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CPSC Warns Consumers to Immediately Stop Using “Baby Loungers” Due to Suffocation Risk and Fall Hazard; Failure to Meet Federal Safety Regulation for Infant Sleep Products

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to immediately stop using “Baby Loungers” because they violate the federal safety regulation for infant sleep products, posing a risk of suffocation and a fall hazard to infants. Specifically, the loungers fail to meet the safety requirements of CPSC’s Infant Sleep Products regulation because they do not have a stand, which creates an unsafe sleeping environment for infants. In addition, the loungers fail to meet the regulation’s marking, labeling, and instructional literature requirements. The lounger and its packaging also lack a tracking label containing product information such as the date of manufacture, which is required for children’s products including durable infant or toddler products.

CPSC issued a Notice of Violation to the seller, Poetint002 of China, but the firm has not agreed to recall these loungers or offer a remedy to consumers. Consumers who purchased the product will receive this notice directly.

The baby loungers were sold online on Amazon.com and other e-commerce sites. CPSC evaluated the loungers in the Grey Animal printed fabric. The white sticker label on the packaging identifies the products as “Baby Loungers.” There is a red tag on the products with three rectangular symbols. The lounger is oval in shape and was sold in the color style “gray animal.” It is gray on the outside and white on the inside with animals such as lions, moose, and giraffes printed on the inside of the lounger. It comes with a small pillow with similar animal imagery on it.

Although the ISP regulation applies to products manufactured on or after June 23, 2022, the CPSC urges consumers to stop using all loungers sold by Poetint002 regardless of their date of manufacture. Further, CPSC continues to advise firms to stop sale of non-compliant infant sleep products regardless of the date of manufacture.

CPSC urges consumers to stop using the loungers immediately, unzip and disassemble the products, cut-up the lounger cover, sleeping pad, and side bumpers and dispose of the pieces in the trash or textile recycling, in accordance with local garbage collection policies.

Parents and caregivers are reminded:

The best place for an infant to sleep is on a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet or play yard.
Use a fitted sheet only and never add blankets, pillows, padded crib bumpers, or other items to an infant’s sleeping environment.
Infants should always be placed to sleep on their back. Infants who fall asleep in an inclined or upright position should be moved to a safe sleep environment with a firm, flat surface such as a crib, bassinet or play yard.

Report any incidents involving injury or product defect to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov .

Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.

About the U.S. CPSC The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.

For lifesaving information:

Visit CPSC.gov.
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Follow us on Facebook , Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC .
Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov .
Call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).
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Please use the below phone number for all media requests.

Phone: (301) 504-7908 Spanish: (301) 504-7800

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BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Review (Tried & Tested)

Written by Becca

Updated on April 26th, 2024

An infant in the Baby Bjorn travel crib playing with toys

BabyBjorn’s travel crib is the lightest travel crib I’ve used, by far. Is it also the best travel crib for its price? My review details my experience and thoughts!

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Table of contents

Summary of the Travel Crib Light
Features of the Travel Crib Light
Comparing the Travel Crib Light to the Graco Pack ‘n Play
Comparing the Travel Crib Light to the Guava Travel Crib
Is it worth the price?
Where to buy the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light
Tips for getting the most out of your BabyBjorn Travel Crib
What is the BabyBjorn brand?

After going on a few trips with a Graco Pack ‘n Play travel crib that we got as a hand-me-down, I was a feeling a bit let down by the stress of it. After all, the ubiquitous Pack ‘n Play crib is heavy, bulky, hard to carry and not outrageously attractive.

I learned that there were other better travel cribs out there, and I was excited to try the BabyBjorn Travel Crib as one that we’d be excited to use during trips. Even someone like me can fold it up and unfold it again, without much of an instructional manual.

In this review, I’ll detail how BabyBjorn’s travel crib is working out for us, from folding it up into its carrying case to how we even used it as a play pen for several months. Read on, to see my experience with this lightweight crib.

Women setting up the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib

BabyBjorn generously gifted us the Travel Crib Light ; however, this review is not sponsored and all photos and opinions are authentically my own.

Summary of the Travel Crib Light

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is one of two BabyBjorn baby products for sleep. It’s specifically for travel, as it folds up to the size of a “large briefcase,” as I’ve described it. Having a travel crib that your child is used to may be a safer alternative to a hotel crib, if you’re looking for tips for staying in a hotel with a baby .

What’s nice about how it folds up is that it’s slim, so you could put it flat on top of luggage in a trunk. I’d actually say that’s why it’s a great pick for road trips with a child who is past the “bassinet stage” and up to age 3 (if they fit).

The travel crib is different from the traditional Pack ‘n Play because the mattress is much closer to the floor, suspended by a mesh enclosure. You’re able to see the child from all angles, with no blocked areas.

Overall, it’s a minimalist design, with angles toward the bottom, and slim poles. There is soft padding over the top edges, so there’s nothing sharp or hard for toddlers who are able to stand up in the crib. Also, there’s no upper weight limit! The “able to climb out of it” is the designated time to stop using this travel crib.

Remember: the Travel Crib Light is NOT suitable for toddlers or children who are able to climb out of it on their own, and should also not be used in place of a bassinet for newborns.

Women carrying the Baby Bjorn travel crib inside

Features of the Travel Crib Light

I’ll name a few of the features of the Travel Crib Light that we’ve enjoyed while our daughter has been in it.

Weight and dimensions

When assembled, the Travel Crib Light measures 32 x 44 x 24 in. It’s not an overbearing size, and I think that’s something worth noting. We kept ours in our living room for months, as a play pen.

As for weight, the entire travel crib weighs 13 pounds including the carrying case. As it’s the lightest travel crib we own, it’s what made me feel comfortable asking my mom to carry it by herself to the car from my apartment (which is a bit of a walk to the parking lot).

The fact that the travel crib folds down so slimly overall makes it a less overwhelming item to bring over to a family member or friend’s house, for a child’s nap time or night sleep. Showing up at the door with the hefty Pack ‘n Play feels more burdensome to me.

Foldability and packability

To fold up the Travel Crib Light , I first remove the mattress, and fold it in half. This is what gives the Travel Crib Light its shape when it’s in its carrying case.

Then, I unhook and fold each pole using the arrow symbol as the way in which it should fold down. With the four poles folded toward the center, it’s then possible to fold the entire crib frame in half. With the frame nestled in the center of the mattress fold in the carrying case, all you have to do is zip it up for taking on the go.

Included items

What’s included in buying the Travel Crib Light is the carrying case, mattress and entire crib frame, as well as a fitted sheet. You can also get an extra sheet as an add-on.

Machine washable

The crib fabric is removable and able to be washed in a regular washing machine. This is great because especially when being used as a play pen, like we’ve used ours, you never know what can happen.

Safety standards

The Travel Crib Light upholds both the EN 716 (standard child sleep safety in domestic environments) safety standard as well as requirements for national fire safety.

Comparing the Travel Crib Light to the Graco Pack ‘n Play

The biggest comparable factor between the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light and the Graco Pack ‘n Play is the weight and shape. When we were packing and getting ready to take a road trip the Upstate NY, Dan told me to not even try to lift our Pack ‘n Play, because it was going to be too heavy for me.

He was right! That thing is like a rock.

Dan carried the Pack ‘n Play down to the car so that I didn’t have to (this was before we had the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light). That is because it weighs almost 19 lbs, and folds down to a bulky size.

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light folds down to 6 pounds less, and you can feel that difference. The shape into which the Travel Crib Light folds is manageable and carry-able. I have no problem lifting it with one hand.

The Pack ‘n Play is also pretty long and awkward when it goes into our trunk. The BabyBjorn crib is a much more manageable size when folded.

(Here’s a photo of our Pack ‘n Play, assembled at an Airbnb, before we got the BabyBjorn Crib)

Graco Pack n Play assembled on a hard wood floor

Comparing the Travel Crib Light to the Guava Travel Crib

More interestingly, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light and the Guava Lotus Travel Crib are worth comparing because they are both mesh travel cribs that have the mattresses on the ground. The designs are similar. The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light happens to weigh slightly less than the Guava Crib, which weighs 15 lbs.

Baby Bjorn travel crib feet on a hard wood floor

In comparing price, the Guava Lotus is less expensive and sometimes, it goes on sale. The Lotus folds down into a different shape, though, which is interesting. While the BabyBjorn Travel Crib folds down into the taller and flatter shape, the Lotus folds down into a compact long cube, and becomes a backpack for wearing while walking through the airport.

Both have that minimalist design through the slanted poles and the mesh crib body. Both fold down simply and are quite unassuming as pieces of luggage to take while you’re traveling with your baby.

I think the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is better for road trips if you often have a full trunk, due to how it’s a pretty flat item. The Guava Lotus may be better for how to fly with a baby .

Here’s a photo of our Guava travel crib in its case. To see our thoughts on the Guava crib, check out my Guava Lotus Travel Crib review .

Is it worth the price?

I think that for a lightweight machine-washable travel crib, what you’re paying for with the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is that it’s a thoughtful manageable shape and size for so many parents. The price reflects the lengths that BabyBjorn has gone through to get this crib down to 13 lbs. and into a slim carrying case with a simple fold-out method.

If you plan to have several children and use this crib for lots of travel, I’d say the decision is quite simple. Of course, if you don’t travel too often and the crib will get limited use, maybe try to borrow one from friends or family.

Also, if you’d like to do what we did, and use the Travel Crib Light as a “play pen” at home, try that! It’s easily foldable to remove from your living room or family room when you have company, so it’s like a temporary solution for containing a baby who’s sitting, but not yet crawling.

Where to buy the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light

While this crib is not carried everywhere, I’ve found it at these 4 retailers, including BabyBjorn.com (recommended).

BabyBjorn.com : Buying on BabyBjorn’s website will get you free shipping. The item will ship in 1-2 days! Buying here also lets you bundle with the sheet, which may not be possible at other retailers below. (Also, all 3 colors are available!)
Amazon (only black and silver colors are available)
Target (only silver color is available)
PotteryBarn Kids (only black and silver colors are available)

Tips for getting the most out of your BabyBjorn Travel Crib

Here are a few more nice-to-know things about this baby product for travel.

