Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The crib's size is a hit with moms it's larger than the Moses basket but smaller than a crib bed. It can also be folded down to a quarter of its size and fit into a handy bag for travel.
Make sure that the crib is intended for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can cause a child to be suffocated.
Safety
When you are looking for a crib for travel it is important to make sure the manufacturer meets all safety standards. One good place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a certain crib for portable has been removed from the market. You should also select appropriate for your baby's bed so that it doesn't fall into the gaps between the sides of the crib or create a suffocation hazard.
Look for cribs or bassinets that meet the current safety standards of 2022. Avoid cribs that are older or designed for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs haven't been tested, and could be a danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib should be sturdy and well-constructed. Check for missing, broken or loose screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard, it must be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls to allow air circulation. The crib slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby's head and legs from getting trapped. Never put 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 as soon as they are able to stand up independently or before the age of 5 months.
It's also important to check regularly for broken or loose hardware and screws, particularly when traveling with your child. Make sure to remove all crib furniture prior to use, too.
If small bedside cot are using a portable crib for your baby ensure that it's not positioned directly in front of a large window. A window could be an accident hazard for your baby may be injured if they roll into it. It's best to keep your baby's sleeping space away from windows, even if they are old enough to roll over. It's crucial to wake your baby when they begin to roll over during sleep.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards, as they're sometimes called) are a great choice for those who are going on vacation, having family members over, or simply needing an appropriate crib at a sleepover with friends. These portable cribs are simple to build, compact when they're closed, and feature an incredibly comfortable mattress that can support newborns up to 15kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favourite with MFM home testers, who love the fact 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 simple enough for even sleepy parents to use. It's not our lightest pack-and play, but at under 15 pounds, it's an adequate weight. It also comes with regular handles instead of a backpack strap that some people prefer.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another great alternative. It includes a bassinet for the bed and a crib into a compact unit. This is ideal for long-term stays and holidays with family and friends. It's not the cheapest, but it has a wealth of features that are all-dancing and all-singing like a basket for storage as well as calming colour-changing lights for the night, lullabies and white noise to help your baby fall asleep and its bassinet is higher than the majority for easier access in the early hours when mum is still recovering.
The fabrics are machine washable and wipeable, making it easy to clean. And, despite its size and weight (it's on the bulkier side when it's open) it's surprisingly light at just 12kg and slots neatly into a compact, convenient travel bag included - perfect for trips away from home. It has six height settings and a tummy tilt for reflux/colic babies, and is able to fit beds of all sizes. It's also easy to install. Our MFM tester could do it in just 10 minutes. You'll need to purchase an additional mattress for it, however.
Feeding
Whether traveling for pleasure or business it's essential to keep your baby comfortable and safe on the road. While some families may be attracted to use a bassinet or crib that they own however, it's recommended to purchase one specifically made for travel. They are smaller and come with mesh sides, which allows parents to observe their baby without causing any disturbance to them. They are also lightweight and can be easily transported between places. They also meet all safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and have not been recalled.
If you have to utilize a crib for your bed it is recommended that your baby be placed on their back and that the sleeping surface be free of blankets, pillows, and animals stuffed. This type of co-sleeping increases the chance of SIDS. If you have to sleep with your child occasionally, ensure that you only do this when your baby is asleep, and that you are at all times dressed and awake.
The bedside cribs available for babies and infants include:
Some are shaped as a mini-crib or Moses baskets, while others have sides which can be put into parent's bed. This allows access to the baby for feeding and comforting while avoiding the dangers of true co-sleeping, which the AAP cautions against due suffocation risks. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, which is a bedside sleeper that connects to the side of a parent's mattress. This can also be a safer option for older children because the sides are easily raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting them out. Another option is a travel cot that has a built-in bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib, making it easier to lift an infant who is sleeping for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a fantastic option to sleep comfortably with your newborn. They sit next to your bed at night, allowing you to reach them easily for night feeds and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs come with a drop-side that can be lowered to make it easier for you to do this, while others have a height adjustment to ensure they can be placed in your bed at home and away.
While it was once recommended that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is a growing preference for parents to sleep with their infants. 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 like the iCrib, an iCrib-style portable crib that can be placed on the top of a bed or a crib. It comes with a lightweight frame, a mattress that can be removed, 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 features seven height positions, and a tummy-tilt to help with colic and reflux. This crib was loved by our MFM home testers for its convenience and compact folding. it is also available in a variety of colours.
You can also purchase freestanding bedside cribs such as our Lilly or Alain which you can put next to a standard bed frame. They have a movable side barrier that can slide down to allow you to pick your baby up for dinner at night, but the crib is otherwise self-contained, and your child will continue sleeping soundly during this period. These cribs meet the latest BS EN1130 safety standards, which require a 120mm barrier between your mattress and child's cot.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are designed specifically to be carried on the road. They tend to be smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, which makes it easier to carry them into and out of hotels and cars. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example can be set up and packed down in under one minute, and weighs only three pounds, so it is easy to move and carry.