20 Things You Should Know About Bedside Crib
Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The size of this crib is ideal for mothers. It's larger than the Moses Basket but smaller than a Cot Bed. It also folds down to a third of its original size and fits into a convenient travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Just remember that the crib should only be used for sleeping and that toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose dangers to suffocate.
Safety
When you are looking for a crib for travel you'll want to be sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) site is the best place to start. It will tell you whether a crib for portable use has ever been recalled. Pick a mattress that's suitable for your baby's crib so it won't slip through the gaps or create the risk of suffocation.
Search for bassinets and cribs that meet the updated safety standards for 2022. Avoid cribs that are older or that have been modified for travel, or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs have not been tested, and could pose a risk to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be built well and strong. Check for missing, loose or broken screws, as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should have secure walls and mesh windows to ensure adequate air flow. The slats on the crib should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent baby's head or limbs from being trapped. Don't put any toys, blankets or toys in the crib. These items could strangle or suffocate your baby. They must be removed when they are able to stand up independently or before the age of 5 months.
Check often for broken or loose screws and hardware. This is particularly important when traveling with a child. Make sure you remove all crib furniture before use, as well.
If you're using a portable crib, be sure it's not right under the window. A window can be a fall risk and if your baby rolls into it, they may get injured. It's recommended to keep your baby's bedroom away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. If your child begins to roll over in bed, it's a good idea to wake them up to prevent injuries.
Portability
If you're to a holiday, have relatives staying over, or just want a safe bedside crib for sleepovers or with friends, an portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're sometimes called) is a great choice. These playards fold up easily to build, compact when they're closed, and come with the most comfortable padded mattress that can hold newborns up to 15kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers, who love the fact it can be folded and stored in just several minutes and its simple drop-down panels that can be operated with one hand are simple for even sleepy parents to use. It's not the lightest backpack and play, but at under 15 pounds, it's an adequate weight. It also comes with regular handles instead of a backpack style strap that some people prefer to use.
cheap bedside cot is another great alternative. It incorporates a bedside bassinet as well as a crib into one compact unit. This is ideal for long-term stays and holidays with friends and family. It is not the cheapest option but it does come with many features, including a storage basket, soothing night lights that change colour as well as lullabies and white noise, which can help your child sleep.
The fabrics are machine washable and washable, which makes it easy to clean. It's also quite light, at just under 12kg and fits nicely into the small, handy travel case that comes with it. It has six different height settings and the ability to tilt the tummy for reflux/colic babies. It's suitable for all sizes of beds. It's also easy to set up. Our MFM tester could do it in just 10 minutes. You'll need to buy an additional mattress, however.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is safe and secure when you travel, whether for business or pleasure. While some families might be attracted to use a crib or bassinet that they have, it's best to buy one that is specifically made for travel. These are smaller, have mesh sides to allow parents to check on their children 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 bedside crib, it's recommended that your baby be placed on their back and that the bed be free of blankets, pillows and toys. Sharing the bed with parents isn't advised 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 co-sleep on occasion, ensure that you do it only while your baby is asleep and you're completely dressed and awake.
The kinds of cribs available for infants and young children include:
Some are designed like miniature cribs or Moses basket, while others have sides that can be set down into the parent's bed. This gives parents access to the baby for feeding and comforting while avoiding the dangers of true co-sleeping which the AAP recommends against due to 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. This can also be a safer option for older babies since the sides can be easily raised to let you reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. The travel cot that has built-in cribs that can be removed allows you to easily raise a sleeping baby to allow feeding or for care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a fantastic option to sleep comfortably with your baby. They are placed near your bed at night, allowing you to reach over easily for night feeds and monitor them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs have a drop side that can be lowered to make it easier, and others come with an adjustable height to ensure they are able to accommodate your bed when you are at home or away.
While it was once recommended that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is now a increasing preference for parents to share a bed with their infants. This arrangement, also known as rooming in, allows infants to remain close to their parents while remaining safely separated in their own crib or bassinet. There are several types of co-sleeper available, including the iCrib which is designed to be portable and can be placed on top of your bed or a regular crib. It has a light frame and a removable mattress and can be folded to make it easy for storage. There's also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that can be attached to the edge of a bed. It has 7 height settings that can be adjusted and an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. The crib was highly loved by our MFM home testers for its ease of use and compact folding, and it comes in a range of colours.
There are also cribs for bedside use, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, which can be put next to the traditional bed frame. The cribs have an elongated side that can slide down to allow you to pick up your baby for feedings at night. However, the cribs are self-contained so your baby can continue sleeping peacefully. These models 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 for travel available. They are specifically designed to be taken along on the road. They tend to be smaller and lighter than standard cribs, making it easier to transport them in and out hotels and vehicles. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example can be set up and taken down in under one minute, and weighs only three pounds, making it easy to move and carry.