Buying travel cot bedside crib For Travel
The size of this crib is perfect for mums. It's larger than a Moses Basket, but smaller than the Cot Bed. It also folds down to just a third of its original size and fits into a convenient travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Remember that the crib should only be used to sleep and that toys, pillows and blankets are a suffocation hazard.
Safety
As you shop for a crib for travel you'll want to be sure the manufacturer meets all safety standards. A good starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a specific crib for portable has been recalled. It is also important to select a mattress that is appropriate for the crib of your baby to ensure it doesn't slide into the gaps between the crib's sides or cause suffocation hazards.
Find bassinets or cribs that are in line with the latest safety standards of 2022. Avoid cribs that are older or that have been modified for travel, or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs haven't been tested, and could pose a risk to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be well-built and sturdy. Check for missing, loose or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have mesh windows and sturdy walls for air flow. The crib slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and limbs becoming trapped. Also, never put pillows, blankets toys, stuffed animals or other items in the crib. These can cause suffocation or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib at the time your child is able to pull up on their knees and hands or prior to 5 months old, whichever comes first.
It's also important to check often for loose or broken hardware and screws, particularly when traveling with your child. Make sure to remove all crib furniture before use, as well.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure it is not located close to windows. A window can be an accident hazard and if your baby rolls into it, they may get injured. It is recommended to keep your baby's room away from windows, even if they are old enough to roll over. If your child starts to roll over in bed it's a good idea awake them to prevent injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards, as they're sometimes called) are a great option for anyone who is on vacation, has a family stay over, or just needing a safe crib to use for a sleepover with friends. 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 love the BabyBjorn travel crib due to the fact that it's easy to fold and put away. Its easy one-handed drop down panels are also convenient for parents with a bleary eye. It's not our lightest pack-and play, but with just 15 pounds, it's an acceptable weight. It also comes with normal handles instead of a backpack-style strap that some people find more comfortable.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another excellent alternative. It includes a bassinet for the bed and a crib into a compact unit. It is ideal for overnight stays during holidays and with friends and family. It's not the least expensive, but it has many all-singing and all-dancing features such as a storage basket, soothing colour-changing night lights, lullabies and white noise to aid your baby to fall asleep and sleep. Its bassinet is higher than the majority for easier access in the early hours when mom is still recovering.
The fabric is machine washable and wipeable, making it easy to clean. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's on the bulkier side when open) it's surprisingly light at just under 12kg and can easily fit into a compact, practical bag included ideal 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 able to fit any size bed. It's also incredibly quick to install, with our MFM tester being able to have it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. You'll need to buy an additional mattress 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 have but it's better to purchase one specifically made for travel. They are smaller and come with mesh sides, which allows parents to check on their baby without disturbing them. They are also lightweight and can be easily transported between places. 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 that is placed at your bedside, it's recommended that your baby be laid on their backs and that the bed be free of pillows, blankets, and animals stuffed. Co-sleeping can increase the risk of SIDS. If you have to occasionally co-sleep, make sure that your baby is sleeping and that you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.
The kinds of cribs for infants and young children include:
Some are shaped as a mini-crib or Moses basket, while others have sides that can be placed on parent's bed. This gives parents access to the baby for feeding and comforting without exposing the risk of true co-sleeping, which the AAP recommends against due to the risk of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, which is a bedside sleeper that connects to the sides of a parent's mattress. This is a good option for older children, since the sides can be raised so that you can reach the infant without lifting them out of bed. The travel cot that has an integrated crib that is removable allows you to easily lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to co-sleep safely with your baby. They are placed next to your bed at night, allowing you to reach out easily to feed them and observe them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs have a drop-side that you can lower for this purpose, while others come with a height adjustment, so they will fit in your bed at home and away.
Although it was previously advised that babies sleep in a separate bedroom, there is now a growing preference for parents to sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming in, this arrangement allows babies to 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, which is an inflatable crib that is designed to be able to sit on the top of a bed, or a crib. This model has a lightweight frame, a mattress that is removable and is able to 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 ease colic and reflux. This crib was praised by our MFM home testers for its user-friendly design and compact folding. it is also available in a range of colours.
There are also bedside cribs, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be placed alongside the traditional bed frame. The cribs feature a side barrier that slides down to allow you to grab your child for feedings at night. However they are also fully enclosed so that your baby can continue sleeping peacefully. These models meet the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards which require a 120mm barrier between your mattress and the child's crib.
Lastly, there are cribs designed for travel and are made to be carried on the road. They are typically smaller and lighter than standard cribs, making it easier to move them in and out cars and hotels. Munchkin Brica, for example can be assembled in less than one minute and folded down in three pounds. It is therefore easy to lift and transport.