Gina Johnson
When travelling with a newborn, one of the most challenging questions is where they will sleep. The right travel sleep setup depends on the child's personality, the method of travel, and the destination. For example, it is easier to bring larger sleeping gear on a road trip than on an airplane. In addition, bassinets are a popular option for newborns as they are compact, convenient, and allow the baby to be in the same room as their parents. However, they are not suitable for babies past the 6-month mark. When using a travel bassinet, it is important to ensure that it meets safety regulations and is placed on a hard, flat surface to prevent suffocation and injuries from falls.
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What You'll Learn
Travel bassinet safety standards
Travel bassinets are a great option for parents who want to keep their newborns close by while still giving them their own sleep space. They are small, portable, and easy to set up, making them perfect for travel. When it comes to travel bassinet safety standards, here are some essential things to keep in mind:
Certifications and Standards:
Firstly, ensure that your travel bassinet meets the current safety standards set by recognized entities. In the United States, these entities include the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Look for certifications like the Children's Product Certificate (CPC) and the JPMA certification, which indicate compliance with government safety regulations and performance testing.
Construction and Design:
The construction and design of the travel bassinet play a crucial role in its safety. Here are some key considerations:
- Sturdy and Anti-Tipping: Choose a bassinet that is sturdy and has an anti-tipping feature to prevent accidental falls.
- Mesh Sides: Opt for a bassinet with mesh sides to improve airflow and visibility. This ensures your baby can breathe easily and that you can keep an eye on them.
- Rigid Sides: Ensure the sides of the bassinet are rigid to prevent sagging or collapsing, which could lead to entrapment.
- Flat and Firm Surface: The sleep surface should be flat and firm, reducing the risk of suffocation. Avoid soft mattresses and use a fitted sheet specifically designed for your bassinet.
- Size and Weight: Travel bassinets should be small enough to fit easily in different spaces, but also sturdy enough to accommodate your baby's weight safely.
- Easy Installation: Look for a bassinet that is easy to install and disassemble, preferably without requiring any tools.
- Accessories: Some travel bassinets come with additional accessories like fitted sheets or travel bags. Ensure that these accessories are designed specifically for your bassinet model and do not compromise safety.
Safe Sleep Practices:
In addition to the bassinet's design and construction, it is essential to follow safe sleep practices to minimize the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and ensure your baby's safety:
- Back Sleeping: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, reducing the risk of SIDS and helping regulate their body temperature.
- Clear Sleeping Space: Keep the bassinet clear of loose bedding, toys, pillows, and other objects that could pose a suffocation or choking hazard. Only the mattress and a fitted sheet are necessary.
- Room Sharing: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep in the same room as their parents for at least the first six months, ideally up to a year. Place the travel bassinet near your bed to ensure your baby is within close proximity.
- Wheels: If your travel bassinet has wheels, remember to lock them when your baby is sleeping to prevent any accidental movement.
- Weight and Developmental Limits: Be mindful of the weight and developmental limits of the travel bassinet. Bassinets are typically designed for babies under six months old or until they start to roll or stand. Transition to a crib when your baby reaches these milestones.
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Safe sleep environment
When travelling with a newborn, it is important to plan ahead and ensure that your baby has a safe place to sleep. The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a crib, cradle, or bassinet that meets current safety regulations. Travel bassinets, for example, are designed to make sleep easier and more convenient for parents and caregivers. However, it is important to place them in a safe space, away from hazards like windows, blind cords, lamps, electrical cords, and small objects. Here are some tips for creating a safe sleep environment for your newborn when using a travel bassinet:
Place the travel bassinet on the floor: Place the travel bassinet on the floor in the same room where you will be sleeping. This prevents injuries from falls and ensures that other children or pets cannot access your baby.
Avoid soft or uneven surfaces: Travel bassinets can conform to soft or uneven surfaces like beds, sofas, or armchairs, but these surfaces increase the risk of suffocation for your baby. Always place the travel bassinet on a hard, flat surface.
Keep the area clear of hazards: Ensure that there are no hazards near the travel bassinet, such as windows, blind cords, patio doors, lamps, electrical cords, or small objects that your baby could reach for.
Use a baby monitor: Use a baby monitor to check on your baby frequently, especially if they are sleeping in a separate room. This will allow you to respond quickly to any issues that may arise.
Avoid co-sleeping: While bed-sharing may be tempting when travelling, it increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation, especially during the first four months of your baby's life. If possible, provide your baby with their own safe sleep space.
Transfer your baby when indoors: If your baby falls asleep in a stroller, sling, carrier, or car seat while you are on the go, be sure to transfer them to the travel bassinet or another safe sleep space once you reach your destination. Sleeping in a stroller, sling, carrier, or car seat can put your baby in positions that make it difficult to breathe and increase the risk of suffocation.
Remember to consider your travel situation and your child's personality when planning your sleep strategy. The right travel sleep setup will depend on factors such as your method of travel, the space available at your destination, and your child's preferences for closeness and independence.
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Bed-sharing
If you choose to bed-share, it is recommended to use a firm and flat mattress, with no additional bedding, pillows, quilts, or soft toys that could increase the risk of suffocation. Additionally, ensure that the baby's face and head remain uncovered during sleep. It is also crucial to confirm that the bed is large enough for co-sleeping and that the sleeping area is well-ventilated and smoke-free.
When bed-sharing, it is important to be mindful of your baby's safety and comfort. Avoid placing the bassinet on beds, sofas, or armchairs, as this can increase the risk of injury from falls. Instead, place the bassinet on the floor, away from hazards such as windows, blind cords, lamps, electrical cords, and small objects. Ensure that the bassinet has a sturdy bottom and a wide, stable base to prevent tipping over.
