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 the Cot Bed. It can also be folded down to just a quarter of its original size and can be put into a convenient bag for travel.
Keep in mind that the crib is designed for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can suffocate a child.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards. One good place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a specific crib is being recall. Choose a mattress that fits the crib of your baby so it won't slip through the gaps or pose an suffocation hazard.
Search for bassinets and cribs that are in line with the latest safety standards of 2022. You should also avoid cribs with a long history, modified cribs or drop side cribs that were recycled for use in travel, as they aren't tested and may pose risks to your baby's safety.
A travel crib should be well-constructed and sturdy. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have a secure wall and mesh windows to allow for proper air circulation. The crib slats shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and limbs becoming trapped. Never put toys, blankets or toys that are stuffed with animals in the crib. These objects can strangle or suffocate your baby. They must be removed when they are able to stand up on their own or before the age of five months.
It's also important to check regularly for broken or loose screws and hardware, especially when traveling with your infant. Remove all plastic from the crib too.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure that it's not directly under the window. A window can be a fall risk and if your baby rolls into it, they may get injured. It is recommended to keep your baby's room away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. If your child begins to roll over in bed it's best to awake them to prevent injuries.
baby bedside crib
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, a portable crib (or playard, as they are sometimes called) is an excellent option. These playards fold up easily to assemble and compact when closed, and come with an incredibly comfortable mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a fav among MFM home testers who appreciate the fact it can be folded down and stored in just one or two minutes, and its simple one-handed drop-down panels are simple for even sleepy parents to use. 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 has regular carry handles rather than the backpack-style strap that some prefer to haul around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another excellent option. It combines a bedside bassinet and crib into one compact unit. It is ideal for overnight stays during holidays and with friends and family. It's not the least expensive however it comes with an abundance of features that are all-dancing and all-singing like a basket for storage and soothing night lights that change colour and white noise. It also has lullabies to aid your baby to fall asleep, and its bassinet setting sits up higher than most to make it easier to use in the beginning of the day when mom is still recovering.
The fabric is machine washable and wipeable, making it easy to clean. It's also light at just 12 kilos, and fits neatly into the small, handy travel case that comes with it. It has six height settings that include a tummy tilt to help with reflux or colic babies, and is able to fit beds of all sizes. It's also incredibly quick to install and our MFM tester being able to have it set up in only 10 minutes. You'll need to purchase an additional mattress however.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is safe and secure when you travel, whether on business or pleasure. It is better to buy a bassinet or crib designed for travel rather than using one you already own. They are smaller, have mesh sides to allow parents to check on their babies without disturbing them, and are light enough for simple transport between destinations. They also meet all the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been recalled.
If you must use a crib beside your bed it is recommended that you put your baby on their back. The mattress should be free of blankets, pillows and stuffed toys. Sharing the bed with parents isn't recommended for any baby, regardless of age, and this type of sleeping with a partner is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you must co-sleep occasionally, ensure that you only do this while your baby is asleep and that you are both awake and fully dressed.
There are baby bedside cot of cribs for newborns and babies.
Some are shaped like a mini crib or a Moses basket, whereas others have sides that can be lowered to the bed of the parent. This allows parents to access their infant in the middle of the night to comfort and feed them, while avoiding the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP cautions against this due to the risk of the risk of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that is attached to a parent's mattress. This can also be an option for older children because the sides can be easily raised to allow you to reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. Another option is the travel cot that has a built-in bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib making it easier to lift up a sleeping infant for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are an excellent method to sleep in a safe environment with your newborn. They are placed near your bed at night, so that you can reach them easily for feedings at night and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs have drop-sides that you can lower for this purpose, while others have a height adjustment so they will fit in your bed at home and when you go away.
While it was once recommended that babies sleep in a separate bedroom, there is now a growing preference for parents to share a bed with their infants. Also known as rooming-in this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents, but remain in a safe space on their own crib or bassinet. There are several types of co-sleepers available like the iCrib, which is designed to be an easy-to-move crib that can be placed on the top of your bed, or a standard crib. This model comes with a lightweight frame, a removable mattress and is foldable into a compact size for storage. There is also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that can be attached to the edge of the bed and features 7 adjustable height positions as well as a tummy tilt to help with reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers praised the crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It's also available in different colours.
There are also bedside cribs that are freestanding, such as our Lilly or Alain that you can put next to an existing bed frame. They have a movable side barrier that can slide down to allow you take your baby to a evening feeding, however the crib is self-contained, and your child will continue sleeping soundly during this period. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards which require a 120mm separation between your mattress and the child's crib.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are designed specifically to be carried on the road. They tend to be smaller and more compact than standard cribs, making it easier to transport them into and out of hotels and vehicles. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for instance, can be set up and taken down in less than a minute and it weighs just 3 pounds, so it is easy to lift and carry.