Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The crib's size is a hit with moms - it's bigger than a 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 traveling.
It is important to remember that the crib should only be used for sleeping and that toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows are a suffocation hazard.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot, ensure that the manufacturer adheres to all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website is a good place to begin. It will let you know if a portable crib has ever been removed from the market. Select a mattress that is suitable for your baby's crib so it won't fall through the gaps or pose an suffocation hazard.
Search for bassinets and cribs that meet the updated safety standards for 2022. Avoid older cribs and cribs that have been modified for travel, or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs have not been tested, and may cause danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib must be built well and strong. Check for missing, broken or bedside baby sleeper as other hardware. If you are using a playard, it must be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls to allow air circulation. 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. Never put toys, blankets, or stuffed animals in the crib. These items can suffocate or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib when your child is able push up on their hands and knees or before 5 months of age or 5 months, whichever is first.
It's also important to check regularly for broken or loose hardware and screws, especially when you travel with your infant. Take all plastic out of the crib as well.
If you are using a portable baby crib, make sure it's not placed directly in front of the large windows. A window can be an accident hazard for your baby could be injured when they fall into it. Even if your baby is old enough to be able to roll over it is best to keep their sleeping space away from windows. It's crucial to wake your baby when they begin to sleep on their backs.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards, as they're sometimes called) are a great choice for anyone going on vacation, having guests over, or just needing an appropriate crib during a sleepover or with friends. These playards fold up and include a comfortable mattress that can accommodate children up to 15 kg. They are simple to assemble and compact once closed.
MFM home testers appreciate the BabyBjorn travel crib because it's simple to fold and to store. Its simple drop-down panels that are one-handed are also convenient for parents with a bleary eye. It's not the lightest backpack and 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 parents prefer to use.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another great option. It incorporates a bedside bassinet as well as a crib into a compact unit. This is perfect for overnight stays during holidays and with friends and family. It's not the least expensive however it comes with an abundance of all-singing and all-dancing features like a storage basket as well as calming colour-changing lights for the night and white noise. It also has lullabies to help your baby sleep and sleep. Its bassinet is higher than the majority for easier access in the early hours when mom is still recovering.
The fabrics can be washed in the machine and wipeable, making it easy to clean. It's also light at less than 12kg, and fits neatly into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It has six different height settings, as well as a tummy-tilt for reflux/colic baby. It's suitable for all bed sizes. It's also extremely easy to set up, with our MFM tester able to get it ready in just 10 minutes. You'll need to buy an additional mattress however.
Feeding
It is essential that your child is safe and secure when you travel, whether on pleasure or business. While some families might be tempted to use a crib or bassinet that they have however, it's recommended to purchase one that is specifically designed for travel. These are smaller, have mesh sides that permit parents to monitor their babies without disturbing them, and are lightweight enough for easy transport between places. These also comply with the safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you are required to utilize a crib for your bed, it's recommended that your child be positioned on their backs and that the bed be free of blankets, pillows, and toys. Sharing the bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby regardless of age, and this type of sleeping together is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you must co-sleep on occasion, ensure that you only do this when your baby is asleep and you're at all times dressed and awake.
The bedside cribs available for babies and infants include:
Some are designed as a mini-crib or Moses basket, while others have sides that can be put into parents' beds. This allows access to the baby for feeding and comforting while avoiding the dangers of true co-sleeping, which the AAP advises against due to suffocation risks. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, a bedside sleeper that attaches to the sides of a parent's mattress. It is a good choice for older children since the sides can be raised to allow you to reach the baby without lifting them out of bed. Another option is the travel cot with a built-in bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib making it easier to lift the sleeping infant to feed or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you sleep with your baby in a safe and secure way. They are placed near your bed at night, allowing you to reach out easily for feedings at night and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs have a drop side that you can lower to make this easier, and others have an adjustable height setting to make sure they be able to fit in your bed at home or on the go.
While it was once recommended that babies sleep in their own separate bedroom, there's a growing trend for parents to share a bed with their infants. This arrangement, also known as rooming in, allows babies to be close to their parents, while remaining in their own crib or bassinet. There are a variety 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 includes a light frame, a mattress that can be removed and is able to be folded into a compact size for storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It attaches to the bed edge and has 7 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 ease of use. It's also available in different colours.
There are also bedside cribs that are freestanding, such as our Lilly or Alain which you can put next to the standard bed frame. These have a movable side barrier that can slide down to allow you take your baby to a evening feeding, however the crib is self-contained and your baby will continue sleeping soundly during this time. These models also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which stipulate that a 120mm high barrier must be placed between your mattress and the cot of your child.
There are also travel cribs that are specifically made to be carried on the road. They are typically smaller and lighter than standard cribs, which makes it easier to transport them in and out hotels and cars. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for instance, can be set up and taken down in less than one minute, and weighs just three pounds, so it is easy to lift and carry.