Some parents may prefer to use a portable travel crib or playpen instead of bed-sharing. These options provide a separate sleeping area for the baby, which can be beneficial if you want to maintain your own sleep space or if your baby is more comfortable sleeping independently. Portable cribs and playpens can be easily set up in a quiet corner of a hotel room or even in a walk-in closet, providing a familiar and safe environment for your newborn. However, it is important to ensure that these options comply with safety regulations and are kept clear of toys and other potential hazards.
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Travel sleep solutions
When travelling with a newborn, one of the most challenging questions is where they will sleep. The right travel sleep setup depends on your child's personality, your method of travel, and where you are staying. Here are some travel sleep solutions to consider:
Travel bassinets
Bassinets are compact sleeping places designed for infants from birth and are a convenient and safe place for newborns to sleep. They allow you to keep your baby nearby throughout the night and are helpful for night feedings. When using a bassinet, ensure that the mattress is firm, flat, and the correct size. Additionally, the bassinet should have good breathability zones on all sides to reduce the risk of suffocation and provide good ventilation. It is also important to keep the baby's face and head uncovered and to avoid loose items in the bassinet that could pose a hazard. Travel bassinets can be placed on the floor to prevent injuries from falls and should be kept away from hazards such as windows, blind cords, and other children or pets.
Bed sharing
Bed sharing is a travel solution that requires no additional gear or preparation. However, it is important to consider the potential risks, such as increased chances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation, especially during the baby's first four months. If you choose to bed share, ensure that the bed is large enough and that the baby's sleep surface is hard and flat.
Pack 'n Play-style portable travel cribs
These cribs are lightweight and easy to set up, making them a popular choice for travel. They often come with a bassinet insert for newborns, providing a safe and comfortable sleeping space. However, it is recommended to use a firm mattress with these cribs to ensure the baby's comfort and safety.
Playpens
Playpens are spacious areas where your baby can play or safely nap in an enclosed space. They are a good option for travel as they are lightweight and foldable. Playpens with padded mattresses can provide a cosy and comfortable sleeping environment for your baby.
Remember, the safest place for a baby to sleep is typically in their own crib or cot, following safe sleeping practices. When travelling, it is important to plan ahead and ensure that your baby has a safe place to sleep, considering factors such as the firmness of the mattress, the breathability of the sleeping area, and potential hazards in the surrounding environment.
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When to transition from a bassinet
Transitioning your baby from a bassinet to a crib is a significant milestone in their life and a big step in your parenting journey. It marks a new stage of development and growth for your baby and involves adjustments for the entire family.
There is no hard-and-fast rule as to when a baby is officially beyond the bassinet age. The answer will lie in your unique baby's development, size, and the weight and height limit of your bassinet. Most bassinets can hold a 20+ pound infant, but some have a weight limit as low as 10 pounds and will only be safe for a few weeks. If your baby exceeds the weight or height limit of their bassinet, they should be moved to a larger bed.
Most babies outgrow their bassinets by 4 months. For most babies, at least one of these signs will occur by four months of age: their head and/or toes touch the edges of the bassinet, or they are too wiggly and can wake themselves up by moving into the bassinet walls. Many parents find that their newborns prefer the snug sleeping quarters of a bassinet over a roomy crib, but as your baby approaches six months, they may begin to seem cramped in their bassinet.
If your baby is learning to roll, it's time to transition to the crib. Modern bassinets come with safety information that warns parents against placing a mobile baby into a bassinet. Babies who can roll from front to back or back to front can no longer be safely swaddled or placed in a bassinet. Pay attention to your baby's development during playtime and begin to transition them to a crib when you see signs that rolling is on the horizon.
To ease your baby's transition to the new sleep space, try using bedding colours or patterns similar to those used in the bassinet to maintain a sense of familiarity. Maintaining consistency is key. Follow the same pre-sleep activities to signal bedtime, whether it's in the same room or eventually in the nursery. This familiar routine will help your baby understand that it's time to sleep, just in a new space. A white noise machine can be a helpful tool for your baby's sleep, as it creates a calming sound that masks disruptive noises from the house.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, bassinets are designed for infants from birth and are a safe and convenient place for newborns to sleep. However, they should never be used past the 6-month mark, as after this point, newborns will grow out of them and will need something new, like a crib.
Here are some safety tips for newborns sleeping in a travel bassinet:
- Ensure that the bassinet has a sturdy bottom and wide stable base so that it can't tip over.
- Make sure all four sides of the bassinet are at least 300mm higher than the top of the mattress base to prevent newborns from falling out.
- Use a firm, flat mattress that’s the correct size for the bassinet – the mattress should be no thicker than 75mm in thickness.
- Ensure good breathability zones on all four sides to reduce the risk of suffocation and to provide good ventilation.
- Avoid decorative trims, ribbons, or thick padded sides – these increase the risk of overheating and suffocation.
- Always place the travel bassinet on the floor to prevent injuries from falls.
Some alternatives to a travel bassinet for newborns include:
- A Pack 'n Play-style portable travel crib.
- Bed sharing.
- Playpens.
- A separate quiet room with a crib.
Some factors to consider include:
- The right sleeping setup will depend heavily on where you are staying. For example, a hotel room may have less space and less separation to block light and sound compared to a vacation rental or condo.
- Your method of travel – it's easier to take larger sleeping gear on a road trip than on an airplane.