Flying with the BabyBjorn Crib

Due to the size when folded up in the case, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib (typically) can’t be carried on as a carry-on item for a flight. It’ll have to be checked as luggage upon check-in at baggage drop. The good news is that the mattress itself creates protection around the poles, so that acts as padding in-flight.

Update: some parents reported having success in getting the Travel Crib Light into an overhead compartment, but unless you’re traveling on a large plane with very spacious overhead bins, I wouldn’t bank on this.

Take it around a room or through the house

Something that’s different is that the Graco Pack ‘n Play is much bulkier to move around once it’s folded up. Because the BabyBjorn Crib is so light, you can easily pick it up and move it around the house without collapsing it.

This is less possible and more of a chore with a Pack ‘n Play. Just ask my mom, who has had to move the one at her house from room to room when my niece and our child are visiting at the same time!

Figuring out the fold-up process

Many parents find that the entire crib is pretty snug when you put it into the transport case. After packing it a few times, we got more comfortable with the process. To be fair, we’ve needed a few times of practice with both the Pack ‘n Play and the Guava Lotus Crib as well, before getting the hang of it.

Cleaning the BabyBjorn Travel Crib

Accidents happen, so is this crib washable? The mesh siding and mattress cover are removable and machine washable for cleaning, which helps. The poles could be wiped clean with child-safe cleaning products.

The mattress cover can be washed on a hot setting. Remember to wash the sheet (on “warm”) before use!

Getting replacement parts

If you lose or damage the main parts of the Travel Crib Light , you can buy replacement parts at BabyBjorn.com like the mattress , an extra fitted sheet and the entire transport bag .

What is the BabyBjorn brand?

BabyBjorn is a brand I was first introduced to with my use of the BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Mini , which Dan and I both used when our baby was a newborn. We liked the relative ease of use of the carrier, and versatility that it was a product for both moms and dads, and everyone in between. It let us tote our infant around Litchfield, Connecticut , and the Catskill Mountains , during weekends away.

From months 1-6, we also made great use of our BabyBjorn baby bouncer , which seemed to be a #1 pick among all our “parent friends.” This bouncer is so well-made and popular, it became a great product to plop our baby into when we’d visit friends’ houses. We’ve even considered taking it on road trips with a baby (but didn’t quite have the trunk space for it).

As we learned more about the brand, we saw BabyBjorn’s other baby carriers , products for sleep , kitchen items like feeding sets and potties for the bathroom . We’re about to read BabyBjorn’s blog about travel with a baby and see that other couples just like us are learning the ropes about how to leave home with a little one.

What we like about BabyBjorn products is that there aren’t too many of them . That’s right: the brand focuses on bestsellers and parent favorites in a few categories, and doesn’t have an overwhelming amount of products to make you second-guess your choices when checking out your cart.

Babybjorn Travel Crib Review After 6 Countries of Testing (Not Sponsored)

The BabyBjorn travel crib (officially known as the Travel Crib Light ) is one of the best and most popular travel cribs you can buy. Super light weight, and super easy to set up and fold and get back in the bag when you’re done with it, it comes with a known brand and a ton of positive customer reviews.

Including our family!

I’ve used the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light in 6 different countries when my daughter was a baby. We tested it out traveling on planes, trains, and in automobiles (seriously!).

It’s great!

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Review. The Baby Bjorn travel crib light sits in a hotel room near the window. A beautiful view of Bergamo, Italy is out the window.

Below, I share my Babybjorn travel crib light review, including the pros, cons, and how it compares to some other leading travel pack and play options . All of this is based on my personal experience using this crib, plus testing it against my “travel crib criteria” which I also used to evaluate the Guava Lotus Travel Crib and the Bugaboo Stardust playard .

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Review Key Takeaways

Lightweight and compact, with its own easy to carry bag.
Easy to setup and takedown quickly.
Sturdy construction that sits well, without tipping or wobbling.
Comfy mattress that is comparable to the Guava Lotus and better than many other pack and play mattresses.
Breathable, with mesh fabric around the sides to allow airflow.
From a known brand with a strong history of safety and quality.
Machine washable, including the mattress cover.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified textiles.
No zipper opening on the side. The only way to get baby in and out is through the top opening.
Tough for short caregivers to place a baby in the crib due to a taller frame
Doesn't come with a bassinet option.
Not Greenguard Gold Certified.
It's not carry-on compliant for most airlines.

What is the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light (& How is it Different from Other Travel Cribs?)

The Babybjörn travel crib light is a super lightweight pack and play or play yard that’s great for using at home, toting across town to a friend’s house or the park, or on a big trip across the country or across the world.

Along with the Guava Family Lotus , it’s probably one of the most popular travel cribs on the market currently. And with good reason.

There’s a lot to love about this crib, including super easy set up and fold up, a strong and sturdy carry bag, and a soft and comfy mattress.

In a lot of ways, it’s very similar to other travel pack and plays in that it’s easy to use and transport.

At 13 pounds, however, it’s lighter than what I consider its closest competitor: the Guava Lotus . It’s also easier to set up and tear down, has faster drying fabric after a wash, and it fits into the carry bag better – it’s a great fit with no squishing required.

However, you do give up two key features of the Lotus when you choose Baby Bjorn .

First: the side zipper opening. I’d say this is one of the key differences between these two products, and is worth pointing out that the BabyBjorn doesn’t have a side opening. This is especially important to shorter people, such as myself (I’m 5 foot, and find it slightly challenging to lean all the way over and down to reach the mattress on the BabyBjorn).

Second, it doesn’t have a “converts to a backpack” carry bag like the Guava does, meaning you have to carry it with your hands, rather than a hands-free option on your back. This is fine for most trips, and the carry bag overall is excellent. But you might prefer the backpack feature of the Guava if you’re off on a months-long adventure or longer trip across multiple countries.

For a trip to a resort, I’d take our BabyBjorn travel crib lite . For a 3-month family backpacking trip across SE Asia, I’d take the Guava Lotus. If I was planning a 2-week Europe trip with a few different countries, it’s a toss up as to which I’d take. The Babybjorn is a bit easier to set up and tear down when changing hotels, but the Guava is a bit more compact for taking on trains, and the backpack carry bag is also extremely convenient.

Why Buy a Travel Crib such as the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light?

For me, a lightweight travel crib is a no brainer when traveling with a baby or toddler under 3. I say this as someone who first travelled with our baby without a travel pack and play, and then immediately went out and bought one to rectify the mistake. Here’s why I think investing in a travel crib makes sense:

It gives you more flexibility in terms of the type of accommodation you book. While many hotels have a limited number of cribs for guests to use, many short term apartment rentals do not. If you become a BYOTC (bring your own travel crib) family, you can book those short term apartments, which also gives you access to the other things families with babies often need: fridges, microwaves, etc.
You can take nap time on the go. When we were in Spain, we went to visit some friends during our daughter’s nap time by taking our BabyBjorn travel pack and play with us. She snoozed in their spare bedroom while we visited our buddies, and it was easy for us since it’s such a lightweight travel crib!
It removes “first come, first serve” stress at hotels. If you’re traveling to a resort or hotel, most have a first come, first serve policy for baby products such as cribs. There’s a chance you’ll show up and someone else has taking the last available crib, leaving you to figure out a panicked Plan B instead of enjoying your vacation.
Some hotels charge A LOT to use one of their baby cribs. When we were in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, some hotels wanted to charge us the equivalent of 30 Euros…PER NIGHT to rent their crib. Thankfully we had our BabyBjorn play yard on that trip.
Hygiene, cleaning and maintenance are an unknown with hotel cribs, but it’s something you can easily control for if you BYO. I’d rather have my own pack and play vs a crib I have no control over.

Detailed BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Review

Portability and ease when traveling with it.

After a few years experience traveling with a baby, then toddler, and now preschooler, this is my top criteria against which I evaluate all “travel stuff for kids” – travel crib included.

Travel with a baby involves lugging around more stuff than I expected…plus you have to carry the baby, too.

Bringing a travel crib with you shouldn’t feel like a huge chore or downer. Quite the opposite, it should make your trip better by reducing uncertainty related to first-come, first-serve hotel crib rental policies, and help your baby feel they’re in a familiar place, even if you’re country hopping.

We travelled with and used the Babybjorn travel crib light with our baby in 6 countries (Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Spain, Austria, and Hungary), taking it on planes, trains, and in cars (rentals and taxis). Even though we already owned a travel crib (the Phil & Teds) we wanted to test out the BabyBjorn for this blog, so bought it before this trip so we could give it a proper 6-country test for this review!

I’m confident when I say the Travel Crib Light is very portable…I’ve tested it to make sure!

The slim profile of the carry bag means it’s easy to fit it into narrow spaces on luggage racks if you’re traveling by bus (even if it’s just an airport bus) or train. But, that slim profile means the overall footprint of the case (a rectangle that’s about 5.75″ thick and about 23.5″ x 18.5″) is bigger than the Lotus travel crib, for example.

Likely, you’ll need to check this as an extra piece of luggage when traveling – that’s what we did when we flew with it.

Setting It Up and Using It

In theory, a lightweight travel cot should improve your vacation. But that theory only holds true if it’s easy to use.

No one wants to arrive at their hotel after a long overseas flight with a screaming baby, only to struggle with the very baby gear they brought that was intended to make life easier.

Thankfully, the BabyBjorn travel crib ligh t is so, so easy to set up, and you can get that jet lagged, over tired baby to bed in mere minutes.

To see exactly how long it took me to set-up our BabyBjorn travel play yard, I asked my Google Home to time me with a stopwatch. This included everything you need to get it ready for your kiddo (except the sheet), from removing it from the bag to putting the mattress in and attaching it.

