Why You Should Focus On Improving Bedside Crib
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 folds down to a third of its original size, and can fit into a convenient travel bag, making it ideal for travel.
Make sure that the crib is designed for sleeping. Toys or blankets, pillows and pillows can cause a child to be suffocated.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) site is an excellent place to start. It will inform you whether a crib for portable use has ever been removed from the market. You'll also want to choose the correct size for the crib of your baby, so it doesn't slip into the gaps between the sides of the crib or create a suffocation hazard.
When choosing a crib or bassinet make sure it is in compliance with the latest safety standards that were updated in 2022. You should also avoid older cribs and cribs that have been modified or drop side cribs that are used for travel as they have not been tested and may pose risks to your baby's well-being.
A travel crib must be well-constructed and sturdy. Make sure you check for broken, missing or loose screws, as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard it should be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls for air flow. The crib's slats must not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Also, never put pillows, blankets, stuffed animals or toys in the crib. These can cause suffocation or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib at the time your child is able push up on their hands and knees or before five months of age or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
It's also important to look often for loose or broken hardware and screws, particularly when traveling with your child. Remove all plastic from the crib, too.
If you are using a portable baby crib ensure that it's not placed directly under an enormous window. A window is a fall risk and if your baby falls into it, they could 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 begins to roll over while sleeping, it's a good idea to wake them up to prevent injuries.
Portability
If you're planning a trip on vacation, have family staying over, or just need a secure bedside crib for sleepovers with your friends, a portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're sometimes called) is a great choice. These playards fold up easily to assemble, compact when they're closed, and feature an incredibly comfortable mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15kg.
MFM home testers appreciate the BabyBjorn travel crib due to the fact that it's simple to fold and to store. Its simple drop down panels that can be operated by one hand are also easy for parents with a bleary eye. It's not the lightest backpack and play, but with just under 15 pounds, it's a good weight. It also has regular handles instead of a backpack style strap, which some parents find more comfortable.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another fantastic option. It incorporates a bedside bassinet as well as a crib into one compact unit. This is perfect for holidays and overnight stays with friends and family. It's not the cheapest alternative however it has various features, such as a storage basket as well as calming lights for the night that change colour as well as lullabies and white noise, which can help your child fall asleep.
It's also easy to keep clean with machine-washable and wipeable fabrics. It's also quite light, at just under 12kg, and fits neatly into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It comes with six different height settings, including the tilt of the tummy for reflux/colic babies, and is able to fit beds of all sizes. It is also very easy to install. Our MFM tester was able to set it up in less than 10 minutes. You'll need to purchase an additional mattress however.
Feeding
It is essential that your child is safe and secure when you travel, whether on business or pleasure. While some families might be attracted to use a bassinet or a crib that they have but it's better to purchase one that is specifically designed for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides so parents can monitor their child without disturbing them. They're also light for easy transportation between destinations. They also meet the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been subject to recalls.
If you have to use a crib that is placed at your bedside, it's recommended that your child be laid on their backs and that the bed be free of any blankets, pillows and stuffed animals. bedside cot newborn of co-sleeping increases the chance of SIDS. If you must co-sleep at times, make sure that you do it only when your baby is asleep and that you're both awake and fully dressed.
The bedside cribs available for babies and infants include:
Some are designed like a mini crib or a Moses basket, while others have sides that can be lowered to the bed of the parent. This allows access to the baby for feeding and comforting without exposing the risk of co-sleeping that the AAP recommends against due to the risk of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, an infant bed that is attached to the sides of a mattress for a parent. This can also be an ideal option for older babies since the sides are easily raised to allow you to reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting them out. Another option is the travel cot that has a built-in bassinet which can be removed from the top of the crib, which makes it easier to raise a sleeping infant for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a fantastic way to safely co-sleep with your baby. They are placed near your bed during the night, allowing you to reach out easily for feedings at night and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs have drop-sides that you can lower for this purpose, whereas others have a height adjustment so they will fit in your bed at home and away.
In the past, it was suggested that infants be in their own room. However parents are increasingly choosing to co-sleep. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents but remain safely separated on their own crib or bassinet. There are several types of co-sleepers that are available like the iCrib, which is designed to be an easy-to-move crib that can be placed on top of your bed or a standard crib. This model comes with a lightweight frame, a mattress that can be removed and is foldable into a compact size for storage. There is also the Joie Roomie Go crib, which fastens to the edge of a bed. It has 7 height settings that can be adjusted as well as a tummy tilt to help with 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 various colors.
You can also buy freestanding bedside cribs like our Lilly or Alain that you can put next to the standard bed frame. They have a movable side barrier that can slide down to allow you take your baby to a dinner at night, but the crib is completely self-contained and your baby will be sleeping comfortably throughout this period. These cribs also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which stipulate that the 120mm high barrier should be present between your mattress and the cot of your child.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are specifically designed to be carried when traveling. They tend to be smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, making it easier to carry them from and into hotels and cars. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example, can be set up and taken down in under one minute, and weighs just 3 pounds, making it easy to lift and carry.