Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The size of this crib is ideal for mothers. It's larger than the Moses Basket but smaller than the Cot Bed. It's also foldable down to a quarter of its size and then put in a handy bag for transport.
Keep in mind that the crib is designed for sleeping. Toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows can cause a child to be suffocated.
Safety
If you are looking for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer adheres to all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website is the best place to start. It will let you know if a portable crib has ever been removed from the market. You'll also want to choose a mattress that is appropriate for your baby's bed, so it doesn't slip into gaps in the crib sides or create a suffocation risk.
Find bassinets or cribs that meet the updated safety standards of 2022. Avoid cribs with older designs and designed for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs have not been tested and could cause danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be strong and well-constructed. Make sure there aren't bedside cot 6 months plus , missing or broken screws, as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have a secure wall and mesh windows for adequate air flow. The crib slats shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby's head and legs from getting trapped. Don't put any toys, blankets or toys that are stuffed with animals in the crib. These objects can cause strangulation or death to your baby. They should be removed at the time they are able to stand on their own, or before the age of 5 months.
Examine often for broken or loose screws and hardware. This is especially 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 placed directly under a large window. A window could be an accident hazard for your baby could be injured in the event that they crash into it. Even if your baby is old enough to be able to roll over it is best to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If your child begins to roll over while sleeping it's a good idea wake them up to prevent injuries.
Portability
Whether you're going on holiday, have family staying over, or simply want a safe crib for sleepovers with your friends, an portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're sometimes called) is an excellent option. These portable cribs have an extremely comfortable mattress that can support children up to 15 kg. They are simple to put together and compact when closed.
MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib because it's simple to fold and to store. Its easy one-handed drop down panels are also a breeze for parents who are bleary-eyed. It's not our tiniest pack-and-play play, but at just under 15 pounds, it's an acceptable weight. It also comes with normal handles instead of a backpack style strap, which some parents find more comfortable.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another great alternative. It incorporates a bedside bassinet as well as a crib into one compact unit. This is ideal for overnight stays during holidays and with family and friends. It's not the cheapest however it comes with many dancing and all-singing features such as a storage basket and soothing night lights that change colour as well as white noise and lullabies to aid your baby to fall asleep and its bassinet is higher than other models to make it easier to use during the early days when mom is still recovering.
It's also easy to clean, with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. It's also quite light at less than 12kg, and fits neatly inside the compact, convenient travel case that comes with it. It has six different height settings, as well as an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It can fit any size bed. It is also very easy to install. Our MFM tester was able to do it in just 10 minutes. You'll need to purchase a separate mattress for it however.
Feeding
Whether traveling for business or pleasure, it's important to ensure your baby is comfortable and safe when traveling. It is better to buy a crib or bassinet designed for travel instead of using one you already have. These are smaller and have mesh sides to allow parents to check on their babies without disturbing them and are light enough to allow 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 are required to use a crib alongside your bed, it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The mattress 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 kind of sleeping together is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you do have to sleep with your partner at times, make sure that your baby is sleeping and that you and your partner are dressed and awake.
There are many types of cribs for babies and infants.
Some are designed to look like a mini-crib or Moses basket while others have sides which can be lowered into the parent's beds. This lets parents access their baby during the middle of the night to comfort and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP warns against this because of the risk of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, which is a bedside sleeper that connects to the sides of a mattress for a parent. This is a great option for older children since the sides can be elevated to allow you to reach the baby without having to lift them from the bed. The travel cot with a built-in crib that can be removed allows you to easily lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or for care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to co-sleep safely 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 drop sides that can be lower to make this easier and others have an adjustable height to make sure they fit your bed at home or away.
Previously, it was recommended that infants be in their own room. However, parents are increasingly preferring to co-sleep. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents, but remain safe and separate from their own bassinet or crib. There are several types of co-sleepers that are available like the iCrib, which is designed to be portable and can be placed on the top of your bed or a regular crib. This model has a lightweight frame, a removable mattress, and can be folded into a compact size for storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another option. It is attached to the bed's edge and comes with 7 height positions, as well as a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers praised this crib for its small folding design and its ease of use. It is also available in various colors.
There are also bedside cribs, such as our Lilly and Alain, that can be placed next to the traditional bed frame. bedside crib with wheels come with the side barrier that can slide down to allow you to pick up your child for feedings at night. However, the cribs are fully enclosed so that your baby can continue sleeping peacefully. These models also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements that specify that a 120mm high barrier must be placed between your mattress and the cot of your child.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are designed specifically to be taken along on the road. They tend to be smaller and more compact than standard cribs, which makes it easier to carry them from and into cars and hotels. Munchkin Brica, for example can be assembled in less than one minute and folded down in three pounds. It is therefore easy to move and lift.