It took me 2 minutes and 9 seconds to set it up. That includes 41 seconds to unzip the bag and set up the crib with the mattress placed inside, and then another 1 minute and 28 seconds to attach the mattress with the hook and loop system.

While 2 minutes is fast on a “first try in a long time,” with a few practice tries I was able to get my setup much, much faster: 1 minute and 16 seconds on my second try.

In particular, I realized that if I push the crib over onto its side, I can get the hook and loop system used to secure the crib mattress to the frame way faster: I went from 1 minute 28 seconds on my first try, down to 17 seconds on my second try (with the crib on its side as pictured below).

Overall, this travel crib unfolds and sets up with incredible ease, as evidenced by how quickly I’m able to do it myself. The legs click in place easily, too.

My super fast set up is encouraging…but what about take down? And wrestling it back into the carry bag when vacation is over (or you’re on to your next destination)?

I again used my Google Home as a stop watch to time exactly how long it took me to collapse the play yard and put it all away (including getting it back into the carry bag).

The results of this test? It took 1 minute and 14 seconds. It took 12 seconds to unclip the mattress, 36 seconds to collapse the crib and tuck it into the folded mattress, and 26 seconds to get it all into the carry bag, and get that zipped up.

Collapsing the crib itself requires you to pull up from the middle of the base (with the mattress removed). To release the legs so they can fold, you simply give them a little tug downward, and they un-click and fold in easily. I was easily able to do all this by myself, and it doesn’t take any particular finesse or strength to do so. When I pulled on the legs, I immediately felt them release.

Getting it back into the bag was easy, and didn’t require any wrestling at all.

Based on my personal experience, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light fits back into its carry bag easier than the Guava Lotus does – it’s all a bit more smooth with less squishing down and holding to zip the zipper closed.

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Mattress Review

When it comes to travel crib mattresses and pack and play mattresses, Babybjorn has long been the king of the “soft and comfy mattress” market.

However, I feel though this common comment about this travel crib may actually refer to a previous version of the travel crib (the Travel Crib Light 2, which is no longer available).

I know this because we’ve personally owned both an old version of this travel crib (2019) and a newer, current version. And if memory serves me, the mattress on the old version was much thicker than in this new version.

With currently available versions of the products I own or have recently tested, I feel like mattress thickness is actually a tie between the Guava Lotus mattress (which I measure to be 1.5″ thick) and the Babybjorn mattress (which I measure to be 1.25″ thick).

In my opinion, this is an improvement, as super thick, soft mattresses and babies aren’t a good combo , safety wise.

However, the fabric mattress cover on the BabyBjorn feels softer when I touch it.

The mattress is made of polyurethane foam. This is what it looks like when I pull away the mattress cover:

The mattress cover is waterproof (this is pretty standard in the travel cribs I’ve reviewed), so there’s no need to buy a separate mattress protector or cover. It’s made of a combination of polyester and polyurethane, as you can see on the mattress tag on our crib, shown below.

In the old version of the Babybjorn Travel Crib Light , I don’t remember having to attach the mattress to the frame. In this new version, however, there’s a hook and loop system.

The bottom of the mattress has a loop attached to each corner (the red things in the picture below).

You then hook the loops onto a hook attached to each corner of the travel crib frame to ensure the mattress doesn’t shift or lift, and generally stays in place as it should.

Once you get the hang of this, it’s pretty easy. As mentioned above, I find it easiest when I tip the crib onto its side.

If you’re worried your baby may be cold sleeping on a floor mattress, we tried to make it more comfortable by adding a folded blanket underneath the bottom of the crib (don’t put it in the crib!). It still needs to be a firm flat surface to place the crib on, and please don’t consider this a recommendation – simply something we tried.

Washing the Babybjorn Travel Crib Light

Traditional pack and plays are notoriously tough to clean, and can only be spot cleaned safely .

Not this BabyBjorn.

The fabric portion of the Babybjorn travel crib is machine washable on warm or cold (not hot), using a gentle or mild detergent. We use True Earth fragrance free detergent strips, and they work great.

To wash the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light , unclip the mattress from the frame, and remove the detachable feet from each of the four legs of the frame. They pull out very easily. In a side-by-side comparison, the feet of the BabyBjorn pulled out much easier for me than the Guava Lotus feet.

Then unzip the fabric along the top railing to remove the fabric unit completely from the frame. There’s a separate zipper on each of the four sides.

I like to wash pack and play fabric in a large mesh laundry bag , with a few towels thrown in. This helps protect it against snags. When I washed it, the fabric came out looking great, with no snags or signs of wear.

To dry, it’s hang to dry only: no tumble drier, please!

Out of curiosity, I timed how long it took the fabric to dry after washing. This is important if you’re on a trip and your baby has an accident in the crib, and you need to get it clean before the next nap or sleep. In my experience, huge amounts of vomit while on vacation is standard operating procedure for many babies, so ease of washing and speed to dry is key!

At the 2 hour mark, I felt the fabric and the side mesh and base fabric was dry enough that I’d feel okay temporarily putting it back on the frame for a nap. At the stage, the zippered sides which sit around the top of the frame still felt wet, but they were far dryer at this stage than the Guava Lotus padded sides were when I ran the same test on that crib.

After 3 hours of hanging to dry, the fabric felt almost completely dry, other than few lightly damp corners. If I wasn’t going to pack it away, I would have reassembled at this point and let me kid sleep.

Five hours after washing, the fabric felt totally dry and ready to be zipped back onto the frame. This was much faster than the same test I did with the Guava Lotus , which took 9 hours to dry completely under very similar climate conditions and just a few days apart. The padding that goes over the top frame of the Guava Lotus feels a bit thicker, and is possibly a different type of technical fabric. Whatever the reason, the Guava is much slower to dry – more than double the time of the BabyBjorn based on my testing.

(I did my time to dry test for the BabyBjorn and the Guava in the dead of winter, drying it inside my house on a drying rack. If you could hang outdoors in the summer, I expect both would dry faster than in my testing).

I also wondered how long it would take to put the fabric back on the crib frame, after machine washing. Once again, I set a timer and timed myself getting the fabric back on. It only took 1 minute 39 seconds to reassemble.

Everything about this travel crib (setup, take down, re-assembling after washing) is just so, so fast…under 2 minutes for each.

Worth noting, the mattress cover can also be machine washed. I appreciate this, as the mattress cover on the Lotus travel crib isn’t removable or washable.

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Frame Review

The Babybjorn travel crib light has a sturdy frame, with an angled set up whereby the top is a bit narrower than the base for stability ( the Guava Lotus travel crib has the same general shape to it). There’s a difference of roughly 10″ from top (narrower) to bottom (wider) on both the length and the width.

When I shake the frame on the BabyBjorn travel crib , I can feel and see the legs wobble somewhat from the upper joints, but it’s very sturdy and not tippy. Because the mattress sits on the floor, there is no upper weight limit for use , unlike more traditional pack and plays, such as the 4moms Breeze. My daughter would stand in our travel crib and it was fine, but stop using a pack and play once they start to try climbing out .

Once setup, the frame stands about 25 inches tall. I am exactly 5 foot tall, and I think anyone shorter than 5 foot will likely have trouble bending all the way over to reach the mattress in the crib.

I can bend over the crib and reach the mattress – and I just make it – but it’s not the most comfortable to be honest, and if I had an infant in my arms I would be a bit nervous.

You can see me reaching into the BabyBjorn crib in the photo below, and how the top rail of the crib touches me right below the bottom of my rib cage.

If both caregivers are on the shorter side, or you are short and expect to use this on your own with a newborn who can’t yet sit up or doesn’t have neck control yet, this might not be the best choice for you.

If you are super short like me, and have a baby that can’t sit or stand yet, I recommend either the Guava Lotus or the Phil & Teds Traveller . They are both around the same height as the BabyBjorn travel cot (25.5″ for the Guava and 25″ for the Phil & Teds) but both have a side zip door which you can use to place your baby or get them out. We used the Phil & Teds for a few months starting when my daughter was 5 months, and that’s how I got her in and out every time. It worked great, and the Guava has the same system. Overall, the Guava would be my choice between Phil and Teds vs Guava Lotus, as its much easier to setup.

Once my daughter was older, I didn’t have any problem lifting her out of the crib from sitting or standing, or placing her standing, into the BabyBjorn crib .

Color Choices

Unlike some of its closest competitors, the Babybjorn travel crib light comes in a few color choices. Silver and black are most common and most widely available, and we really liked the light and airy design and look of our silver one.

However, if you’re really stuck on getting it in a bolder color, BabyBjorn sells it in a dark green color on their website (although, at the time of writing it was unfortunately listed as out of stock).

What About Safety?

All cribs, travel cribs, and play yards sold in the United States have to meet federal safety standards. The trick is to looking for any “over and above” safety features companies offer.

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is JMPA certified, which is an optional certification requiring the product be independently tested to meet ASTM standards.

From JMPA’s website:

“To become certified, each product is sample-tested at an independent laboratory to verify it meets the highest standards for safety, performance and functionality.

JPMA Certification is voluntary, and based on adherence to ASTM standards, federal and state laws and some retail requirements. The program is designed to provide peace of mind to parents that these products have been independently tested to the most stringent standards.”

It also uses OEKO TEX Standard 100 fabric. This means the fabric components of the travel crib have been tested to be free from harmful substances and chemicals.

There are few design aspects that also appear to lend themselves to safety, including:

Mesh sides, which allow a good amount of airflow through the crib, and may help to keep your baby cool in hotter climates.
A floor standing mattress, which helps ensure stability while also allowing the product to be ultra lightweight (most pack n plays have a built in platform the mattress sits on, but that adds a lot to weight).
The “triangular” shape to the frame, with the wider base and narrower top. Again, this should add to the stability of the design.

Unfortunately, this travel crib isn’t Greenguard Gold Certified. To be fair, most travel cribs and pack and plays aren’t. But, the Guava Lotus travel crib is, which is a nice to have (although, the Lotus doesn’t use Oeko TEX certified fabrics, so it’s a trade-off.

