Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel

The size of this crib is ideal for mothers. It's larger than a Moses Basket, but smaller than the Cot Bed. It can also fold down to a quarter of its original size, and fit into a handy bag for travel.

Just remember that the crib should be used only for sleeping. Toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose dangers to suffocate.

Safety

If you're looking to purchase a crib for travel it is important to make sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. One good starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can inform you whether or not a specific crib is being removed from the market. You'll also want to choose a mattress that is appropriate for the crib of your baby, so it doesn't slip into the gaps between the crib's sides or create a suffocation risk.

Find bassinets or cribs that meet the updated safety standards of 2022. Avoid older cribs and cribs modified for travel or cribs with drop-sides. bedside crib travel have not been tested and could be a danger to your baby's safety.

A travel crib needs to be built well and strong. Make sure you check 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 for air flow. The slats on the crib should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to prevent baby's head or legs from getting trapped. Also, never put pillows, blankets toys, stuffed animals or other items in the crib. These objects can strangle or suffocate your baby. They should be removed when they are able to stand on their own, or before the age of five months.

Make sure you check frequently for broken or loose screws and other hardware. This is particularly important when traveling with a child. Make sure you remove all plastic from the crib before use, as well.

If you're using a portable crib, make sure it is not located right under a window. A window could be an accident hazard for your baby could be injured if they roll into it. It's recommended to keep your baby's sleeping space away from windows, even if they are old enough to roll over. It's crucial to wake your baby when they begin to sleep on their backs.

Portability

If you're to a holiday, have relatives staying over, or simply want a safe bedside crib for sleepovers or with friends, an portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're often called) is a great choice. These foldable contraptions have an extremely comfortable mattress that can accommodate babies up to 15kg. They are easy to assemble and compact once closed.

MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib because it is easy to fold and put away. Its easy one-handed drop down panels are also easy for parents with a bleary eye. It's not the lightest backpack and play, but with just 15 pounds, it's an adequate weight. It also has regular handles instead of a backpack strap, which some parents prefer.

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 both holidays and overnight visits to friends and family. It's not the least expensive however it comes with an abundance of dancing and all-singing features like a basket for storage, soothing colour-changing night lights and white noise. It also has lullabies to help your baby fall asleep and its bassinet sits up higher than most for easier access in the early hours when mum is still recovering.

The fabrics are machine washable and wipeable, making it easy to clean. It's also light, at just under 12kg, and fits neatly into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It comes with six different height settings, as well as an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It's able to fit all sizes of beds. It's also very easy to install and our MFM tester being able to have it ready in just 10 minutes. You'll need an additional mattress however.

Feeding

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, it's important to ensure your baby is comfortable and safe while traveling. While some families might be tempted to use a crib or bassinet that they already own however, it's recommended to purchase one that is specifically designed for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides to allow parents to monitor their children without disturbing them, and are lightweight enough for easy transport between destinations. These also conform to the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been subject to recalls.

If you have to use a bedside crib, it's recommended that your child be positioned on their backs and that the bed be free of pillows, blankets, and animals stuffed. Co-sleeping can increase the chance of SIDS. If you do have to sleep with your partner at times ensure that your baby is asleep and that you and your partner are dressed and awake.

There are many types of cribs for babies and infants.

Some are shaped like a mini crib or a Moses basket, and others have sides that can be put down into the bed of the parent. This allows access to the baby to feed and comfort without exposing the risk of true co-sleeping which the AAP advises against due to suffocation risks. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, an infant bed that is attached to the side of a parent's mattress. It is a good choice for older children since the sides can be raised so that you can reach the baby without lifting them out of bed. Another option is a travel cot that has a built-in bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib, which makes it easier to raise a sleeping infant for feeding or care.

Sleeping

Bedside cribs are an excellent way to safely co-sleep with your infant. They are placed next to your bed so you can easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleeping without disrupting them. Some cribs have an opening on the side that you can lower to make this easier, and some have an adjustable height adjustment to ensure they are able to accommodate your bed when you are at home or away.


Previously, it was recommended that infants have their own bedrooms. However parents are increasingly choosing to sleep with their children. Also known as rooming-in this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents, but remain safe and separate from their own crib or bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers available, including the iCrib which is designed to be portable and can be placed on the top of your bed, or a standard crib. It has a light frame and a mattress that can be removed and can be folded to make it easy for storage. There's also the Joie Roomie Go crib, which fastens to the edge of the bed and includes 7 adjustable height positions and an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. This crib was loved by our MFM home testers for its convenience and compact folding, and it's also available in a variety of colours.

There are also freestanding bedside cribs such as our Lilly or Alain that you can put on top of a standard bed frame. The cribs have an elongated side that can slide down to allow you to pick up your baby for night feedings. However the cribs are completely self-contained so your baby can continue sleeping peacefully. These cribs also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements that specify that the 120mm high barrier should be present between your mattress and your child's cot.

There are also cribs designed for travel and are designed to be used on the road. They are usually smaller and less bulky than a standard crib, making them more convenient to take into and out of hotels and cars. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example, can be set up and taken down in less than a minute and it weighs just 3 pounds, so it is easy to move and carry.