10 Misconceptions That Your Boss May Have About Bedside Crib
Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The crib's size is a hit with moms - it's bigger than a Moses basket but smaller than a cot bed. It also can fold down to a third of its original size and fits into a handy travel bag, making it ideal for travel.
Just remember that the crib should be used only to sleep and that toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose an entrapment risk.
Safety
As you shop for a crib for travel, you'll want to make sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. One good place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a specific portable crib has been removed from the market. You'll also want to choose appropriate for the crib of your baby so that it doesn't fall into gaps in the crib sides or create a suffocation hazard.
Search for bassinets and cribs that meet the updated safety standards for 2022. Avoid cribs with older designs and 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 needs to be well-constructed and sturdy. Examine for loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you are using a playard, it must have mesh windows and sturdy walls to allow air circulation. The crib slats shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby's head and legs from getting trapped. Do not put any toys, blankets, or stuffed animals in the crib. These items can choke or drown your baby. They must be removed when they can stand up on their own, or before the age of five months.
It is also essential to check regularly for broken or loose hardware and screws, particularly when traveling with your infant. Remove all plastic from the crib too.
If you're using a portable crib, be sure that it's not close to windows. A window is a fall risk and if your baby rolls into it, they may get injured. It's 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 while sleeping it's a good idea to get them up in order to avoid injury.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards which is what they're sometimes referred to as) are a great choice for anyone traveling on vacation, having a family members over, or just needing a safe crib for use at a sleepover with friends. These playards fold up and include an extremely comfortable mattress that can hold infants up to 15kg. They are simple to put together and compact when closed.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers, who appreciate the fact that it can be folded and stored in one or two minutes, and its simple drop-down panels that can be operated with one hand are easy for even bleary-eyed parents to use. It's not the lightest pack-and-play on our list however it's a decent weight at just a little over 15 pounds, and it features standard carry handles rather than the backpack-style strap that some prefer to haul around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another great alternative. It combines a bedside bassinet and crib into a compact unit. This is perfect for holidays and overnight stays with friends and family. It's not the cheapest however it comes with many dancing and all-singing features such as a storage basket as well as calming colour-changing lights for the night, lullabies and white noise to help your baby sleep and its bassinet is higher than the majority to make it easier to use during the early days when mum is still recovering.
The fabrics are machine washable and washable, making it easy to clean. It's also light, at just under 12kg and easily fits into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It comes with six height settings, including a tummy tilt for reflux/colic babies, and is able to fit beds of all sizes. It's also easy to set up. Our MFM tester could do it in just 10 minutes. It will require a separate mattress.
Feeding
When you travel to work or for pleasure it's crucial to keep your baby comfortable and safe on the road. While some families may be attracted to use a bassinet or crib that they own, it's best to buy one specifically designed for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides so parents can monitor their child without disturbing 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 recalled.
If you have to use a bedside crib it is recommended that your baby be laid on their backs and that the sleeping surface be free of pillows, blankets and toys. This kind of sleeping arrangement increases the chance of SIDS. If you must occasionally co-sleep, make sure that your baby is asleep and that both you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.
There are a variety of cribs for babies and newborns.
Some are designed like miniature cribs or Moses basket, and others have sides that can be lowered down into the parent's bed. This allows parents to reach their baby at any time during the night to soothe and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP cautions against this due to the risk of suffocation. 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 baby without having to lift them out of the bed. The travel cot with a built-in crib that can be removed allows you to easily lift a sleeping baby for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Cots 4 Tots are an excellent way to safely co-sleep with your newborn. They are set next to your bed to allow you to easily reach them for night feedings and check on their sleeping without disturbing them. Some cribs have a drop side that you can lower to make it easier, and others have an adjustable height to ensure they are able to accommodate your bed when you are at home or away.
While it used to be recommended that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there's a growing preference for parents to co-sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming in, this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents yet remain safely separated on their own bassinet or crib. There are a variety of co-sleepers, such as the iCrib, which is an iCrib-style portable crib that can be able to sit on the top of a bed, or a crib. This model includes a light frame, a removable mattress and is able to be folded into a compact size for storage. There is also the Joie Roomie Go crib, which fastens to the edge of a bed and includes 7 adjustable height positions and a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers loved this crib for its small folding design and its ease of use. It's also available in a variety of colors.
You can also buy freestanding bedside cribs like our Lilly or Alain that you can put next to the standard bed frame. The cribs feature the side barrier that can slide down to allow you to pick up your child for feedings at night. However they are also self-contained so your baby can remain asleep peacefully. These cribs meet the latest 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 taken on the road. They tend to be smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, which makes it easier to transport them in and out hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be put together in under a minute and folded down in three pounds. It is therefore simple to lift and transport.