If you’re in search of the “best travel bassinet,” you’re likely planning a trip with your little one. You need a secure, portable, and TSA-approved option for a comfortable journey.
From safety features to portability and airline compliance, finding the perfect travel bassinet that fits all your travel and baby’s comfort needs can be challenging. As a travel enthusiast with first-hand experience in family travel, I’ve navigated the complexities of traveling with infants and know the importance of having the right gear.
This guide is for parent travelers looking to ensure their child’s comfort and safety during travels without sacrificing convenience. Let’s navigate this journey together, finding you the ideal travel bassinet that meets both your and your baby’s needs. Ready to travel with ease and assurance? Let’s roll!
Travel Bassinet Quick Overview(Updated List)
Star Rating | Preview | Product | More Details |
---|---|---|---|
4.7 | Beberoad For Newborn Infants | More Details | |
4.6 | Lulyboo Portable, Backpack Travel Bassinet | More Details | |
4.6 | Joovy Gloo Best Travel Bassinet Tent | More Details | |
4.5 | Yinuoday Folding Portable Travel Bassinet | More Details | |
4.5 | Munchkin Brica Baby Best Travel Bassinet | More Details |
What Makes a Bassinet TSA Approved?
Flying with a baby introduces you to an entirely new set of rules and regulations, especially when it comes to TSA approvals. Understanding these can make your journey much smoother.
TSA Guidelines for Baby Gear
According to the TSA, baby gear, such as strollers, car seats, and carriers, can be checked in or pass through the security check. But what about travel bassinets?
TSA Measurements
The main concern here is the size. For an item to be allowed in the cabin, it must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. The standard dimensions for the overhead bin are 22 x 14 x 9 inches, while the space under the seat is typically 18 x 14 x 8 inches. Keep in mind; these measurements can vary between different airlines and airplane models.
Travel Bassinets and TSA Rules
The best travel bassinets are designed with these dimensions in mind, ensuring you can carry them onboard conveniently. But it’s essential to check with your specific airline before flying, as rules can sometimes differ.
Gate Checking
If your bassinet doesn’t meet these requirements, don’t worry! There’s another option – gate checking. In this process, you can use it right up until you board the plane. Then, you check the bassinet in just before entering the plane to be seated. The airline will place it in the cargo hold. When you deplane, it’s returned to you, allowing you to use it while you navigate the airport.
Remember, whether you bring your bassinet onboard or gate-check it, having a TSA-approved bassinet for airplanes ensures a more comfortable journey for you and your little one.
Travel Bassinet Product Reviews
Without further delay, here are our top picks for a travel bassinet.
The Beberoad travel bassinet is for babies 0-5 months of age. It has a see-through front panel to view your baby with a removable breathable mesh mosquito net. In addition, it folds into a handy, convenient carry case with a carry handle, and it locks when open. Here is a perfect travel bassinet for any trip. Not to mention, it comes in 3 color options.
Benefits
- Durable steel locking frame
- It folds into a compact carrying case with a shoulder strap
- Convenient carry case with a carry handle
- Breathable mesh mosquito net
- Three color options
- If you lay it on the belt for security scanning, you will pass through the security checkpoint or place it with other baby items. Be sure to let security know it is a travel bassinet if they ask, and check with the airline you are flying.
Drawbacks
- It is a steel frame construction.
The Lulyboo is a patented, award-winning portable bassinet option and an indoor/outdoor bed that easily folds into a backpack. In addition, it is a simple design with a machine-washable waterproof mattress, a removable, washable cover, and a removable canopy. It is suitable for 0-9 months of age. Not to mention it is a play station along with a changing station. Oh, and it also comes in 4 glorious color options.
Benefits
- Sturdy foam siding
- It folds in half to become a portable backpack
- 4 color options
- Removable canopy
- Machine-washable waterproof mattress
- Play station
- Changing station
- Made of soft cushion and cloth to pass through security with ease
Drawbacks
- It is not made for sleep; therefore, do not place it in a bassinet or crib
The Joovy Gloo is a baby beach tent suitable for 6 months to 3 years. A smaller size newborn-ready size is available.
It is an excellent choice to take on a beach vacation to keep the sun off your little one. It has a removable, washable pad that covers a self-inflating mattress. Open it up, and it will inflate immediately. So easy to operate! It compacts into a small round carrying case and comes in 2 sizes and 6 colors.
Benefits
- Self-inflatable bottom
- No poles,
- It does not need assembly; it just pops up
- It easily folds into a compact round case.
- 2 different sizes
- 6 colors available
- Compact size will easily pass as a carry on
Drawbacks
- You cannot use it as a bassinet during a flight
The Yinuoday portable baby bassinet has a soft cotton base and a pad to support your baby’s spine. The guardrails on the side are nice to keep your baby safe and folds nicely into a small purselike bag. If you need a co-sleeper bassinet or a portable travel one, this will serve both needs.
