Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The size of this crib is ideal for moms. It's bigger than a Moses Basket but smaller than the Cot Bed. It folds down to a third of its original size and fits into a handy travel bag, making it ideal for travel.
It is important to remember that the crib should only be used for sleeping. Toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose dangers to suffocate.
Safety
If you are looking for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. A good place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a particular portable crib has been recall. You'll also want to choose a mattress that is the correct size for the crib of your baby so that it doesn't fall into the gaps between the crib sides or create a suffocation risk.
When selecting a crib or bassinet choose one that conforms to the latest safety standards that were revised in 2022. Also, avoid cribs with a long history, modified cribs or drop side cribs that have been repurposed for travel because these aren't tested and may pose risks to your baby's health.
A travel crib must be built well and strong. Make sure you check for broken, missing or loose screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have secure walls and mesh windows to allow for proper air circulation. The crib's slats must not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Do not put any toys, blankets or stuffed animals in the crib. These objects can strangle or suffocate your baby. They should be removed as soon as they can stand independently or before the age of 5 months.
It's also important to look frequently for loose or broken hardware and screws, particularly when traveling with your child. Make sure you remove all plastic from the crib before using it, and.
If you are using a portable baby crib ensure that it's not placed directly under a large window. A window can be a fall hazard and your baby could get hurt if they roll into it. It is recommended to keep your baby's room away from windows, even if they are old enough to roll over. If your child starts to roll over while sleeping, it's a good idea to get them up in order to avoid injuries.
Portability
If you're to a holiday, have relatives staying over, or simply want a safe bedside crib for sleepovers or with friends, a portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're often called) is an excellent option. These foldable contraptions are easy to assemble and compact when closed, and come with an incredibly comfortable mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15kg.
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 with a bleary eye. It's not the lightest backpack on our list however it's a decent weight at just over 15 pounds, and it comes with standard carry handles rather than a backpack-style strap which some find more comfortable to haul around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another great option. It combines a bedside bassinet and crib into a compact unit. This is perfect for long-term stays and holidays with family and friends. It is not the cheapest option however it has many features, such as a basket for storage, soothing night lights that change color, lullabies, and white noise, which can help your child fall asleep.
The fabrics can be washed in the machine and wipeable, making it easy to clean. In spite of its size and weight (it's more bulky when opened), it's relatively lightweight at just 12kg and fits neatly into a compact, convenient travel bag that comes with it - perfect for trips away from home. It comes with six different height settings, as well as a tummy-tilt for reflux/colic baby. It's able to fit all sizes of beds. It's also very simple to install. Our MFM tester was able to do it in less than 10 minutes. You'll need to buy a separate mattress for it, however.
Feeding
It's important that your baby is safe and comfortable when you travel, whether on pleasure or business. While some families may be inclined to use a bassinet or crib that they have, it's best to buy one that is specifically designed for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides to allow parents to monitor their babies without disturbing them and are light enough to allow for easy transportation between locations. They also meet all safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and have not been recalled.
If you have 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. This type of co-sleeping increases the chance of SIDS. If you must co-sleep occasionally, ensure that you only do this when your baby is asleep and you're completely dressed and awake.
The kinds of cribs for infants and young children include:
Some are designed as a mini-crib or Moses basket, while others have sides which can be put into parents' bed. This allows parents to reach their infant in the middle of the night to comfort and feed them, while avoiding the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP cautions against this because of the risk of the risk 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. This is a great option for older children since the sides can be elevated to allow you to reach the infant without having to lift them out of bed. The travel cot that has a built-in crib that can be removed enables you to lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or for care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you sleep with your baby in a safe and secure way. They are placed next to your bed to allow you to easily reach them during night feedings and check on their sleeping without disrupting them. Some cribs come with drop-sides that you can lower for this purpose, whereas others have a height adjustment so they will fit in your bed at home or away.
While it was once recommended that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there's a growing preference for parents to sleep with their infants. This arrangement, also referred to as rooming in, allows babies to be close to their parents while being separated from their own crib or a bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleeper available such as the iCrib that is designed to be a portable crib that fits on top of your bed or a regular crib. bedside crib to cot includes a light frame, a mattress that is removable and is able to be folded up for easy storage. There's also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that is attached to the edge of a bed and features 7 adjustable height positions as well as an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. The crib was highly loved by our MFM home testers for its ease of use and compact folding, and it comes in a range of colours.
You can also purchase freestanding bedside cribs such as our Lilly or Alain that you can put on top of an existing bed frame. The cribs come with the side barrier that can slide down to allow you to grab your baby for night feedings. However, the cribs are fully enclosed so that your baby can remain asleep peacefully. These models also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which stipulate that a 120mm high barrier must be installed between your mattress and the cot of your child.
Lastly, there are travel cribs that are specifically made to be carried on the road. They are typically smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, making it easier to carry them into and out of cars and hotels. Munchkin Brica, for example can be put together in under a minute and folded down in three pounds. It is therefore easy to lift and transport.