9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Travel Bedside Crib
Buying a Travel Bedside Crib
A crib mattress cover that can be washed by a machine can be useful when your baby has an accident or you need to clean the crib in between trips. This one does just that and comes with a simple travel bag.
It comes with a clever incline option that helps to ease reflux, and works with divan beds as well as framed bed frames. It also has the ability to breathe through the mesh sides and help regulate your baby's temperature during sleep.
Safety
A bedside crib can be a space-saving solution for parents who are new. You can sleep close to your child without worrying about suffocation. Bedside cribs allow you to soothe your baby in the night and have them easily reach them for feeding or comforting, without having to get up, which is particularly useful after the birth of a c-section.
These cribs are also a great choice for older children who are too small to fit in a toddler bed. However, it's important to ensure that your bedside crib meets the most current safety standards. Choose an item that meets BS EN 1130:2019. This requires a minimum of 120mm between the crib mattress and yours, to stop your child rolling onto yours.
Look for a crib that allows the baby's feet near the bottom of the bed. This will help them feel more comfortable and decrease the chance of them being trapped in the bed. Some cribs let you tilt your crib, which can be beneficial for babies with digestive issues like reflux or colic. You should use the crib tilting system with caution. It can increase the risk of your baby falling out.
Before packing away a crib, it should be thoroughly cleaned. This should include wiping down the mattress, bedding, and any covers made of fabric as well as cleaning any waterproof areas. It's essential to do this in order to avoid infusing mould or bacteria into the baby's sleep environment. Make sure you clean and dry every part that is removable. Also, you should check the crib for signs that it is worn out and clean any fabrics that have come in contact with faeces and urine. They could become contaminated, and cause infections. This should be done each time you use the crib and before packing it away to be stored away.
Sleeping in
A bedside crib can be a safe and practical solution to keep your baby close as you sleep. It allows you to cosleep safely and can also be used as a separate crib or a travel one for overnight stays at grandparents' or on holidays. You can choose between a range of models that will fit the height of your bed. Some are specifically designed for divan beds while others can be attached to the side of your bed as a sidecar.
A good bedside crib should be easy to clean, ideally with a mattress that is machine washable. You should also look for an air-conditioned mattress that keeps your baby cool and comfortable. Some of the top cribs also have an incline for reflux that can help babies with acid reflux.
Follow the Safe Sleep guidelines provided by the Lullaby Trust to ensure that your baby's crib is secure and that there aren't gaps in between the crib and the adult mattress. You could also consider a side-car crib such as the Chicco Next2Me, which is fast and simple to assemble, and comes with a handy travel bag. It is a favorite with MFM testers who found it be the most portable and lightweight of the rocking bedside crib cribs we tested.
While it is perfectly safe to sleep in a crib, you should be aware that this may not be the most comfortable option for prolonged periods of time and can lead to back discomfort. These cribs should only be used for six months. After that, you will have to switch them to a cot bedside or moses basket.
Be cautious about a crib with drop-down barriers that drop all the way to your bed. This could result in your child falling out of the crib onto your mattress, which isn't recommended. Most new bedside crib or cot cribs will have a 'half-height' barrier that is lower than your mattress to stop this from happening. One of our MFM testers found that this feature was not as easy to use as she expected, but was still an excellent solution for her family.
Buying an used crib
Second-hand baby products are an excellent option to save money new parents. Whether you need a new car seat or an extra crib for traveling, a variety of baby items can be bought in consignment stores or flea markets. You can also find thrift stores for less than the cost of retail.
Travel cribs are among the baby items you should never buy second-hand. It is difficult to determine whether a crib was in an accident, but certain cribs may have. This could result in it being unsafe. A used crib mattress could have stains and mold that are hard-set, as well hidden depressions or indentations. These could pose suffocation dangers for babies.
If you are looking for a secondhand crib for your baby, opt for one with mesh side panels and firm mattress. It should also be free of decorations or straps that could pose the risk of strangulation or choking. It should also be easy clean and, if it is possible it should have a manual on paper. If the manual is not available, you may locate a copy on the internet.
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Check that the crib meets the federal safety standards prior to purchasing a used one. Check it against the crib safety guidelines on the CPSC website. You can also search the website for recalls of a specific crib.
Some parents decide to sell their travel cribs after their child is old enough to use them. This is a bad decision. In time a crib mattress that has been used may become suffocation hazard and may be contaminated with bacteria. Press firmly with your hand into the mattress to test for cleanliness. If it leaves an indentation, it's soft and shouldn't be used.
If you purchase a used crib for your baby, let him or her sleep in it for a few days before your journey. Set it up at home and let them sleep in it throughout the day a few days prior to your trip. This will allow them to adjust to the new sleeping space and reduce their stress on your journey.
Getting started
A travel bedside crib or portable crib or play yard gives you a safe place for your child to sleep while traveling. Some parents utilize the crib at home or when visiting friends and family, while others bring it along on vacation. Whatever the reason, a crib for travel can make your trip more relaxing and enjoyable for both you and your child.
Look for a portable cot that is easy to assemble and fold. Before you buy make sure you've follow the directions to ensure the process is easy and that you feel comfortable using it. Also, make sure you choose one that is machine washable. This feature will save you time and money. Cleaning your travel crib will help keep it looking brand new and many consignment stores will not accept a dirty portable crib.
Before you leave prepare by setting up and folding the crib at home. This will help your baby get used to the crib and will make it easier for them to make the transition to the hotel. You can put a favorite blanket or lovey in there to familiarize your child with the smell and space.
Whether your baby is asleep or awake it's crucial to stay close to them while they're in the crib. You can comfort them or rock them to assist them to fall asleep and then awake. Alternately, you can put them in the crib with their favorite blanket and wrap them in a swaddle to keep them warm. When your baby is too old to swaddling, you can opt for a sleep sack. This will keep them secure and comfortable in their crib.
If you are planning to take your baby on a trip, a 3-in-1 crib may be advisable. This type of bed can be used as a co-sleeper, travel cot and bassinet for infants that are up to 6 months old. The Silver Cross Slumber is a popular choice due to the fact that it has a padded mattress that is made of breathable mesh. It's easy to clean and folds up in just a few seconds, making it a great option for busy families.