11 Ways To Fully Redesign Your Bedside Crib
Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The size of this crib is ideal for moms. It's larger than a Moses Basket but smaller than a Cot Bed. It also folds down to just a third of its original size and fits into a handy travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Remember that the crib is only for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can suffocate a child.
Safety
When you're looking for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) site is a good place to begin. It will inform you whether a crib for portable use has ever been recall. Choose a mattress that fits the crib of your child so that it won't slip through the gaps or cause the risk of suffocation.
Search for bassinets and cribs that are in line with the latest safety standards for 2022. over here is also recommended to avoid cribs that are older or cribs that have been modified, or drop side cribs that have been used for travel as they have not been tested and may pose risks to your baby's safety.
A travel crib should be strong and well-constructed. Check for missing, loose or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have secure walls and mesh windows to ensure proper 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. Don't put any pillows, blankets, stuffed animals or toys in the crib. These objects can choke or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib at the time your child is able push up on their knees and hands or before 5 months of age or 5 months, whichever is first.
Examine regularly for loose or broken screws and other hardware. This is particularly important when traveling with a baby. Remove all plastic from the crib too.
If you're using a portable crib, be sure it's not close to the window. A window can be an injury from falling and your baby may be injured if they roll into it. Even if your baby is old enough to be able to roll over it is recommended to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If your child begins to roll over while sleeping, it's a good idea wake them up to prevent injury.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards, as they're sometimes called) are a great option for anyone traveling on vacation, having a family stay over, or just needing a safe crib for use during a sleepover or with friends. These playards fold up easily to build, compact when they're closed, and come with the most comfortable padded mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers, who love the fact that it can be folded and stored in just 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 but it's a decent weight at just over 15 pounds, and it comes with standard carry handles rather than the backpack-style strap that some prefer to haul around.
Another option that is worth considering is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which incorporates a bedside crib and bassinet into a compact unit that is ideal for both overnight and holiday visits to relatives and friends. It's not the cheapest option however it has a variety of features, including a basket for storage, soothing night lights that change color as well as lullabies and white noise to help your child fall asleep.
It's also easy to keep clean, with machine-washable and wipeable fabrics. It's also light at less than 12kg and fits nicely into the small, compact travel case that comes with it. It has six height settings, including a tummy tilt for reflux/colic babies, and is able to fit beds of all sizes. resources 's also extremely easy to set up and our MFM tester being able to have it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. You'll need to purchase an additional mattress for it, however.
Feeding
When you travel to work or for pleasure it's crucial to keep your baby comfortable and safe when traveling. It is better to buy a crib or bassinet designed for travel instead of using one you already own. They are smaller, with mesh sides that allow parents to monitor their children without disturbing them and are light enough to allow for easy transport between destinations. They also meet all the safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't 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 pillows, blankets and stuffed toys. Sharing the bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby regardless of age, and this kind of co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. If you must occasionally co-sleep, make sure that your baby is sleeping and that you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.
The kinds of cribs for babies and infants include:
Some are designed like an oversized crib or Moses basket, while others have sides that can be lowered down into the bed of the parent. This allows parents to access their baby in the middle of the night to comfort and feed them, while avoiding the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP warns against this due to the danger of the risk of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that attaches to a parent's mattress. This is a good option for older children, as the sides can be raised to allow you to reach the baby without lifting them out of the bed. Another option is a travel cot that has a built-in bassinet which can be removed from the top of the crib making it easier to lift an infant who is sleeping for feeding or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are an excellent way to safely co-sleep with your infant. They are placed near your bed so you can easily reach them for night feedings and check on their sleep without disrupting them. Some cribs have drop-sides that you can lower for this purpose, whereas others have a height adjustment so they can be placed in your bed at home and away.
Although it was previously advised that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there's a growing preference for parents to share a bed with their infants. Also known as rooming-in this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents, but remain in a safe space on their own bassinet or crib. There are several types of co-sleeper available such as the iCrib that is designed to be an easy-to-move crib that can be placed on top of your bed or a standard crib. It has a lightweight frame, a mattress that can be removed, and can be folded up for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another alternative. It is attached to the bed edge and comes with seven height positions, as well as a tummy-tilt to help with colic and reflux. Our MFM home testers loved this crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It is also available in a variety of colors.
You can also purchase freestanding bedside cribs like our Lilly or Alain that you can put next to an existing bed frame. The cribs have the side barrier that can slide down to allow you to pick up your baby for night feedings. However the cribs are completely fully enclosed so that your baby can rest comfortably. These cribs meet the latest BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm barrier between your mattress and child's cot.
Travel cribs are also available. They are designed specifically to be taken along when traveling. They tend to be smaller and lighter than standard cribs, which makes it easier to transport them into and out of hotels and cars. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example can be set up and packed down in under an hour and weighs just three pounds, making it easy to carry and lift.