Final Thoughts

We loved our BabyBjorn travel crib for our own family, and were so happy to have it on a trip of a lifetime when our daughter was a baby.

These days, there are more options available, but the BabyBjorn still stands out as one of the best choices for ease of use, portability, quality, and safety .

The price is one of the huge drawbacks to this product, and it’s certainly not a budget choice.

However, if you’re looking for a high quality travel crib, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light was a great choice for our family, and think it will be for many other families as well. I do recommend you buy the bundle with the fitted sheet, as crib sheets are too large to use with this, and you want a proper, snug fit for safety.

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The Babybjorn Travel Crib Light Offers Portability and Effortless Setup

A high-end portable crib that’s cozy for baby and convenient for parents

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light

Verywell Family / Ashley Ziegler

Very easy to set up and tear down

Lightweight when it’s packed up

Comes with a durable carrying bag

Washable fabric

Expensive compared to competitors

Mattress sits low on the floor

Needs a sheet over the mattress

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is easy to use, features a sleek design, and has ample space for play—but it comes with a high price tag.

Setup Process
Competition
Final Verdict

We purchased the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light so our writer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light provides a safe space for babies to sleep and play when they aren’t at home. Parents who travel frequently can benefit from this product because it packs up into a small, durable carrying case. It meets standards for a safe sleep space for smaller babies but is large enough to last beyond the first year. Read on for all the details of this pack n’ play and to find out if it’s worth the price.

Setup Process: You get what you pay for

If there is anything about this travel crib that is worth the price tag, it’s the setup and tear down process. When I first pulled the framing out of the bag, it felt like all I had to do was give it a little shake and it set itself up. Okay, that’s a stretch, but it really was super easy and intuitive. I had never used this product prior to receiving it and I didn’t have to pull out the instructions at all for setup.

Once it’s set up, the play yard offers a lot of space for a baby to play and sleep.

Tear down was also really easy, but not quite as intuitive. I tried to do it by myself a few times before giving in and pulling up a YouTube video to help me out. Once I watched the process one time, I was good. I was able to tear it down without a problem each time I used it from there.

Also, packing it up into its carrier was extremely easy. There aren’t any special measures I had to take to ensure everything was packed up correctly. It fits into the case with ease (no forcing the zipper closed).

Design: Sleek and durable

The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is made from quality materials. Its framing is made from thin metal rods that, despite their appearance, hold up the play yard well and are not flimsy. The top of the crib is lined with thick, padded fabric to ensure a baby won’t hurt themselves on any metal. The play yard itself sort of hangs from the top frame, as the metal bars aren’t directly attached to it. The sides of the play yard are made from a mesh fabric that allows for visibility into the space as well as airflow, making it safe for sleep if your baby presses up against it.

The mattress comes folded in half, unattached, and has straps sewn onto the bottom of it, which loop through the bottom of the play yard’s framing and connect to a hook (one on each of the four legs) to ensure it stays put and doesn’t pose a risk to a sleeping or playing baby . Additionally, the mattress is really plush (not too plush, of course) so it’s definitely a cozy spot for a baby to sleep.

Carrying the play yard in the travel case may have been easier than carrying my daughter’s diaper bag.

The fabric that covers the mattress is okay, but it really needs a sheet for comfortable sleeping. Because of the play yard’s design, the mattress sits pretty much on the floor, which makes it a little tough to lay down or lift babies who can’t sit up or pull up on their own.

Once it’s set up, the pack n’ play offers a lot of space for a baby to play and sleep. It’s not as large as a standard size crib, of course, but at over 3 feet long, it will take a while for a child to outgrow it for sleep.

My favorite part about the play yard is that all of the fabric is removable and washable. Even the most “stain-resistant” fabrics can get pretty dirty (and gross) from spit-up, drool, sticky hands, and (worst case scenario) diaper mishaps, so this feature is a major plus.

Coming in at a close second for favorite features is this travel crib’s weight and portability. Carrying it from room to room was a breeze and carrying it in the travel case may have been easier than carrying my daughter’s diaper bag . Parents always have about a million things to carry, so I really appreciated the attention the manufacturer put into this detail.

Safety: Low risk, even for young toddlers

This play yard was designed carefully to reduce safety hazards as much as possible. Everything is breathable, the crib’s legs stand outward to provide more stability, and all the metal pieces are thoroughly covered. The main thing parents need to stay alert about is their child’s ability to crawl out of the play yard. Once they learn how to do that, it’s time to discontinue use.

Age Range: Focus on safety, not age range

The manufacturer lists the age range for this product as 0 to 3 years (or until they can crawl out of the play yard) and it has no weight limit. As a mom to both a baby (7-months-old) and a little kid (3-year-old), I have to disagree. A more realistic age range would likely be 3 months to 2 years.

Since my oldest daughter is past the 3-year mark, I didn’t test the product with her in it, but there’s no way it would have worked for her even in the months leading up to her third birthday. She’s much too big physically and was able to crawl out of her crib when she was only 18 months old. Not every kid climbs as early as she did, but I still think this product would be a stretch for most 3-year-olds.

This play yard was designed carefully to reduce safety hazards as much as possible.

On the other end, it would be really difficult to safely lay down and pick up an infant without head control in this play yard. My 7-month-old (who was born premature, so is around 5-months developmentally) can’t sit up on her own quite yet and it was tough for me to pick her up from that low on the ground, so I can’t imagine being able to safely lay down a newborn.

Price: On the highest of high-end

At around $300, this is definitely not budget-friendly. Comparable products start at around $60 so there is a big gap. There are aspects to the play yard, like portability and ease of setup and tear down, that call for a higher price tag, but this price still seems a little inflated. Also, you’ll probably want a sheet for the mattress. If you want to purchase a fitted sheet with the travel crib, Babybjorn sells it as a bundle for $20 more.

Competition: A lot of options

Graco Pack ‘n Play Portable Playard: We also tested this Graco play yard ( view on Amazon ), which retails for around $60 and is still very high quality. It sits a little higher up, making it a little easier to get a baby in and out, however, a child will outgrow it a little faster than the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light. The Graco is a bit heavier and bulkier when it’s packed up, but is still a great travel option for families who take a few trips a year.

Dream on Me Travel Light PlayYard: If you like the design of the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light, this Dream on Me pack n’ play ( view on Amazon ) is similar but has a much lower price point of around $80. Though they look basically identical, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light allows you to remove the fabric to machine wash, while the Dream on Me Travel Light PlayYard needs to be wiped down for cleaning.

JOOVY New Room2 Portable Playard: One of the major advantages of the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is its mattress size because it provides a lot of space for a baby to sleep and play. If that’s a primary need, the JOOVY New Room2 Portable Playard ( view on Amazon ) has 10 square feet of play space, which will give your little one plenty of room to roll around (in fact, it’s marketed to families with twins , so there’s plenty of space for just one baby). It retails for around $150, however, and it’s also bulkier and heavier than the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light.

If you travel a lot, it’s worth the price tag.

There is no shortage of pack n’ play options on the market, but the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light stands alone in its portability, convenience, and durability. If you’re a family that only travels here and there, it may not be worth the extra money to upgrade. However, if you travel a lot, this play yard will last you a long time, it will be easy to pack into a car or carry in an airport, and it will be easy to pop up in a hotel room—so the price is worth it.

Product Name Travel Crib Light
Product Brand BabyBjorn
MPN 040248US
Price $299.99
Weight 13 lbs.
Product Dimensions 32 x 44 x 24 in.
Color dark blue, silver, black, light brown
Material Crib Fabric: 100% polyester; mattress cover bottom: 100% Polyester, top: 50% polyester, 50% polyurethane
Mattress Dimensions 23.5 x 41 x 1.2 in.
What’s Included 1 play yard; 1 carry bag

By Ashley Ziegler Ashley Ziegler is a lifestyle writer specializing in motherhood, family health, and consumer products. She has written for Romper, Moms.com, and more. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Purdue University and her Master of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Baby Registry

BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light Review

Pros • Simple setup and take-down • Lightweight and easy to carry with a compact carrying case • Mattress is soft and comfy yet still firm

Cons • Won’t fit into most suitcases, so you have to check it separately at the airport

Bottomline The lightweight carrying case and firm but soft mattress makes this travel crib a breeze to bring to the airport or throw in the car. It’s super-easy to set up and provides a safe and comfortable place for baby to sleep whenever you’re away from home.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Being an avid traveler, I always imagined that I’d be jet-setting around with my kids when I finally had them. Then reality hit: With two babies only 18 months apart, the hassle of lugging around a crazy amount of baby gear and the fear of exhaustion from disrupted sleep schedules have kept me closer to home. And one of the biggest factors keeping me from taking those family trips I’d dreamed of was not wanting to carry heavy playards that I would then have to wrangle into place like I was playing a game of Twister. I’ve also worried that having to put my 5-month-old daughter—who was only just beginning to get over colic—to sleep in a travel crib would certainly lead to neither of us getting any sleep at all. Thankfully with the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light that wasn’t the case.

Getting this travel crib was a game changer for me. Not only is it compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry at the airport or throw into a car, but opening it up and folding it back down can both be done in under a minute. And the crib itself is super-comfy so baby (and by extension, you!) can get a good night’s rest.

The first trip we took with both kids was a baby step to test my comfort zone: a four-hour drive to visit my mother for the weekend. I loved how easy it was to pack the BabyBjörn—it comes in a black compact carrying case with handles, like a big briefcase. At only 32 inches long, 24 inches tall, and 44 inches wide, it doesn’t take up much trunk space. Plus, it weighs only about 13 pounds (which is about half of what the Pack ‘n Play weighs), so I could carry a baby in one arm and the playard in the other.

