Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Mums love this crib's size - it's bigger than the size of a Moses basket, but smaller than a cot bed. It also folds down to a third of its original size, and can fit into a compact travel bag, making it ideal for travel.
bedside crib that turns into cot is important to remember that the crib should be used only for sleeping. Toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose a suffocation hazard.
Safety
As you shop for a crib for travel you'll want to be sure the manufacturer meets all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) site is an excellent place to start. It will tell you if a portable crib has ever been recall. Select a mattress that is suitable for the crib of your baby so it won't fall through the gaps or create an suffocation hazard.
Find bassinets or cribs that are in line with the latest safety standards of 2022. Avoid cribs with older designs and designed 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 well-constructed and sturdy. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have sturdy walls and mesh windows for adequate air circulation. The crib's slats should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent baby's head or limbs from being trapped. Never put toys, blankets or toys in the crib. These objects can strangle or suffocate your baby. They should be removed at the time they are able to stand up independently or before the age of 5 months.
It is also essential to check frequently for loose or broken hardware and screws, especially when traveling with your infant. Make sure to remove all crib furniture before using it, and.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure that it's not directly under windows. A window is an accident hazard for your baby may be injured in the event that they crash into it. Even if your child 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 when they begin to roll over during sleep.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards which is what they're sometimes referred to as) are a great option for those traveling on vacation, having a guests over, or simply needing a safe crib to use at a sleepover with friends. These playards fold up easily to put together, compact when they're closed, and feature the most comfortable padded mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15 kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a fav among MFM home testers who appreciate the fact that it can be folded and stored in one or two minutes, and its easy-to-use drop-down panels are simple for even sleepy parents to use. It's not the lightest backpack and play, but with just under 15 pounds it's still an adequate weight. It also comes with normal handles instead of a backpack style strap that some people find more comfortable.
Another excellent option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which combines a bedside crib and bassinet in one compact unit that's 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 such as a storage basket, soothing colour-changing night lights and white noise. It also has lullabies to help your baby sleep, and its bassinet setting sits up higher than most to make it easier to access in the beginning of the day when mom is still recovering.
It's also easy to keep clean, with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's more bulky when open), it's relatively lightweight at just under 12kg and slots neatly into a compact, convenient bag included - perfect for trips away from home. It comes with six different height settings as well as the ability to tilt the tummy for reflux/colic babies. It's suitable for all bed sizes. It's also very easy to install and our MFM tester having it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. It'll require a separate mattress.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is safe and secure when you travel, whether for pleasure or business. While some families might be inclined to use a bassinet or crib that they have, it's best to buy one that is specifically designed for travel. These are smaller, have mesh sides that permit parents to check on their babies without disturbing them and are light enough to allow for easy transport between destinations. They also meet the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and have not been recalled.
If you are required to use a crib alongside your bed it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The sleeping surface should be free of blankets, pillows and stuffed toys. Sharing a bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby regardless of age, and this kind of sleeping with a partner is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you must occasionally co-sleep ensure that your baby is sleeping and that you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.
The bedside cribs that are available for newborns and young babies include:
Some are shaped as a mini-crib or Moses basket while others have sides which can be lowered into the parents' beds. This allows parents to reach their child in the middle of the night to comfort and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP warns against this due to the danger of being suffocated. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, a bedside sleeper that attaches to the parent's mattress. This is a great option for older children, as the sides can be raised so that you can reach the baby without lifting them from the bed. The travel cot that has a built-in crib that can be removed allows you to easily lift a sleeping baby for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to sleep with your baby in a safe and secure way. They are set next to your bed, allowing you to easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleeping without disrupting them. Some cribs have an adjustable drop-side 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 and away.
While it used to be recommended that babies sleep in their own separate bedroom, there's a increasing preference for parents to co-sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming in, this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents but remain safe and separate from their own bassinet or crib. There are a variety of co-sleepers such as the iCrib, a portable crib designed to be placed on top of a bed or a crib. It includes a light frame, a mattress that can be removed, and can be folded up for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It attaches to the bed's edge and features seven height positions, and a tummy-tilt to help with colic and reflux. Our MFM home testers loved this crib for its small folding and easy to use. It's also available in a variety of colors.
There are also bedside cribs, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, which can be put on top of an existing bed frame. These have a movable side barrier that can slide down to allow you take your baby to a evening feeding, however the crib is otherwise self-contained and your baby will continue sleeping soundly during this period. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130 safety standards, which require a 120mm separation between your mattress and the child's cot.
There are also cribs designed for travel and are designed to be taken on the road. They are usually smaller and more compact than standard cribs, making them easy to transport into and out of hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be assembled in under a minute and folded down in less than three pounds. It is therefore simple to move and lift.