Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are ideal for mothers. It's bigger than a Moses Basket but smaller than the Cot Bed. It can also be folded down to one-quarter of its original size and can be put into a convenient bag for travel.
Remember that the crib should only be used for sleeping and that toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose a suffocation hazard.
Safety
If you are looking for a travel cot, make sure that the manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards. The best place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which will inform you whether or not a specific crib for portable has been recalled. You'll also want to choose the correct size for the crib of your baby, so it doesn't slip into gaps in the crib sides or create a suffocation risk.
When selecting the right bassinet or crib, look for one that conforms to the latest safety standards that were revised in 2022. Avoid older cribs and cribs modified for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs haven't been tested, and may be a danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be well-constructed and sturdy. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing 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 slats on the crib should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to prevent baby's head or legs from getting trapped. travel cot bedside crib put any pillows, blankets, stuffed animals or toys in the crib. These items could strangle or suffocate your baby. They must be removed when they are able to stand on their own, or before the age of five months.
Check regularly for loose or broken screws and hardware. This is especially important when traveling with a child. Make sure you take out all crib furniture before use, as well.
If you're using a portable crib, be sure that it's not close to windows. A window is an injury from falling and your baby could be injured if they roll 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 if they begin to roll over while sleeping.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards or playards, as they're often referred to) are a great option for anyone going on vacation, having guests over, or just needing a safe crib to use for a sleepover with friends. These portable cribs are simple to put together, compact when they're closed, and come with a comfortable padded mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15kg.
MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib because it's easy to fold and put away. Its easy one-handed drop down panels are also a breeze for parents with a bleary eye. It's not the lightest backpack on our list however it's a decent weight, weighing just under 15 pounds. It comes with standard carry handles rather than a backpack-style strap which some find more comfortable to carry around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another fantastic alternative. It combines a bedside bassinet and crib into one compact unit. This is ideal for holidays and overnight stays with friends and family. It is not the cheapest option, but it comes with various options, including an organizer basket, soothing night lights that change color, lullabies, and white noise, which can aid your child to fall asleep.
It's also easy to clean, with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. In spite of its size and weight (it's more bulky when open), it's relatively lightweight at just 12kg and slots neatly into a compact, convenient bag that comes with it perfect for trips away from home. It comes with six different height settings and a tummy-tilt for reflux/colic baby. It's able to fit all sizes of beds. It is also very easy to set up. Our MFM tester was able to do it in less than 10 minutes. You'll need to buy an additional mattress, however.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is comfortable and safe when you travel, whether on pleasure or business. It is better to buy a bassinet or crib designed for travel instead of using one you already have. They are smaller, with mesh sides that allow parents to check on their children without disturbing them, and are light enough to allow for easy transport between places. They also meet the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been recalled.
If you must utilize a crib for your bed it is recommended that your infant be laid on their backs and that the bed be free of any blankets, pillows and stuffed animals. Sharing the bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby regardless of age, and this kind of sleeping together is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you have to sleep with your child occasionally, ensure that you do it only when your baby is asleep, and that you're both awake and fully dressed.
There are a variety of cribs for babies and infants.
Some are shaped as a mini-crib or Moses baskets, while others have sides which can be put into parent's bed. This gives parents access to the baby for feeding and comforting while avoiding the risks of true co-sleeping which the AAP cautions against due dangers of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, a bedside sleeper that attaches to the side of a mattress for a parent. It is also an ideal option for older children because the sides can be easily raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting them out. The travel cot with an integrated crib that can be removed allows you to easily raise a sleeping baby to allow feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a great option to sleep comfortably with your baby. They are placed near your bed at night, so that you can reach them easily to feed them and monitor them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs have an adjustable drop-side that you can lower for this purpose, whereas others have 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 be in their own room. However parents are increasingly choosing to co-sleep. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents, but remain in a safe space on their own bassinet or crib. There are many types of co-sleepers available such as the iCrib, which is a portable crib designed to be placed on top of a bed or a crib. It has a light frame and a mattress that is removable and can be folded for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another option. It attaches to the bed's edge and has seven height positions, as well as a tummy-tilt for reflux and colic. The crib was highly loved by our MFM home testers for its convenience and compact folding, and it's also available in a range of colours.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be put next to an existing 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, 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 cot.
There are also cribs designed for travel and are designed to be taken on the road. These are usually smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, making it easier to move them in and out cars and hotels. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for instance can be set up and packed down in less than an hour and weighs just 3 pounds, making it easy to lift and carry.