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 a Cot Bed. It can also be folded down to one-quarter of its size and then put in a handy bag for transport.
Make sure that the crib is intended for sleeping. Toys or blankets, pillows and pillows can suffocate a child.
bedside crib to cot
When you are shopping for a travel cot, make sure that the manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website is an excellent place to start. It will let you know whether a crib for portable use has ever been recalled. You'll also want to choose appropriate for the crib of your baby, so it doesn't slip into gaps in the sides of the crib or cause suffocation hazards.
When selecting the right bassinet or crib choose one that meets the newer safety standards that were revised in 2022. You should also avoid cribs that are older or cribs that have been modified, or drop side cribs that were recycled for use in travel, as they have not been tested and could pose a risk to your baby's health.
A travel crib needs to be well-built and sturdy. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws, as well as other hardware. If you are using a playard, it should have mesh windows and sturdy walls to allow air flow. The crib slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and legs from getting trapped. Do not put any toys, blankets or toys in the crib. These items could choke or drown your baby. They must be removed at the time they are able to stand on their own, or before the age of five months.
Examine regularly for loose or broken screws and hardware. This is especially important when traveling with a child. Make sure to remove all crib furniture prior to use, too.
If you're using a portable baby crib, make sure it's not placed directly under an enormous window. A window is a fall hazard and your baby may be injured when they fall into it. It's recommended to keep your baby's bedroom away from windows, even if they are old enough to roll over. It's important to wake up your baby if they start to roll over during sleep.
Portability
If you're to a holiday, have relatives staying over, or simply want a safe bedside crib for sleepovers with your friends, an portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're sometimes called) is a great choice. These portable cribs are simple to assemble and are compact when closed, and come with a comfortable padded mattress that can support newborns up to 15kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a fav among MFM home testers, who love the fact that it can be folded and stored in several minutes and its simple one-handed 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, and it comes with standard carry handles rather than an e-bag strap, which some prefer to carry around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another fantastic option. It includes a bassinet for the bed and a crib into a compact unit. This is ideal for long-term stays and holidays with friends and family. It's not the cheapest one, but it does come with many features that are all-dancing and all-singing like 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 is higher than the majority 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 fabrics. It's also quite light at less than 12kg and easily fits 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's suitable for all bed sizes. It's also very easy to install and our MFM tester able to get it ready in just 10 minutes. You'll need to buy a separate mattress for it however.
Feeding
It's important that your baby is safe and secure when you travel, whether for pleasure or business. It is better to buy a crib or bassinet designed for travel rather than using one you already have. They are smaller and have mesh sides so parents can monitor their child without causing any disturbance to them. They are also lightweight and can be easily transported between places. They also comply with the safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been subject to recalls.
If you must use a bedside crib it is recommended that your infant be placed on their back and that the sleeping surface be free of any blankets, pillows, and animals stuffed. Sharing a bed with parents isn't advised for any baby regardless of age, and this type of sleeping together is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you have to sleep with your child occasionally, ensure that you only do this when your baby is asleep and that you're completely dressed and awake.
The bedside cribs available for babies and infants include:
Some are designed like a mini crib or a Moses basket, and others have sides that can be lowered to the bed of the parent. This allows parents to access their child during the middle of the night to soothe and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP cautions against this because of the danger of the risk of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that is attached to a mattress that is used by a parent. It is also a safer option for older babies because the sides can easily be raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting them out. The travel cot with an integrated crib that can be removed allows you to easily lift a sleeping baby for feeding or for care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a fantastic method to sleep in a safe environment with your infant. They are placed next to your bed so you can easily reach them during night feedings and check on their sleep without disrupting them. Some cribs have a drop-side that you can lower to make it easier for you to do this, while others have a height adjustment to ensure they will fit in your bed at home or away.
Although it was previously recommended that babies sleep in a separate bedroom, there's a growing trend for parents to co-sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming-in this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents but remain safe and separate from their own crib or bassinet. There are many types of co-sleepers available like the iCrib, a portable crib designed to be placed on top of a bed or a crib. It has a lightweight frame, a mattress that is removable, and can be folded into a compact size for storage. There's also the Joie Roomie Go crib, which fastens to the edge of the bed and has 7 height settings that can be adjusted and an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers highly praised the crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It is also available in various colors.
There are also freestanding bedside cot used , such as our Lilly and Alain, that can be positioned next to the traditional bed frame. They have a movable side barrier that can slide down to allow you to take your baby to a dinner at night, but the crib is completely fully enclosed and your baby will be sleeping comfortably throughout this period. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm separation between your mattress and the child's cot.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are designed specifically to be taken along when traveling. They are typically smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, making it easier to carry them from and into hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be set up in just a few minutes and folded down in three pounds. It is therefore easy to lift and move.