffed with animals in the crib. These items can strangle or suffocate your baby. They must be removed at the time they can stand up on their own, or before the age of 5 months.
Check regularly for loose or broken screws and other hardware. This is particularly crucial when traveling with an infant. Remove all plastic from the crib, too.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure it's not right under a window. A window is an injury from falling and your baby could get hurt when they fall into it. Even if your baby is old enough to roll over, it's best to keep their sleeping space away from windows. It's important to wake up your baby when they begin to roll over while sleeping.
Portability
If you're on holiday, have family staying over, or just want a safe bedside crib for sleepovers with friends, a portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're sometimes called) is a good option. These foldable contraptions are easy to build and are compact when closed, and come with an incredibly comfortable mattress that can support newborns up to 15kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a fav among MFM home testers who appreciate the fact that it can be folded down and stored in just a few minutes and that its simple drop-down panels that can be operated with one hand are simple for even sleepy parents to use. It's not the lightest pack-and-play on our list, but it's a good weight at just over 15 pounds, and it has regular carry handles rather than the backpack-style strap that some prefer to carry around.
Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which incorporates a bedside crib and bassinet in one compact unit that's perfect for holidays as well as overnight visits to family and friends. It's not the most affordable, but it has a wealth of 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 sleep, and its bassinet setting is higher than the majority for easier access in the beginning of the day when mom is still recovering.
The fabrics can be washed in the machine and wipeable, making it easy to clean. It's also relatively lightweight, at just under 12kg, and fits neatly into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It comes with six different height settings and the ability to tilt the tummy for reflux/colic babies. It's able to fit all sizes of beds. It is also very easy to install. Our MFM tester could do it in only 10 minutes. You'll need to purchase an additional mattress for it, however.
Feeding
It is essential that your child is comfortable and safe when you travel, whether on pleasure or business. While some families might be inclined to use a bassinet or a crib that they already own, it's best to buy one specially designed for travel. They are smaller, with mesh sides that allow parents to check on their children without disturbing them, and are lightweight enough for easy transportation between locations. They also comply with the safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you have to use a crib beside your bed it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The bed should be free of blankets, pillows, and stuffed toys. Sharing the bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby, regardless of age, and this form of co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. If you must occasionally co-sleep, make sure that your baby is asleep and that you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.
The bedside cribs that are available for infants and young children include:
Some are shaped as a mini-crib or Moses basket, while others have sides which can be placed on parent's bed. This allows access to the baby for feeding and comforting without exposing the risk of true co-sleeping, which the AAP advises against due to the risk of suffocation. cot bedside include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, an infant bed that is attached to the sides of a mattress for a parent. It can also be an option for older babies since the sides are easily raised to let you reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting them out. Another option is the travel cot, which has a built-in bassinet which can be removed from the top of the crib which makes it easier to raise a sleeping infant for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a fantastic option to sleep comfortably with your newborn. They are placed next to your bed during the night, so that you can reach them easily for feedings at night and observe them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs have a drop side that you can lower to make this easier, and others have an adjustable height adjustment to make sure they fit your bed at home or away.
Although it was previously advised that babies sleep in a separate bedroom, there is a growing trend for parents to co-sleep with their infants. This arrangement, also known as rooming in, allows babies to stay close to their parents while remaining in their own crib or a bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleeper available like the iCrib, which is designed to be portable and can be placed on the top of your bed or a standard crib. This model comes with a lightweight frame, a mattress that is removable, and can be folded up for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It attaches to the bed edge and features 7 height positions, as well as a tummy-tilt for 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.
You can also buy freestanding bedside cribs such as our Lilly or Alain that you can put next to a standard bed frame. The cribs have an elongated side that can slide down to allow you to grab your child for feedings at night. However, the cribs are self-contained, allowing your baby to continue sleeping peacefully. These models meet the new BS EN1130 safety standards, which require a 120mm barrier between your mattress and child's crib.
There are also cribs designed for travel and are designed to be used on the road. They are typically smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, making it easier to carry them into and out of hotels and vehicles. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example, can be set up and packed down in less than a minute and it weighs only three pounds, so it is easy to carry and lift.