Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are perfect for mums. It's larger than a Moses Basket, but smaller than the Cot Bed. It also folds down to 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 be used only for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets are dangers to suffocate.
bedside crib vs cot
If you're looking to purchase a crib for travel it is important to make sure that the manufacturer is compliant with all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website is the best place to start. It will tell you if a portable crib has ever been recalled. Select a mattress that is suitable for your baby's crib so it doesn't slide through the gaps or pose the risk of suffocation.
Find bassinets or cribs that meet the updated safety standards of 2022. Avoid older cribs and cribs modified for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs haven't been tested, and may be a danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib should be well-constructed and sturdy. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should have sturdy walls and mesh windows to ensure adequate air circulation. The slats of the crib should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to prevent baby's head or legs from getting trapped. Don't put any toys, blankets, or toys in the crib. These objects can choke or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib as soon as your child is able to push up on their hands and knees or prior to 5 months old or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
It is also essential to check often for loose or broken hardware and screws, especially when traveling with your child. Make sure you take out all plastic from the crib before use, as well.
If you're using a portable crib ensure that it's not placed in front of a large window. A window is an injury from falling and your baby could get hurt when they fall into it. It is recommended to keep your baby's room away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. It's crucial to wake your baby if they start to sleep on their backs.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards or playards, as they're often referred to) are a great choice for anyone who is on vacation, has a family members over, or simply needing a safe crib to use for a sleepover with friends. These playards fold up easily to put together and compact when closed, and feature an incredibly comfortable mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers, who appreciate the fact it can be folded and stored in just a few minutes and that its easy-to-use drop-down panels are simple for even sleepy parents to use. It's not the lightest pack-and-play on our list however it's a decent weight, weighing just under 15 pounds. It comes with standard carry handles rather than an e-bag strap, which some prefer to haul around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another fantastic alternative. It includes a bassinet for the bed and a crib into one compact unit. It is ideal for overnight stays during holidays and with family and friends. It's not the least expensive however it comes with an abundance of dancing and all-singing features like a basket for storage and soothing night lights that change colour, lullabies and white noise to help your baby sleep, and its bassinet setting sits up higher than most to make it easier to use in the beginning of the day when mum is still recovering.
It's also easy to clean, with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. It's also light, at just under 12kg and easily fits inside the compact, convenient travel case that comes with it. It has six different height settings and 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 less than 10 minutes. You'll need a separate mattress for it, however.
Feeding
If you're traveling for pleasure or business it's essential to keep your baby comfortable and safe when traveling. While some families may be attracted to use a bassinet or a crib that they have but it's better to purchase one that is specifically designed for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides to allow parents to monitor their babies without disturbing them and are lightweight enough for easy 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 use a bedside crib, it's recommended that your child be placed on their back and that the sleeping surface be free of pillows, blankets and animals stuffed. Sharing a bed with parents isn't recommended for any baby regardless of age, and this kind of co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. If you have to occasionally co-sleep, make sure that your baby is asleep and that both you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.
There are a variety of cribs for babies and newborns.
Some are shaped like an oversized crib or Moses basket, and others have sides that can be set down into the parent's bed. This allows parents to access their child at any time during the night to comfort and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP cautions against this due to 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 let you reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. The travel cot with a built-in crib that can be removed enables you to raise a sleeping baby to allow feeding or other 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 sleeping without disturbing them. Some cribs have a drop side that can be lower to make it easier, and others come with an adjustable height adjustment 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 choosing to co-sleep. Also known as rooming-in this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents yet remain in a safe space on their own bassinet or crib. There are many types of co-sleeper available like the iCrib, which is designed to be an easy-to-move crib that can be placed on top of your bed or a standard crib. It has a lightweight frame, a mattress that is removable and is foldable up for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It attaches to the bed's edge and features seven height positions, as well as a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers loved this crib for its small folding and easy to use. It is also available in various 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 have an elongated side that can be lowered to allow you to grab your child for feedings at night. However, the cribs are self-contained, allowing your baby to continue sleeping peacefully. These models also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements that specify that 120mm high barriers must be placed between your mattress and your child's cot.
Lastly, there are cribs for travel that are specially designed to be used on the road. These are typically much smaller and lighter than standard cribs and are therefore easy to transport into and out of cars and hotels. Munchkin Brica, for example can be assembled in just a few minutes and folded down in less than three pounds. It is therefore easy to move and lift.