Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
Mums love this crib's size - it's bigger than a Moses basket, but smaller than a crib bed. It folds down to just a third of its original size and fits into a convenient travel bag, making it ideal for travel.
Make sure that the crib is only for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can cause a child to be suffocated.
Safety
When you are looking for a crib for travel you'll want to be sure that the manufacturer is compliant with all safety standards. A good place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can inform you whether or not a certain crib is being recalled. It is also important to select the right size for your baby's bed, so it doesn't slip into the gaps between the crib sides or create a suffocation hazard.
When choosing a crib or bassinet, look for one that conforms to the latest safety standards that were updated in 2022. You should also avoid cribs with a long history or cribs that have been modified, or drop side cribs that were recycled for use in travel, as they aren't tested and may pose risks to your baby's health.
A travel crib must be well-constructed and sturdy. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should have secure walls and mesh windows to ensure proper air circulation. The crib's slats should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent baby's head or legs from getting trapped. Never put toys, blankets, or stuffed animals in the crib. These items can choke or drown your baby. They should be removed when they are able to stand independently or before the age of 5 months.
Make sure you check often for broken or loose screws and other hardware. This is especially important when traveling with an infant. Remove all plastic from the crib too.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure it's not placed directly in front of an enormous window. Windows pose an injury risk for falls and if your child rolls into it, they may be injured. Even if your baby is old enough to roll over it is recommended to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If your baby starts to roll over during sleep it's a good idea to awake them to prevent injury.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards which is what they're sometimes referred to as) are a great option for those going on vacation, having guests over, or simply wanting a safe crib for use during a sleepover or with friends. These foldable contraptions are easy to assemble and are compact when closed, and come with an incredibly comfortable mattress that can hold newborns up to 15kg.
MFM home testers appreciate the BabyBjorn travel crib because it's simple to fold and put away. Its simple one-handed drop down panels are also easy for parents who are bleary-eyed. It's not the lightest backpack on our list but it's a decent weight at just over 15 pounds. It comes with standard handles instead of a backpack-style strap which some prefer to carry around.
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is another great option. It includes a bassinet for the bed and a crib into a compact unit. This is ideal for long-term stays and holidays with friends and family. It's not the most affordable, but it has many features that are all-dancing and all-singing like a storage basket, soothing colour-changing night lights as well as white noise and lullabies to help your baby fall asleep and its bassinet is higher than other models to make it easier to access in the early hours when mom is still recovering.
It's also easy to keep clean with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. It's also relatively lightweight at just 12 kilos and fits nicely into the small, handy travel case that comes with it. It comes with six different height settings, including a tummy tilt to help with reflux or colic babies, and can fit beds of all sizes. It's also incredibly quick to set up, with our MFM tester able to get it set up in only 10 minutes. travel cot bedside crib 'll need to buy a separate mattress for it however.
Feeding
It's important that your baby is comfortable and safe when you travel, whether on pleasure or business. It's better to purchase a crib or bassinet designed for travel instead of using one you already have. They are smaller and have mesh sides so parents can monitor their child 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 crib that is placed at your bedside, it's recommended that your infant be laid on their backs and that the sleeping surface be free of any blankets, pillows and stuffed animals. Sharing the bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby regardless of age, and this type of co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. If you are forced to co-sleep at times, make sure that you only do this while your baby is asleep and you're at all times dressed and awake.
There are a variety of cribs for babies and newborns.
Some are designed as a mini-crib or Moses baskets, while others have sides that can be lowered into the parents' bed. This lets parents access their baby at any time during the night to comfort and feed them, while avoiding the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP cautions against this because of the risk of the risk of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that attaches to a parent's mattress. It can also be an ideal option for older children because the sides are easily raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting them out. The travel cot that has built-in cribs that is removable allows you to lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or for care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs allow you to co-sleep safely with your baby. They are placed near your bed so you can easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleep without disrupting them. Some cribs come with drop-sides that you can lower for this purpose, while others have a height adjustment to ensure they can fit into your bed at home and away.
Previously, it was recommended that infants sleep in their own bedroom. 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, but remain in a safe space on their own bassinet or crib. There are a variety of co-sleeper available such as the iCrib that is designed to be a portable crib that fits on the top of your bed or a standard crib. This model comes with a light frame and a removable mattress and folds up for easy storage. It also comes with the Joie Roomie Go crib, which fastens to the edge of a bed. It includes 7 adjustable height positions as well as a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers loved this crib for its compact folding and easy to use. It is also available in different colours.
There are also cribs for bedside use, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be placed on top of the traditional bed frame. They come with a moveable side barrier that can slide down to allow you pick your baby up for evening feeding, however the crib is self-contained, and your child will sleep soundly throughout this period. These cribs also meet the latest BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements that specify that a 120mm high barrier must be placed between your mattress and your child's cot.
Lastly, there are travel cribs that are specifically designed to be used on the road. These are typically much smaller and lighter than a standard crib, making them easy to transport into and out of hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be put together in under a minute and folded down in less than three pounds. It is therefore simple to lift and move.