Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are perfect for mums. It's bigger than a Moses Basket, but smaller than the 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.
Make sure that the crib is designed for sleeping. Toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows 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 best place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can inform you whether or not a specific portable crib has been recalled. Select a mattress that is suitable for your baby's crib so it won't fall through the gaps or cause the risk of suffocation.
Find bassinets or cribs that meet the current safety standards for 2022. Also, avoid large bedside crib with a long history or 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 well-being.
A travel crib needs to be built well and strong. Examine for loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should have a secure wall and mesh windows to ensure proper air circulation. The slats of the crib should be spaced no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to keep baby's head and limbs from being trapped. Never put toys, blankets or toys in the crib. These items can suffocate or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib when your child is able to push up on their knees and hands or prior to five months of age or 5 months, whichever is first.
It is also essential to check regularly for broken or loose screws and hardware, especially when you travel with your infant. Take all plastic out of the crib too.
If you're using a portable crib, be sure it is not located right under windows. A window can be an accident hazard and if your baby rolls into it, they could be injured. It's best to keep your baby's bedroom away from windows, even if they are old enough to roll over. If your baby starts to roll over in bed, it's best to get them up in order to avoid injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards which is what they're sometimes referred to as) are a great choice for those who is on vacation, has a guests over, or simply needing a safe crib to use at a sleepover with friends. These foldable contraptions are easy to assemble and compact when closed, and feature the most comfortable padded mattress that can hold newborns up to 15kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers, who appreciate the fact that it can be folded down and stored in one or two 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 with just under 15 pounds, it's an adequate weight. It also comes with normal handles instead of a backpack strap that some people find more comfortable.
Another excellent option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which combines a bedside crib and bassinet in one compact unit that's ideal for holidays as well as overnight visits to relatives and friends. It's not the least expensive, but it has many all-singing and all-dancing features such as a storage basket, soothing colour-changing night lights and white noise. It also has lullabies to aid your baby to fall asleep and its bassinet sits up higher than most to make it easier to use in the beginning of the day when mum is still recovering.
The fabrics can be washed in the machine and washable, which makes it easy to clean. It's also light at less than 12kg and easily fits into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It comes with six height settings and the tilt of the tummy for reflux/colic babies, and can fit beds of all sizes. It's also extremely easy to install and has our MFM tester being able to have it set up in only 10 minutes. You'll need a separate mattress for it, however.
Feeding
It is essential that your child is comfortable and safe when you travel, whether for business or pleasure. It is better to buy a travel-specific crib or bassinet rather than using one you already own. They are smaller and have mesh sides that allow parents to monitor their child without disturbing them. They're also light and can be easily transported between places. They also meet the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been subject to recalls.
If you are required to use a crib next to your bed it is recommended you place your baby on their back. The sleeping surface should be free of pillows, blankets and stuffed toys. This kind of sleeping arrangement increases the chance of SIDS. If large bedside cot have to occasionally co-sleep, make sure that your baby is asleep and that you and your partner are dressed and awake.
The kinds of cribs available for infants and young children include:
Some are shaped like miniature cribs or Moses basket, while others have sides that can be put down into the parent's bed. This lets parents access their infant during the middle of the night to comfort and feed them, while avoiding the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP warns against this because of the danger of being suffocated. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, a bedside sleeper that attaches to the side of a parent's mattress. It can also be a safer option for older babies since the sides can be easily raised to let you reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting them out. Another option is the travel cot that has an integrated bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib making it easier to lift up an infant who is sleeping for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you sleep with your baby in a safe and secure way. They are placed near your bed so you can easily reach them for night feedings and check on their sleeping without disrupting them. Some cribs have a drop-side that can be lowered for this purpose, while others come with a height adjustment, so they can fit into 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 opting to sleep with their children. Also known as rooming in, this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents yet remain safe and separate from their own crib or bassinet. There are many types 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 regular crib. It has a light frame and a removable mattress and it can be folded for easy storage. There's also the Joie Roomie Go crib, which fastens to the edge of a bed. It features 7 adjustable height positions and a tummy tilt to help with reflux and colic. 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 freestanding bedside cribs, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, which can be placed alongside the traditional bed frame. The cribs come with an elongated side that slides down to allow you to pick up your baby for night feedings. However, the cribs are self-contained, allowing your baby to rest comfortably. These cribs meet the latest BS EN1130:2019 safety standards which require a 120mm gap between your mattress and the child's crib.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are specifically designed for use on the road. They are typically smaller and lighter than standard cribs, which makes it easier to move them into and out of cars and hotels. 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 lift and carry.