If You've Just Purchased Bedside Crib ... Now What?

Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel

The crib's size is a hit with moms It's larger than the size of a Moses basket but smaller than a cot bed. It's also foldable down to a quarter of its original size and then put in a handy bag for transport.

Make sure that the crib is only for sleeping. Toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows can suffocate a child.

Safety

As you shop for a crib for travel it is important to make sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website is a good place to begin. It will inform 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 cause an suffocation hazard.

When choosing a crib or bassinet choose one that is in compliance with the latest safety standards that were updated in 2022. Avoid older cribs and cribs designed for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs haven't been tested, and may be a danger to your baby's safety.

A travel crib must be strong and well-constructed. Examine for broken, missing or loose screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have secure walls and mesh windows to ensure adequate air circulation. The crib slats shouldn't 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 toys in the crib. These items can strangle or suffocate your baby. They should be removed when they are able to stand up independently or before the age of 5 months.

It is also essential to check frequently for loose or broken screws and hardware, especially when traveling with your infant. Make sure you remove all crib furniture before use, as well.

If you're using a portable crib, be sure it's not right under windows. A window can be an injury risk for falls and if your baby falls into it, they may get injured. Even if your baby is old enough to be able to roll over it is best to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If  foldable bedside crib  starts to roll over while sleeping, it's a good idea to awake them to prevent injury.

Portability

Portable cribs (or playards or playards, as they're often referred to) are a great option for anyone traveling on vacation, having a guests over, or simply needing a safe crib for use during a sleepover or with friends. These playards fold up and include an extremely comfortable mattress that can support infants up to 15kg. They are simple to assemble and compact once closed.

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a fav among MFM home testers, who appreciate the fact it can be folded down and stored in several minutes and its simple one-handed drop-down panels are simple for even sleepy parents to use. It's not the lightest pack-and-play on our list but it's a decent weight, weighing just under 15 pounds, and it features standard carry handles instead of the backpack-style strap that some prefer to carry around.

Another excellent option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which incorporates a bedside crib and bassinet into a compact unit that's perfect for both overnight and holiday visits to family and friends. It's not the cheapest, but it has many 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 help your baby fall asleep and sleep. Its bassinet sits up higher than most for easier access during the early days when mum is still recovering.

The fabrics can be washed in the machine and washable, making it easy to clean. It's also relatively lightweight, at just under 12kg and fits nicely into the small, handy travel case that comes with it. 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's also incredibly quick to install, with our MFM tester having it set up in only 10 minutes. It will require a mattress that is separate.

Feeding

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, it's important to keep your baby comfortable and safe when traveling. It is better to buy a travel-specific crib or bassinet rather than using one you already own. These are smaller and with mesh sides that allow parents to check on their children without disturbing them. They are light enough to allow for easy transport between places. They also meet all safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and haven't been subject to recalls.

If you have to use a crib beside your bed it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The sleeping surface should be free of blankets, pillows and toys. Sharing a bed with parents isn't recommended for any baby, regardless of age, and this form of sleeping with a partner is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you are forced to co-sleep on occasion, ensure that you only do so while your baby is asleep and that you are at all times dressed and awake.

The kinds of cribs available for newborns and young babies include:

Some are designed to resemble an oversized crib or Moses basket, whereas others have sides that can be lowered to the bed of the parent. This allows access to the baby to feed and comfort while avoiding the dangers of co-sleeping that the AAP cautions against due dangers of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, which is a bedside sleeper that connects to the 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 having to lift them out of the bed. Another option is a travel cot, which has an integrated bassinet that 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 allow you to co-sleep safely with your baby. They are placed next to your bed, allowing you to easily reach them for night feedings and check on their sleeping without disturbing them. Some cribs have an opening on the side that can be lowered to make this easier, and others have an adjustable height to ensure they are able to accommodate your bed when you are at home or on the go.

While it used to be advised that babies sleep in a separate bedroom, there's a increasing preference for parents to sleep with their infants. Also known as rooming-in this arrangement lets babies be close to their parents but remain safe and separate from their own bassinet or crib. There are a variety of co-sleepers that are available such as the ICrib, which is an iCrib-style portable crib that can be placed on the top of a bed or a crib. This model comes with a lightweight frame, a mattress that is removable, and can be folded into a compact size for storage. It also comes with the Joie Roomie Go crib, that can be attached to the edge of a bed and has 7 height settings that can be adjusted as well as a tummy tilt for reflux and colic. The crib was highly praised by our MFM home testers for its user-friendly design and compact folding, and it comes in a variety of colors.

You can also buy freestanding bedside cribs like our Lilly or Alain that you can put next to a standard bed frame. The cribs come with an elongated side that slides down to allow you to pick up your child for feedings at night. However, the cribs are self-contained so your baby can continue sleeping peacefully. These cribs meet the latest BS EN1130:2019 safety standards which require a 120mm barrier between your mattress and child's cot.

Travel cribs are also available. They are specifically designed for use on the road. They tend to be smaller and lighter than standard cribs, making it easier to move them into and out of hotels and cars. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example can be set up and packed down in less than a minute and it weighs just 3 pounds, so it is easy to carry and lift.