Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are perfect for mums. It's larger than a Moses Basket, but smaller than the Cot Bed. It can also be folded down to one-quarter of its original size, and can be put into a convenient bag for transport.
Just remember that the crib should only be used to sleep and that toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows are an entrapment risk.
Safety
If you're looking to purchase a travel crib you'll want to be sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The best place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can inform you whether or not a particular crib for portable has been recall. You should also select the correct size for the crib of your baby to ensure it doesn't slide into the gaps between the sides of the crib or create a suffocation hazard.
When choosing a bassinet or crib choose one that meets the newer safety standards that were revised in 2022. Avoid cribs with older designs and 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 must 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 secure walls and mesh windows to allow for proper air circulation. The crib slats shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and legs from getting trapped. Never put toys, blankets, or toys that are stuffed with animals in the crib. These can cause suffocation or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib as soon as your child is able to push up on their knees and hands or prior to 5 months old or 5 months, whichever is first.
Make sure you check regularly for loose or broken screws and hardware. This is particularly important when traveling with a child. Remove all plastic from the crib too.
If cots4tots using a portable baby crib ensure that it's not placed directly in front of an enormous window. A window can be an injury risk for falls and if your baby falls into it, they could get injured. It's recommended to keep your baby's sleeping space 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 to awake them to prevent injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards which is what they're sometimes referred to as) are a great option for anyone going on vacation, having family stay over, or simply needing an appropriate crib at a sleepover with friends. These portable cribs come with a comfortable mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15kg. They are simple to assemble and compact once closed.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favourite with MFM home testers, who appreciate the fact that it can be folded and stored in just a few minutes and that its simple drop-down panels that can be operated with one hand are simple enough for even sleepy parents to use. It's not the lightest backpack and play, but with just under 15 pounds it's still a good 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 fantastic option. It includes a bassinet for the bed and a crib into a compact unit. It is ideal for holidays and overnight stays with friends and family. It's not the most affordable option however it has a variety of features, such as a basket for storage as well as calming lights for the night that change colour as well as lullabies and white noise to aid your child to fall asleep.
The fabrics are machine washable and wipeable, making it easy to clean. And, despite its size and weight (it's more bulky when open) it's surprisingly light at less than 12kg. It slots neatly into a small, handy travel bag that comes with it - 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 can fit any size bed. It's also incredibly quick to set up, with our MFM tester able to get it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. It will require a mattress that is separate.
Feeding
If you're traveling for pleasure or business, it's important to keep your baby happy and safe while traveling. It's better to purchase a travel-specific crib or bassinet than to use one that you already own. They are smaller and come with mesh sides that allow parents to monitor their child without causing any disturbance to them. They are also lightweight to make it easy to transport between locations. They also meet all the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been subject to recalls.
If you have to use a crib next to your bed it is recommended you put 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 recommended for any baby, regardless of age, and this type of co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. If you must occasionally co-sleep, make sure that your baby is asleep and that you and your partner are dressed and awake.
There are many kinds of cribs for newborns and babies.
Some are designed as a mini-crib or Moses baskets, while others have sides that can be placed on parent's beds. 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 advises against due to suffocation risks. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, which is a bedside sleeper that connects to the side of a mattress for a parent. This is a great option for older children, since the sides can be elevated so that you can reach the baby without having to lift them from the bed. The travel cot with an integrated crib that is removable allows you to lift a sleeping baby for feeding or care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs let you co-sleep safely with your baby. They are placed next to your bed during the night, allowing you to reach them easily for night feeds and observe them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs come with drop-sides that you can lower to make it easier for you to do this, while others come with a height adjustment, so they can fit into your bed at home and away.
It was previously recommended that infants be in their own room. However parents are increasingly opting to sleep with their children. Also known as rooming-in this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents but remain safe and separate from their own crib or bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers such as the ICrib, which is a portable crib designed to fit on the top of a bed, or a crib. This model comes with a light frame and a mattress that is removable and it folds up for easy storage. It also comes with the Joie Roomie Go crib, which fastens to the edge of a bed and has 7 height settings that can be adjusted as well as a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. This crib was loved by our MFM home testers for its ease of use and compact folding, and it's also available in a variety of colors.
You can also buy freestanding bedside cribs like our Lilly or Alain that you can place on top of an existing bed frame. They have a movable side barrier that slides down to allow you to pick your baby up for night feeding, but the crib is completely fully enclosed and your baby will sleep soundly throughout this time. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm separation between your mattress and child's cot.
Additionally, there are cribs for travel that are specially designed to be used on the road. These are usually smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, which makes it easier to carry them into and out of cars and hotels. Munchkin Brica, for example can be set up in under a minute and folded down in three pounds. It is therefore easy to lift and transport.