The History Of Bedside Crib
Buying a bedside baby bed Crib For Travel
Mums love this crib's size - it's bigger than the Moses basket, but smaller than a cot bed. It can also be folded down to a quarter of its original size and fit into a handy bag for travel.
It is important to remember that the crib should only be used to sleep and that toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows are a suffocation hazard.
Safety
When you are shopping for a travel cot ensure that the manufacturer adheres to all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website is an excellent place to start. It will inform you if a portable crib has ever been recall. You should also select appropriate for the crib of your baby so that it doesn't fall into gaps in the crib sides or create a suffocation hazard.
Search for bassinets and cribs that meet the current safety standards of 2022. Avoid older cribs and cribs modified for travel or cribs with drop-sides. These cribs haven't been tested and could cause danger to your baby's safety.
A travel crib should be well-built and sturdy. Make sure there aren't any loose, missing or broken screws, as well as other hardware. If you're using a playard, it should have sturdy walls and mesh windows to allow for adequate air flow. The slats on the crib should be spaced no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent baby's head or legs from getting trapped. Also, never put pillows, blankets or toys with stuffed animals in the crib. These items could strangle or suffocate your baby. They should be removed at the time they can stand independently or before the age of 5 months.
Check frequently for broken or loose screws and hardware. This is particularly crucial when traveling with an infant. Make sure to remove all plastic from the crib before use, as well.
If you're using a portable crib, be sure it is not located directly under the window. A window is an injury risk for falls and if your baby bedside sleeper falls into it, they may be injured. It's recommended to keep your baby's bedroom away from windows, even when they are old enough to roll over. If your child begins to roll over in bed, it's a good idea wake them up to prevent injuries.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards which is what they're sometimes referred to as) are a great choice for anyone traveling on vacation, having a family members over, or simply wanting an appropriate crib during a sleepover or with friends. These playards fold up easily to put together and compact when closed, and come with a comfortable padded mattress that can hold newborns up to 15 kg.
MFM home testers are awestruck by the BabyBjorn travel crib due to the fact that it is easy to fold and to store. Its easy drop down panels that can be operated by one hand are also convenient for parents who are bleary-eyed. It's not our tiniest pack-and-play play, but at 15 pounds, it's a good weight. It also has regular handles instead of a backpack-style strap that some people prefer to use.
Another excellent option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which includes a crib for bed and a bassinet into one compact unit that's perfect for holidays as well as overnight visits to friends and family. It is not the cheapest option but it does come with a variety of options, including a basket for storage as well as calming lights for the night that change color, lullabies, and white noise to help your child sleep.
The fabrics are machine washable and wipeable, making it easy to clean. And, despite its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when opened) it's light at just under 12kg and slots neatly into a compact, convenient travel bag included - perfect for trips away from home. It comes with six height settings that include a tummy tilt for reflux/colic babies, and is able to fit beds of all sizes. It's also very simple to install. Our MFM tester could do it in just 10 minutes. You'll need to purchase a separate mattress for it, however.
Feeding
It's important that your baby is safe and comfortable when you travel, whether for pleasure or business. While some families may be tempted to use a bassinet or crib that they already own however, it's recommended to purchase one that is specifically made for travel. These are smaller, have mesh sides to allow parents to monitor their children without disturbing them and are light enough for simple transportation between locations. These also comply with the safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If you must use a crib next to your bed, it is recommended that you put your baby on their back. The sleeping surface should be free of pillows, blankets and stuffed toys. This type of co-sleeping increases the risk of SIDS. If you have to occasionally co-sleep ensure that your baby is sleeping and that both you and your partner are dressed and awake.
The types of Bedside Rocking Crib cribs for infants and young children include:
Some are shaped like an oversized crib or Moses basket, while others have sides that can be put down into the parent's bed. This allows parents to access their baby in the middle of the night to soothe and feed their child, and avoid the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP cautions against this because of the danger of the risk of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper which attaches to a mattress that is used by a parent. It can also be an option for older children because the sides can easily be raised to allow you to reach the infant from the adult bed without lifting them out. Another option is the travel cot that has a built-in bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib making it easier to raise the sleeping infant to feed or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a fantastic method to sleep in a safe environment with your infant. They sit next to your bed at night so that you can reach out easily for feedings at night and monitor them without disrupting their sleep. Some cribs have drop-sides that can be lowered for this purpose, whereas others come with a height adjustment, so they can fit into your bed at home and when you go away.
Although it was previously advised that infants sleep in their own separate bedroom, there's a growing preference for parents to share a bed 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-sleepers that are available such as the iCrib, which is a portable crib designed to be placed on the top of a bed, or a crib. It has a lightweight frame, a mattress that is removable and is foldable into a compact size for storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another option. It attaches to the bed's edge and has 7 height positions, as well as a tummy tilt to ease colic and reflux. This crib was praised by our MFM home testers for its ease of use and compact folding, and it's also available in a variety of colors.
There are also cribs for bedside travel crib use, such as our Lilly and Alain, that can be put alongside a traditional bed frame. The cribs feature the side barrier that slides down to allow you to pick up your baby for night feedings. However the cribs are completely fully enclosed so that your baby can rest comfortably. These cribs also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which require that a 120mm high barrier must be present between your mattress and your child's cot.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are designed specifically to be carried on the road. They are typically smaller and more compact than standard cribs, which makes it easier to move them into and out of cars and hotels. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example can be set up and put down in less than one minute, and weighs just 3 pounds, making it easy to lift and carry.