The setup was relatively frustration free, especially since I hate reading instructions and find no joy whatsoever in trying to figure out how to put things together. I need even more idiot-proof gear considering I have to also keep a constant eye on my toddler to prevent him from trying to hit his baby sister in the head or hurl a toy in her direction. Happily, I didn’t need to read any instructions (or watch any YouTube videos!) the first time I set up the crib. I simply unzipped the case, pulled out the crib frame that was nestled inside the folded mattress and snapped the legs into place. Then I clipped the mattress tabs onto the poles at each of the corners—that keeps the mattress from sliding around and helps with stability. Done!

Once it’s set up, the crib is very stable and doesn’t wobble, since the mattress rests on the floor and the frame has a wide base. I also like that the breathable mesh sides make it easy for me to see my daughter from any angle. The padded edges around the top rail make it more comfortable for me to lean over and soothe her—and they’ll make it safer when she starts standing, so she doesn’t bang her head. The mattress is soft, but also firm enough that I don’t worry about safety.

Folding up the crib took a few minutes to figure out because it wasn’t immediately intuitive to me that I had to pull the legs out and up in order to release them. But once I figured that out, I simply put the crib back into the case the way it came—by first placing the folded mattress inside and then tucking the collapsed crib frame into the center of the mattress so it was protected on the outside. Then I zipped up the case and threw it in the back of my car.

Performance

The real test was seeing if my daughter, Athena, would go to sleep in the crib. My husband and I refer to her as the “princess and the pea” because she does not like to be uncomfortable in any way—and lets us know it by her sharp cry. I did the same bedtime routine we do at home, which starts with bathtime and a baby massage. Then I turned on a sound machine app that I use on the iPad, plugged in the night light I brought, and put her Lullaby Gloworm doll in the crib.

She usually doesn’t go down very easily and I did have to rock her in my arms and sing to her for about 10 minutes, but when I placed her into the crib, she fidgeted for only a few minutes before falling asleep.

Athena still woke up a few times during the night as usual (though I fed her only once), but she went to bed on time, didn’t have much trouble falling back to asleep when she did rouse at night, and she awoke right on schedule at 7 a.m. I was thrilled that sleeping in the travel crib didn’t seem to disrupt her normal sleep routine.

Since I know that my daughter is comfortable in the crib and that it’s lightweight and easy to carry and set up, I even bring it with me for visits to friends’ houses during the day when they overlap with Athena’s naptime. I also sometimes use it as a playard in my living room; I put her in it with a few toys when I want to keep her contained (and protected from her 23-month-old brother).

I have the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light in Silver, and am really happy with the quality. The mesh material is durable and hasn’t snagged while letting you easily keep an eye on baby. The mattress cover can be removed for easy cleaning (love that it’s machine washable for when we have accidents!), and the mesh fabric also unzips so you can take it off and wash it easily.

The crib looks sleek and compact when set up, and I like the silver color, which gives it a luxe feel (it also comes in black, blue and pink/purple). The angled legs help the crib not take up a lot of space while giving baby plenty of room to sleep. The storage case is also really well made, and I like that it looks like a small suitcase when folded up so it fits easily under a bed or in a closet. When toting it around it can be carried like a briefcase, but I do wish it also had a backpack-style carrying option to make it easier to lug when my hands are full.

Fears about disrupting baby’s sleep schedule and the hassle of packing heavy gear may hinder some parents from traveling with baby—this was the case for me. The BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light helps ease these concerns. The soft yet firm mattress gives babies a comfy place to sleep, and the lightweight, compact design with a sturdy storage case makes it easy to transport. You can assemble and disassemble the crib in under a minute to make setting up a portable nursery a snap when you’re away from home.

Holly C. Corbett writes for The Bump, Parents, Redbookmag.com and other national outlets. She lives in Hoboken, New Jersey with her husband, toddler son and baby girl.

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pregnant woman standing beside crib in baby's nursery

Last updated on June 17th, 2024

Kim West, MSW, Mom of 2, creator of The Sleep Lady Shuffle

What is Unsafe about Seats?

Car seats, swings, rockers, and other products that are designed to hold and soothe infants are not safe once the baby falls asleep. Very young babies’ heads can fall forward and cause breathing problems. As babies age into rolling, babies can roll out or roll into the sides of the product. At this point, the CPSC is attempting to change the labeling and category of all of the “inclined sleepers” on the market. They want to reevaluate them, while other groups are asking for the category of “inclined sleeper” to be eliminated from the market altogether.

Where is the Safest Place for a Baby to Sleep?

What now? The AAP (American Association of Pediatricians) recommends the following sleeping environment for newborns and babies:

On his back
Firm, flat surface such as a bassinet or crib with no soft bedding, blankets, pillows, crib bumpers, or soft toys
Tight-fitting sheet
Share a bedroom (but not sleep surface) with parents at least the first 6-months and up to a year

READ: Safe Baby Sleep — 8 Safety Tips for Infants and Babies

Safe Sleepers

The AAP recommends babies room with their parents for up to the first year. But fitting a crib next to your bed might be a stretch! And since sleep safety and inclined sleepers are not compatible, these companies have come up with safe solutions for your new bundle of joy. She can be within reach, while snug and safe.

SNOO Smart Sleeper by Happiest Baby

Baby Bjorn Cradle

Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper

Lotus travel Crib

SwaddleMe By Your Side Sleeper

What About Those Recalls?

For a list of recalled products, check out this handy recall finder tool from Parents Magazine: Recall Finder As for the inclined sleeper? The AAP advises that if your baby falls asleep in a stroller, car seat, swing, or other device, move them immediately to a safe, flat surface.

Pin For Later:

Author: Kim West, MSW, Mom of 2, creator of The Sleep Lady Shuffle

My name is Kim West, and I’m the mother of two beautiful girls, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been a practicing child and family therapist for more than 21 years, and the creator of the original gentle, proven method to get a good night’s sleep for you and your child. My sleep journey began when I started experimenting with gently shaping my daughter’s sleep by not following the conventional wisdom at the time. After having success (and then more success with my second daughter!), I began helping family and friends and my step-by-step method spread like wildfire, exactly like an excellent night of sleep for a tired parent should!

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All the Baby Registry Products CR Staffers Found to Be the Most and Least Useful

There's no one-size-fits-all baby registry, but there are a few things you'll definitely want to add to it and items you should totally skip

When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more .

Babylist Pacifier box, Silicone baby bib, FridaBaby gum brush, soft baby book

The time just after a baby is born can be extremely overwhelming. You barely have time to shower, much less run out to buy things you need at a moment’s notice. That’s where baby registries can come in handy. In theory, if family and friends buy all of the things on your registry, you should have everything you need to care for your baby at least for the first few months. But, what do you need for a baby in those months? Some major items like car seats , cribs , and diapers are pretty much mandatory, and smaller items like snot suckers and baby nail clippers are also necessary especially in those early months, too, but they all present their own challenges to choose the right brands and models.

Ultimately, what you add to your registry is a highly personal decision, and what might be useful to some parents may not be useful for you and your baby. Some of the items on this list are luxuries that small apartment dwellers may not have the space to include on their own baby registries. And, if you find that you are missing something once the baby is home, phone a friend and ask them if they wouldn’t mind swinging by with something for you. I bet you’ll find a lot of loved ones willing to lend a hand.

I put out a call to my CR colleagues who are parents to find out what items on their baby registries they found most and least useful, and what they wish they had included in their registries. To supplement their lengthy lists, I scoured the beyond the bump Reddit page and reviewed the registry for a colleague’s relative, who was due with her first baby in the spring, too. What came of my conversations with my colleagues is a comprehensive list with just over 40 product recommendations of all the must-haves for a baby registry.

The Big Stuff

Nursery and toys, travel essentials, nap time must-haves.

Baby's Health

Services and Time for Baby and Parents

The skip list.

Namesake Abigail 3 in 1 Convertible Metal Crib

A crib for your baby to sleep in is an obvious must have on your baby registry. A mattress to go with the crib is also necessary. You’ll want to make sure that the mattress you choose is the right size and is firm enough to not sink with your baby’s weight.

Chicco Viaro

Traveling by car with your baby requires a car seat . There are 2-in-1 car strollers and car seat sets that can minimize the number of individual products you have to store at home, but if you don’t have one of these models, a car seat adapter for the model you own could turn your carrier into a 2-in-1. Emma Pyle, manager of enterprise strategy and impact at CR, went with the Chicco Viaro travel system, “because it’s highly rated by CR, the KeyFit base was easy and convenient for our cars, and it’s lightweight and portable.”

UPPAbaby VISTA V2

Baby carriers are great for trekking with babies in crowded spaces, but it can be tiring to always carry a baby in your arms. Strollers help parents travel with babies while providing space to keep diaper bags and anything else they need close. Several parents we spoke to recommended the UPPAbaby Vista, though Ginger Cowles, managing editor, mentioned that it is huge. “It took up more than half the trunk space in our Audi Q5. My friends in the city and Hoboken who lived in brownstones had to leave theirs chained up outside because it was too much of a hassle to haul it in and out all the time.”

Baby Bottle Warmer

Kiinde Kozii Baby Bottle Warmer

A bottle warmer that’s easy to use in the middle of the night in a dark room was on three parents’ must-haves list for baby registries. We’ve evaluated several bottle warmers and found that a few had overheating issues that are important to keep an eye out for. Though they were useful for these parents, one parent who was tight on space in her NY apartment went without it and didn’t think she needed it.

Aden and Anais 3 Pk. Classic Snap Bibs

If you put your baby in cute outfits (we don’t recommend you buy too many of these cute fits), you want to try to keep them clean for as long as possible. Buying bibs in multipacks and keeping a few in diaper bags and strollers will assure that you’re always ready for feeding time. Alex Susse, senior consumer experience insights specialist, found silicone bibs especially useful and easy to clean when his kids started eating solid foods.

Burp Cloths

Gerber 8-Pack Cotton Flannel Burp Cloths

Another item that you can never have too many of are burp cloths. Kathryn Marx, visual editor, told us she started with a pack of five and quickly found that she needed to keep about 20 in rotation. These are handy, not just to protect your own clothes while burping your baby, but also to quickly wipe up throw-up and spilled milk on the go, and can double as a baby washcloth in a pinch.