You can choose from 3 beautifully designed colors. With the end ties and you can custom-fit it to your child’s size. Just open it, and magically it fills with air for immediate use, which makes it the perfect travel baby bed.
Benefits
- Soft cotton base
- Hand and spot washable
- Cotton padded mattress
- Stay-in-place bumper pads
- Folds into a compact zippered bag
- Co-sleeper bassinet
- Portable travel bassinet
- Pad to support your baby’s spine
- Safety side guardrails
- No metal so it will easily pass security checkpoints.
- Magically inflates with air for immediate use
- Available in 3 colors
Drawbacks
- It requires only a gentle cleansing because it loses its shape in the washer.
The Munchkin Brica Fold N’ Go Travel Bassinet is a simple yet highly functional baby bassinet. Its mesh side panels keep your baby cool, and the lightweight steel frame is very portable. In addition, it folds into a flat case with an adjustable shoulder strap.
Benefits
- Sturdy steel locking frame
- It folds into itself for a compact carrying case
- Lightweight
- Convenient carry handle
- Mesh side panels
- Highly functional
- If you lay it on the belt for security scanning, you will pass through the security checkpoint or place it with other baby items. Be sure to let security know it is a travel bassinet if they ask, and check with the airline you are flying.
Drawbacks
- The maximum child weight is 15 lbs
Benefits Of A Bassinet For Travel?
For trips around town and even extended stays away from home, the best travel bassinet is a great way to keep your baby secure and comfortable. It folds nicely into a compact size that fits most cars and planes. Additionally, you can use it as an alternative to the infant carrier for shorter trips.
A portable travel bassinet lets you keep your little one close and secure while creating lasting memories during nap time, nighttime sleep, or outings.
Not only is your new bassinet useful at home, but you can also use it when going on family outings, trips to the hairdresser, and other fun activities with friends.
A travel bassinet is like a private bedroom for your baby that no one else has used, and it is a clean, safe space.
Key Features of the Best Travel Bassinet
When shopping for the best travel bassinet, there are several features to consider. This choice could significantly impact your travel experience and, more importantly, your baby’s comfort and safety.
Portability
Portability is a prime factor. The best travel bassinet should be compact and lightweight for ease of transportation. It should also be easy to assemble and disassemble.
Imagine fumbling with complicated instructions while your baby is crying out for sleep! That’s a situation you’d like to avoid.
Safety
Safety should never be compromised. Always check if the travel bassinet meets the safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC is an independent agency of the U.S. government that regulates the sale and manufacture of consumer products to prevent unreasonable risks of injuries and death.
A safe bassinet should have a sturdy build, ensuring it remains stable and doesn’t tip over. The sides should be breathable to avoid suffocation risks, and there should be no sharp or protruding parts that could harm the baby. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Comfort
When it comes to comfort, consider the internal dimensions of the bassinet to ensure there’s enough room for your baby to sleep comfortably. The mattress should be firm, flat, and fit snugly within the bassinet with no gaps where a baby could potentially get stuck.
Material
The material of the travel bassinet is equally important. It should be durable to withstand the rigors of travel yet soft and cozy enough for your baby’s skin.
Look for bassinets with removable and washable fabrics to ensure easy cleaning. Additionally, the material should be breathable to maintain good airflow and help regulate your baby’s temperature.
FAQs About A Travel Bassinet
Here are some commonly asked questions about a travel bassinet for carry on.
Do airlines provide bassinets for infants?
Many airlines provide an airline bassinet that is attached to the wall. You will need to reserve these bassinets way ahead because they go fast, and there are not many on each plane. You will also need to upgrade your seating to a bulkhead seat.
Can I use a travel bassinet on a plane?
The specific usage of a travel bassinet in flight depends on the airline’s policies. Check with the airline you fly before your flight. As a rule of thumb, a child under 2 on most airlines does not require an airplane ticket and can use a bassinet while on a flight.
What age is appropriate for a travel bassinet?
Travel bassinets are suitable for newborns until they can roll over or sit up unassisted, typically around six months. After this age, it’s best to transition to a travel cot.
What is a bassinet you can fly with?
A bassinet in flight, often called a travel bassinet or airplane bassinet, is a compact, portable baby bed designed with travel-specific features. It fits within airline size restrictions, either in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you.
Additional Resources
If you are looking for more tutorials, walkthroughs, and troubleshooting on accessories, here are some additional posts about accessories:
Travel Bassinet – Conclusion
So that concludes our review of a travel bassinet for airplanes. Travel bassinets are a safe way to keep your baby comfortable when on vacation. In my opinion, a travel bassinet is a must for your peace of mind and for you and your baby’s comfort.
Happy travels, my friends.