Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel

The size of this crib is ideal for moms. It's bigger than a Moses Basket but smaller than a Cot Bed. It's also foldable down to just a quarter of its original size, and fit into a handy bag for travel.

Make sure that the crib is designed for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can suffocate a child.

Safety


When you're looking for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards. One good starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which will inform you whether or not a particular portable crib has been removed from the market. It is also important to select the correct size for the crib of your baby so that it doesn't fall into gaps in the crib sides or create a suffocation hazard.

Look for cribs or bassinets that are in line with the latest safety standards for 2022. Avoid cribs with older designs and modified for travel or cribs with drop-sides. bedside cots uk cots4tots.co.uk Links to an external site. been tested, and may be a danger to your baby's safety.

A travel crib must be well-constructed and sturdy. Examine for loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you are using a playard, it should have mesh windows and secure walls for air flow. 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 items can suffocate or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib at the time your child is able push up on their knees and hands or prior to 5 months old, whichever comes first.

Make sure you check regularly for loose or broken screws and other hardware. This is particularly crucial when traveling with a baby. Remove all plastic from the crib too.

If you're using a portable crib, be sure that it's not right under a window. A window is an injury risk for falls and if your baby falls 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 child starts to roll over while sleeping it's best to wake them up to prevent injuries.

Portability

If you're planning a trip to a holiday, have relatives staying with you, or need a secure bedside crib for sleepovers with friends, a portable crib (or playard, as they are sometimes called) is an excellent option. These portable cribs are simple to put together and compact when closed, and feature a comfortable padded mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15kg.

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a fav among MFM home testers, who love the fact it can be folded down and stored in just several minutes and its simple one-handed drop-down panels are simple enough for even sleepy parents to use. It's not the tiniest of packs-and-play on our list but it's a decent weight at just over 15 pounds, and it comes with standard handles instead of the backpack-style strap that some prefer to haul around.

Another excellent option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which incorporates a bedside crib and bassinet into one compact unit that's ideal for holidays as well as overnight visits to friends and family. It's not the most affordable one, but it does come with an abundance of dancing and all-singing features like a basket for storage as well as calming colour-changing lights for the night as well as white noise and lullabies to help your baby fall asleep and its bassinet sits up higher than most to make it easier to access during the early days when mom is still recovering.

It's also easy to keep clean, with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. In spite of its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when it's open), it's relatively lightweight at less than 12kg. It fits neatly into a compact, convenient travel bag that comes with it perfect for trips away from home. It comes with six different height settings, as well as an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It's suitable for all bed sizes. It is also very easy to set up. Our MFM tester could do it in just 10 minutes. It will require a separate mattress.

Feeding

If you're traveling for business or pleasure, it's important to keep your baby happy and safe on the road. While some families might be inclined to use a bassinet or crib that they already own however, it's recommended to purchase one that is specifically designed for travel. They are smaller and come with mesh sides that allow parents to monitor their child without disturbing them. They're also light for easy transportation between destinations. These also conform to the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.

If you must use a crib next to your bed it is recommended you place your baby on their back. The sleeping surface should be free of pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys. Sharing a bed with parents isn't advised 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, make sure that your baby is sleeping and that both you and your partner are dressed and awake.

The types of bedside cribs that are available for infants and young children include:

Some are shaped like miniature cribs or Moses basket, whereas others have sides that can be set down into the parent's bed. This allows parents to access their child at any time during the night to comfort and feed them, while avoiding the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP warns against this because of the risk of being suffocated. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that is attached to a parent's mattress. It is also a safer option for older babies since the sides can easily be raised to let you reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting them out. The travel cot with a built-in crib that is removable allows you to lift a sleeping baby for feeding or for care.

Sleeping

Bedside cribs are a fantastic way to safely co-sleep with your infant. They are placed next to your bed at night, allowing you to reach over easily for night feeds and monitor them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs come with an adjustable drop-side that you can lower for this purpose, whereas others have a height adjustment so they will fit in your bed at home or away.

Previously, it was recommended that infants have their own bedrooms. However parents are increasingly opting to co-sleep. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents yet remain safe and separate from their own crib or bassinet. There are many types of co-sleeper available like the iCrib, which is designed to be portable and can be placed on the top of your bed, or a regular crib. This model has a lightweight frame, a mattress that is removable, and can be folded into a compact size for storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It attaches to the bed edge and comes with seven height positions as well as a tummy tilt to help with colic and reflux. This crib was well-received by our MFM home testers for its user-friendly design and compact folding, and it's also available in a variety of colours.

You can also buy freestanding bedside cribs such as our Lilly or Alain which you can put on top of a standard bed frame. They have a movable side barrier that slides down so you can pick your baby up for dinner at night, but the crib is completely fully enclosed and your baby will sleep soundly throughout this time. These models also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements that specify that a 120mm high barrier must be installed between your mattress and the cot of your child.

There are also cribs for travel available. They are designed specifically to be carried on the road. They are usually smaller and more compact than standard cribs, making them easier to carry in and out of cars and hotels. Munchkin Brica, for example can be put together in less than one minute and folded down in just three pounds. It is therefore simple to lift and transport.