Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are perfect for mums. It's larger than the Moses Basket but smaller than a Cot Bed. It also folds down to a third of its original size and fits into a compact travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Remember that baby bedside cot should be used only to sleep and that toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows are dangers to suffocate.
Safety
If you're looking to purchase a travel crib it is important to make sure that the manufacturer is compliant with all safety standards. The best starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a specific portable crib has been recall. It is also important to select a mattress that is appropriate for your baby's bed to ensure it doesn't slide into gaps in the crib's sides or create a suffocation risk.
Look for cribs or bassinets that are in line with the latest safety standards of 2022. Avoid older cribs and cribs modified for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs haven't been tested, and could pose a risk to your baby's safety.
A travel crib must be built well and strong. Examine for loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have secure walls and mesh windows to ensure adequate air circulation. The slats of the crib should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to keep baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Also, do not put pillows, blankets or toys with stuffed animals in the crib. These objects can choke or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib at the time your child is able to pull up on their knees and hands or before 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
It is also essential to check frequently for loose or broken hardware and screws, especially when you travel with your infant. Make sure you take out all plastic from the crib prior to use, too.
If you're using a portable crib for your baby, make sure it's not positioned directly under the large windows. A window could be an injury from falling and your baby could get hurt in the event that they crash into it. Even if your child is old enough to be able to roll over, it's best to keep their sleeping area away from windows. If check here starts to roll over in bed it's a good idea awake them to prevent injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards, as they're sometimes called) are a great choice for those going on vacation, having family members over, or simply needing an appropriate crib during a sleepover or with friends. These foldable contraptions are easy to assemble and are compact when closed, and feature an incredibly comfortable mattress that can support newborns up to 15kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favourite with MFM home testers, who appreciate the fact it can be folded and stored in just a few minutes and that its simple one-handed drop-down panels are easy for even bleary-eyed parents to use. It's not our tiniest pack-and-play play, but with just under 15 pounds it's still an adequate weight. It also has regular handles instead of a backpack style strap, which some prefer.
Another option that is worth considering is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which includes a crib for bed and a bassinet into one compact unit that's ideal for both holidays and overnight visits to family and friends. It's not the cheapest alternative, but it comes with many features, such as a storage basket as well as calming lights for the night that change colour, lullabies, and white noise, to help your child fall asleep.
It's also easy to keep clean with machine-washable and wipeable fabrics. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when it's open), it's relatively lightweight at less than 12kg. It can easily fit into a small, handy bag included ideal for trips away from home. It has six different height settings, as well as a tummy-tilt for reflux/colic baby. It's able to fit any size bed. It's also easy to set up. Our MFM tester could do it in less than 10 minutes. It will require a separate mattress.
Feeding
It is essential that your child is safe and secure when you travel, whether for business or pleasure. It's better to purchase a crib or bassinet designed for travel rather than using one you already have. They are smaller, have mesh sides that permit parents to check on their babies without disturbing them. They are lightweight enough for easy transportation between locations. They also meet all safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and have not been recalled.
If you are required to use a crib that is placed at your bedside, it's recommended that your baby be laid on their backs and that the sleeping surface be free of pillows, blankets, and toys. Sharing a bed with parents isn't recommended for any baby regardless of age, and this kind 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 dressed and awake.
There are many kinds of cribs for babies and newborns.
Some are shaped as a mini-crib or Moses basket, while others have sides that can be put into parent's beds. This gives parents 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, an infant bed that is attached to the parent's mattress. This can also be an option for older children because the sides are easily raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting them out. The travel cot that has a built-in crib that is removable allows you to lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you co-sleep safely with your baby. They are placed next to your bed at night, allowing you to reach them easily to feed them and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs have an opening on the side that can be lowered to make it easier, and some have an adjustable height setting to make sure they fit your bed at home or on the go.
It was previously recommended that infants be in their own room. However parents are increasingly opting to sleep with their children. Also known as rooming-in this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents yet remain safe and separate from their own bassinet or crib. There are a variety of co-sleepers that are available like the iCrib, a portable crib designed to fit on the top of a bed or a crib. This model has a lightweight frame, a mattress that is removable, and can be folded up for easy storage. There is also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that can be attached to the edge of a bed and includes 7 adjustable height positions as well as a tummy tilt to help with reflux and colic. This crib was loved by our MFM home testers for its ease of use and compact folding, and it comes in a variety of colors.
There are also bedside cribs, like our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be positioned on top of the traditional bed frame. The cribs feature a side barrier that slides down to allow you to pick up your baby for night feedings. However, the cribs are self-contained so your baby can continue sleeping peacefully. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130 safety standards, which require a 120mm separation between your mattress and the child's cot.
Travel cribs are also available. They are specifically designed to be taken along on the road. They are typically smaller and more compact than standard cribs, which makes it easier to carry them from and into hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be assembled in under a minute and folded down in just three pounds. It is therefore easy to lift and move.