Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The crib's size is a hit with moms - it's bigger than a Moses basket but smaller than a crib bed. It folds down to a third of its original size, and can fit into a handy travel bag, making it ideal for travel.
It is important to remember that the crib should only be used for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets are dangers to suffocate.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. One 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. Select a mattress that is suitable for the crib of your baby so it won't fall through the gaps or cause a suffocation risk.
When selecting the right bassinet or crib make sure it meets the newer safety standards, which were updated in 2022. Also, avoid cribs with a long history or cribs that have been modified, or drop side cribs that have been used for travel as they have not been tested and may pose risks to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be well-constructed and sturdy. Check for missing, broken or loose screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard, it must have mesh windows and secure walls for air flow. The crib's slats should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent baby's head or limbs from becoming trapped. Also, never put blankets, pillows or toys with stuffed animals in the crib. These items can strangle or suffocate your baby. They must be removed when they are able to stand independently or before the age of 5 months.
Examine frequently for broken or loose screws and hardware. This is particularly important when traveling with an infant. Take all plastic out of the crib as well.
If you're using a portable crib, be sure it is not located close to windows. A window can be an accident hazard for your baby could be injured when they fall into it. It's best to keep your baby's room away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. It is important to wake your baby when they begin to sleep on their backs.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards or playards, as they're often referred to) are a great option for those going on vacation, having family members over, or just needing a safe crib for use during a sleepover or with friends. These foldable contraptions come with an extremely comfortable mattress that can support children up to 15 kg. They are simple to put together and compact when closed.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers who appreciate the fact it can be folded down and stored in just several minutes and its simple one-handed drop-down panels are simple enough for even sleepy parents to use. It's not our tiniest pack-and-play play, but with just under 15 pounds, it's an acceptable weight. It also comes with regular handles instead of a backpack strap, which some find more comfortable.
Another option that is worth considering is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which combines a bedside crib and bassinet in one compact unit that's perfect for holidays as well as overnight visits to family and friends. It's not the cheapest however it comes with many features that are all-dancing and all-singing such as a storage basket as well as calming colour-changing lights for the night as well as white noise and lullabies to help your baby fall asleep and sleep. Its bassinet sits up higher than most to make it easier to use during the early days when mom is still recovering.
It's also easy to clean, with machine washable and wipeable fabric. It's also light at less than 12kg, and fits neatly into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It comes with six different height settings and the ability to tilt the tummy for reflux/colic babies. It can fit all bed sizes. It's also incredibly quick to install, with our MFM tester being able to have it set up in only 10 minutes. You'll need a separate mattress for it however.
Feeding
Whether traveling for business or pleasure, it's important to keep your baby comfortable and safe when traveling. While some families may be tempted to use a bassinet or crib that they already own however, it's recommended to purchase one specially made for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides that permit parents to check on their babies without disturbing them and are lightweight enough for easy transportation between locations. They also conform to the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you have to use a crib beside your bed it is recommended you put your baby on their back. The bed should be free of pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys. Sharing sleeping in a bed with parents isn't advised for any baby regardless of age, and this kind of sleeping with a partner is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you do have to sleep with your partner at times ensure that your baby is asleep and that both you and your partner are dressed and awake.
The bedside cribs available for newborns and young babies include:
Some are designed as a mini-crib or Moses basket while others have sides which can be put into parent's beds. This allows access to the baby for feeding and comforting while avoiding the dangers of true co-sleeping, which the AAP cautions against due 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. This can also be an option for older babies because the sides can easily be raised to let you reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. The travel cot that has a built-in crib that is removable allows you to easily lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a fantastic way to safely co-sleep with your baby. They are placed next to your bed during the night, so that you can reach out easily for night feeds and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs have an adjustable drop-side that can be lowered to make it easier for you to do this, while others come with a height adjustment, so they can be placed in your bed at home and when you go away.
In the past, it was suggested that infants have their own bedrooms. However, parents are increasingly preferring to sleep in a co-sleep. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents but remain safe and separate from 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. This model has a lightweight frame and a mattress that is removable and it can be folded to make it easy for storage. There is also the Joie Roomie Go crib, which fastens to the edge of the bed and includes 7 adjustable height positions and a tummy tilt to help with reflux and colic. The crib was highly praised by our MFM home testers for its user-friendly design and compact folding, and it comes in a variety of colours.
You can also buy freestanding bedside cribs such as our Lilly or Alain that you can place next to a standard bed frame. These have a movable side barrier that slides down to allow you to take your baby to a dinner at night, but the crib is completely self-contained and your baby will sleep soundly throughout this period. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm gap between your mattress and child's cot.
Lastly, there are cribs designed for travel and are designed to be taken on the road. bedside cot sale are typically much smaller and lighter than a standard crib, making them easier to carry in and out of cars and hotels. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example, can be set up and taken down in less than a minute and it weighs only three pounds, making it easy to lift and carry.