Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel

Moms love this crib’s dimensions – it’s bigger than the size of a Moses basket, but smaller than a cot bed. It can also fold down to just a quarter of its original size and can be put into a convenient bag for transport.

Just remember that the crib should only be used to sleep and that toys, pillows and blankets are an entrapment risk.

Safety

If you are looking for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer adheres to all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) site is an excellent place to start. It will tell you if a portable crib has ever been removed from the market. Select a mattress that is suitable for your baby’s crib so it doesn’t slide through the gaps or pose an suffocation hazard.

Search for bassinets and cribs that meet the current safety standards for 2022. You should also avoid cribs with a long history and cribs that have been modified or drop side cribs that have been repurposed for travel because these have not been tested and may pose risks to your baby’s health.

A travel crib needs to be sturdy and well-constructed. Make sure you check for broken, missing or loose screws and other hardware. If you’re using a playard it should have secure walls and mesh windows for adequate air circulation. The crib slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby’s head and legs from getting trapped. Don’t put any toys, blankets, or stuffed animals in the crib. These can cause suffocation or strangle your baby. They should be removed from the crib when your child is able to pull up on their hands and knees or prior to 5 months of age or 5 months, whichever is first.

It’s also important to look regularly for broken or loose hardware and screws, especially when you travel with your infant. Remove all plastic from the crib as well.

If you’re using a portable baby crib ensure that it’s not placed directly beneath an enormous window. A window could be a fall hazard and your baby may be injured when they fall into it. It’s best to keep your baby’s bedroom away from windows, even if they are old enough to roll over. If your baby starts to roll over while sleeping it’s best 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 option for anyone traveling on vacation, having a family members over, or just needing a safe crib to use during a sleepover or with friends. These portable cribs are simple to build and are compact when closed, and feature the most comfortable padded mattress that can hold newborns up to 15 kg.

MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib because it’s easy to fold and put away. Its easy drop down panels that can be operated by one hand are also a breeze for parents who are bleary-eyed. It’s not our lightest pack-and play, but with just under 15 pounds, it’s an acceptable weight. It also comes with normal handles instead of a backpack style strap that some people prefer.

Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which combines a bedside crib and bassinet into a compact unit that is ideal for both holidays and overnight visits to family and friends. It is not the cheapest alternative however it has a variety of options, including a storage basket and calming night lights that change colour, lullabies, and white noise, which can help your child fall asleep.

The fabric is machine washable and washable, which makes it easy to clean. It’s also, despite its size and weight (it’s on the bulkier side when opened), it’s relatively lightweight at just under 12kg and slots neatly into a compact, practical travel bag that comes with it – perfect for trips away from home. It comes with six different height settings and a tummy tilt to help with reflux or colic babies, and can fit beds of all sizes. It is also very easy to install. Our MFM tester was able to do it in just 10 minutes. It’ll require a separate mattress.

Feeding

Whether traveling for bedside crib travel cot or pleasure it’s essential to keep your baby happy and safe when traveling. It’s better to purchase a travel-specific crib or bassinet instead of using one you already have. These are smaller and have mesh sides so parents can observe their baby without disturbing them. They are also lightweight for easy transportation between destinations. They also meet all 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 infant be placed on their back and that the sleeping surface be free of blankets, pillows, and toys. Sharing a bed with parents isn’t advisable for any baby regardless of age, and this type of sleeping with a partner is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you do have to sleep with your partner at times, make sure that your baby is asleep and that you and your partner are dressed and awake.

The bedside cribs that are available for babies and infants include:

Some are designed like a mini crib or a Moses basket, whereas others have sides that can be lowered down into the parent’s bed. This allows parents to reach their baby during the middle of the night to comfort and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP cautions against this due to the danger of the risk of suffocation. Examples include the Arm’s Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, a bedside sleeper that attaches to the side of a parent’s mattress. It is also a safer option for older babies since the sides can be easily raised to let you reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting them out. Another option is a travel cot that has a built-in bassinet which can be removed from the top of the crib which makes it easier to lift the sleeping infant to feed or care.

Sleeping

Bedside cribs let you co-sleep safely with your baby. They are placed near your bed during the night, so that you can reach them easily to feed them and check on them without disturbing their sleep. Some cribs have an opening on the side that can be lowered to make it easier, and others come with an adjustable height setting to ensure they are able to be able to fit in your bed at home or away.

Previously, it was recommended that infants sleep in their own bedroom. However, parents are increasingly preferring to co-sleep. Also known as rooming-in, this arrangement allows babies to be close to their parents but remain safe and separate from their own crib or bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleeper available, including the iCrib which is designed to be a portable crib that fits on top of your bed or a regular crib. It comes with a lightweight frame, a mattress that is removable and is foldable up for easy storage. There is also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that can be attached to the edge of a bed and includes 7 adjustable height positions and a tummy tilt to help with reflux and colic. This crib was well-received by our MFM home testers for its ease of use and compact folding. 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 a standard bed frame. These have a movable side barrier that can slide down so you can take your baby to a night feeding, but the crib is self-contained, and your child will sleep soundly throughout this period. These cribs also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements that specify that a 120mm high barrier must be installed between your mattress and the cot of your child.

Travel cribs are also available. They are designed specifically to be taken along on the road. They are typically smaller and more compact than standard cribs, which makes it easier to carry them from and into cars and hotels. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example can be set up and packed down in under an hour and weighs just 3 pounds, so it is easy to lift and carry.