Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The crib's size is a hit with moms - it's bigger than the Moses basket, but smaller than a crib bed. It can also be folded down to one-quarter of its original size, and then put in a handy bag for transport.
Keep in mind that the crib is intended for sleeping. Toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows can suffocate a child.
Safety
When you're looking for a travel cot, make sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website is the best place to start. It will tell you whether a crib that is portable has ever been removed from the market. Pick a mattress that's suitable for the crib of your baby so it won't slip through the gaps or pose the risk of suffocation.
Search for bassinets and cribs that meet the updated safety standards of 2022. It is also recommended to avoid cribs that are older, modified cribs or drop side cribs that have been repurposed for travel because these have not been tested and could pose a risk to your baby's well-being.
A travel crib needs to be built well and strong. Examine for broken, missing or loose screws, as well as other hardware. If you are using a playard it should have mesh windows and sturdy walls to allow air circulation. The crib's slats must not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby's head and legs from getting trapped. Never put toys, blankets, or stuffed animals in the crib. These objects can choke 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 frequently for broken or loose screws and hardware. This is especially crucial when traveling with a child. Make sure you remove all crib furniture prior to use, too.
If you're using a portable crib for your baby, make sure it's not placed in front of the large windows. Windows pose an accident hazard and if your baby rolls into it, they could get injured. Even if your child is old enough to roll over it is best to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If your child starts to roll over while sleeping it's a good idea to get them up in order to avoid injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards or playards, as they're often referred to) are a great option for those who is on vacation, has a family stay over, or simply needing a safe crib for use at a sleepover with friends. These playards fold up and include an extremely comfortable mattress that can support babies up to 15kg. They are easy to put together and compact when closed.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a fav among MFM home testers who appreciate the fact that it can be folded and stored in a few minutes and that 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, but it's a good weight at just over 15 pounds. It features standard carry handles rather than a backpack-style strap which some find more comfortable to haul around.
Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which includes a crib for bed and a bassinet into a compact unit that is ideal for both overnight and holiday visits to family and friends. It's not the cheapest one, but it does come with an abundance of all-singing and all-dancing features like a storage basket, soothing colour-changing night lights and white noise. It also has lullabies to help your baby sleep and sleep. Its bassinet sits up higher than most to make it easier to access during the early days when mum is still recovering.
It's also easy to clean, with machine-washable and wipeable fabrics. In spite of its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when opened) it's light at just 12kg and fits neatly into a compact, practical bag that comes with it - perfect for trips away from home. It has six height settings that include the tilt of the tummy for reflux/colic babies, and can fit beds of all sizes. It's also very easy to install and has our MFM tester having it ready in just 10 minutes. You'll need to purchase a separate mattress for it however.
Feeding
It is essential that your child is safe and secure when you travel, whether on pleasure or business. While some families might be tempted to use a crib or bassinet that they own however, it's recommended to purchase one specifically designed for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides to allow parents to monitor their babies without disturbing them. They are light enough for simple transportation between locations. They also meet all safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been subject to recalls.
If you have to utilize a crib for your bed, it's recommended that your child be laid on their backs and that the sleeping surface be free of any blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals. Sharing a 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 bedside baby bed are forced to co-sleep at times, make sure that you only do this while your baby is asleep and that you are completely dressed and awake.
The types of bedside cribs for infants and young children include:
Some are designed to resemble an oversized crib or Moses basket, and others have sides that can be set to the bed of the parent. This allows parents to reach their child in the middle of the night to comfort and feed them, while avoiding the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP cautions against this due to the risk of being suffocated. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper which attaches to the mattress of a parent. It is also an option for older babies because the sides can easily be raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. Another option is the travel cot, which has an integrated bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib, which makes it easier to raise a sleeping infant for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a fantastic way to safely co-sleep with your baby. They are set next to your bed to allow you to easily reach them for night feedings and check on their sleeping without disrupting them. Some cribs come with drop-sides that can be lowered to make it easier for you to do this, while others have a height adjustment so they will fit in your bed at home or away.
While it used to be recommended that babies sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is a growing preference for parents to share a bed with their infants. This arrangement, also known as rooming in, allows babies to remain close to their parents while remaining safely separated in their own crib or a bassinet. There are several types of co-sleeper available such as the iCrib that is designed to be a portable crib that fits on the top of your bed or a regular crib. It has a light frame and a removable mattress and folds up for easy storage. It also comes with the Joie Roomie Go crib, which fastens to the edge of a bed and features 7 adjustable height positions as well as a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers praised this crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It is also available in various colors.
You can also buy freestanding bedside cribs like our Lilly or Alain that you can put on top of the standard 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 completely self-contained, and your child will continue sleeping soundly during this period. These cribs also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which stipulate that a 120mm high barrier must be placed between your mattress and your child's cot.
There are also travel cribs that are specifically made to be carried on the road. These are usually smaller and lighter than standard cribs, making it easier to move them in and out hotels and cars. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example, can be set up and put down in less than a minute and it weighs just 3 pounds, making it easy to carry and lift.