Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Mums love this crib's size It's larger than a Moses basket, but smaller than a cot bed. It also can fold down to a third of its original size, and can fit into a convenient travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Keep in mind that the crib is designed for sleeping. Toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows can suffocate a child.
Safety
If you're looking to purchase a travel crib you'll want to be sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The best starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which will inform you whether or not a certain crib for portable has been removed from the market. You'll also want to choose appropriate for the crib of your baby so that it doesn't fall into gaps in the crib's sides or cause suffocation hazards.
When choosing 4-in-1 bedside crib or crib choose one that meets the newer safety standards, which were updated in 2022. It is also recommended to avoid cribs that are older and cribs that have been modified or drop side cribs that are used for travel as they aren't tested and could pose a risk to your baby's safety.
A travel crib should be well-built and sturdy. Examine for broken, missing or loose screws, as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should have mesh windows and sturdy walls to allow air circulation. The slats of the crib should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to keep baby's head and limbs from being trapped. Also, never put blankets, pillows, stuffed animals or toys in the crib. These can cause suffocation or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib when your child is able push up on their knees and hands or prior to 5 months old, whichever comes first.
Check regularly for loose or broken screws and other hardware. This is particularly crucial when traveling with a child. Make sure you take out all crib furniture before use, as well.
If you are using a portable crib ensure that it's not placed directly beneath a large window. A window can be an injury risk for falls and if your baby falls into it, they could get injured. Even if your baby is old enough to be able to roll over it is recommended to keep their sleeping space away from windows. It is important to wake your baby if they start to roll over while sleeping.
Portability
If you're planning a trip to a holiday, have relatives staying with you, or need a secure bedside crib for sleepovers or with friends, an portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're often called) is an excellent option. These foldable contraptions have an extremely comfortable mattress that can accommodate babies up to 15kg. They are easy to assemble and compact when closed.
MFM home testers appreciate the BabyBjorn travel crib because it is easy to fold and to store. Its simple drop-down panels that are one-handed are also easy to use for parents who are tired. It's not the lightest backpack and play, but with just 15 pounds, it's an acceptable weight. It also has regular handles instead of a backpack strap that some people find more comfortable.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another excellent alternative. It includes a bassinet for the bed and a crib into one compact unit. It is ideal for holidays and overnight stays with friends and family. It's not the cheapest option however it has many features, including an organizer basket and calming night lights that change color as well as lullabies and white noise, to aid your child to fall asleep.
It's also easy to clean, with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when opened) it's surprisingly light at just under 12kg and fits neatly into a compact, practical travel bag included ideal for trips away from home. It comes with six different height settings, including the tilt of the tummy for reflux/colic babies, and can fit beds of all sizes. It is also very easy to set up. Our MFM tester was able to do it in only 10 minutes. You'll need a separate mattress for it, however.
Feeding
It's important that your baby is safe and secure when you travel, whether for pleasure or business. It's better to purchase a travel-specific crib or bassinet than to use one that you already own. They are smaller and have mesh sides so parents can monitor their child without causing any disturbance to them. They're also light to make it easy to transport between locations. They also conform to the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you must use a crib that is placed at your bedside, it's recommended that your infant be placed on their back and that the sleeping surface be free of blankets, pillows and stuffed animals. Sharing sleeping in a bed with parents isn't recommended for any baby regardless of age, and this kind of sleeping with a partner is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you have to occasionally co-sleep ensure that your baby is sleeping and that both you and your partner are dressed and awake.
The bedside cribs that are available for babies and infants include:
Some are designed as a mini-crib or Moses basket, while others have sides that can be put into parents' bed. This allows parents to reach their child in the middle of the night to soothe and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP cautions against this because of the risk of being suffocated. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that attaches to the mattress of a parent. This is a great option for older children, since the sides can be raised to allow you to reach the baby without having to lift them out of the bed. The travel cot that has a built-in crib that can be removed allows you to easily lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are an excellent way to safely co-sleep with your baby. They are placed near your bed so you can easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleep without disrupting them. Some cribs have drop sides that you can lower to make it easier, and others have an adjustable height adjustment so that they will accommodate your bed when you are at home or when you are away.
Previously, it was recommended that infants be in their own room. However, parents are increasingly preferring to co-sleep. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents yet remain safely separated on their own crib or bassinet. There are 4-in-1 bedside crib of co-sleepers like the iCrib, which is an inflatable crib that is designed to be placed on the top of a bed or a crib. This model comes with a light frame and a mattress that can be removed and it can be folded to make it easy for storage. It also comes with the Joie Roomie Go crib, which fastens to the edge of a bed. It has 7 height settings that can be adjusted and an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. This crib was praised by our MFM home testers for its ease of use and compact folding. it is also available in a variety of colors.
There are also freestanding cribs for bedside use, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be positioned next to an existing bed frame. The cribs have a side barrier that can be lowered to allow you to pick up your baby for night feedings. However the cribs are completely self-contained, allowing your baby to rest comfortably. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards which require a 120mm barrier between your mattress and child's cot.
Additionally, there are cribs for travel that are specially designed to be taken on the road. They are typically smaller and more compact than standard cribs, which makes it easier to carry them into and out of cars and hotels. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for instance can be set up and packed down in under an hour and weighs just 3 pounds, making it easy to lift and carry.