Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Mums love this crib's size - it's bigger than the size of a Moses basket but smaller than a cot bed. It can fold down to a third of its original size, and can fit into a convenient travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Remember that the crib should be used only for sleeping. Toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose dangers to suffocate.
Safety
As you shop for a crib for travel you'll want to be sure the manufacturer meets all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) site is an excellent place to start. It will let you know whether a crib that is portable has ever been removed from the market. You should also select appropriate for the crib of your baby to ensure it doesn't slide into the gaps between the sides of the crib or create a suffocation hazard.
When selecting a bassinet or crib choose one that is in compliance with the latest safety standards, which were updated in 2022. You should also avoid cribs with a long history, modified cribs or drop side cribs that have been recycled for use in travel, as they have not been tested and may pose risks to your baby's health.
A travel crib needs to be well-constructed and sturdy. Examine for broken, missing or loose screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard, it must be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls for air circulation. The crib slats shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Don't put any pillows, blankets or toys with stuffed animals in the crib. These objects can choke or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib when your child is able push up on their knees and hands or before five months of age, whichever comes first.
It is also essential to check frequently for loose or broken hardware and screws, especially when traveling with your child. Remove all plastic from the crib as well.
If you're using a portable crib, be sure it's not right under windows. A window can be an injury from falling and your baby may be injured in the event that they crash into it. Even if your child is old enough to roll over it is recommended to keep their sleeping area away from windows. It's important to wake up your baby if they start to roll over during sleep.
Portability
If you're on vacation, have family staying with you, or want a safe crib for sleepovers with your friends, an portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're often called) is an excellent option. These portable cribs come with a comfortable mattress that can accommodate babies up to 15kg. They are simple to assemble and compact once closed.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers who appreciate the fact that it can be folded and stored in one or two minutes, and its simple one-handed drop-down panels are easy for even bleary-eyed parents to use. It's not the tiniest of packs-and-play on our list however it's a decent weight at just over 15 pounds. It comes with standard carry handles instead of an e-bag strap, which some find more comfortable to carry around.
Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which combines a bedside crib and bassinet in one compact unit that's perfect for both holidays and overnight visits to relatives and friends. It's not the least expensive one, but it does come with many all-singing and all-dancing features like a storage basket, soothing colour-changing night lights and white noise. It also has lullabies to help your baby sleep, and its bassinet setting sits up higher than most for easier access in the beginning of the day when mom is still recovering.
The fabric is machine washable and washable, which makes it easy to clean. In spite of its size and weight (it's on the bulkier side when open) it's light at less than 12kg. It can easily fit into a small, handy bag included perfect for trips away from home. It comes with six different height settings as well as an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It can fit all sizes of beds. It's also very easy to install and our MFM tester able to get it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. It will require a separate mattress.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is safe and comfortable when you travel, whether for pleasure or business. It's better to purchase a travel-specific crib or bassinet rather than using one you already own. They are smaller and come with mesh sides, which allows parents to check on their baby without disturbing them. They're also light to make it easy to transport between locations. They also meet the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been subject to recalls.
If you must use a crib that is placed at your bedside, it's recommended that your infant be laid on their backs and that the bed be free of any blankets, pillows, and toys. Co-sleeping can increase the chance of SIDS. If you have to occasionally co-sleep ensure that your baby is sleeping and that both you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.
The types of bedside cribs for infants and young children include:
Some are shaped as a mini-crib or Moses baskets, while others have sides which can be placed on parent's bed. This allows parents to reach their infant in the middle of the night to soothe and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP cautions against this due to the danger of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that attaches to a mattress that is used by a parent. It can also be an ideal option for older babies since the sides are easily raised to allow you to reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting them out. The travel cot with a built-in crib that is removable allows you to raise a sleeping baby to allow feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you co-sleep safely with your baby. They are placed near your bed during the night so that you can reach over easily to feed them and observe them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs have an opening on the side that can be lowered to make this easier, and others have an adjustable height to ensure they are able to fit your bed at home or when you are away.
It was previously recommended that infants have their own bedrooms. However parents are increasingly opting to co-sleep. This arrangement, also referred to as rooming in, allows babies to stay close to their parents while remaining in their own crib or a bassinet. There are many types of co-sleepers like the iCrib, which is an inflatable crib that is designed to be able to sit on the top of a bed or a crib. This model includes a light frame, a mattress that is removable, and can be folded into a compact size for storage. There is also Going Listed here , that is attached to the edge of the bed and includes 7 adjustable height positions and a tummy tilt to help with reflux and colic. The crib was highly loved by our MFM home testers for its convenience and compact folding, and it is also available in a range of colours.
You can also purchase freestanding bedside cribs such as our Lilly or Alain which you can put next to an existing bed frame. The cribs have an elongated side that can slide down to allow you to grab your baby for feedings at night. However they are also self-contained so your baby can continue sleeping peacefully. These cribs also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which require that a 120mm high barrier must be present between your mattress and your child's cot.
Travel cribs are also available. They are designed specifically for use when traveling. They are typically smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, which makes it easier to transport them from and into hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be set up in just a few minutes and folded down in less than three pounds. It is therefore easy to lift and move.