Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The size of this crib is perfect for mums. It's bigger than a Moses Basket, but smaller than a Cot Bed. It's also foldable down to just a quarter of its original size, and can be put into a convenient bag for transport.
Remember that the crib should be used only for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets are an entrapment risk.
Safety
When you're looking for a travel cot, 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 particular crib is being removed from the market. It is also important to select the correct size for your baby's crib to ensure it doesn't slide into the gaps between the sides of the crib or cause suffocation hazards.
Find bassinets or cribs that meet the current safety standards for 2022. Avoid older cribs and cribs modified for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs have not been tested and could cause danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib should be sturdy and well-constructed. Check for missing, loose or broken screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have a secure wall and mesh windows to ensure proper air circulation. The crib slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby's head and limbs becoming trapped. Don't put any blankets, pillows toys, stuffed animals or other items in the crib. These items can cause strangulation or death to your baby. They must be removed when they are able to stand up on their own or before the age of 5 months.
Make sure you check regularly for loose or broken screws and other hardware. This is particularly important when traveling with an infant. Make sure you take out all plastic from the crib before use, as well.
If you are using a portable crib, make sure it's not placed directly in front of an enormous window. A window can be an accident hazard and if your baby falls into it, they could be injured. Even if your child is old enough to be able to roll over, it's best to keep their sleeping area away from windows. It is important to wake your baby if they start to roll over while sleeping.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards or playards, as they're often referred to) are a great option for anyone going on vacation, having family members over, or simply needing a safe crib for use during a sleepover or with friends. These playards fold up easily to build and are compact when closed, and come with the most comfortable padded mattress that can hold newborns up to 15kg.
MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib because it is easy to fold and store. Its easy one-handed drop down panels are also easy for parents with a bleary eye. It's not the lightest backpack and play, but at just under 15 pounds it's still a good weight. It also comes with regular handles instead of a backpack-style strap, which some parents prefer to use.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another fantastic option. It combines a bedside bassinet and crib into one compact unit. This is perfect for holidays and overnight stays with family and friends. It's not the cheapest option, but it comes with a variety of options, including a storage basket, soothing night lights that change color and lullabies, as well as white noise, to aid your child to fall asleep.
The fabrics are machine washable and washable, making it easy to clean. It's also light, at just under 12kg, and fits neatly into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It comes with six different height settings as well as a tummy-tilt for reflux/colic baby. It can fit all bed sizes. It's also incredibly quick to install and has our MFM tester able to get it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. You'll need a separate mattress for it however.
Feeding
When you travel for pleasure or business it's essential to ensure your baby is comfortable and safe when traveling. While some families may be inclined to use a bassinet or crib that they own, it's best to buy one specially made for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides to allow parents to check on their children without disturbing them. They are light enough for simple transport between places. They also conform to the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been subject to recalls.
If you have to use a crib beside your bed it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The mattress should be free of blankets, pillows and toys. Sharing a bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby, regardless of age, and this form of sleeping with a partner is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you have to sleep with your child at times, make sure that you do it only when your baby is asleep, and that you're at all times dressed and awake.
There are many types of cribs for newborns and babies.
Some are designed to look like a mini-crib or Moses basket while others have sides which can be lowered into the parent's bed. This lets parents access their child at any time during the night to soothe and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP cautions against this because of the risk of being suffocated. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper which attaches to a mattress that is used by a parent. This can also be an option for older children because the sides can easily be raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. The travel cot that has built-in cribs that is removable allows you to easily raise a sleeping baby to allow feeding or for care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to co-sleep safely with your baby. They are set next to your bed to allow you to easily reach them for night feedings and check on their sleep without disrupting them. cots4tots have drop-sides that can be lowered for this purpose, 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's a growing trend for parents to sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents yet remain safely separated on their own bassinet or crib. There are many types of co-sleepers, such as the ICrib, which is an inflatable crib that is designed to be able to sit on the top of a bed, or a crib. It includes a light frame, a removable mattress, and can be folded up for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another option. It is attached to the bed edge and comes with 7 height positions, and a tummy-tilt to ease colic and reflux. Our MFM home testers highly praised the crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It is also available in various colors.
There are also 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 slides down to allow you to grab your baby for night feedings. However, the cribs are self-contained so your baby can rest comfortably. These cribs meet the latest BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm separation between your mattress and the child's crib.
There are also cribs for travel that are specially designed to be taken on the road. These are typically much smaller and lighter than a standard crib and are therefore easier to carry in and out of hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be assembled in just a few minutes and folded down in just three pounds. It is therefore easy to move and lift.