Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Mums love this crib's size it's larger than a Moses basket but smaller than a crib bed. It folds down to just a third of its original size and fits into a handy travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Keep in mind that the crib is only for sleeping. Toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows can make a child suffocate.
Safety
As you shop for a travel crib you'll want to be sure that the manufacturer is compliant with all safety standards. A good starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can inform you whether or not a particular crib for portable has been recall. Select a mattress that is suitable for your baby's crib so it won't slip through the gaps or pose an suffocation hazard.
Search for bassinets and cribs that are in line with the latest safety standards of 2022. You should also avoid cribs that are older or cribs that have been modified, or drop side cribs that were repurposed for travel because these aren't tested and may pose risks to your baby's health.
A travel crib must be built well and strong. 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 for air circulation. The slats on the crib should be spaced no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to keep baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Never put toys, blankets, or stuffed animals in the crib. These items can suffocate or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib when your child is able to push up on their hands and knees or before 5 months of age or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
Make sure you check often for broken or loose screws and hardware. This is especially important when traveling with a child. Make sure you take out all crib furniture prior to use, too.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure it's not directly under windows. A window is an injury risk for falls and if your baby falls into it, they may get injured. Even if your baby is old enough to be able to roll over it is best to keep their sleeping area away from windows. It is important to wake your baby when they begin to roll over during sleep.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards or playards, as they're often referred to) are a great choice for those who are who is on vacation, has a guests over, or simply wanting an appropriate crib for a sleepover with friends. These portable cribs are simple to assemble, compact when they're closed, and come with a comfortable padded mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favourite with MFM home testers, who love 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 at under 15 pounds, it's an adequate weight. It also has regular handles instead of a backpack-style strap, which some find more comfortable.
Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which incorporates a bedside crib and bassinet into one compact unit that's ideal for holidays as well as overnight visits to friends and family. It's not the cheapest option, but it comes with many options, including a storage basket as well as calming lights for the night that change colour as well as lullabies and white noise, to aid your child to fall asleep.
It's also easy to keep clean with machine-washable and wipeable fabrics. In spite of its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when opened) it's light at less than 12kg. It fits neatly into a compact, convenient bag included - perfect for trips away from home. It has six height settings, including a tummy tilt for reflux/colic babies, and is able to fit beds of all sizes. It is also very easy to install. Our MFM tester was able to do it in less than 10 minutes. It will require a separate mattress.
Feeding
It's important that your baby is safe and comfortable when you travel, whether for pleasure or business. It's better to purchase a bassinet or crib designed for travel than to use one that you already have. They are smaller and come with mesh sides that allow parents to monitor their child without disturbing them. They are also lightweight to make it easy to transport between locations. These 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 crib that is placed at your bedside, it's recommended that your baby be placed on their back and that the bed be free of pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals. Sharing a bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby, regardless of age, and this kind of sleeping together is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you must occasionally co-sleep, make sure that your baby is sleeping and that you and your partner are dressed and awake.
The kinds of cribs available for babies and infants include:
Some are designed like miniature cribs or Moses basket, whereas others have sides that can be lowered down into the bed of the parent. This allows access to the baby for feeding and comforting without exposing the risk of true co-sleeping which the AAP recommends against due to dangers of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that is attached to the mattress of a parent. It is also an option for older babies because the sides are easily raised to allow you to reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. Another option is a travel cot with a built-in bassinet which can be removed from the top of the crib, making it easier to raise an infant who is sleeping for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you sleep with your baby in a safe and secure way. They are placed near your bed so you can easily reach them during night feedings and check on their sleeping without disturbing them. Some cribs have a drop side that can be lowered to make this easier and others come with an adjustable height to make sure they be able to fit in your bed at home or away.
While it used to be advised that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is a growing trend for parents to sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming-in this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents but remain safely separated on their own crib or bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers that are available such as the iCrib, a portable crib designed to fit on top of a bed or a crib. It has a light frame and a mattress that can be removed and can be folded to make it easy for storage. There's also baby bedside cot , that can be attached to the edge of a bed. It has 7 height settings that can be adjusted as well as an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. The crib was highly well-received by our MFM home testers for its convenience and compact folding, and it's also available in a variety of colours.
There are also bedside cribs that are freestanding, such as our Lilly or Alain that you can place on top of an existing bed frame. They come with a moveable side barrier that slides down to allow you to take your baby to a night feeding, but the crib is self-contained and your baby will continue sleeping soundly during 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 crib.
Travel cribs are also available. They are specifically designed to be taken along on the road. These are typically much smaller and more compact than a standard crib and are therefore easy to transport into and out of cars and hotels. 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 transport.