The Companies That Are The Least Well-Known To Monitor In The Bedside Crib Industry
Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The crib's size is a hit with moms it's larger than the Moses basket, but smaller than a crib bed. It can also fold down to just a quarter of its size and fit into a handy bag for traveling.
Remember that the crib is only for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can suffocate a child.
Safety
If you are looking for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards. The best starting point is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a particular crib is being recalled. Pick a mattress that's suitable for your baby's crib so it doesn't slide through the gaps or cause the risk of suffocation.
Find bassinets or cribs that meet the current safety standards of 2022. Avoid cribs that are older or modified for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs have not been tested, and may cause danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib needs to be strong and well-constructed. Examine for broken, missing or loose screws, as well as other hardware. If you are using a playard, it should be fitted with mesh windows and strong walls to allow air circulation. The slats on the crib should be spaced no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to prevent baby's head or limbs from being trapped. Do not put any toys, blankets or toys that are stuffed with animals in the crib. These can cause suffocation or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib when your child is able to pull up on their knees and hands or before 5 months old or 5 months, whichever is first.
It's also important to look often for loose or broken hardware and screws, especially when traveling with your infant. Take all plastic out of the crib too.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure it's not right under the window. A window is an injury from falling and your baby may be injured when they fall into it. It is recommended to keep your baby's bedroom away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. If your child starts to roll over during sleep it's best to wake them up to prevent injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards which is what they're sometimes referred to as) are a great option for those who are traveling on vacation, having a guests over, or simply needing a safe crib to use during a sleepover or with friends. These portable cribs are simple to assemble and compact when closed, and come with a comfortable padded mattress that can support newborns up to 15 kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers who appreciate the fact it can be folded and stored in a few minutes and that 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 but it's a decent weight at just over 15 pounds, and it features standard handles instead of the backpack-style strap that some find more comfortable to haul around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another fantastic option. you could try here combines a bedside bassinet and crib into one compact unit. This is perfect for overnight stays during holidays and with friends and family. It's not the most affordable however it comes with an abundance of features that are all-dancing and all-singing like a basket for storage as well as calming colour-changing lights for the night, lullabies and white noise to aid your baby to fall asleep, and its bassinet setting is higher than other models to make it easier to use in the beginning of the day when mum is still recovering.
It's also easy to keep clean with machine washable and wipeable fabric. In spite of its size and weight (it's more bulky when open) it's surprisingly light at just 12kg and fits neatly into a small, handy travel bag included - perfect for trips away from home. It has six different height settings, as well as the ability to tilt the tummy for reflux/colic babies. It's able to fit all bed sizes. It's also extremely easy to set up, with our MFM tester having it ready in just 10 minutes. It will require a separate mattress.
Feeding
It's crucial that your baby is comfortable and safe when you travel, whether for pleasure or business. While some families may be attracted to use a crib or bassinet that they own but it's better to purchase one that is specifically designed for travel. These are smaller and have mesh sides to allow parents to check on their children without disturbing them, and are light enough for simple transport between places. They also meet all the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and have not been recalled.
If you must use a crib alongside your bed it is recommended you place your baby on their back. The bed should be free of blankets, pillows and toys. Sharing sleeping in a bed with parents isn't advised for any baby regardless of age, and this form of co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. If you must co-sleep occasionally, ensure that you only do this when your baby is asleep and that you're at all times dressed and awake.
The types of bedside cribs for infants and young children include:
Some are designed to resemble miniature cribs or Moses basket, and others have sides that can be put to the bed of the parent. This allows parents to reach their baby during the middle of the night to soothe and feed them, while avoiding the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP cautions against this due to the risk of 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. It is also 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. The travel cot that has built-in cribs that is removable allows you to raise a sleeping baby to allow feeding or for care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a fantastic option to sleep comfortably with your newborn. They are placed next to your bed, allowing you to easily reach them during night feedings and check on their sleep without disturbing them. Some cribs come with drop-sides that can be lowered to make it easier for you to do this, while others have a height adjustment to ensure they can be placed in your bed at home and when you go away.
In the past, it was suggested that infants have their own bedrooms. However parents are increasingly opting to sleep in a co-sleep. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents yet remain safely separated on their own crib or bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers that are available, such as the ICrib, which is an inflatable crib that is designed to be able to sit on top of a bed or a crib. It has a lightweight frame, a mattress that can be removed and is able to be folded into a compact size for storage. There is also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that is attached to the edge of a bed and features 7 adjustable height positions and an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers loved the crib for its compact folding and easy to use. It is also available in various colors.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs, like our Lilly and Alain, that can be placed alongside the traditional bed frame. They come with a moveable side barrier that can slide down to allow you to take your baby to a night feeding, but the crib is completely fully enclosed and your baby will sleep soundly throughout this period. These cribs are in compliance with the new BS EN1130 safety standards, which require a 120mm gap between your mattress and child's cot.
There are also go now for travel available. They are designed specifically for use when traveling. They are usually smaller and less bulky than a standard crib, making them easy to transport into and out of hotels and cars. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example, can be set up and taken down in under one minute, and weighs only three pounds, so it is easy to carry and lift.