Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The size of this crib is perfect for mums. It's bigger than the Moses Basket, but smaller than the Cot Bed. It can also fold down to one-quarter of its size and can be put into a convenient bag for travel.
Remember that the crib should be used only to sleep and that toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose a suffocation hazard.
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) site is a good place to begin. It will let you know if a portable crib has ever been removed from the market. You should also select the right size for the crib of your baby so that it doesn't fall into the gaps between the sides of the crib or cause suffocation hazards.
Search for bassinets and cribs that meet the updated safety standards of 2022. It is also recommended to avoid cribs that are older, modified cribs or drop side cribs that were repurposed for travel because these have not been tested and could pose a risk to your baby's safety.
A travel crib must be well-constructed and sturdy. Examine for broken, missing or loose screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard it should be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls to allow air flow. The crib's slats should be spaced no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to prevent baby's head or limbs from being trapped. Never put toys, blankets, or toys 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 push up on their knees and hands or before 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
It's also important to look often for loose or broken hardware and screws, especially when traveling with your child. Take all plastic out of the crib too.
If you are using a portable baby crib ensure that it's not placed directly under the large windows. A window could be an accident hazard for your baby may be injured when they fall into it. Even if your child is old enough to be able to roll over it is best to keep their sleeping space away from windows. It is important to wake your baby when they begin to roll over during sleep.
Portability
If you're to a holiday, have relatives staying over, or just need a secure bedside crib for sleepovers or with friends, a portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're often called) is a good option. These playards fold up and have an extremely comfortable mattress that can accommodate children up to 15 kg. They are easy to assemble and compact when closed.
MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib due to the fact that it's simple to fold and store. Its simple one-handed drop down panels are also easy for parents with a bleary eye. It's not our tiniest pack-and-play play, but at under 15 pounds, it's an adequate weight. It also comes with regular handles instead of a backpack style strap, which some prefer.
Another option that is worth considering is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which combines a bedside crib and bassinet into one compact unit that is ideal for holidays as well as overnight visits to family and friends. It's not the cheapest, but it has a wealth of features that are all-dancing and all-singing such as a storage basket and soothing night lights that change colour, lullabies and white noise to aid your baby to fall asleep and sleep. Its bassinet is higher than other models to make it easier to access in the early hours when mom is still recovering.
It's also easy to keep clean, with machine washable and wipeable fabric. It's also relatively lightweight, at just under 12kg and fits nicely inside the compact, convenient travel case that comes with it. It has six different height settings and an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It can fit all bed sizes. It is also very easy to install. Our MFM tester could do it in just 10 minutes. You'll need an additional mattress, however.
Feeding
If you're traveling for business or pleasure it's essential to ensure your baby is comfortable and safe while traveling. While some families might be tempted to use a bassinet or crib that they have but it's better to purchase one specially designed for travel. These are smaller, have mesh sides that permit parents to check on their babies without disturbing them and are light enough to allow for easy transportation between locations. They also meet the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been subject to recalls.
If you are required to use a crib alongside your bed it is recommended you place your baby on their back. The bed should be free of blankets, pillows, and stuffed toys. Sharing a bed with parents isn't recommended for any baby regardless of age, and this form of sleeping with a partner 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 asleep and that you and your partner are dressed and awake.
The bedside cribs available for newborns and young babies include:
Some are designed to resemble miniature cribs or Moses basket, whereas others have sides that can be put to the bed of the parent. This allows parents to access their child at any time during the night to comfort and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP cautions against this because of the danger of 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 a good choice for older children, since the sides can be elevated so that you can reach the infant without lifting them out of bed. The travel cot with built-in cribs that is removable allows you to easily raise a sleeping baby to allow feeding or for care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to sleep peacefully with your baby. They are set next to your bed to allow you to easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleeping without disturbing them. Some cribs come with a drop-side that can be lowered for this purpose, whereas others have a height adjustment to ensure they can be placed in your bed at home and when you go away.
It was previously recommended that infants sleep in their own bedroom. However parents are increasingly choosing to sleep in a co-sleep. This arrangement, also known as rooming in, allows infants to stay close to their parents, while remaining in their own crib or bassinet. There are rocking bedside crib of co-sleepers, such as the ICrib, which is an inflatable crib that is designed to be placed on the top of a bed or a crib. This model comes with a light frame and a mattress that is removable and can be folded for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another option. It attaches to the bed's edge and comes with seven height positions and a tummy-tilt to help with colic and reflux. Our MFM home testers highly praised this crib for its small folding and easy to use. It's also available in a variety of colors.
There are also bedside cribs that are freestanding, such as our Lilly or Alain that you can place on top of an existing bed frame. They have a movable side barrier that can slide down to allow you take your baby to a night feeding, but the crib is completely fully enclosed and your baby will sleep soundly throughout this time. These cribs meet the latest BS EN1130 safety standards, which require a 120mm barrier between your mattress and the child's crib.
Travel cribs are also available. They are designed specifically to be taken along on the road. These are typically much smaller and more compact than a standard crib, making them easier to carry in and out of cars and hotels. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for instance can be set up and taken down in under a minute and it weighs just three pounds, so it is easy to move and carry.