Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Moms love this crib's dimensions it's larger than a Moses basket, but smaller than a crib bed. It can also fold down to one-quarter of its original size and fit into a handy bag for travel.
Make sure that the crib is intended for sleeping. Toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows can cause a child to be suffocated.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer adheres to all safety standards. A good place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can inform you whether or not a specific portable crib has been recall. Pick a mattress that's suitable for the crib of your child so that it doesn't slide through the gaps or cause the risk of suffocation.
Look for cribs or bassinets that are in line with the latest safety standards of 2022. Avoid older cribs and cribs that have been modified for travel, or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs have not been tested and could be a danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib must be well-constructed and sturdy. Check for missing, loose or broken screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should have mesh windows and sturdy walls for air circulation. The crib slats shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Don't put any toys, blankets or toys in the crib. These items can suffocate or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib when your child is able push up on their knees and hands or prior to five months of age or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
It's also important to check frequently for loose or broken screws and hardware, especially when traveling with your child. Take all plastic out of the crib too.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure it is not located directly under windows. A window could be an injury from falling and your baby could get hurt in the event that they crash into it. Even if your baby is old enough to roll over it is best to keep their sleeping area away from windows. If your child begins to roll over during sleep, it's a good idea to awake them to prevent injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards, as they're sometimes called) are a great choice for anyone going on vacation, having family stay over, or simply needing a safe crib to use for a sleepover with friends. These portable cribs have an extremely comfortable mattress that can accommodate babies up to 15kg. They are easy to assemble and compact once closed.
MFM home testers appreciate the BabyBjorn travel crib due to the fact that it is easy to fold and put away. Its easy drop down panels that can be operated by one hand are also easy for parents who are bleary-eyed. It's not our lightest pack-and play, but at just 15 pounds, it's a good weight. It also has regular handles instead of a backpack-style strap, which some parents prefer to use.
Another excellent option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which includes a crib for bed and a bassinet into one compact unit that's perfect for both holidays and overnight visits to relatives and friends. It's not the most affordable, but it has many all-singing and all-dancing features like a basket for storage, soothing colour-changing night lights as well as white noise and lullabies to aid your baby to fall asleep and its bassinet is higher than the majority to make it easier to use during the early days when mum is still recovering.
It's also easy to clean, with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when open) it's surprisingly light at less than 12kg. It fits neatly into a compact, practical travel bag included ideal for trips away from home. It comes with six height settings, including a tummy tilt for reflux/colic babies, and can fit beds of all sizes. It's also extremely easy to set up, with our MFM tester able to get it set up in only 10 minutes. You'll need to buy a separate mattress for it however.
Feeding
If you're traveling for pleasure or business it's crucial to keep your baby comfortable and safe on the road. While some families may be attracted to use a bassinet or crib that they own, it's best to buy one specially designed for travel. These are smaller, have mesh sides that permit parents to check on their babies without disturbing them and are light enough for simple transport between destinations. 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 put your baby on their back. The bed should be free of blankets, pillows and toys. Sharing the bed with parents isn't recommended for any baby, regardless of age, and this form of sleeping together is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you are forced to co-sleep on occasion, ensure that you only do this while your baby is asleep, and that you are at all times dressed and awake.
There are a variety of cribs for babies and newborns.
Some are designed to resemble miniature cribs or Moses basket, while others have sides that can be set down into the parent's bed. This gives parents access to the baby for feeding and comforting while avoiding the dangers of true co-sleeping which the AAP recommends against due to suffocation risks. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, an infant bed that is attached to the side of a parent's mattress. It can also be an option for older children because the sides can easily be raised to let you reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. The travel cot with an integrated crib that can be removed enables you to raise a sleeping baby to allow feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you sleep peacefully with your baby. They sit next to your bed during the night, allowing you to reach them easily for night feeds and monitor them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs come with a drop-side that can be lowered to make it easier for you to do this, while others have a height adjustment so they can be placed in your bed at home and when you go away.
In the past, it was suggested that infants sleep in their own bedroom. However, parents are increasingly preferring to sleep in a co-sleep. bedside sleeper cot , also known as rooming in, allows infants to stay close to their parents, while remaining safely separated in their own crib or a bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers that are available such as the iCrib that is designed to be a portable crib that fits on top of your bed or a standard crib. This model has a lightweight frame and a mattress that is removable and folds up for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It is attached to the bed edge and comes with seven height positions, as well as a tummy tilt to ease colic and reflux. The crib was highly loved by our MFM home testers for its convenience and compact folding. it's also available in a range of colours.
There are also bedside cribs, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be put alongside a traditional bed frame. They have a movable side barrier that slides down to allow you take your baby to a evening feeding, however the crib is otherwise self-contained and your baby will sleep soundly throughout this time. These cribs meet the latest BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm barrier between your mattress and child's crib.
Additionally, there are cribs designed for travel and are designed to be used on the road. They are usually smaller and more compact than standard cribs which makes them easy to transport into and out of hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be put together in under a minute and folded down in just three pounds. It is therefore simple to move and lift.