Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The size of this crib is ideal for moms. It's bigger than a Moses Basket but smaller than the Cot Bed. It also folds down to a third of its original size and fits into a convenient travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Just remember that the crib should only be used for sleeping. Toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose a suffocation hazard.
Safety
If you're looking to purchase a crib for travel it is important to make sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The best place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which will let you know whether or not a specific crib for portable has been recall. It is also important to select a mattress that is the correct size for your baby's bed, so it doesn't slip into gaps in the crib's sides or create a suffocation risk.
Search for bassinets and cribs that meet the updated safety standards of 2022. Avoid cribs with older designs and that have been modified for travel, or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs haven't been tested and could cause danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib must be built well and strong. Check for missing, broken or loose screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls for air circulation. The slats of the crib should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent baby's head or legs from getting trapped. Don't put any blankets, pillows, stuffed animals or toys in the crib. These items can suffocate or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib as soon as your child is able to push up on their hands and knees or before 5 months of age or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
Check frequently for broken or loose screws and hardware. This is particularly crucial when traveling with a baby. Take all plastic out of the crib as well.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure it's not directly under a window. A window can be a fall hazard and your baby could be injured when they fall into it. It's best to keep your baby's sleeping space away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. It's important to wake up your baby when they begin to roll over during sleep.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards, as they're sometimes called) are a great choice for those who is on vacation, has a family members over, or just needing a safe crib for use for a sleepover with friends. These portable cribs have an extremely comfortable mattress that can hold infants up to 15kg. They are simple to put together and compact when closed.
MFM home testers are awestruck by the BabyBjorn travel crib due to the fact that it's easy to fold and store. Its easy drop down panels that can be operated by one hand are also easy for parents with a bleary eye. It's not the lightest backpack and play, but at just 15 pounds, it's a good weight. It also has regular handles instead of a backpack-style strap, which some parents find more comfortable.
Another option that is worth considering is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which combines a bedside crib and bassinet in one compact unit that's perfect for holidays as well as overnight visits to friends and family. It's not the most affordable however it comes with a wealth of features that are all-dancing and all-singing such as a storage basket, soothing colour-changing night lights, lullabies and white noise to help your baby fall asleep and its bassinet is higher than the majority for easier access during the early days when mum is still recovering.
It's also easy to keep clean, with machine washable and wipeable fabric. It's also relatively lightweight at just 12 kilos, and fits neatly inside the compact, convenient travel case that comes with it. It comes with six different height settings that include a tummy tilt for reflux/colic infants, and it can be adapted to beds of all sizes. It's also incredibly quick to set up and our MFM tester able to get it ready in just 10 minutes. It'll require a mattress that is separate.
Feeding
It's important that your baby is safe and comfortable when you travel, whether for business or pleasure. While some families may be attracted to use a bassinet or a crib that they own but it's better to purchase one specifically designed for travel. They are smaller, have mesh sides that permit parents to monitor their children without disturbing them and are lightweight enough for easy transport between places. They also meet all the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and have not been recalled.
If you must use a bedside crib it is recommended that your child be laid on their backs and that the sleeping surface be free of pillows, blankets and toys. This kind of sleeping arrangement increases the risk of SIDS. If you have to occasionally co-sleep, make sure that your baby is sleeping and that both you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.
There are many types of cribs for newborns and babies.
Some are designed to resemble a mini crib or a Moses basket, while others have sides that can be lowered to the bed of the parent. This lets parents access their baby in the middle of the night to comfort 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 which attaches to the mattress of a parent. This can also be an option for older babies because the sides are easily raised to let you reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting them out. Another option is a travel cot with a built-in bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib, which makes it easier to lift up the sleeping infant to feed or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you co-sleep safely 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 a drop-side that you can lower to make it easier for you to do this, while others have a height adjustment so they can fit into your bed at home and away.
While it used to be recommended that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is a increasing preference for parents to co-sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents but remain safe and separate from their own bassinet or crib. There are several types of co-sleepers that are available such as the iCrib that is designed to be an easy-to-move crib that can be placed on top of your bed or a regular crib. This model comes with a lightweight frame, a removable mattress and is foldable into a compact size for storage. There is also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that is attached to the edge of the bed and includes 7 adjustable height positions as well as an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers praised this crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It is also available in a variety of colors.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be positioned alongside the traditional bed frame. The cribs have an elongated side that can be lowered to allow you to pick up your child for feedings at night. However, the cribs are self-contained, allowing your baby to rest comfortably. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards which require a 120mm gap between your mattress and the child's crib.
There are also cribs designed for travel and are designed to be used on the road. They tend to be smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, making it easier to move them from and into cars and hotels. Munchkin Brica, for example can be set up in just a few minutes and folded down in less than three pounds. bedside travel crib is therefore simple to lift and transport.
