Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Moms love this crib's dimensions it's larger than the Moses basket, but smaller than a crib bed. baby bedside co sleeper can also be folded down to a quarter of its original size, and fit into a handy bag for travel.
Just remember that the crib should only be used to sleep and that toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose an entrapment risk.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot, ensure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) site is a good place to begin. It will let you know whether a crib for portable use has ever been removed from the market. You'll also want to choose the correct size for your baby's crib, so it doesn't slip into the gaps between the sides of the crib or create a suffocation hazard.
When you are choosing the right bassinet or crib make sure it conforms to the latest safety standards that were revised in 2022. You should also avoid cribs with a long history and cribs that have been modified or drop side cribs that are recycled for use in travel, as they have not been tested and could pose a risk to your baby's safety.
A travel crib must be well-built and sturdy. Check for missing, loose or broken screws, as well as other hardware. If you are using a playard, it should have mesh windows and sturdy walls for 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. 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 should be removed when they are able to stand up on their own or before the age of 5 months.
Check regularly for loose or broken screws and hardware. This is especially crucial when traveling with a baby. Take all plastic out of the crib too.
If you are using a portable crib ensure that it's not positioned directly in front of the large windows. A window can be an injury risk for falls and if your child rolls into it, they could get injured. Even if your child is old enough to roll over, it's best to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If your baby starts to roll over in bed, it's a good idea to awake them to prevent injuries.
Portability
If you're planning a trip to a holiday, have relatives staying with you, or want a safe crib for sleepovers or with friends, the portable crib (or playard, as they are sometimes called) is a great choice. These foldable contraptions are easy to put together and are compact when closed, and feature the most comfortable padded mattress that can support newborns up to 15kg.
MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib because it's simple to fold and put away. Its easy drop-down panels that are one-handed are also convenient to use for parents who are tired. It's not our tiniest pack-and-play play, but with just under 15 pounds, it's a good weight. It also comes with regular handles instead of a backpack-style strap that some people find more comfortable.
Another option that is worth considering 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 family and friends. It is not the cheapest option however it has many features, including a storage basket, soothing night lights that change color, lullabies, and white noise to aid your child to fall asleep.
It's also easy to clean, with machine-washable and wipeable fabrics. In spite of its size and weight (it's on the bulkier side when it's open) it's light at less than 12kg. It slots neatly into a compact, practical travel bag that comes with it ideal for trips away from home. It comes with six different height settings as well as the ability to tilt the tummy for reflux/colic babies. It can fit all bed sizes. It's also easy to install. Our MFM tester could do it in less than 10 minutes. You'll need to buy a separate mattress for it however.
Feeding
It's important that your baby is comfortable and safe when you travel, whether for business or pleasure. While some families might be attracted to use a bassinet or a crib that they have however, it's recommended to purchase one specially made for travel. These are smaller, with mesh sides that allow parents to monitor their babies without disturbing them. They are light enough for simple transport between destinations. These also meet the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you are required to use a crib beside your bed it is recommended you place your baby on their back. The mattress should be free of pillows, blankets and stuffed toys. Sharing a bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby regardless of age, and this kind of co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. If you do have to sleep with your partner at times, make sure that your baby is asleep and that both you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.
The types of bedside cribs that are available for newborns and young babies include:
Some are designed like an oversized crib or Moses basket, whereas others have sides that can be set down into the parent's bed. This allows parents to reach their child at any time during the night to soothe and feed them, while avoiding the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP warns against this because of the danger of being suffocated. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, which is a bedside sleeper that connects to the sides of a parent's mattress. This is a good option for older children since the sides can be elevated to allow you to reach the infant without lifting them from the bed. The travel cot with a built-in crib that can be removed allows you to lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a fantastic way to safely co-sleep with your newborn. They are placed next to your bed to allow you to easily reach them during night feedings and check on their sleeping without disrupting them. Some cribs have drop sides that can be lower to make this easier and some have an adjustable height to make sure they fit your bed at home or when you are away.
It was previously recommended that infants sleep in their own bedroom. However parents are increasingly choosing to sleep with their children. This arrangement, also known as rooming in, allows infants to be close to their parents, while remaining in their own crib or bassinet. There are several types of co-sleeper available, including the iCrib which is designed to be a portable crib that fits on top of your bed or a regular crib. It comes with a lightweight frame, a mattress that can be removed, and can be folded into a compact size for storage. It also comes with the Joie Roomie Go crib, that can be attached to the edge of the bed and includes 7 adjustable height positions as well as a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers highly praised this crib for its small folding design and its ease of use. It is also available in different colours.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs like our Lilly or Alain that you can put next to an existing bed frame. The cribs have an elongated side that can be lowered to allow you to grab your child for feedings at night. However the cribs are completely self-contained, allowing your baby to rest comfortably. These models also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which require that 120mm high barriers must be placed between your mattress and the cot of your child.
Lastly, there are travel cribs that are specifically designed to be taken on the road. These are typically much smaller and more compact than standard cribs which makes them easy to transport into and out of cars and hotels. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example, can be set up and packed down in under an hour and weighs just 3 pounds, making it easy to carry and lift.