Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are perfect for mums. It's bigger than the Moses Basket but smaller than the Cot Bed. It also folds down to just a third of its original size and fits into a handy travel bag, making it ideal for travel.
Make sure that the crib is only for sleeping. Toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows can suffocate a child.
Safety
If you are looking for a travel cot, make sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) site is the best place to start. It will let you know if a portable crib has ever been recalled. Select a mattress that is suitable for the crib of your child so that it doesn't slide through the gaps or pose an suffocation hazard.
When choosing the right bassinet or crib choose one that conforms to the latest safety standards that were revised in 2022. Also, avoid older cribs or cribs that have been modified, or drop side cribs that were repurposed for travel because these have not been tested and could pose a risk to your baby's health.
A travel crib should be well-constructed and sturdy. Make sure you check for broken, missing or loose screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have secure walls and mesh windows to ensure proper air flow. The slats on the crib should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent baby's head or limbs from becoming trapped. Don't put any blankets, pillows or toys with stuffed animals in the crib. These items could choke or drown your baby. They must be removed at the time they can stand up independently or before the age of five months.
Check frequently for broken or loose screws and hardware. This is especially crucial when traveling with an infant. Take all plastic out of the crib too.
If you are using a portable crib for your baby ensure that it's not positioned directly under the large windows. Windows pose a fall risk 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 space away from windows. If your baby starts to roll over in bed, it's a good idea to wake them up to prevent injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards, as they're sometimes called) are a great choice for anyone who is on vacation, has a family members over, or simply wanting a safe crib for use for a sleepover with friends. These portable cribs come with a comfortable mattress that can hold babies up to 15kg. They are easy to put together and compact when closed.
MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib because it's simple to fold and put away. Its simple one-handed drop down panels are also a breeze to use for parents who are tired. It's not the lightest backpack on our list, but it's a good weight at just over 15 pounds, and it features standard carry handles rather than a backpack-style strap which some prefer to haul around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another great option. 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 cheapest however it comes with an abundance of features that are all-dancing and all-singing like a basket for storage, soothing colour-changing night lights, lullabies and white noise to help your baby fall asleep and sleep. Its bassinet is higher than other models to make it easier to use in the early hours when mom is still recovering.
The fabrics can be washed in the machine and wipeable, making it easy to clean. It's also quite light at just 12 kilos and fits nicely into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It has six different height settings as well as the ability to tilt the tummy for reflux/colic babies. It can fit all bed sizes. It's also easy to install. Our MFM tester could do it in just 10 minutes. You'll need to purchase an additional mattress, however.
Feeding
It's important that your baby is comfortable and safe when you travel, whether on pleasure or business. It is better to buy a bassinet or crib designed for travel than to use one that you already have. These are smaller and have mesh sides that permit parents to check on their children without disturbing them and are lightweight enough for easy transportation between locations. They also meet the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you must use a crib next to your bed it is recommended you place your baby on their back. The sleeping surface should be free of blankets, pillows, and stuffed toys. Sharing sleeping in a bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby, regardless of age, and this form of co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. If you have to occasionally co-sleep ensure that your baby is sleeping and that you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.
There are many types of cribs for newborns and babies.
Some are designed as a mini-crib or Moses baskets, while others have sides which can be placed on parent's beds. This allows parents to reach their child in the middle of the night to comfort and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP warns against this due to the risk of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, which is a bedside sleeper that connects to the sides of a mattress for a parent. It is also an ideal option for older babies 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 with built-in cribs that can be removed allows you to lift a sleeping baby for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a great way to safely co-sleep with your baby. They are placed near your bed at night, allowing you to reach out easily for night feeds and observe them without disrupting their sleep. co sleeper bedside cot have a drop side that can be lower to make this easier, and others come with an adjustable height to ensure they are able to fit your bed at home or away.
Although it was previously advised that babies sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is now a increasing preference for parents to share a bed with their infants. This arrangement, also referred to as rooming in, allows babies to be close to their parents, while remaining in their own crib or a bassinet. There are many types of co-sleeper available such as the iCrib that is designed to be an easy-to-move crib that can be placed on the top of your bed or a regular crib. It comes with a lightweight frame, a mattress that can be removed and is able to be folded up for easy storage. It also comes with the Joie Roomie Go crib, which fastens to the edge of the bed and has 7 height settings that can be adjusted and a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. The crib was highly well-received by our MFM home testers for its convenience and compact folding, and it comes in a variety of colours.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs, like our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be positioned on top of an existing bed frame. They come with a moveable side barrier that slides down so you can take your baby to a night feeding, but the crib is completely self-contained, and your child will be sleeping comfortably throughout this time. These models also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements that specify that the 120mm high barrier should be installed between your mattress and the cot of your child.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are specifically designed to be carried when traveling. They are usually smaller and lighter than a standard crib and are therefore more convenient to take into and out of cars and hotels. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for instance can be set up and put down in less than one minute, and weighs only three pounds, so it is easy to move and carry.