Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are ideal for moms. large bedside cot Cots For Tots than a Moses Basket, but smaller than the Cot 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 intended for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can cause a child to be suffocated.
Safety
If you're looking to purchase a crib for travel you'll want to be sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) site is a good place to begin. It will inform you if a portable crib has ever been removed from the market. Pick a mattress that's suitable for the crib of your baby so it won't fall through the gaps or pose a suffocation risk.
Find bassinets or cribs that are in line with the latest safety standards for 2022. Also, avoid cribs that are older, modified cribs or drop side cribs that have been used for travel as they have not been tested and may pose risks to your baby's well-being.
A travel crib needs to be well-constructed and sturdy. Check for missing, loose or broken screws, as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have sturdy walls and mesh windows to allow for adequate air flow. The crib's slats must not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and limbs becoming trapped. Don't put any blankets, pillows, stuffed animals or toys in the crib. These items could strangle or suffocate 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 often for loose or broken screws and hardware, especially when you travel with your infant. Remove all plastic from the crib as well.
If you're using a portable crib for your baby be sure that it's not placed directly under a large window. A window can be an accident hazard and if your child rolls into it, they may get injured. Even if your child is old enough 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 which is what they're sometimes referred to as) are a great option for anyone traveling on vacation, having a guests over, or just needing a safe crib for use during a sleepover or with friends. These portable cribs have a comfortable mattress that can hold children up to 15 kg. They are simple to assemble and compact when closed.
MFM home testers are awestruck by the BabyBjorn travel crib due to the fact that it is easy to fold and store. Its simple drop-down panels that are one-handed are also a breeze for parents who are bleary-eyed. It's not the lightest backpack on our list but it's a decent weight at just a little over 15 pounds, and it has regular handles instead of an e-bag strap, which some find more comfortable to haul around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another great option. It includes a bassinet for the bed and a crib into a compact unit. This is perfect for holidays and overnight stays with friends and family. It's not the cheapest alternative but it does come with many options, including a basket for storage, soothing night lights that change color, lullabies, and white noise, which can help your child sleep.
The fabric is machine washable and wipeable, making it easy to clean. It's also light, at just under 12kg, and fits neatly into the small, handy travel case that comes with it. It has six height settings and a tummy tilt for reflux/colic babies, and is able to fit beds of all sizes. It's also easy to install. Our MFM tester was able to set it up in only 10 minutes. You'll need to buy an additional mattress for it, however.
Feeding
Whether traveling for business or pleasure, it's important to ensure your baby is comfortable and safe while traveling. While some families might be inclined to use a crib or bassinet that they own but it's better to purchase one specially made for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides that permit parents to check on their children without disturbing them and are light enough for simple transport between destinations. 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 crib beside your bed it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The sleeping surface should be free of pillows, blankets and toys. This kind of sleeping arrangement increases the risk of SIDS. If you have to occasionally co-sleep ensure that your baby is sleeping and that both you and your partner are dressed and awake.
The kinds of cribs that are available for babies and infants include:
Some are designed to resemble an oversized crib or Moses basket, and others have sides that can be put down into the bed of the parent. This gives parents access to the baby for feeding and comforting while avoiding the dangers of co-sleeping that the AAP advises against due to suffocation risks. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that attaches to the mattress of a parent. It can also be an ideal option for older babies since the sides can easily be raised to let you reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting them out. Another option is the travel cot, which has an integrated bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib, which makes it easier to lift an infant who is sleeping for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to sleep peacefully with your baby. They sit next to your bed during the night, so that you can reach them easily for feedings at night and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs have drop sides that can be lowered to make this easier and some have an adjustable height setting so that they will accommodate your bed when you are at home or on the go.
Although it was previously advised that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there's a growing preference for parents to sleep with their infants. This arrangement, referred to as rooming in, allows infants to remain close to their parents, while remaining safely separated in their own crib or a bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers available such as the iCrib, which is a portable crib designed to be able to sit on top of a bed or a crib. It has a lightweight frame, a mattress that is removable and is foldable into a compact size for storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It is attached to the bed edge and comes with 7 height positions, as well as a tummy-tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers praised this crib for its small folding and ease of use. It is also available in a variety of colors.
You can also buy bedside cribs that are freestanding, such as our Lilly or Alain that you can place next to an existing bed frame. The cribs have a side barrier that slides down to allow you to pick up your baby for night feedings. However the cribs are completely self-contained, allowing your baby to rest comfortably. They also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements that specify that the 120mm high barrier should be installed between your mattress and your child's cot.
Additionally, there are cribs designed for travel and are made to be carried on the road. They tend to be smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, which makes it easier to move them into and out of hotels and vehicles. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example, can be set up and packed down in less than an hour and weighs just 3 pounds, making it easy to lift and carry.