Baby Bottles

Babylist Bottle Box

When choosing baby bottles for your baby, the parents we spoke to told us to steer clear of the bottles with lots of pieces to keep track of. The trickiest part of buying baby bottles is choosing a bottle they’ll like. Anne, the expectant mother whose baby registry I used for reference, included a bottle box from Babylist on her registry that includes bottles from five different brands to give babies a chance to try a few options and pick their favorite. To keep baby bottles clean, keep a bottle brush on hand, like this one from OXO that Pyle likes.

Breast Pump and Extra Parts

Motif Medical Luna Double Electric Breast Pump

Breastfeeding is great, but bottle feeding is, too. A comfortable, good-quality breast pump can make pumping easier. We recruited 34 parents to tell us about their pumping experiences with several different models and found some standout options, like this model from Motif Medical. Senior talent development specialist, Cindy Pieroni, thinks adding extra pump parts to your registry is helpful too as these need to be replaced often and can get pricey.

Nursing Pillow

My Brest Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow for Breastfeeding & Bottle Feeding

Just one of these is all you need to keep you and your baby comfortable during feeding time. As a safety precaution, you should never let babies sleep on or near a nursing pillow . Pieroni recommends this model from My Brest Friend. She loved that it not only helped her learn how to comfortably breastfeed her baby, but also had a wide foam back that helped with her posture and washable covers she could easily switch out. “It was almost like my emotional support pillow during my breastfeeding journey while also being functional.”

Play Yard/Travel Crib

Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light

Also called pack ‘n plays, these foldable products offer parents a safe space to lay a baby when you don’t want to lay them in their crib or are traveling. Lauren Friedman, health and food content development team leader, and Toral Patel, senior corporate counsel at CR, both recommend this travel crib from Baby Bjorn. According to Friedman, it’s especially useful for families during travel and when your baby is older, and it earned high praise in our evaluations .

Diaper Caddy/Organizer

Putska Baby Diaper Caddy Organizer Nursery Basket

This recommendation comes from two parents for two unique reasons. Nahrae Tinney, manager of product marketing, uses her diaper caddy at home to keep a set of extra supplies in the living room. This way she avoids having to go back into her baby’s nursery every time it’s time for a diaper change. Pyle found that her little one kicked diapers and baby wipes off the changing table when she didn’t keep her supplies organized in one of these caddies .

Baby Monitor

Eufy Spaceview

Let’s face it, when your baby is napping you’ll want to spend the quiet time doing things for yourself. Baby monitors allow you to give your baby some space while still allowing you to keep an ear (or eye, too, if your monitor has a video feed) on your baby.

Changing Pad

Skip Hop Portable Baby Changing Pad

If you have the space for a changing table, you’ll also have to buy a changing pad (if the table you buy doesn’t come equipped with one). Instead of stocking up on changing pad covers, look for a changing pad made from a material that is easy to wipe clean to save yourself from having to wash extra items on laundry day. This model was recommended by Patel, Friedman, and Pyle because of its ease of use for travel. For home, you might consider the Hatch Grow Smart Changing Pad and Scale , which also weighs your baby. Make sure to measure your changing table, so you don’t buy a pad that’s too big or too small for your nursery’s table. If you’re tight on space, a portable changing pad might be all you need to change your baby’s diapers at home. Some diaper bags come with changing pads, too, including two of the bags we evaluated and liked (more on these below).

Baby Bjorn Bouncer Bliss

Another popular item from our CR parents’ lists, bouncers are another way to give parents a break from carrying a baby all the time. Baby Bjorn’s Bouncer Bliss was recommended by two staffers, including Friedman, who found it handy to have a safe place to put her baby while she did other things around the house. It’s important to remember that though bouncers may look comfy and safe, you shouldn’t let your baby nap in one.

Lovevery The Play Gym

Play mats can give babies a great place to entertain themselves and learn, while giving parents’ backs a break from constantly carrying them. There are lots of different models, big and small, made from soft foam and fabric. Pyle swears by the Terrazo play mat from Copenhagen Kid , while Patel prefers the more compact play mat from Lovevery.

Bright Starts Teethe & Read Play Book

They won’t be reading Homer’s Odyssey just yet, but it’s never too early to get your babies hooked on reading. Colorful, soft books will keep babies entertained and are even helpful during diaper changes to keep them from squirming while you remove a dirty diaper. Pick stories that you enjoy, too, since you’ll be doing the reading for them (again and again), at least until they’ve got the story memorized.

Diapers in Sizes Beyond Newborn

Coterie The Diaper

Babies grow really fast. A newborn diaper could fit for a few weeks when they first come home, but they could quickly grow out of them and require different sizes. Consider adding diapers in a few different sizes to your registry so you’re prepared. No space to store boxes on boxes of diapers? No problem. Add gift cards for stores like Target and Walmart that stock lots of different brands and sizes so you can buy them when your baby is ready to size up.

Diaper Cream Spatula

Bumco 2-PACK Diaper Cream Spatula

It’s hard to get through the first year of a baby’s life without encountering a diaper rash. Keep diaper cream stocked in your nursery and diaper bag to relieve your baby’s discomfort after a diaper change. Susse also recommends buying spatulas to apply diaper cream to baby’s butt without getting your hands messy. “Diaper cream is no fun to get off your fingers, and especially if you’re changing a baby out in public this is a real lifesaver for not ending up with diaper cream accidentally on your clothes,” he says.

Changing Table If you have the space for it, a changing table makes diaper changes easier on your back than leaning over a bed. Susse specifically recommends a changing table that’s a good height for you. “New babies can be hard on your back in general (especially once they start really squirming), and many don’t love changing time anyway, so making sure that you’re not doing that slight lean that makes your lower back ache while also fighting an infant or toddler who wants nothing more than to fling themselves off the table is so valuable.” Check out changing tables in store before adding one to your registry so you can be sure it is at a comfortable height for you.

Diaper Pail/Alternatives

Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags

Another recommendation for those who have the space at home, diaper pails will keep your regular trash bins from becoming stinky with dirty diapers. They all work in different ways, but serve the same purpose of sealing stinky diapers in the pail to prevent those odors from spreading around your baby’s nursery. For Marci Whalen, senior video producer, and her family of four living in a Bronxville apartment, skipping a diaper pail was an easy decision. Instead, she placed soiled diapers in dog waste bags (since they’re often cheaper than the ones marketed for babies), then threw them in with her regular trash. Pyle likes doggy bags for getting rid of dirty diapers on the go, too.

Gerber Unisex 8-pack Short Sleeve Onesies

Forget trying to find a matching top for your baby’s outfit and stick with onesies. Four of our parents named these on their list of must-haves. A few different options with long sleeves and short sleeves, plus a few different sizes for when your baby starts growing out of newborn sizes (it happens faster than you think) are a safe bet.

Hanna Andersson Baby Best Ever First Socks 3-Pack

How many socks do you need for one baby? The limit does not exist. Keep baby’s toes warm with socks before they start wearing shoes, then keep them on when they start to wear shoes, too. You’ll likely find that socks mysteriously go missing throughout the day (we don’t know where they go, but someone should investigate). Multi-packs, like these recommended by Marx, are usually more cost-effective than buying individual pairs.

Clothes With Zippers

Little Sleepies Zipper Pajamas for Baby Boys and Girls

When you’re constantly putting clothing on and then taking them off to change diapers, you want to put outfits on your baby that will be easy to remove. Friedman finds clothes with zippers much more convenient than those with snaps during diaper changes.

Warm Outerwear

The North Face Thermoball

In the winter, before zipping a baby into a footmuff (check those out further down on our list), make sure they’re wearing a winter coat that will keep them warm once you take them out of their stroller. Walking in fresh air is important for parents and babies, and you shouldn’t have to stop going on them because of the cold. Stock up on a few different warm outerwear pieces so you have a backup when there’s a milk or throw-up mishap in one.

Diaper Bag Short or long trips, you likely won’t be able to leave home without a diaper bag once your baby arrives. A bag that organizes all of your supplies in a way that is easy to find is essential. We’ve evaluated a few different options that can accommodate all of the things you may need on the go like diapers, diaper cream, wipes, milk, and more.

Stroller Footmuffs If you’re expecting a baby in the winter (or just don’t want to quit your daily walks with your baby because of cold weather), you might want to check out one of the footmuffs we recently tested to keep babies warm during walks around the neighborhood. Bonus, most of these work in car seats, too, so you can keep your baby warm during car rides. Important to note that for the baby’s safety , it’s important to make sure that your baby’s coat is not too bulky, so the car seat’s harness can fit snugly on your baby.

Stroller Hooks

BanYakong 2 pcs Carabiner Stroller Hook Organizer

When shopping around town with her babies, Whalen found stroller hooks super helpful to keep her hands free while she walked. Just be careful to not add too much weight to your stroller so you don’t tip the whole thing over.

Baby Carrier

Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier Mini

For days (or trips) where you don’t want to push along a stroller, baby carriers allow you to keep your baby close while freeing your hands. Pieroni loved her carrier from popular baby brand Baby Bjorn, as did Toral Patel.

Swaddles or Wearable Blankets

Aden and Anais Boutique Cotton Muslin Swaddles 4 Pack

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn’t recommend placing any blankets or other soft items in a baby’s crib while they sleep. Instead, bundle babies in a swaddle or wearable blanket that will keep them warm and stay snugly on their bodies through the night. Steer clear of weighted swaddles , sleep sacks, and swaddles that the AAP has stated are not safe for babies. Of the seven parents who recommended stocking up on a number of swaddles, three specifically called out this multipack from Aden and Anais as being one of their favorites.

Crib Sheets

Cloud Island Fitted Crib Sheet

Don’t underestimate the number of times you’ll be changing your baby’s crib sheets. Having a few different fitted sheets will save you from having to do laundry each time your baby makes a mess in the crib. And, skip any other bedding like blankets and crib bumpers to keep your baby safe while sleeping .

