Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The crib's size is a hit with moms it's larger than a Moses basket, but smaller than a cot bed. It can also be folded down to one-quarter of its size and can be put into a convenient bag for travel.
It is important to remember that the crib should only be used for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets are a suffocation hazard.
Safety
When you are looking for a crib for travel, you'll want to make sure the manufacturer meets all safety standards. The best place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a certain crib is being removed from the market. It is also important to select a mattress that is the correct size for your baby's bed so that it doesn't fall into gaps in the sides of the crib or create a suffocation hazard.
Search for bassinets and cribs that meet the updated safety standards of 2022. Avoid older cribs and cribs that have been modified for travel, or cribs with drop-sides. bedside sleeper cot been tested, and could pose a risk to your baby's safety.
A travel crib must be strong and well-constructed. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws as well as other hardware. If you are using a playard, it should have mesh windows and secure walls to allow air circulation. The slats of the crib should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent baby's head or limbs from being trapped. Also, do not 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 at the time your child is able to push up on their hands and knees or before 5 months of age or 5 months, whichever is first.
It is also essential to check regularly for broken or loose hardware and screws, especially when you travel with your infant. Make sure you take out all crib furniture before use, as well.
If you're using a portable crib, be sure it is not located close to the window. A window is an injury from falling and your baby may be injured when they fall into it. It is recommended to keep your baby's sleeping space away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. If your baby starts to roll over in bed it's a good idea to wake them up to prevent injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards, as they're sometimes called) are a great option for those traveling on vacation, having a family stay over, or simply needing a safe crib for use for a sleepover with friends. These playards fold up and include a comfortable mattress that can support babies up to 15kg. They are simple to assemble and compact once closed.
MFM home testers appreciate the BabyBjorn travel crib because it is easy to fold and store. Its simple drop-down panels that are one-handed are also easy for parents who are bleary-eyed. It's not the lightest pack-and-play on our list however it's a decent weight at just a little over 15 pounds, and it features standard carry handles rather than an e-bag strap, which some prefer to carry around.
Another excellent option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which incorporates a bedside crib and bassinet into one compact unit that is ideal for both overnight and holiday visits to friends and family. It's not the least expensive, but it has a wealth of all-singing and all-dancing features like a storage basket and soothing night lights that change colour as well as white noise and lullabies to aid your baby to fall asleep and sleep. Its bassinet is higher than the majority to make it easier to access during the early days when mum is still recovering.
The fabrics can be washed in the machine and wipeable, making it easy to clean. And, despite its size and weight (it's on the bulkier side when opened) it's surprisingly light at just under 12kg and can easily fit into a compact, practical bag that comes with it ideal for trips away from home. It comes with six height settings that include a tummy tilt for reflux/colic babies, and can fit beds of all sizes. It's also very simple to install. Our MFM tester was able to set it up in only 10 minutes. You'll need to buy a separate mattress for it however.
Feeding
When you travel for business or pleasure it's essential to keep your baby happy and safe while traveling. It is better to buy a travel-specific crib or bassinet rather than using one you already own. These are smaller and have mesh sides that permit parents to monitor their children without disturbing them. They 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 have to use a bedside crib, it's recommended that your baby be placed on their back and that the sleeping surface be free of any blankets, pillows, 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 are forced to co-sleep at times, make sure that you do it only when your baby is asleep and that you're at all times dressed and awake.
The kinds of cribs for babies and infants include:
Some are shaped as a mini-crib or Moses basket while others have sides that can be put into parents' bed. This allows for middle-of-the-night access to the baby to feed and comfort without exposing the risk of true co-sleeping which the AAP cautions against due suffocation risks. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, an infant bed that is attached to the side of a mattress for a parent. It is also an option for older babies because the sides are easily raised to allow you to reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. The travel cot that has a built-in crib that is removable allows you to lift a sleeping baby for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are an excellent option to sleep comfortably with your baby. They are placed next to your bed during the night so that you can reach out easily for feedings at night and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs have drop sides that you can lower to make this easier, and others have an adjustable height setting so that they will fit your bed at home or on the go.
It was previously recommended that infants have their own bedrooms. However, parents are increasingly preferring to sleep in a co-sleep. This arrangement, referred to as rooming in, allows infants to stay close to their parents, while being separated from their own crib or bassinet. There are bedside crib travel cot of co-sleepers available, including the iCrib which is designed to be portable and can be placed on the top of your bed or a standard crib. It comes with a lightweight frame, a mattress that is removable and is foldable into a compact size for storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another option. It attaches to the bed edge and has seven height positions as well as a tummy-tilt to ease colic and reflux. The crib was highly praised by our MFM home testers for its convenience and compact folding. it is 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 next to an existing bed frame. They have a movable side barrier that can slide down to allow you to pick your baby up for dinner at night, but the crib is completely self-contained and your baby will sleep soundly throughout this period. These cribs meet the latest BS EN1130:2019 safety standards which require a 120mm gap between your mattress and child's crib.
There are also travel cribs that are specifically made to be carried on the road. These are typically much smaller and less bulky than standard cribs which makes them easier to carry in and out of hotels and cars. bedside crib travel cot , for example can be assembled in less than one minute and folded down in just three pounds. It is therefore easy to lift and transport.