Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Moms love this crib's dimensions it's larger than the Moses basket but smaller than a crib bed. It can also be folded down to one-quarter of its size and then put in a handy bag for travel.
It is important to remember that the crib should only be used for sleeping and that toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose dangers to suffocate.
Safety
As you shop for a crib for travel it is important to make sure that the manufacturer is compliant with all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website is the best place to start. It will tell you whether a crib that is portable has ever been recalled. It is also important to select a mattress that is the right size for your baby's bed to ensure it doesn't slide into gaps in the crib sides or create a suffocation hazard.
When selecting the right bassinet or crib, look for one that is in compliance with the latest safety standards that were updated in 2022. Also, avoid cribs with a long history and cribs that have been modified or drop side cribs that were repurposed for travel because these have not been tested and could pose a risk to your baby's well-being.
A travel crib must be well-constructed and sturdy. Make sure you check for broken, missing or loose screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have a secure wall and mesh windows for proper air flow. The crib slats shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby's head and limbs becoming trapped. Also, do not put blankets, pillows, stuffed animals or toys in the crib. These items can suffocate or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib at the time your child is able push up on their hands and knees or prior to 5 months old or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
It's also important to look frequently for loose or broken screws and hardware, especially when you travel with your infant. Make sure you remove all crib furniture before using it, and.
If you're using a portable crib ensure that it's not placed directly under an enormous window. Windows pose an accident hazard and if your child 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 begins to roll over during sleep, it's a good idea get them up in order to avoid injuries.
Portability
If you're on vacation, have family staying over, or simply want a safe crib for sleepovers or with friends, a portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're often called) is a good option. These portable cribs come with an extremely comfortable mattress that can hold infants up to 15kg. They are simple to put together and compact when closed.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers who appreciate the fact it can be folded and stored in just one or two minutes, and its simple one-handed drop-down panels are simple for even sleepy parents to use. It's not the lightest pack-and-play on our list but it's a decent weight, weighing just under 15 pounds, and it has regular carry handles instead of a backpack-style strap which some find more comfortable to haul around.
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 least expensive one, but it does come with an abundance of dancing and all-singing features like a storage basket as well as calming colour-changing lights for the night as well as white noise and lullabies to help your baby sleep, and its bassinet setting sits up higher than most for easier access in the early hours when mum is still recovering.
It's also easy to keep clean, with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. It's also light, at just under 12kg, and fits neatly into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It comes with six different height settings, including the tilt of the tummy for reflux/colic babies, and is able to fit beds of all sizes. It's also very simple to install. Our MFM tester was able to do it in only 10 minutes. You'll need to buy an additional mattress for it however.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is comfortable and safe when you travel, whether for business or pleasure. While some families might be tempted to use a bassinet or crib that they already own but it's better to purchase one specially made for travel. They are smaller and come with mesh sides, which allows parents to monitor their child without disturbing them. They're also light for easy transportation between destinations. These also conform to the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been subject to recalls.
If you have to use a crib that is placed at your bedside it is recommended that your child be laid on their backs and that the sleeping surface be free of blankets, pillows and animals stuffed. This kind of sleeping arrangement increases the chance of SIDS. If you must co-sleep on occasion, ensure that you only do so while your baby is asleep and you are at all times dressed and awake.
large bedside cot of cribs that are available for newborns and young babies include:
Some are designed to look like a mini-crib or Moses baskets, while others have sides that can be placed on parent's beds. This allows access to the baby for feeding and comforting without exposing the risk of true co-sleeping which the AAP recommends against due to the risk of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, a bedside sleeper that attaches to the sides of a mattress for a parent. It is a good choice for older children since the sides can be raised to allow you to reach the infant without lifting them from the bed. The travel cot that has a built-in crib that can be removed enables you to lift a sleeping baby for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to sleep peacefully with your baby. They are set next to your bed so you can easily reach them for night feedings and check on their sleeping without disturbing them. Some cribs have an adjustable drop-side that can be lowered for this purpose, while others have a height adjustment so they will fit in your bed at home or away.
While it used to be advised that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is now a growing preference for parents to sleep with their infants. This arrangement, also known 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 such as the ICrib, which is an inflatable crib that is designed to be placed on the top of a bed, or a crib. It comes with 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 seven height positions, as well as a tummy tilt to ease colic and reflux. Our MFM home testers loved the crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It is also available in different colours.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be put alongside the traditional bed frame. They have a movable side barrier that slides down to allow you take your baby to a evening feeding, however the crib is otherwise fully enclosed and your baby will sleep soundly throughout this period. These cribs meet the latest BS EN1130 safety standards, which require a 120mm gap between your mattress and child's crib.
Additionally, there are cribs for travel that are specially made to be carried on the road. These are typically much smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, making them easy to transport into and out of cars and hotels. Munchkin Brica, for example can be assembled in less than one minute and folded down in just three pounds. It is therefore easy to move and lift.