15 Ideas For Gifts For The Bedside Crib Lover In Your Life
Buying a Bedside Crib For Travel
The crib's size is a hit with moms it's larger than a Moses basket but smaller than a crib bed. It 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 to sleep and that toys like blankets, pillows and pillows pose dangers to suffocate.
Safety
When you are looking for a travel crib you'll want to be sure that the manufacturer is compliant with all safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website is a good place to begin. It will let you know whether a crib for portable use has ever been recall. Choose a mattress that fits your baby's crib so it doesn't slide through the gaps or create the risk of suffocation.
When choosing a bassinet or crib make sure it conforms to the latest safety standards, which were updated in 2022. Also, avoid older cribs and cribs that have been modified or drop side cribs that were used for travel as they have not been tested and may pose risks to your baby's well-being.
A travel crib should be built well and strong. Examine for loose, missing or broken screws and other hardware. If you're using a playard it should have secure walls and mesh windows to ensure proper air circulation. The slats on the crib should be spaced no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent baby's head or limbs from becoming trapped. Also, do not put pillows, blankets, stuffed animals or toys in the crib. These items can suffocate or strangle your baby and 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 or when they reach 5 months of age, whichever comes first.
It is also essential to check frequently for loose or broken hardware and screws, especially when you travel with your infant. Remove all plastic from the crib as well.
If you're using a portable crib, make sure that it's not right under the window. A window can be a fall risk and if your baby falls into it, they could be injured. Even if your child is old enough to roll over it is best to keep their sleeping area away from windows. It is important to wake your baby if they begin to sleep on their backs.
Portability
Portable cribs (or playards which is what they're sometimes referred to as) are a great choice for those who are going on vacation, having guests over, or just needing an appropriate crib during a sleepover or with friends. These portable cribs are simple to put together and compact when closed, and come with an incredibly comfortable mattress that can support newborns up to 15 kg.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib is a favorite among MFM home testers who appreciate the fact that it can be folded and stored in a few minutes and that its easy-to-use drop-down panels are easy for even bleary-eyed parents to use. It's not the lightest backpack and play, but at just 15 pounds, it's a good weight. It also comes with regular handles instead of a backpack strap that some people prefer to use.
Another great option is the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which includes a crib for bed and a bassinet into a compact unit that's ideal for both holidays and overnight visits to family and friends. It's not the most affordable one, but it does come with a wealth of dancing and all-singing features like a storage basket, soothing colour-changing night lights and white noise. It also has lullabies to help your baby fall asleep and its bassinet sits up higher than most 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. And, despite its size and weight (it's on the heavier side when open) it's surprisingly light at just under 12kg and slots neatly into a small, handy bag that comes with it ideal for trips away from home. It comes with six different height settings, as well as an adjustable tummy tilt for reflux or colic babies. It's suitable for all sizes of beds. It is also very easy to install. Our MFM tester was able to set it up in less than 10 minutes. It will require a separate mattress.
Feeding
It's important that your baby is safe and comfortable when you travel, whether on business or pleasure. While some families may be tempted to use a bassinet or a crib that they have however, it's recommended to purchase one specially made for travel. They are smaller and have mesh sides, which allows parents to monitor their child without causing any disturbance to them. They're also light and can be easily transported between places. They also conform to the safety standards of American Academy of Pediatrics and have not been recalled.
If bedside baby bed cots4tots must use a crib next to your bed it is recommended that you place your baby on their back. The bed should be free of pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys. Sharing sleeping in a bed with parents isn't advisable for any baby, regardless of age, and this type of sleeping with a partner is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. If you do have to sleep with your partner at times, make sure that your baby is sleeping and that you and your partner are dressed and awake.
The types of bedside cribs available for newborns and young babies include:
Some are designed to look like a mini-crib or Moses basket while others have sides that can be lowered into the parent's beds. This lets parents access their infant during the middle of the night to soothe and feed them, while avoiding the dangers of sleeping with their child. The AAP cautions against this because of the danger of suffocation. The Arm's Reach Clear-Vue Bassinet is a bedside sleeper that is attached to a parent's mattress. It is also an option for older babies since the sides can easily be raised to allow you to reach the baby from the adult bed without lifting them out. Another option is the travel cot that has an integrated bassinet that can be removed from the top of the crib, making it easier to lift up the sleeping infant to feed or other care.
Sleeping
Bedside cribs are a great option to sleep comfortably with your baby. They are placed next to your bed to allow you to easily reach them for night feedings and check on their sleeping without disrupting them. Some cribs have a drop-side that can be lowered for this purpose, while others have a height adjustment so they will fit in your bed at home or away.
Previously, it was recommended that infants be in their own room. However, parents are increasingly preferring to sleep in a co-sleep. This arrangement, also referred to as rooming in, allows infants to be close to their parents, while remaining safely separated in their own crib or bassinet. There are a variety of co-sleepers such as the iCrib, a portable crib designed to be placed on top of a bed or a crib. This model includes a light frame, a mattress that is removable and is foldable into a compact size for storage. The Joie Roomie Go crib is another option. It is attached to the bed edge and features seven height positions, and a tummy-tilt to help with colic and reflux. The crib was highly well-received by our MFM home testers for its convenience and compact folding. it's also available in a variety of colors.
There are also freestanding bedside cribs, such as our Lilly and Alain cribs, which can be positioned alongside the traditional bed frame. They come with a moveable side barrier that slides down to allow you to pick your baby up for dinner at night, but the crib is otherwise fully enclosed and your baby will continue sleeping soundly during this time. These cribs also meet the new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements which require that a 120mm high barrier must be placed between your mattress and the cot of your child.
There are also cribs for travel available. They are designed specifically for use on the road. These are usually smaller and more compact than standard cribs, making it easier to transport them from and into hotels and cars. The Munchkin Brica travel crib, for example can be set up and packed down in under an hour and weighs only three pounds, so it is easy to carry and lift.