Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Mums love this crib's size it's larger than a Moses basket but smaller than a crib bed. It also folds down to just a third of its original size and fits into a compact travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Remember that the crib is designed for sleeping. Toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows can make a child suffocate.
Safety
When you are looking for a travel crib, you'll want to make sure the manufacturer meets all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) site is an excellent place to start. It will tell you whether a crib for portable use has ever been recalled. It is also important to select appropriate for your baby's bed to ensure it doesn't slide into gaps in the crib sides or cause suffocation hazards.
Search for bassinets and cribs that meet the updated safety standards of 2022. You should also avoid cribs with a long history or cribs that have been modified, or drop side cribs that were repurposed for travel because these aren't evaluated and could pose dangers to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be sturdy and well-constructed. Make sure you check for broken, missing or loose screws and other hardware. If you are using a playard, it must be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls for air flow. The slats of the crib should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to prevent baby's head or limbs from being trapped. Don't put any pillows, blankets, stuffed animals or toys in the crib. These items can choke or drown your baby. They must be removed as soon as they can stand up on their own or before the age of five months.
Make sure you check regularly for loose or broken screws and hardware. This is particularly crucial when traveling with a child. Make sure you take out all crib furniture prior to use, too.
If you're using a portable crib for your baby, make sure it's not placed directly beneath the large windows. A window can be an injury risk for falls and if your baby rolls into it, they may be injured. Even if your baby is old enough to roll over it is recommended to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If your child begins to roll over in bed it's best to wake them up to prevent injuries.
Portability
Whether you're going on holiday, have family staying with you, or want a safe bedside crib for sleepovers or with friends, a portable crib (or playard, as they are sometimes called) is a great choice. These foldable contraptions have an extremely comfortable mattress that can accommodate babies up to 15kg. They are easy to assemble and compact once closed.
MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib because it's easy to fold and to store. Its simple drop down panels that can be operated by one hand are also easy for parents with a bleary eye. It's not the lightest pack-and-play on our list however it's a decent weight, weighing just under 15 pounds, and it features standard carry handles instead of a backpack-style strap which some prefer to carry around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another fantastic alternative. It includes a bassinet for the bed and a crib into one compact unit. This is perfect for long-term stays and holidays with family and friends. bedside cosleeper 's not the most affordable alternative however it has various features, including an organizer basket as well as calming lights for the night that change colour as well as lullabies and white noise, which can aid your child to fall asleep.
The fabric is machine washable and wipeable, making it easy to clean. And, despite its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when opened), it's relatively lightweight at just under 12kg and can easily fit into a compact, convenient bag that comes with it - perfect for trips away from home. It has six different height settings, as well as the ability to tilt the tummy for reflux/colic babies. It can fit all sizes of beds. It's also easy to install. Our MFM tester was able to set it up in just 10 minutes. It'll require a mattress that is separate.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is comfortable and safe when you travel, whether for pleasure or business. It's better to purchase a crib or bassinet designed for travel than to use one that you already have. They are smaller, have mesh sides that permit parents to check on their babies without disturbing them and are light enough for simple transportation between locations. These also meet the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been subject to recalls.
If you are required to utilize a crib for your bed it is recommended that your infant be positioned on their backs and the mattress be free of blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals. This kind of sleeping arrangement increases the chance of SIDS. If you must co-sleep occasionally, ensure that you only do this when your baby is asleep, and that you're both awake and fully dressed.
The types of bedside cribs that are available for infants and young children include:
Some are designed like an oversized crib or Moses basket, and others have sides that can be set down into the bed of the parent. This allows parents to reach their infant at any time during the night to comfort and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP cautions against this because of the danger of the risk of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that is attached to a mattress that is used by a parent. This can also be an ideal option for older babies because the sides can easily be raised to allow you to reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. Another option is the travel cot that has an integrated bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib, which makes it easier to raise an infant who is sleeping for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to co-sleep safely with your baby. They are placed near your bed at night so that you can reach out easily to feed them and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs have a drop side that can be lower to make this easier, and some have an adjustable height adjustment to make sure they fit your bed at home or away.
While it was once advised that babies sleep in their own separate bedroom, there's a growing trend for parents to co-sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming in, this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents but remain safely separated on their own bassinet or crib. There are many types of co-sleepers that are available such as the iCrib that is designed to be a portable crib that fits on the top of your bed, or a standard crib. This model comes with a light frame and a removable mattress and can be folded to make it easy for storage. There's also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that is attached to the edge of a bed and has 7 height settings that can be adjusted and a tummy tilt to help with reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers praised the crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It's also available in a variety of colors.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, which can be placed next to an existing bed frame. These have a movable side barrier that slides down to allow you take your baby to a night feeding, but the crib is otherwise self-contained, and your child will continue sleeping soundly during this period. These models meet the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm gap between your mattress and the child's cot.
Additionally, there are cribs for travel that are specially made to be carried on the road. They are usually smaller and lighter than a standard crib, 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 three pounds. It is therefore simple to lift and move.