What s Holding Back The Bedside Crib Industry
Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The dimensions of this crib are ideal for mothers. It's larger than the Moses Basket but smaller than the Cot Bed. It also can fold down to a third of its original size, and can fit into a convenient travel bag, making it perfect for travel.
Just remember that the crib should only be used for sleeping and that toys such as pillows, blankets and pillows are a suffocation hazard.
Safety
When you're looking for a travel cot, make sure that the manufacturer adheres to all safety standards. A good place to start is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website, which can let you know whether or not a specific portable crib has been recall. Choose a mattress that fits the crib of your baby so it won't fall through the gaps or cause an suffocation hazard.
When selecting a bassinet or crib, look for one that conforms to the latest safety standards that were updated in 2022. It is also recommended to avoid cribs that are older or cribs that have been modified, or drop side cribs that were used for travel as they have not been tested and could pose a risk to your baby's health.
A travel crib should be well-constructed and sturdy. Make sure you check for broken, missing or loose screws and other hardware. If you are using a playard, it should have mesh windows and secure walls for air flow. The crib slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the baby's head and limbs becoming trapped. Don't put any pillows, blankets toys, stuffed animals or other items in the crib. These objects can strangle or suffocate your baby. They should be removed when they can stand up on their own or before the age of 5 months.
Make sure you check regularly for loose or broken screws and hardware. This is especially crucial when traveling with an infant. Remove all plastic from the crib too.
If you are using a portable baby crib, make sure it's not positioned directly in front of the large bedside crib windows. A window can be a fall hazard and your baby bedside sleeper may be injured in the event that they crash into it. Even if your child is old enough to roll over it is best to keep their sleeping space away from windows. If your child starts to roll over while sleeping it's a good idea awake them to prevent injuries.
Portability
If you're on vacation, have family staying over, or simply need a secure bedside crib for sleepovers with friends, a portable crib (or playard or playard, as they're sometimes called) is an excellent option. These playards fold up easily to build and compact when closed, and come with the most comfortable padded mattress that can hold newborns up to 15 kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a fav among MFM home testers who appreciate the fact that it can be folded down and stored in several minutes and its easy-to-use drop-down panels are simple for even sleepy parents to use. It's not the lightest backpack on our list however it's a decent weight at just a little over 15 pounds. It comes with standard carry handles rather than the backpack-style strap that some find more comfortable to haul around.
Another option that is worth considering is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which includes a crib for bed and a bassinet into one compact unit that is ideal for both overnight and holiday visits to family and friends. It's not the least expensive one, but it does come with many features that are all-dancing and all-singing like a basket for storage and soothing night lights that change colour and white noise. It also has lullabies to help your baby fall asleep, and its bassinet setting is higher than other models for easier access during the early days when mom is still recovering.
It's also easy to keep clean, with machine-washable and wipeable fabrics. In spite of its size and weight (it's more bulky when opened) it's light at just 12kg and can easily fit into a compact, practical bag included perfect for trips away from home. It has six height settings and a tummy tilt for reflux/colic infants, and it can be adapted to beds of all sizes. It is also very easy to install. Our MFM tester was able to set it up in less than 10 minutes. You'll need to buy a separate mattress for it however.
Feeding
Whether traveling to work or for pleasure, it's important to keep your baby comfortable and safe while traveling. It is better to buy a bassinet or crib designed for travel than to use one that you already own. They are smaller and come with mesh sides, which allows parents to observe their baby without disturbing them. They're also light for easy transportation between destinations. They also meet all safety standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and have not been recalled.
If you are required to use a crib alongside your bed, it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The mattress should be free of blankets, pillows, and stuffed toys. Sharing the bed with parents isn't advised for any baby regardless of age, and this kind of co-sleeping is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. If you are forced to co-sleep on occasion, ensure that you do it only while your baby is asleep, and that you're completely dressed and awake.
The kinds of cribs available for newborns and young babies include:
Some are designed as a mini-crib or Moses basket, while others have sides which can be placed on parent's bed. This allows access to the baby to feed and comfort while avoiding the risks of co-sleeping that the AAP cautions against due dangers 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 is also an ideal option for older babies because the sides are easily raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting the mattress out. Another option is a travel cot that has an integrated bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib, which makes it easier to raise a sleeping infant for feeding or care.
Sleeping
bedside co sleeper cot cribs are a fantastic option to sleep comfortably with your baby. They are set next to your bed, allowing you to easily reach them for night feedings and check on their sleeping without disrupting them. Some cribs have a drop side that you can lower to make this easier and others come with an adjustable height adjustment to make sure they accommodate your bed when you are at home or away.
In the past, it was suggested that infants sleep in their own bedroom. However parents are increasingly opting to sleep in a co Sleeper Bedside cot-sleep. This arrangement, also referred to as rooming in, allows babies to stay close to their parents while remaining in their own crib or bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers like the iCrib, an inflatable crib that is designed to be able to sit on top of a bed or a crib. It comes with a lightweight frame, a mattress that can be removed, and can be folded up for easy storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another option. It attaches to the bed's edge and features seven height positions, and a tummy-tilt for reflux and colic. Our MFM home testers praised this crib for its small folding design and its ease of use. It is also available in different colours.
There are also 4-in-1 bedside crib cribs that are freestanding, such as our Lilly or Alain that you can place on top of an existing bed frame. The cribs have a side barrier 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 also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which stipulate that a 120mm high barrier must be installed between your mattress and the cot of your child.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are specifically designed to be carried when traveling. They are usually smaller and lighter than standard cribs, making them easy to transport into and out of hotels and cars. Munchkin Brica, for example can be set up in just a few minutes and folded down in just three pounds. It is therefore easy to lift and transport.