Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Mums love this crib's size It's larger than a Moses basket but smaller than a cot bed. It also folds down to just a third of its original size, and can fit into a convenient travel bag, making it ideal for travel.
Just remember that the crib should only be used for sleeping and that toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose a suffocation hazard.
Safety
As you shop for a travel crib it is important to make sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. A good 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 a mattress that is appropriate for your baby's bed to ensure it doesn't slide into the gaps between 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. bedside crib with changing table have not been tested and could pose a risk to your baby's safety.
A travel crib must be well-built and sturdy. Check for missing, broken or loose screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should have sturdy walls and mesh windows to allow for proper air circulation. The crib's slats should be spaced no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent baby's head or limbs from becoming trapped. Never put toys, blankets or stuffed animals in the crib. bedside crib with changing table can cause strangulation or death to your baby. They should be removed when they can stand up on their own, or before the age of five months.
Check regularly for loose or broken screws and other hardware. This is especially crucial when traveling with an infant. Make sure you take out all crib furniture before use, as well.
If you're using a portable crib ensure that it's not placed under the large windows. A window can be an accident hazard and if your child rolls into it, they could get injured. It's best to keep your baby's sleeping space away from windows, even if they are old enough to roll over. If your child starts to roll over during sleep it's a good idea to wake them up to prevent injuries.
Portability
Whether you're going to a holiday, have relatives staying with you, or want a safe crib for sleepovers with your friends, a portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're often called) is a great choice. These portable cribs have an extremely comfortable mattress that can accommodate children up to 15 kg. They are simple to assemble and compact when closed.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favourite with MFM home testers, who love the fact that it can be folded down and stored in just several minutes and its easy-to-use drop-down panels are simple enough for even sleepy parents to use. It's not our lightest pack-and play, but with just under 15 pounds it's still an acceptable weight. It also comes with regular handles instead of a backpack strap that some people prefer to use.
Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which includes a crib for bed and a bassinet in one compact unit that is ideal for both overnight and holiday visits to friends and family. It's not the most affordable alternative however it has many options, including an organizer basket, soothing night lights that change colour as well as lullabies and white noise, to help your child sleep.
The fabrics can be washed in the machine and wipeable, making it easy to clean. It's also light at just 12 kilos and fits nicely 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's able to fit all bed sizes. It's also very easy to set up and has our MFM tester able to get it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. It'll require a mattress that is separate.
Feeding
When you travel to work or for pleasure it's essential to ensure your baby is comfortable and safe on the road. It's better to purchase a travel-specific crib or bassinet than to use one that you already have. These are smaller, have mesh sides that permit parents to monitor their babies without disturbing them. They are light enough to allow for easy transportation between locations. They also meet the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been subject to recalls.
If you must use a bedside crib it is recommended that your baby be laid on their backs and that the sleeping surface be free of any blankets, pillows, and toys. This type of co-sleeping increases the risk of SIDS. If you are forced to co-sleep occasionally, ensure that you only do this while your baby is asleep and that you are at all times dressed and awake.
The bedside cribs for babies and infants include:
Some are shaped like a mini crib or a Moses basket, whereas others have sides that can be set down into the bed of the parent. This gives parents access to the baby for feeding and comforting while avoiding the risks of true co-sleeping, which the AAP advises against due to dangers of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that is attached to a parent's mattress. It is also an option for older children because the sides are easily raised to let you reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting them out. The travel cot that has built-in cribs that can be removed enables you to easily lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are an excellent option to sleep comfortably with your baby. They are placed near your bed during the night, allowing you to reach out easily for night feeds 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 to ensure they are able to be able to fit in your bed at home or when you are away.
While it used to be recommended that babies sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is now a increasing preference for parents to sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents yet remain safe and separate from their own crib or bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers available like the iCrib, which is an inflatable crib that is designed to fit on the top of a bed or a crib. This model has a lightweight frame, a mattress that can be removed, and can be folded up for easy storage. There's also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that can be 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 design and its ease of use. It's also available in a variety of colors.
You can also buy freestanding bedside cribs like our Lilly or Alain which you can put next to the standard bed frame. The cribs feature an elongated side that slides down to allow you to pick up your child for feedings at night. However, the cribs are self-contained so your baby can rest comfortably. They also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which stipulate that a 120mm high barrier must be installed between your mattress and the cot of your child.
Travel cribs are also available. They are specifically designed to be taken along when traveling. They tend to be smaller and more compact than standard cribs, which makes it easier to carry them from and into hotels and vehicles. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example can be set up and packed down in under an hour and weighs just three pounds, making it easy to lift and carry.