Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Moms love this crib's dimensions - it's bigger than a Moses basket, but smaller than a crib bed. It also can fold down to a third of its original size, and can fit into a handy travel bag, making it ideal for travel.
Make sure that the crib is designed for sleeping. Toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows can suffocate a child.
Safety
When you are looking for a travel crib you'll want to be sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. One good starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a certain crib is being recall. You'll also want to choose a mattress that is the right size for your baby's bed, so it doesn't slip into gaps in the sides of the crib or cause suffocation hazards.
Find bassinets or cribs that meet the current safety standards of 2022. It is also recommended to avoid cribs with a long history, modified cribs or drop side cribs that have been recycled for use in travel, as they aren't tested and could pose a risk to your baby's health.
A travel crib should be well-built and sturdy. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should have a secure wall and mesh windows for adequate air flow. The crib's slats should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to prevent baby's head or legs from getting trapped. Do not put any toys, blankets or toys that are stuffed with animals in the crib. These objects can choke or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib as soon as your child is able to pull up on their hands and knees or prior to 5 months old or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
Make sure you check often for broken or loose screws and hardware. This is particularly important when traveling with an infant. Make sure you remove all crib furniture prior to use, too.
If you're using a portable crib, be sure it is not located right under windows. A window is an injury risk for falls and if your baby rolls into it, they could get injured. It's recommended to keep your baby's bedroom away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. If your child starts to roll over during sleep, it's a good idea awake them to prevent injury.
Portability
Whether you're going on vacation, have family staying over, or simply need a secure bedside crib for sleepovers or with friends, a portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're often called) is a great choice. These playards fold up and come with an extremely comfortable mattress that can accommodate babies up to 15kg. They are simple to assemble and compact once closed.
MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib because it's easy to fold and store. Its easy drop-down panels that are one-handed are also convenient to use for parents who are tired. It's not our lightest pack-and play, but with just under 15 pounds it's still an acceptable weight. It also comes with normal handles instead of a backpack style strap, which some find more comfortable.
Another option that is worth considering is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which combines a bedside crib and bassinet in one compact unit that is ideal for both holidays and overnight visits to relatives and friends. It's not the most affordable however it comes with a wealth of features that are all-dancing and all-singing such as a storage basket and soothing night lights that change colour and white noise. It also has lullabies to help your baby sleep and sleep. Its bassinet sits up higher than most for easier access in the early hours when mum is still recovering.
The fabric is machine washable and washable, which makes it easy to clean. It's also relatively lightweight, at just under 12kg and fits nicely into the small, handy travel case that comes with it. It comes with six different height settings as well as a tummy-tilt for reflux/colic baby. It can fit any size bed. It's also easy to install. Our MFM tester was able to do it in only 10 minutes. It will require a mattress that is separate.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is safe and comfortable when you travel, whether for pleasure or business. While some families may be tempted to use a bassinet or a crib that they own, it's best to buy one specifically designed for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides to allow parents to check on their babies without disturbing them. They are lightweight enough for easy transportation between locations. These also meet the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you are required to use a bedside crib it is recommended that your child be laid on their backs and that the bed be free of pillows, blankets and toys. Co-sleeping can increase the risk of SIDS. If you do have to sleep with your partner at times ensure that your baby is asleep and that you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.
The types of bedside cribs available for infants and young children include:
Some are designed to resemble miniature cribs or Moses basket, while others have sides that can be set down into the bed of the parent. what is it worth allows for middle-of-the-night access to the baby to feed and comfort without exposing the risk of true co-sleeping, which the AAP recommends against due to the risk of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that attaches to the mattress of a parent. It is also 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. Another option is a travel cot, which has a built-in bassinet which can be removed from the top of the crib making it easier to raise a sleeping infant for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a fantastic way to safely co-sleep with your infant. They are placed near your bed, allowing you to easily reach them for night feedings and check on their sleep without disturbing them. Some cribs have drop sides that you can lower to make this easier and others come with an adjustable height setting so that they will accommodate your bed when you are at home or when you are away.
While it was once advised that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is a increasing preference for parents to sleep with their infants. This arrangement, also referred to as rooming in, allows infants to be close to their parents, while remaining safely separated in their own crib or a bassinet. There are many types of co-sleepers available like the iCrib, which is an iCrib-style portable crib that can be able to sit on the top of a bed, or a crib. It has a lightweight frame, a mattress that is removable, and can be folded up for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It is attached to the bed's edge and comes with seven height positions, as well as a tummy-tilt to ease colic and reflux. Our MFM home testers highly praised this crib for its small folding and easy to use. It is also available in a variety of colors.
You can also purchase freestanding bedside cribs such as our Lilly or Alain that you can place next to an existing bed frame. The cribs feature a side barrier that slides down to allow you to pick up your baby for night feedings. However, the cribs are self-contained, allowing your baby to remain asleep peacefully. They also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which require that 120mm high barriers must be present between your mattress and the cot of your child.
Lastly, there are cribs designed for travel and are designed to be taken on the road. They are usually smaller and less bulky than standard cribs which makes them easier to carry in and out of cars and hotels. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example can be set up and packed down in less than one minute, and weighs just three pounds, so it is easy to move and carry.