Whether you’re heading to a long-awaited vacation, visiting family, or simply need extra sleeping space at home, travel cribs are a must-have item for many parents. But before you buy the most stylish travel cot or borrow a near-old playground, you need to make sure it’s as safe and functional as possible. Here are some things parents should look out for when buying a travel crib.
What Is a Travel Crib?
A travel crib is another name for a portable crib. Travel cots are compact and lightweight, and are designed for easy transport. Sometimes “playground” and “travel crib” can be used interchangeably, but they are not always the same. For example, play fields tend to have mesh sides or other non-rigid structures. While travel cribs can mimic this, some portable cribs are wooden and foldable. In general, travel cots and playbeds are available for children from birth to 3 years old.
Are Travel Cots Safe?
Yes. Fortunately, the safety standards for travel cribs were upgraded more than a decade ago, so the models currently sold in the U.S. have passed rigorous stability, snap-in, and structural integrity tests. (The same goes for playbeds.) But for added peace of mind, I recommend looking for travel cribs or playbeds that have JPMA (Children’s Product Manufacturers Association) certification, which means they are inspected annually to prove that they meet or exceed all safety standards for baby products. Of course, it’s crucial to use a travel cot safely, which means always…
- Place your baby on your back. All infants under one year of age should lie on their back during naps and nighttime sleep.
- Make sure the travel cot is empty. Make sure the travel cot is free of any loose bedding, pillows, reclining chairs and stuffed animals.
- Use a suitable mattress. Use only a playground mattress provided by the manufacturer and never fold or add upholstery. Remember, whether your baby is napping in a full-size crib, bassinet, or travel crib, your baby’s mattress needs to be firm!
- Use only suitable bed linen. Portable crib sheets need to be tucked under the mattress so that the sheets don’t break and pose a risk of suffocation.
- Keep the side side up: Never place the baby in a mesh play field with the side low, or your child may get trapped between the side and the floor.
- Remove the diaper changing table. If your playground has a raised changing table, remove it while your child is in the playground so they are not at risk of becoming trapped.
- Know when to retire your travel crib. When your child can easily climb out, stop using the playground or travel crib.
What Should I Look for When Buying a Travel Crib?
Of course, safety comes first, but there are a few other things to consider when buying a travel crib, such as:
Robustness: If you can, test the travel crib before you buy. You’ll want to feel for yourself how robust it is. Does it feel a little wobbly when you press the top? If so, choose another one.
Function: Buy a playcot for your baby?Find a mattress with a bassinet function that you can remove from the bottom and raise safely, so you can carry your baby in or out of the crib more easily. At the same time, you need to make sure that your portable crib has enough space so that the toddler can rest and play comfortably when they need to put down the mattress.
Size and weight: For many people, the point of a portable crib is to be able to carry it around, so make sure it’s easy to fold and carry. If you’re a frequent flyer, you’ll also need a travel cot that’s small enough to meet airline size requirements and light enough to tow across the airport!
Weight limit: While there may be no weight limit for travel cribs with floor mattresses, the recommended maximum weight for most other travel cribs/playbeds is around 25 to 30 pounds. Either way, it’s always wise to double-check.
Easy to use: When you arrive at your destination with a grumpy baby, the last thing you want to do is spend 10 minutes assembling a travel crib! and easily locks into place.
Maintenance: Many portable cribs feature removable, machine-washable fabrics that can be a game-changer when dealing with burst diapers and other unexpected situations.
Is It Ok to Buy a Used Travel Cot?
While it may be tempting to borrow a travel cot or playbed (or buy a second-hand one), proceed with caution. Nearly 2013 million game codes were recalled before the new federal security standards were implemented in 200, so any old game codes could be dangerous. In addition, it wasn’t until 2022 that replacement mattresses used in playgrounds and portable cribs were required to meet the same safety requirements as the original mattress!
Buying a new travel cot ensures that your travel cot is not missing any parts and that it meets the latest safety standards. But I also know that buying a new one can be difficult for some families. So, if you’re buying or borrowing a used travel cot, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Look for numbers that matter. Do not purchase travel cribs if they are missing a label containing the date of manufacture (or lot code) and manufacturer’s contact information.
- Check the recall. Found a label that contains all the manufacturing information for travel cribs? Now check to see if it has been recalled.
- Check for damage. Make sure the grid and top railing of the playing field are free of torn, holes, or loose threads. Check for missing or loose parts and make sure the travel cot has the manufacturer’s original mattress.
How Do I Help My Baby Sleep in a Travel Cot?
If you know in advance that your baby will be dozing off at the playground or in a travel cot during the trip, arrange for them to sleep in a crib at home first. When it comes to familiarity, it’s also important to rebuild your baby’s sleeping environment. This means dimming the lights about 30 minutes before nightfall, playing your child’s favorite white noise, and wrapping your baby in their Xi sleeping bag or swaddling clothes.