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 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
When you're looking for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website is a good place to begin. It will tell you whether a crib for portable use has ever been removed from the market. Pick a mattress that's suitable for the crib of your baby so it won't slip through the gaps or pose an suffocation hazard.
Look for cribs or bassinets that are in line with the latest safety standards for 2022. Also, avoid older cribs and cribs that have been modified or drop side cribs that have been recycled for use in travel, as they have not 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 secure walls and mesh windows to ensure adequate air circulation. The slats of the crib should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent baby's head or limbs from being trapped. Never put toys, blankets, or toys that are stuffed with animals in the crib. These can cause suffocation or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib as soon as your child is able push up on their hands and knees or prior to 5 months of age or 5 months, whichever is first.
Make sure you check frequently for broken or loose screws and other hardware. This is particularly crucial when traveling with an infant. Make sure to remove all plastic from the crib prior to use, too.
If you are using a portable crib ensure that it's not placed in front of a large window. A window can be a fall hazard and your baby may be injured when they fall into it. Even if amazon bedside cot is old enough to roll over it is recommended to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If your child begins to roll over during sleep it's a good idea wake them up to prevent injury.
Portability
If you're planning a trip to a holiday, have relatives staying over, or just need a secure bedside crib for sleepovers with your friends, the portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're often called) is a great choice. These playards fold up easily to put together and compact when closed, and come with a comfortable padded mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15kg.
MFM home testers are awestruck by the BabyBjorn travel crib because it is easy to fold and put away. Its simple drop down panels that can be operated by one hand are also convenient for parents with a bleary eye. It's not the tiniest of packs-and-play on our list however it's a decent weight, weighing just under 15 pounds, and it features standard carry handles rather than a backpack-style strap which some find more comfortable to carry around.
Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which combines a bedside crib and bassinet into one compact unit that is ideal for holidays as well as overnight visits to relatives and friends. It's not the cheapest, but it has many dancing and all-singing features like a storage basket as well as calming colour-changing lights for the night, lullabies and white noise to help your baby fall asleep and sleep. Its bassinet sits up higher than most to make it easier to use in the early hours when mum is still recovering.
It's also easy to keep clean, with machine washable and wipeable fabric. It's also light at just 12 kilos and fits nicely into the small, handy travel case that comes with it. It comes with six different height settings, as well as an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It can fit all bed sizes. It's also very simple to install. Our MFM tester could do it in only 10 minutes. You'll need to purchase a separate mattress for it however.
Feeding
It is essential that your child is comfortable and safe when you travel, whether for business or pleasure. While some families might be attracted to use a crib or bassinet that they already own, it's best to buy one specially made for travel. These are smaller, have mesh sides that permit parents to monitor their babies without disturbing them and are lightweight enough for easy transportation between locations. These 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 that you place your baby on their back. The mattress should be free of pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys. Sharing the bed with parents isn't recommended 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 on occasion, ensure that you only do so when your baby is asleep and that you're at all times dressed and awake.
There are many kinds of cribs for babies and infants.
Some are designed as a mini-crib or Moses baskets, while others have sides which can be put into parents' bed. This lets parents access their baby during the middle of the night to comfort and feed them, while avoiding the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP warns against this because of the risk of being suffocated. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, a bedside sleeper that attaches to the sides of a parent's mattress. This is a good option for older children, since the sides can be raised so that you can reach the baby without having to lift them from the bed. Another option is the travel cot, which has a built-in bassinet which can be removed from the top of the crib which makes it easier to lift the sleeping infant to feed or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you co-sleep safely with your baby. They are set next to your bed so you can easily reach them during night feedings and check on their sleeping without disrupting them. Some cribs have drop-sides that can be lowered for this purpose, whereas others come with a height adjustment, so they will fit in your bed at home or away.
While it was once advised that babies sleep in their own separate bedroom, there's a increasing preference for parents to co-sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming in, this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents yet remain safe and separate from their own bassinet or crib. There are many types of co-sleepers such as the iCrib, which is an inflatable crib that is designed to be placed on the top of a bed or a crib. It has a lightweight frame, a mattress that is removable and is able to be folded into a compact size for storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It is attached to the bed's edge and has seven height positions, as well as a tummy tilt to ease colic and reflux. Our MFM home testers praised this crib for its compact folding and easy to use. It is also available in a variety of colors.
There are also cribs for bedside use, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be positioned next to an existing bed frame. The cribs feature an elongated side that can be lowered to allow you to pick up your baby for feedings at night. However the cribs are completely self-contained so your baby can continue sleeping peacefully. These models also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements that specify that a 120mm high barrier must be installed between your mattress and the cot of your child.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are specifically designed to be carried when traveling. They are usually smaller and lighter than a standard crib and are therefore easy to transport into and out of cars and hotels. Munchkin Brica, for example can be assembled in less than one minute and folded down in three pounds. It is therefore easy to lift and transport.