14 Questions You re Anxious To Ask Bedside Crib

Buying a large Bedside crib 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 also folds down to just a third of its original size, and can fit into a convenient travel bag, making it perfect for travel.

Remember that the crib is only for sleeping. Toys, pillows and blankets can suffocate a child.

Safety

If you are looking for a travel cot, make sure that the manufacturer complies with all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) site is a good place to begin. It will let you know if a portable crib has ever been recalled. Choose a mattress that fits your baby's crib so it won't slip through the gaps or create an suffocation hazard.

When you are choosing a bassinet or crib make sure it meets the newer safety standards that were revised in 2022. Also, avoid cribs with a long history or cribs that have been modified, or drop side cribs that have been recycled for use in travel, as they aren't tested and could pose a risk to your baby's well-being.

A travel crib should be well-constructed and sturdy. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws, as well as other hardware. If you are using a playard, it must have mesh windows and secure walls to allow air circulation. The crib slats shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and limbs from becoming trapped. Do not put any toys, blankets, or toys that are stuffed with animals in the crib. These objects can choke or strangle your baby and should be removed from the crib as soon as your child is able to push up on their hands and knees or prior to five months of age or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.

Examine often for broken or loose screws and other hardware. This is particularly crucial when traveling with an infant. Remove all plastic from the crib too.

If you're using a portable crib, make sure it's not directly under windows. A window is an injury risk for falls and if your baby falls into it, they could be injured. It is recommended to keep your baby's sleeping space away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. If your child starts to roll over while sleeping it's a good idea to awake them to prevent injury.

Portability

If you're on vacation, have family staying with you, or want a safe crib for sleepovers with friends, an portable crib (or playard, as they are sometimes called) is a good option. These foldable contraptions come with an extremely comfortable mattress that can accommodate infants up to 15kg. They are easy to assemble and compact when closed.

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favourite with MFM home testers who appreciate the fact that it can be folded down and stored in several 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 however it's a decent weight at just over 15 pounds, and it comes with standard carry handles instead of an e-bag strap, which some prefer to carry around.

Another great 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 friends and family. It's not the cheapest alternative however it has a variety of features, such as a basket for storage, soothing night lights that change colour, lullabies, and white noise, which can aid your child to fall asleep.

It's also easy to keep clean with machine-washable and wipeable fabrics. It's also, despite its size and weight (it's more bulky when it's open), it's relatively lightweight at just under 12kg and slots neatly into a compact, practical bag that comes with it ideal for trips away from home. It has six height settings, including a tummy tilt to help with reflux or colic babies, and is able to fit beds of all sizes. It's also very easy to set up, with our MFM tester having it set up in only 10 minutes. You'll need a separate mattress for it, however.

Feeding

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, it's important to keep your baby comfortable and safe while traveling. It's better to purchase a bassinet or crib designed for travel than to use one that you already own. These are smaller and have mesh sides that permit parents to check on their babies without disturbing them and are lightweight enough for easy transportation between locations. 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 next to your bed, it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The sleeping surface should be free of blankets, pillows and toys. Co-sleeping can increase the risk of SIDS. If you have to sleep with your child at times, make sure that you do it only when your baby is asleep, and that you are at all times dressed and awake.

The types of small bedside cot cribs that are available for infants and young children include:

Some are designed as a mini-crib or Moses basket while others have sides which can be placed on parent's bed. This lets parents access their infant 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 because of the danger of suffocation. Examples include the Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet, a bedside crib and travel cot sleeper that attaches to the mattress for a parent. This is a great option for older children, since the sides can be elevated to allow you to reach the baby without having to lift them from the bed. The travel cot with built-in cribs that can be removed enables you to lift a sleeping baby up for feeding or for care.

Sleeping

small bedside cot cribs allow you to sleep with your baby in a safe and secure way. They are placed next to your bed so you can easily reach them for feedings and check on their sleep without disturbing them. Some cribs come with drop-sides that can be lowered for this purpose, while others have a height adjustment so they can fit into your bed at home and away.

While it was once 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 allows babies to be close to their parents but remain in a safe space on their own bassinet or crib. There are a variety of co-sleepers that are available such as the iCrib, a portable crib designed to be placed on the top of a bed or a crib. This model has a lightweight frame and a mattress that can be removed and can be folded to make it easy for storage. There is also the Joie Roomie Go crib, that is attached to the edge of a bed. It includes 7 adjustable height positions as well as an incline for the tummy to aid in reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers praised the crib for its compact folding and ease of use. It's also available in different colours.

There are also bedside crib or cot cribs, like our Lilly and Alain cribs, that can be placed on top of a traditional bed frame. The cribs feature the side barrier that can slide down to allow you to grab your child for feedings at night. However they are also self-contained, allowing your baby to rest comfortably. These cribs meet the latest BS EN1130:2019 safety standards that require a 120mm separation between your mattress and the child's cot.

Lastly, there are travel cribs that are specifically made to be carried on the road. These are typically much smaller and more compact than standard cribs which makes them easier to carry in and out of cars and hotels. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example, can be set up and taken down in under one minute, and weighs just 3 pounds, making it easy to lift and carry.