Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The crib's size is a hit with moms It's larger than a Moses basket but smaller than a cot bed. It also can fold down to a third of its original size and fits into a handy travel bag, making it ideal for travel.
Make sure that the crib is only for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can make a child suffocate.
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) website is an excellent place to start. It will tell you whether a crib that is portable has ever been recalled. You'll also want to choose a mattress that is the correct size for your baby's crib so that it doesn't fall into gaps in the sides of the crib or create a suffocation risk.
Look for cribs or bassinets that are in line with the latest safety standards of 2022. Also, avoid cribs with a long history or cribs that have been modified, or drop side cribs that were recycled for use in travel, as they aren't tested and may pose risks to your baby's health.
A travel crib must be well-constructed and sturdy. Examine for loose, missing or broken screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should have mesh windows and secure walls for air flow. The slats on the crib should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to keep baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Never put toys, blankets, or toys in the crib. These can cause suffocation or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib when your child is able push up on their hands and knees or prior to five months of age, whichever comes first.
It's also important to look frequently for loose or broken screws and hardware, especially when traveling with your infant. Remove all plastic from the crib too.
If you're using a portable baby crib ensure that it's not placed under a large window. A window can be an injury from falling and your baby may be injured when they fall into it. Even if your baby is old enough to roll over it is recommended to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If your child begins to roll over during sleep it's a good idea awake them to prevent injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards which is what they're sometimes referred to as) are a great choice for anyone who is on vacation, has a family members over, or simply wanting a safe crib for use during a sleepover or with friends. These foldable contraptions are easy to assemble and are compact when closed, and come with a comfortable padded mattress that can support newborns up to 15 kg.
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 several minutes and its simple drop-down panels that can be operated with one hand are easy for even bleary-eyed parents to use. It's not our lightest pack-and play, but at just under 15 pounds it's still an adequate weight. It also comes with regular handles instead of a backpack strap, which some find more comfortable.
Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which incorporates a bedside crib and bassinet into one compact unit that's perfect for holidays as well as overnight visits to friends and family. It's not the most affordable alternative but it does come with various features, such as an organizer basket as well as calming lights for the night that change colour as well as lullabies and white noise, to help your child sleep.
The fabric is machine washable and washable, which makes it easy to clean. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when opened) it's light at just 12kg and slots neatly into a small, handy bag included - perfect for trips away from home. It has six different height settings as well as an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It's able to fit any size bed. It's also very easy to install, with our MFM tester able to get it set up in only 10 minutes. It will require a mattress that is separate.
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 crib or bassinet designed for travel rather than using one you already own. baby bedside sleeper are smaller, have mesh sides to allow parents to monitor their babies without disturbing them and are lightweight enough for easy transport between places. These also comply with the safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics 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 blankets, pillows and stuffed toys. Sharing the bed with parents isn't advised for any baby, regardless of age, and this form of sleeping together is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you must co-sleep at times, make sure that you only do this when your baby is asleep and that you are completely dressed and awake.
There are many kinds of cribs for newborns and babies.
Some are designed to resemble a mini crib or a Moses basket, while others have sides that can be put down into the bed of the parent. This allows access to the baby for feeding and comforting while avoiding the dangers of true co-sleeping, which the AAP cautions against due dangers of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that attaches to a parent's mattress. This is a good option for older children, as the sides can be raised so that you can reach the baby without lifting them out of the bed. Another option is the travel cot with a built-in bassinet which can be removed from the top of the crib making it easier to lift up the sleeping infant to feed or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are an excellent way to safely co-sleep with your newborn. They are placed near your bed at night so that you can reach over easily for night feeds and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs come with an adjustable drop-side that you can lower for this purpose, while others have a height adjustment to ensure they can be placed in your bed at home and away.
While it used to be recommended that babies sleep in their own separate bedroom, there's a increasing preference for parents to sleep with their infants. This arrangement, referred to as rooming in, allows infants to remain close to their parents, while being separated from their own crib or a bassinet. There are many types of co-sleepers that are available, such as the iCrib, which is an inflatable crib that is designed to be able to sit on the top of a bed or a crib. This model includes a light frame, a mattress that can be removed, and can be folded into a compact size for storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It is attached to the bed edge and has seven height positions as well as a tummy-tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers loved this crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It's also available in a variety of colors.
There are also freestanding cribs for bedside use, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, which can be placed next to an existing bed frame. They come with a moveable side barrier that can slide down to allow you to pick your baby up for evening feeding, however the crib is otherwise self-contained, and your child will be sleeping comfortably throughout this time. They also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements that specify that a 120mm high barrier must be placed between your mattress and your child's cot.
There are also travel cribs that are specifically made to be carried on the road. They are usually smaller and lighter than standard cribs which makes them easier to carry in and out of hotels and cars. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for instance can be set up and put down in less than a minute and it weighs only three pounds, making it easy to move and carry.