White Noise Machine

Yogasleep Hushh

White noise machines can help babies sleep better, and three parents included them in their list of must-haves. Pyle loved the Yogasleep Hushh so much, she bought a second one for her own bedroom. And, the Hatch Rest+ was Patel and Marx’s favorite.

Note: The AAP recently announced new guidelines on white noise machines, and frankly, they are confusing. We talked to CR experts, pediatricians, and the AAP about them for this article .

Crib Mattress Protector A mattress protector will help keep a crib’s mattress stain-free and babies safe from the mold and mildew that thrives in dark, wet environments like wet mattresses. You don’t absolutely need them, but Marx says they kept her baby’s mattress “looking brand new despite many messes.”

Babylist Pacifier Box

This one’s on the list of good to have, with one caveat. While nearly every parent we spoke to agreed that pacifiers were musts for a baby registry, not all pacifiers are made the same and it’s hard to know just which pacifier your little one will even like. One option mentioned on several Reddit baby boards is the Babylist box, which gives your baby an opportunity to try a few binkies until they find one that they like best. That way you aren’t stuck buying set after set.

Baby Bathtub I don’t know about you, but the thought of bathing a squirming baby in a regular bathtub makes me very nervous. Using a baby bathtub can eliminate some of the scariness of bathing a baby when they are small. There are a few things to consider when choosing a baby bathtub , though.

Hooded Towels

Burt's Bees Baby Hooded Towels

Bath time wouldn’t be complete without some cute hooded towels to wrap your baby in after a bath. Hooded towels have the added benefit of being more likely to stay on your baby until you’re ready to change them into a cute fit. Pyle specifically recommended hooded towels from Burt’s Bees. Hooded towels from Parachute—the brand behind our best bath towel evaluation—are a solid choice as well.

Frida Baby Baby's First Toothbrush with Case

Cowles told me a gum brush helped her baby get used to brushing her teeth when she was older, and the experts seem to agree. On their FAQ page , the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends cleaning a baby’s gums with a soft, infant brush or cloth and water, starting at birth.

Baby Nail Clippers

Fridababy NailFrida The Snipperclipper

Cutting teeny tiny nails with an adult-sized nail clipper is scary. A whopping five parents told us this item was nonnegotiable on their registry. Whalen says a pair from Fridababy, which also happened to be the editor’s choice in our evaluations of baby nail clippers , is amazing. “I use it on my 5- and 10-year-old boys and to be honest I use it on myself also.”

Baby's Health

Nasal aspirator.

Frida Baby NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator

There’s bound to be lots of boogers in your future with a new baby at home. Whatever you want to call it, nasal aspirator or snot sucker, they’ll get you out of a boogie jam when your baby is congested. Two of our parents specifically recommended the dishwasher-safe NoseFrida, while another recommended a more high-tech version that might be easier to stomach for some.

Thermometer I remember my mom having a huge in-ear thermometer to take my brother’s and my temperature when we were feeling sick. Smaller versions of these large in-ear thermometers are in many baby first aid kits , but Lisa Fogarty, multimedia content creator, actually recommends something that can be easily used in the dark, like a forehead thermometer .

Medicine Dispenser

Frida Baby Medi Frida the Accu-Dose Pacifier Baby Medicine Dispenser

Getting a sick baby to take medicine can be tricky without the proper tools. A medicine dispenser that allows you to measure and easily administer liquid medications to your baby is a baby product Fogarty found useful from her own baby registry. These are available in the form of droppers , syringes , and pacifiers.

Time You probably won’t find a product listing for “time” on the registry website you use to create your own registry, but Cowles thinks it’s an important thing to ask for from friends and family. “Ask friends and family to come help with doing things around the house so you can bond with the baby or get some downtime. Get the help so you can have more time!” Consider including a note right in the intro of your registry asking for friends and family to volunteer their time once your baby arrives. You could keep a list of those who reach out volunteering their time that you can easily reference when you need some help.

Gift Cards to Food Delivery Service s Food delivery gift cards are probably not what you’d think of when creating a baby registry, but with all of the focus on the new baby, you may find yourself forgetting to feed yourself. Friedman says, “Give yourself a free pass to get lots of takeout (and stock your freezer with really easy microwaveable meals). There will be days in the first 3 months when you are sleep-deprived and at your wit’s end, and you just can’t... even with food.” Grubhub , Seamless , Uber Eats , and DoorDash all offer gift cards on their site that can be sent electronically to a recipient instantaneously. If you know of a favorite restaurant that makes comfort meals you enjoy, you can also request gift cards directly for those places too. Think you can find the time to cook, but not shop for groceries? Add a gift card or two for a meal prep service instead, which supplies users with all of the ingredients necessary to make fresh, healthy meals.

Hired Services Sleepless nights are inevitable with a new baby, but they don’t have to be an every-night thing. Night nurses (or night nannies) will stay up and care for a baby while parents get to take a much-needed break. Add gift cards for a night nurse service to your registry to give yourself a break when you need it. Websites like care.com have gift cards that can be used to hire nannies, onetime sitters, and even home cleaning services (another oft-forgotten task that doesn’t go away come new-baby time). There are many other useful services to consider adding to your baby registry to help manage all that you have to do with your new baby.

Baby Wipe Warmer None of the parents we spoke to had a wipe warmer on their list of registry must-haves or cited cold wipes as a concern during the first few months of their babies’ lives. We’re including it on our skip list because of this, and because of the possible health concerns involved with using wipe warmers at home.

Baby Bottle Sterilizer Baby bottle sterilizers were on three of our parents’ skip lists. While sterilizers are handy to give bottles a deep clean once in a while, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) actually says that if you wash baby feeding items in a dishwasher with hot water and a heated drying cycle, you don’t need an extra sanitizing step. Boiling bottles for five minutes in a pot on the stove is another CDC-recommended method for sanitizing bottles that doesn’t require the purchase of any additional products.

Baby Food Maker Baby food makers are helpful to have once your baby begins trying things beyond the initial milk diet, but we don’t think they make feeding time any easier than using the things you may already have at home. Steam veggies and other foods before adding them to your regular blender to make baby food without having to pull out another appliance from your cupboards. Take Friedman’s advice once you’ve made your baby’s food and store them in glass food storage containers that you can freeze and thaw as needed. “Glass is nice because it’s much easier to clean than plastic and you can boil it if need be,” she says.

Baby Laundry Detergent You’ll probably be doing a lot more laundry than usual, but you don’t need to buy a baby-specific laundry detergent to wash your baby’s clothes and blankets unless your pediatrician recommends it. Some of the best laundry detergents we’ve tested are fragrance-free and don’t contain many of the ingredients that could irritate a baby’s skin.

Car Mirrors Installing a larger-than-usual rearview mirror to keep an eye on a baby in the backseat or a behind-the-seat mirror for baby to see themselves while on a car ride seems like a good enough idea, but two of the parents we spoke to had them in their “don’t” lists for different safety reasons. Pyle’s local police station told her that the mirrors installed on the back of car seats could become a projectile in a car crash. Tian Wang, senior research associate, found that using a larger rearview mirror was distracting and she could see her baby from her regular-sized rearview mirror just fine.

Cute Outfits There’s nothing like walking into a baby store to peruse the cute outfits that are in stock for even the teeniest of babies. I have no babies to shop for myself, and have fallen victim to ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the cute fits I see in baby store windows. It is tempting to buy dresses with frilly skirts and shirts with clip-on bow ties to dress up your baby in, but chances are unless your baby is going to be a guest at a wedding or other fancy event, you won’t get to put these outfits on the baby at all. One parent I spoke to told me her daughter grew out of some of her cute clothes before she even had a chance to wear it. Consider how often in a day a baby’s clothes end up covered in milk and other messes, too. Do you want to buy an expensive outfit that your baby only gets to wear for an hour or two before it becomes too dirty to wear?

Shoes At least for the first couple of months, there’s no way your baby is going to be getting up and walking around the house (or anywhere else), so there is no need to buy any shoes for them. Socks with gripper bottoms for when your baby first starts showing signs of standing up on their own will also keep their feet warm. Once your babies are ready to start exploring on foot, reference the list of shoes reviewed and approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association to promote healthy feet.

Dishwasher Basket Our jury was split when it came to this baby item, but after some thought, we decided to keep it on the skip list. Pyle told us she found that items didn’t get totally cleaned when she placed them in her dishwasher basket, so everything needed to be washed by hand again after a dishwasher cycle.

Lounger Infant loungers are on our skip list because of the danger associated with letting babies sleep in these devices. In the last year, there have been several dozen warnings from the Consumer Product Safety Commission about these products from various brands, and though most are not being marketed as a sleeping surface for babies anymore, chances are your baby will fall asleep once you place them in one. It’s best to just skip this one, plus a few other products that could be dangerous , too.

Bassinet This one’s on our list of don’ts with one exception. Bassinets are only useful for the first few months of a baby’s life, before they’re moving freely because they have low weight limits that your little ones could be reaching pretty quickly. Homes that don’t have the space for a full-sized crib in a parent’s bedroom could find bassinets useful though, at least for a little while. Instead of having to walk to another room to feed your baby in the middle of the night, you could just take a few steps right in your room to reach them.

Jodhaira Rodriguez

Jodhaira Rodriguez is a multimedia content creator at Consumer Reports. Before joining CR, she tested and wrote about cleaning and organizing products and major appliances like washing machines and dishwashers at Good Housekeeping. In her free time, you’ll find her reading, listening to true crime podcasts, or working on her latest hobby of the month.

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9 Best Travel Cribs

Posted on Last updated: October 8, 2023

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Whether you’re taking a much-needed family vacation or you just need a place for your little one to nap outside of their room or away from home for the day, a travel crib or play yard will do you wonders.

If you can find one that will stay with your baby well past the infancy stage, that’s even better. You might need one right away, or you may just be preparing for your yet to be born baby, but either way, these are easily the best travel cribs for 2018.

