Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Mums love this crib's size it's larger than the Moses basket, but smaller than a cot bed. It folds down to just a third of its original size, and can fit into a convenient travel bag, making it ideal for travel.
Remember that the crib is only for sleeping. Toys or blankets, pillows and pillows can suffocate a child.
Safety
If you're looking to purchase a travel crib you'll want to be sure that the manufacturer is compliant with all safety standards. One good starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can inform you whether or not a particular portable crib has been recall. It is also important to select a mattress that is the correct size for the crib of your baby so that it doesn't fall into the gaps between the crib's sides or cause suffocation hazards.
When choosing a bassinet or crib choose one that conforms to the latest safety standards that were updated in 2022. Avoid cribs with older designs and modified for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs haven't been tested, and may cause danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be well-built and sturdy. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have a secure wall and mesh windows to allow for proper air circulation. The crib's slats should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to keep baby's head and limbs from being trapped. Also, do not put pillows, blankets, stuffed animals or toys in the crib. These objects can choke or drown your baby. They must be removed when they are able to stand on their own or before the age of 5 months.
It's also important to check frequently for loose or broken hardware and screws, especially when you travel with your infant. Remove all plastic from the crib as well.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure it's not directly under the window. Windows pose an accident hazard and if your child rolls into it, they may get injured. It is recommended to keep your baby's room away from windows, even if they are old enough to roll over. If your child starts to roll over during sleep it's best to get them up in order to avoid injury.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards or playards, as they're often referred to) are a great option for those who are who is on vacation, has a family members over, or simply wanting a safe crib to use for a sleepover with friends. These foldable contraptions are easy to assemble, compact when they're closed, and come with a comfortable padded mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15kg.
MFM home testers are awestruck by the BabyBjorn travel crib because it is easy to fold and store. Its easy drop down panels that can be operated by one hand are also convenient to use for parents who are tired. It's not the lightest backpack on our list, but it's a good weight at just a little over 15 pounds. It comes with standard handles instead of an e-bag strap, which some prefer to haul around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another great alternative. It incorporates a bedside bassinet as well as a crib into one compact unit. It is ideal for overnight stays during holidays and with friends and family. It's not the cheapest alternative however it has a variety of features, including a basket for storage and calming night lights that change color, lullabies, and white noise to help your child fall asleep.
It's also easy to keep clean with machine-washable and wipeable fabrics. It's also quite light, at just under 12kg, and fits neatly into the small, handy travel case that comes with it. It has six different height settings, as well as an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It can fit any size bed. It is also very easy to set up. Our MFM tester was able to do it in less than 10 minutes. It'll require a separate mattress.
Feeding
It is essential that your child is safe and secure when you travel, whether for business or pleasure. It's better to purchase a bassinet or crib designed for travel instead of using one you already own. These are smaller and have mesh sides, which allows parents to monitor their child without causing any disturbance to them. They're also light for easy transportation between destinations. These also meet the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you are required to use a crib next to your bed it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The sleeping surface should be free of blankets, pillows and stuffed toys. Sharing sleeping in a bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby, regardless of age, and this kind of co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. If you must co-sleep at times, make sure that you only do so when your baby is asleep, and that you are completely dressed and awake.
The kinds of cribs available for babies and infants include:
Some are designed as a mini-crib or Moses baskets, while others have sides that can be placed on parents' bed. This lets parents access their baby during the middle of the night to comfort and feed them, while avoiding the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP warns against this because of the danger of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, a bedside sleeper that attaches to the side of a parent's mattress. This can also be a safer option for older babies because the sides are easily raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. The travel cot that has an integrated crib that can be removed allows you to lift a sleeping baby for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you sleep peacefully with your baby. They are placed near your bed during the night so that you can reach out easily for night feeds and observe them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs have an adjustable drop-side that can be lowered for this purpose, while others have a height adjustment so they can be placed in your bed at home and away.
In the past, it was suggested that infants have their own bedrooms. However parents are increasingly choosing to sleep with their children. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents, but remain safe and separate from their own bassinet or crib. There are many types of co-sleepers that are available such as the iCrib, which is an inflatable crib that is designed to be able to sit on top of a bed or a crib. It has a light frame and a mattress that is removable and can be folded for easy storage. It also comes with the Joie Roomie Go crib, which fastens to the edge of a bed. It features 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 small folding and ease of use. It's also available in various colors.
There are also freestanding cribs for bedside use, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be placed on top of the traditional bed frame. The cribs have the side barrier 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 barrier between your mattress and the child's crib.
There are also bedside crib to cot for travel available. They are designed specifically for use on the road. They tend to be smaller and lighter than standard cribs, making it easier to carry them into and out of 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 move and lift.