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 the Cot Bed. It's also foldable down to a quarter of its size and fit into a handy bag for traveling.
Make sure that the crib is intended for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can make a child suffocate.
Safety
As you shop for a crib for travel, you'll want to make sure the manufacturer meets all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) site is an excellent place to start. It will inform you if a portable crib has ever been recall. Choose a mattress that fits the crib of your child so that it doesn't slide through the gaps or cause a suffocation risk.
When you are choosing a crib or bassinet, look for one that meets the newer safety standards that were updated in 2022. Avoid cribs with older designs and that have been 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 needs to be sturdy and well-constructed. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have sturdy walls and mesh windows to allow for adequate air circulation. The crib slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and legs from getting trapped. Don't put any pillows, blankets toys, stuffed animals or other items 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 push up on their hands and knees or prior to 5 months of age or 5 months, whichever is first.
It is also essential to check often for loose or broken screws and hardware, especially when traveling with your child. Remove all plastic from the crib, too.
If you are using a portable baby crib ensure that it's not placed directly under a large window. A window can be an injury from falling and your baby may be injured when they fall into it. Even if your child is old enough to roll over it is best to keep their sleeping area away from windows. If your baby starts to roll over while sleeping it's a good idea to wake them up to prevent injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards which is what they're sometimes referred to as) are a great choice for anyone going on vacation, having guests over, or just needing an appropriate crib during a sleepover or with friends. These portable cribs are simple to assemble, compact when they're closed, and feature an incredibly comfortable mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15 kg.
MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib due to the fact that it's simple to fold and put away. Its easy drop-down panels that are one-handed are also a breeze for parents who are bleary-eyed. It's not our lightest pack-and play, but at under 15 pounds it's still an adequate weight. It also has regular handles instead of a backpack style strap that some people prefer to use.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another great alternative. It combines a bedside bassinet and crib into a compact unit. This is perfect for holidays and overnight stays with friends and family. It's not the most affordable option but it does come with many features, including an organizer basket and calming night lights that change colour and lullabies, as well as white noise, to help your child sleep.
The fabric is machine washable and washable, making it easy to clean. It's also quite light, at just under 12kg, and fits neatly into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It has six different height settings, as well as a tummy-tilt for reflux/colic baby. It's suitable for any size bed. It's also extremely easy to set up and has our MFM tester being able to have it ready in just 10 minutes. It will require a separate mattress.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is safe and comfortable when you travel, whether on pleasure or business. It's better to purchase a bassinet or crib designed for travel than to use one that you already own. They are smaller and come with 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 meet all safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been subject to recalls.
If you must use a crib that is placed at your bedside, it's recommended that your child be positioned on their backs and the mattress be free of pillows, blankets and stuffed animals. Sharing the bed with parents isn't recommended for any baby, regardless of age, and this form of sleeping together is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you are forced to co-sleep occasionally, ensure that you do it only when your baby is asleep and that you are completely dressed and awake.
The bedside cribs available for babies and infants include:
Some are designed as a mini-crib or Moses basket, while others have sides that can be put into parents' beds. This gives parents access to the baby to feed and comfort while avoiding the dangers of true co-sleeping which the AAP cautions against due dangers of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, a bedside sleeper that attaches to the mattress for a parent. This can also be an ideal option for older children because the sides can easily be raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. describes it is the travel cot that has a built-in bassinet which can be removed from the top of the crib making it easier to lift a sleeping infant for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you co-sleep safely with your baby. They are placed next to your bed so you can easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleeping without disrupting them. Some cribs have an opening on the side that can be lowered to make this easier and others come with an adjustable height adjustment to make sure they accommodate your bed when you are at home or on the go.
While it was once advised that babies sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is now a increasing preference for parents to share a bed with their infants. Also known as rooming-in this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents, but remain safe and separate from their own crib or bassinet. There are many types of co-sleepers available such as the iCrib, which is a portable crib designed to be placed on top of a bed or a crib. It has a light frame and a removable mattress and 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 features 7 adjustable height positions and an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. The crib was well-received by our MFM home testers for its user-friendly design and compact folding. it's also available in a variety of colours.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be placed next to an existing bed frame. They come with a moveable side barrier that slides down so you can pick your baby up for evening feeding, however the crib is otherwise self-contained, and your child will sleep soundly throughout this time. They also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements that specify that the 120mm high barrier should be present between your mattress and the cot of your child.
There are also travel cribs that are specifically made to be carried on the road. They are typically smaller and lighter than standard cribs, making it easier to move them from and into hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be put together in less than one minute and folded down in three pounds. It is therefore simple to lift and move.