Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are ideal for mothers. It's larger than a Moses Basket but smaller than the 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.
Just remember that the crib should only be used for sleeping. describes it as pillows, blankets and pillows are an entrapment risk.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer adheres to all safety standards. A good starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can inform you whether or not a certain portable crib has been recalled. Select a mattress that is suitable for the crib of your child so that it won't slip through the gaps or pose the risk of suffocation.
Look for cribs or bassinets that meet the updated safety standards for 2022. Avoid older cribs and cribs that have been modified for travel, or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs have not been tested and could cause danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib should be strong and well-constructed. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should have a secure wall and mesh windows to allow for proper air flow. The crib's slats must not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and limbs from becoming 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 at the time your child is able to pull up on their hands and knees or before 5 months of age or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
Examine regularly for loose or broken screws and hardware. This is particularly important when traveling with a child. Make sure to remove all plastic from the crib before use, as well.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure it's not directly under windows. A window could be an accident hazard for your baby could be injured if they roll into it. Even if your baby is old enough to roll over it is best to keep their sleeping space away from windows. It's important to wake up your baby when they begin to roll over while sleeping.
Portability
If you're planning a trip on holiday, have family staying over, or just want a safe crib for sleepovers with your friends, an portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're sometimes called) is an excellent option. These foldable contraptions are easy to put together, compact when they're closed, and come with a comfortable padded mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15kg.
MFM home testers appreciate the BabyBjorn travel crib because it is easy to fold and to store. Its easy drop-down panels that are one-handed are also easy for parents who are bleary-eyed. It's not our lightest pack-and play, but at under 15 pounds, it's an acceptable weight. It also comes with normal handles instead of a backpack style strap, which some parents find more comfortable.
Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which includes a crib for bed and a bassinet in one compact unit that is ideal for both overnight and holiday visits to friends and family. It's not the most affordable alternative but it does come with many features, such as a basket for storage as well as calming lights for the night that change color and lullabies, as well as white noise, which can help your child sleep.
The fabric is machine washable and wipeable, making it easy to clean. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when open) it's surprisingly light at less than 12kg. It slots neatly into a compact, practical travel bag that comes with it perfect for trips away from home. It has six different height settings as well as an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It's able to fit all bed sizes. It is also very easy to install. Our MFM tester was able to set it up in only 10 minutes. It will require a mattress that is separate.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is safe and comfortable when you travel, whether on pleasure or business. While some families may be inclined to use a crib or bassinet that they have but it's better to purchase one specially made for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides that allow parents to 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 have to use a crib alongside 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 sleeping in a bed with parents isn't advised 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 so when your baby is asleep, and that you are at all times dressed and awake.
There are many types of cribs for babies and newborns.
Some are designed to resemble a mini crib or a Moses basket, and others have sides that can be put down into the parent's bed. This allows for middle-of-the-night access to the baby for feeding and comforting without exposing the risk of true co-sleeping which the AAP cautions against due suffocation risks. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that is attached to a mattress that is used by a parent. It is a good choice for older children since the sides can be elevated to allow you to reach the infant without having to lift them out of the bed. Another option is the travel cot with a built-in bassinet which can be removed from the top of the crib, making it easier to raise the sleeping infant to feed or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a great way to safely co-sleep with your newborn. They are placed next to your bed so you can easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleep without disrupting them. Some cribs have an adjustable drop-side that can be lowered for this purpose, while others come with a height adjustment, so they can be placed in your bed at home or away.
In the past, it was suggested that infants have their own bedrooms. However, parents are increasingly preferring to sleep with their children. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents, but remain safely separated on their own bassinet or crib. There are a variety of co-sleeper available such as the iCrib that is designed to be portable and can be placed on the top of your bed or a regular crib. This model comes with a light frame and a mattress that is removable and can be folded for easy storage. There is also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that is attached to the edge of the bed and includes 7 adjustable height positions and an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. The crib was praised by our MFM home testers for its convenience and compact folding. it's also available in a variety of colours.
You can also buy freestanding bedside cribs like our Lilly or Alain that you can place on top of an existing bed frame. The cribs feature the side barrier that can be lowered to allow you to grab your baby for feedings at night. However they are also self-contained, allowing your baby to remain asleep peacefully. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm separation between your mattress and the child's crib.
Additionally, there are cribs for travel that are specially designed to be taken on the road. They are usually smaller and lighter than a standard crib, making them more convenient to take into and out of hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be put together in just a few minutes and folded down in just three pounds. It is therefore simple to lift and transport.