Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are ideal for mothers. It's larger than the Moses Basket, but smaller than a Cot Bed. It can also fold down to one-quarter of its size and then put in a handy bag for traveling.
Make sure that the crib is designed for sleeping. bedside cots , 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) site is a good place to begin. It will inform you whether a crib that is portable has ever been recalled. Choose a mattress that fits the crib of your baby so it doesn't slide through the gaps or cause a suffocation risk.
Search for bassinets and cribs that meet the current safety standards of 2022. You should also avoid cribs that are older or cribs that have been modified, or drop side cribs that are used for travel as they aren't tested and may pose risks to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be built well and strong. Check for missing, broken or loose screws, as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have mesh windows and secure walls to allow air circulation. The crib slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Do not put any toys, blankets or toys that are stuffed with animals in the crib. These objects can cause strangulation or death to your baby. They must be removed at the time they are able to stand independently or before the age of five months.
Make sure you check frequently for broken or loose screws and hardware. This is especially crucial when traveling with a child. Remove all plastic from the crib as well.
If you're using a portable crib for your baby ensure that it's not positioned directly in front of an enormous window. Windows pose an injury risk for falls and if your baby rolls into it, they may get injured. It's best to keep your baby's bedroom away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. It's crucial to wake your baby if they start to roll over while sleeping.
Portability
Whether you're going on vacation, have family staying with you, or want a safe bedside crib for sleepovers or with friends, an portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're often called) is a great choice. These playards fold up and have a comfortable mattress that can support babies up to 15kg. They are simple to assemble and compact once closed.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers, who appreciate the fact it can be folded and stored in just a few minutes and that its easy-to-use drop-down panels are simple for even sleepy parents to use. It's not our tiniest pack-and-play play, but at just 15 pounds, it's an acceptable weight. It also comes with normal handles instead of a backpack-style strap, which some parents prefer.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another excellent alternative. It includes a bassinet for the bed and a crib into a compact unit. This is ideal for long-term stays and holidays with family and friends. It's not the cheapest alternative, but it comes with many features, including a basket for storage and calming night lights that change color, lullabies, and white noise, to help your child fall asleep.
The fabrics are machine washable and wipeable, making it easy to clean. It's also light at less than 12kg and easily fits into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It comes with six height settings and a tummy tilt for reflux/colic infants, and it can be adapted to beds of all sizes. Read Webpage 's also extremely easy to set up, with our MFM tester having it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. You'll need to buy an additional mattress for it, however.
Feeding
It is essential that your child is safe and secure when you travel, whether on pleasure or business. It is better to buy a travel-specific crib or bassinet instead of using one you already own. These are smaller, have mesh sides to allow parents to check on their babies without disturbing them and are light enough to allow for easy transportation between locations. They also meet the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been subject to recalls.
If you must use a crib alongside your bed, it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The bed should be free of pillows, blankets and toys. Co-sleeping can increase the 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.
The bedside cribs available for babies and infants include:
Some are designed to resemble a mini crib or a Moses basket, whereas others have sides that can be set down into the parent's bed. This lets parents access their infant during the middle of the night to soothe and feed them, while avoiding the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP cautions against this due to the risk of being suffocated. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, which is a bedside sleeper that connects to the side of a parent's mattress. It is also an option for older babies because the sides can easily be raised to allow you to reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. Another option is a travel cot, which has an integrated bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib, making it easier to lift an infant who is sleeping for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to co-sleep safely with your baby. They sit next to your bed during the night so that you can reach over easily to feed them and observe them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs have a drop-side that you can lower for this purpose, whereas others come with a height adjustment, so they can be placed in your bed at home or away.
Although it was previously recommended that babies sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is now a growing preference for parents to co-sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents but remain safely separated on 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. It comes with a lightweight frame, a mattress that is removable and is foldable up for easy storage. There's also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that is attached to the edge of a bed and includes 7 adjustable height positions and an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. This crib was loved by our MFM home testers for its ease of use and compact folding, and it's also available in a variety of colors.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs such as our Lilly or Alain that you can put next to the standard bed frame. The cribs come with the side barrier that slides down to allow you to grab your baby for night feedings. However, the cribs are self-contained, allowing your baby to continue sleeping peacefully. 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 cot.
Lastly, there are travel cribs that are specifically made to be carried on the road. They tend to be smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, which makes it easier to carry them in and out hotels and vehicles. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example can be set up and taken down in less than a minute and it weighs just three pounds, so it is easy to carry and lift.