A Bedside Crib Success Story You'll Never Believe

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 the Cot Bed. It can also be folded down to one-quarter of its size and then put in a handy bag for transport.

Remember that the crib should be used only for sleeping and that toys, pillows and blankets are a suffocation hazard.

Safety

When you're looking for a travel cot make sure that the manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards. One good place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can inform you whether or not a particular crib for portable has been removed from the market. You'll also want to choose the correct size for your baby's crib to ensure it doesn't slide into gaps in the crib sides or cause suffocation hazards.

Find bassinets or cribs that meet the current safety standards for 2022. Also, avoid cribs with a long history, modified cribs or drop side cribs that are recycled for use in 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. Check for missing, broken or loose screws and other hardware. If you are using a playard, it should have mesh windows and sturdy walls for air flow. The crib slats shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Don't put any toys, blankets or toys that are stuffed with 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 old, whichever comes first.

It is also essential to check often for loose or broken hardware and screws, particularly when you travel with your infant. Take all plastic out of the crib too.

If you're using a portable crib, be sure it's not close to a window. A window can be an accident hazard and if your baby falls into it, they could get injured. Even if your child is old enough to roll over, it's best to keep their sleeping area away from windows. It's important to wake up your baby when they begin to sleep on their backs.

Portability

Portable cribs (or playards which is what they're sometimes referred to as) are a great option for those who is on vacation, has a family members over, or simply wanting a safe crib for use at a sleepover with friends. These foldable contraptions are easy to assemble and compact when closed, and feature a comfortable padded mattress that can hold newborns up to 15 kg.

MFM home testers love the BabyBjorn travel crib due to the fact that it's simple to fold and to store. Its simple one-handed drop down panels are also convenient for parents with a bleary eye. It's not the lightest backpack on our list but it's a decent weight at just a little over 15 pounds, and it has regular handles instead of the backpack-style strap that some prefer to haul around.

Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which incorporates a bedside crib and bassinet into a compact unit that's ideal for both holidays and overnight visits to friends and family. It's not the cheapest however it comes with many all-singing and all-dancing features like a basket for storage, soothing colour-changing night lights and white noise. It also has lullabies to help your baby sleep, and its bassinet setting sits up higher than most for easier access in the beginning of the day when mom is still recovering.

It's also easy to clean, with wipeable and machine-washable fabrics. It's also light at less than 12kg and easily fits into the small, handy travel case that comes with it. It has six different height settings, as well as a tummy-tilt for reflux/colic baby. It can fit all bed sizes. It's also incredibly quick to set up and our MFM tester able to get it up and running in a mere 10 minutes. You'll need to purchase a separate mattress for it, however.

Feeding

It's crucial that your baby is safe and comfortable when you travel, whether for pleasure or business. While some families might be inclined to use a bassinet or a crib that they already own however, it's recommended to purchase one that is specifically made for travel. These are smaller and with mesh sides that allow parents to check on their babies without disturbing them and are light enough for simple transport between destinations. These also meet the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.

If you must use a crib that is placed at your bedside it is recommended that your infant be placed on their back and the mattress be free of blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals. 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 have to occasionally co-sleep ensure that your baby is asleep and that you and your partner are fully dressed and awake.

The types of bedside cribs available for infants and young children include:

Some are shaped like a mini crib or a Moses basket, whereas others have sides that can be put down into the bed of the parent. This allows parents to reach their baby in the middle of the night to comfort and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of co-sleeping. The AAP cautions against this because of the risk of being suffocated. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, an infant bed that is attached to the side of a mattress for a parent. This is a good option for older children, since the sides can be elevated to allow you to reach the baby without having to lift them out of bed.  cots4tots.co.uk  with an integrated crib that is removable allows you to easily lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or for care.

Sleeping

Bedside cribs are an excellent option to sleep comfortably with your infant. They are placed next to your bed, allowing you to easily reach them during night feedings and check on their sleeping without disrupting them. Some cribs have drop sides that can be lowered to make it easier, and others have an adjustable height so that they will fit your bed at home or away.

While it used to be advised that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there is a growing trend for parents to sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming-in this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents but remain in a safe space on their own crib or bassinet. There are many types of co-sleeper available, including the iCrib which is designed to be an easy-to-move crib that can be placed on the top of your bed, or a standard crib. It includes a light frame, a mattress that can be removed, and can be folded up for easy storage. There's also the Joie Roomie Go crib, which fastens to the edge of a bed. It features 7 adjustable height positions and a tummy tilt to help with reflux and colic. The crib was highly praised by our MFM home testers for its convenience and compact folding. it comes in a variety of colors.

There are also bedside cribs, like our Lilly and Alain, that can be put on top of an existing bed frame. These have a movable side barrier that slides down to allow you pick your baby up for evening feeding, however the crib is self-contained and your baby will sleep soundly throughout this time. These models meet the new BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm barrier between your mattress and child's cot.

Lastly, there are travel cribs that are specifically designed to be taken on the road. These are usually smaller and less bulky than standard cribs, making it easier to move them from and into hotels and vehicles. Munchkin Brica, for example can be assembled in less than one minute and folded down in just three pounds. It is therefore easy to lift and move.