Gone are the days of choosing one of the few travel crib play yards on the market. Now, there are so many to choose from that you really do have plenty of options. When considering a travel crib for your little one, the important things to consider are price, size, and portability. And as a whole, the travel cribs on this list are solid when it comes to all three factors.

Jump to a specific section

1. Lotus Travel Crib

2. chicco fastasleep go full-size travel play yard, 3. costzon baby playpen ultra light, 4. joovy new room2 portable play yard, 5. graco pack ‘n play play yard with automatic folding feet, 6. fisher-price ultra-lite day and night play yard, 7. baby bjorn travel crib light, 8. dream on me travel light play yard, 9. phil&teds traveller crib, faq’s about travel cribs, final thoughts.

The Lotus Travel Crib is more than just a portable crib to take with you on family vacations. It has a unique side access door that can be opened and folded down to give your child the ability to roam in and out of it as they want.

The material all the way around it is a breathable mesh that allows for complete airflow in and out of the crib and also gives you a clear and constant view of your little one, regardless of what angle you’re looking in. To make it easy as possible to use, the crib has a 15-second setup and a simple breakdown once it’s time to put it away.

Child Age Range: It’s made for children from newborn to toddlers under 35 inches tall.
Where To Buy: You can find it on the manufacturer’s website and Amazon.
The Best Part: It weighs just 13 pounds, so it’s easy to travel with, even when flying.
The Not So Great: Setting up and taking down the crib is easy enough, but it can be a struggle to get it back into its travel bag.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on the travel crib.

Worry free airport travel - Designed to be easy to fly with the compact, light backpack carrying case. Set up is simple in 15 seconds and only weighs 13 lbs packed.

Chicco FastAsleep Go Full-Size Travel Play Yard

The Chicco FastAsleep Go Full-Size Travel Playard might be made for travel and to make it easier for your child to nap away from home, but it’s so much more than that.

It’s larger than some other similar play yards, so you won’t have to worry about your toddler outgrowing it too quickly. And it has an easy three-step opening system. You simply open the frame, snap it into place, and then set it down in virtually any room in your home and beyond. All four sides are made from a breathable mesh, and it comes with a convenient carrying bag too.

Child Age Range: The crib is designed for children from infancy to toddlers under 30 inches tall.
Where To Buy: You can buy it on the manufacturer’s website and Amazon.
The Best Part: It’s as simple as possible to unfold and click the play yard into place.
The Not So Great: Although it folds up neatly, it’s too large to be placed in carry-on bags.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls for the Chicco FastAsleep Go.

The Costzon Baby Playpen Ultra Light might be on the smaller size when compared to other play yards on this list, but that’s part of the charm. You may not be able to use it for as long as some other options, but its size makes it easier to carry with you anywhere you might need it.

Overall, it’s just 10 pounds and is made from aluminum legs, mesh material, and a soft padded mattress for your little one to rest on when he or she needs to. And just in case your baby makes any messes, the mattress cover and crib fabric can be removed for easy cleaning. Plus, the setup can be done with one hand and taking it down is just as easy.

Child Age Range: The playpen is designed for children from infancy to two years old.
Where To Buy: You can primarily find it on Amazon at this time.
The Best Part: It’s so lightweight that you can take it anywhere with you, even if you don’t use it.
The Not So Great: Getting the aluminum poles into place as legs can be a little difficult the first time around.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls for the play yard.

The Joovy brand is known for some of its more dependable play yards and the Joovy New Room2 Portable Playard is no different.

It’s surrounded by a soft and breathable mesh fabric and it has two wheels to move it to different rooms as needed. It is larger than some other travel play yards, but that just means that you’ll be able to get more use out of it as your child grows.

Because of its durability and size, the Joovy can be used overnight without worry about wear and tear over a short period. And even for toddlers who might be a little rowdier, the play yard is durable enough for them.

Child Age Range: The Joovy is for little ones from newborn to 35 inches tall.
Where To Buy: You can find it on the manufacturer’s website and Amazon or in-store at Walmart and Buy Buy Baby.
The Best Part: It’s the perfect size if you have twins or more than one child who wants to go in it at once.
The Not So Great: Because of the supportive bar underneath, there is something of alum that runs through the middle of the mattress.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on the Joovy.

Nearly 50% larger than most traditional playard with over 10 square feet of space, baby has plenty of room to play and stay entertained. Reliable, durable and built for endurance.

Graco Pack 'N Play Play Yard With Automatic Folding Feet

Almost every parents had heard of the infamous Graco Pack ‘N Play Play Yard, only this one also has folding feet for your convenience when folding it up to put it away. It also has a push-button fold to make putting it away as hassle-free as possible, and if you need to move it to another room in your home, there are two wheels affixed to the bottom.

You can use it for infants or toddlers, but for babies, there’s also a removable bassinet insert that makes napping a breeze. Although it is heavier than some other travel cribs, the Graco Pack ‘n Play does fold up to fit in its own carrying bag.

Child Age Range: It’s made for children from infancy to less than 35 inches tall.
Where To Buy: You can purchase it on the manufacturer’s website and Amazon or in-store at Buy Buy Baby and Target.
The Best Part: Compared to some other travel cribs, it’s far more affordable.
The Not So Great: When folded up, the play yard is a little on the bulkier side.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on this play yard.

The Fisher-Price Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yard gets its name for obvious reasons. For one, it’s a lightweight and easy to transport play yard. And besides that, it can be used to allow your baby to sleep at night or play during the day. It’s pretty much everything most parents look for in a play yard.

There’s a removable inclined sleeper bassinet for babies and even a changing clutch to make middle-of-the-night diaper changes a little easier on you. And for your older baby or your toddler, the play yard is spacious enough to give them room to grow.

Child Age Range: It’s made for little ones from infancy to less than 35 inches tall.
Where To Buy: You can find it on Amazon or in-store at Buy Buy Baby.
The Best Part: You can set it up in no time to be able to use it for your little one right away.
The Not So Great: The mattress pad can sometimes shift or pop up instead of laying flat at all times.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on this particular play yard.

Fisher-Price Ultra-Lite Day and Night Play Yard

Baby Bjorn is known for its carriers over most other product, but the BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light is another solid travel crib for 2018. It weighs just 13 pounds and sits firmly on the floor with a soft mattress, so you can be sure that it will stay in place without shifting easily.

The mesh material around all four sides provides a way to see in and out as well as a breathable space for your child to play or nap. And setting it up is as easy as pulling it out of its bag and popping it up.

Child Age Range: It can be used for little ones from newborns all the way up to three years old.
Where To Buy: You can buy it on the manufacturer’s website and Amazon or in-store at Buy Buy Baby.
The Best Part: There’s virtually no real setup involved, but instead a swift movement of pulling the crib out of its bag.
The Not So Great: Compared to similar travel cribs, it may be considered to be on the pricier side. There are no current or recent recalls on this play yard.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: There are no current or recent recalls on this play yard.

Not only is the Dream On Me Travel Light Play Yard aesthetically pleasing, but it’s also easy to take on the go and comfortable for your baby or toddler. An airy mesh fabric surrounds it and it comes with a soft mattress pad to give your little one a place to rest.

The crib itself has a base plate to keep its sturdy form, but unlike some other travel cribs, it won’t jeopardize the comfort with the mattress pad in place. It comes in either black, pink, or blue to give you some options and it’s lightweight enough to travel with pretty much anywhere.

Child Age Range: It’s suitable for children from infancy to three years of age.
Where To Buy: You can primarily find it on Amazon.
The Best Part: The mattress itself is almost four feet long, which means that there’s ample space for your little one.
The Not So Great: Unfortunately, you can’t zip off the mesh outer liner for cleaning.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: Although there have been recalls on some Dream on Me play yards , this is not one of them.

The phil&teds Traveller Crib might be the lightest one on the market right now. At just six pounds, it likely weight less than your baby inside of it, which is a pretty big feat for any lightweight travel crib. You can use it either inside or outdoors, and there’s even a side panel that can be unzipped to allow your little one to crawl in and out of the crib as he or she wants.

If you decide to use it outdoors, there’s even an optional mesh shade that can be affixed to the top of it to match the all mesh sides. It really is one of the more versatile options out there.

Child Age Range: It’s designed for little ones from newborns up to two years old.
The Best Part: You really can’t beat how lightweight this travel crib is.
The Not So Great: The mattress pad may not be comfortable enough for some toddlers.
Has This Item Been Recalled?: Although there have been recalls on Phil&teds Traveller Cribs , there aren’t any on this one.

A Travel crib (not pack n play) is a lightweight portable crib that can stand on the floor, and where your baby can sleep. These cribs are usually allowed in a plane cabin as they are foldable and does not take up a lot of space.

It really depends on the situation. For shorter distances, a crib might be better as it does not take too much space, but if you are planning a longer trip, a pack n play would be better because your baby will also have a play area.

Most of the hotels have pack n plays and standard cribs, so if you are planning a trip and do not want to take any of these with you, you should contact the hotel in advance so they can prepare it for you. However, be prepared, many hotels request up to $50 dollars per day for installing it in your room.

Yes, they can be used as a crib, but you will have to add a mattress to make it more comfortable. Some playpens have a separate top area made for just sleeping, which is detachable and easy to put on again, and the bottom area is intended for safely playing without too much supervision.

Sometimes a travel crib is needed to give your little one enclosed space of their own when you need to keep them nearby to keep an eye on them. Or, it’s meant to be their napping place when you’re on a family trip or away from home.

Regardless of what you need it for or how often you plan to use it, finding and purchasing the right travel crib can help you out. Clearly, there is a lot to choose from for your own specific needs. And regardless of which one you choose, you’ll be getting a long-lasting and, in some cases, cost-effective travel crib for your baby.

We also recommend:

The Best All-in-One Car Seat Options for 2019
Costco APT 50 Review
My Top 5 Best Cribs For Short Moms
How to Find the Best Baby Cribs (& Top 10 Choices to Consider)

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