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 can also be folded down to one-quarter of its size and can be put into a convenient bag for traveling.
Keep in mind that the crib is designed for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can make a child suffocate.
Safety
As you shop for a crib for travel it is important to make sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. One good starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can inform you whether or not a certain crib is being removed from the market. Choose a mattress that fits the crib of your child so that it won't slip through the gaps or pose a suffocation risk.
Search for bassinets and cribs that are in line with the latest safety standards for 2022. Avoid cribs with older designs and modified for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs have not been tested, and could pose a risk to your baby's safety.
A travel crib should be strong and well-constructed. Check for missing, loose or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard, it must have mesh windows and secure walls for air circulation. The crib's slats should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to keep baby's head and legs from getting trapped. Don't put any blankets, pillows toys, stuffed animals or other items in the crib. These objects can strangle or suffocate your baby. They should be removed when they can stand on their own, or before the age of 5 months.
Check often for broken or loose screws and other hardware. This is especially crucial 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 from falling and your baby could be injured if they roll into it. It's recommended to keep your baby's bedroom away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. If your child begins to roll over while sleeping, it's best to get them up in order to avoid 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 family stay over, or simply wanting a safe crib for use for a sleepover with friends. These foldable contraptions have an extremely comfortable mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15kg. They are simple to assemble and compact once closed.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a fav among MFM home testers who appreciate the fact that it can be folded and stored in just several minutes and its easy-to-use drop-down panels are simple enough for even sleepy parents to use. It's not the lightest backpack on our list, but it's a good weight at just a little over 15 pounds. It features standard carry handles rather than an e-bag strap, which some prefer to haul around.
Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which includes a crib for bed and a bassinet into one compact unit that's perfect for both overnight and holiday visits to friends and family. It's not the most affordable option however it has a variety of features, including a storage basket, soothing night lights that change colour and lullabies, as well as white noise, to help your child fall asleep.
It's also easy to clean, with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's more bulky when it's open) it's light at just 12kg and slots neatly into a small, handy travel bag that comes with it ideal for trips away from home. It has six different height settings and a tummy-tilt for reflux/colic baby. It can fit all bed sizes. It's also very simple to set up. Our MFM tester was able to set it up in just 10 minutes. It'll require a separate mattress.
Feeding
When you travel to work or for pleasure it's essential to keep your baby happy and safe on the road. It is better to buy a bassinet or crib designed for travel instead of using one 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 and can be easily transported between places. They also meet all the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and have not been recalled.
If bedside crib to cot are required to use a crib that is placed at your bedside it is recommended that your baby be placed on their back and the mattress be free of blankets, pillows and animals stuffed. This type of co-sleeping increases the risk of SIDS. If you do have to sleep with your partner at times, make sure that your baby is sleeping and that both you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.
There are many kinds of cribs for newborns and babies.
Some are shaped as a mini-crib or Moses basket while others have sides which can be placed on parents' beds. This lets parents access their baby at any time during the night to comfort and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP cautions against this due to the danger of being suffocated. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that is attached to a mattress that is used by a parent. This is a good option for older children since the sides can be elevated so that you can reach the baby without having to lift them from the bed. Another option is the travel cot with a built-in bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib, which makes it easier to lift up a sleeping infant for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you sleep with your baby in a safe and secure way. They are placed next to your bed, allowing you to easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleep without disrupting them. Some cribs have an opening on the side that can be lowered to make it easier, and others have an adjustable height so that they will be able to fit in your bed at home or away.
It was previously recommended that infants have their own bedrooms. However parents are increasingly opting to co-sleep. 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 like the iCrib, an inflatable crib that is designed to be placed on the top of a bed, or a crib. It includes a light frame, a mattress that is removable and is foldable up for easy 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 help with colic and reflux. This crib was praised by our MFM home testers for its convenience and compact folding. it's also available in a variety of colours.
You can also buy bedside cribs that are freestanding, such as our Lilly or Alain which you can put next to an existing bed frame. The cribs come with an elongated side that slides down to allow you to grab your child for feedings at night. However the cribs are completely fully enclosed so that your baby can rest comfortably. They also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which stipulate that 120mm high barriers must be installed between your mattress and your child's cot.
Lastly, there are bedside cot sale for travel that are specially made to be carried on the road. These are usually smaller and more compact than standard cribs, which makes it easier to transport them into and out of cars and hotels. Munchkin Brica, for example can be put together in just a few minutes and folded down in three pounds. It is therefore simple to lift and move.