Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are ideal for mothers. It's bigger than a Moses Basket, but smaller than the Cot Bed. It's also foldable down to one-quarter of its size and can be put into a convenient bag for travel.
Remember that the crib is only for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can cause a child to be suffocated.
Safety
As you shop for a travel crib 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 for portable use has ever been recall. Pick a mattress that's suitable for your baby's crib so it won't slip through the gaps or cause a suffocation risk.
When choosing the right bassinet or crib choose one that is in compliance with the latest safety standards that were updated in 2022. Also, avoid cribs that are older or cribs that have been modified, or drop side cribs that are used for travel as they have not been tested and could pose a risk to your baby's health.
A travel crib needs to be well-built and sturdy. Check for missing, loose or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls for air flow. The slats on the crib should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to keep baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Also, never put blankets, pillows toys, stuffed animals or other items in the crib. These objects can choke or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib when your child is able to push up on their hands and knees or before five months of age or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
It is also essential to check often for loose or broken screws and hardware, especially when you travel with your infant. Take all plastic out of the crib as well.
If you're using a portable crib ensure that it's not placed under a large window. Windows pose an injury risk for falls and if your baby falls into it, they may be injured. It is recommended to keep your baby's bedroom away from windows, even if they are old enough to roll over. It is important to wake your baby if they start to roll over while sleeping.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards, as they're sometimes called) are a great option for those going on vacation, having family stay over, or just needing an appropriate crib at a sleepover with friends. These portable cribs include a comfortable mattress that can accommodate babies up to 15kg. They are easy to assemble and compact when closed.
MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib because it's simple to fold and put away. Its easy one-handed drop down panels are also convenient for parents who are bleary-eyed. It's not the lightest backpack on our list but it's a decent weight, weighing just under 15 pounds. It features standard carry handles instead of the backpack-style strap that some prefer to carry around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another excellent alternative. 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 one, but it does come with an abundance of features that are all-dancing and all-singing like a basket for storage, soothing colour-changing night lights, lullabies and white noise to aid your baby to fall asleep and sleep. Its bassinet sits up higher than most to make it easier to use in the beginning of the day 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 easily fits into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It comes with six height settings and a tummy tilt for reflux/colic infants, and it can be adapted to beds of all sizes. It is also very easy to set up. Our MFM tester could do it in only 10 minutes. You'll need an additional mattress however.
Feeding
If you're traveling for pleasure or business it's crucial to keep your baby happy and safe while traveling. While some families may be inclined to use a bassinet or a crib that they have however, it's recommended to purchase one that is specifically designed for travel. They are smaller and come with mesh sides, which allows parents to monitor their child without disturbing them. They're also light and can be easily transported between places. They also comply with the safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been subject to recalls.
If you must utilize a crib for your bed, it's recommended that your child be positioned on their backs and the mattress be free of pillows, blankets and animals stuffed. Sharing the bed with parents isn't advised for any baby, regardless of age, and this form of sleeping together is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you have to sleep with your child on occasion, ensure that you do it only when your baby is asleep and you're completely dressed and awake.
There are a variety of cribs for babies and newborns.
Some are designed like a mini crib or a Moses basket, while others have sides that can be put down into the parent's bed. This allows for middle-of-the-night access to the baby for feeding and comforting while avoiding the risks of true co-sleeping, which the AAP recommends against due to the risk of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, an infant bed that is attached to the sides of a mattress for a parent. rocking bedside crib cotsfortots is a good option for older children, as the sides can be raised so that you can reach the infant without having to lift them out of bed. Another option is a travel cot that has a built-in bassinet which can be removed from the top of the crib making it easier to raise the sleeping infant to feed or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are an excellent way to safely co-sleep with your newborn. They are placed near your bed at night so that you can reach over easily for night feeds and observe them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs have drop-sides that can be lowered to make it easier for you to do this, while others come with a height adjustment, so they can be placed in your bed at home and when you go away.
While it used to be recommended that babies sleep in a separate bedroom, there is a growing preference for parents to share a bed with their infants. Also known as rooming-in this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents but remain in a safe space on their own crib or bassinet. There are several types of co-sleepers that are available such as the iCrib that is designed to be portable and can be placed on the top of your bed, or a regular crib. This model has a lightweight frame and a mattress that is removable and it can be folded to make it easy for storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another option. It is attached to the bed's edge and features 7 height positions, and a tummy-tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers praised this crib for its compact folding and easy to use. It's also available in various colors.
There are also bedside cribs, such as our Lilly and Alain, that can be positioned on top of the traditional bed frame. These have a movable side barrier that can slide down to allow you pick your baby up for dinner at night, but the crib is self-contained, and your child will sleep soundly throughout this time. These models meet the new BS EN1130 safety standards, which require a 120mm barrier between your mattress and child's cot.
Travel cribs are also available. They are designed specifically to be carried when traveling. These are typically much smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, making them more convenient to take into and out of hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be assembled in less than one minute and folded down in less than three pounds. It is therefore easy to lift and transport.