Parents worldwide face a common challenge—finding safe, reliable baby sleep solutions. Whether you’re settling in at home or flying across continents, your baby’s rest matters. Two popular tools help meet this need: the Ikea crib and the airport bassinet. Each serves a unique purpose, tailored for either home use or travel. Here, we’ll explore both options in detail, offering step-by-step guides, practical tips, and key safety insights.

What Are Baby Sleep Solutions and Why Do They Matter

Babies need consistent, safe sleep to grow well, and parents need reliable tools to support that. Baby sleep solutions are setups and methods that help babies sleep better, whether at home or during travel. These include items like cribs, bassinets, travel beds, and sleep aids. Sleep environments play a big role in a baby’s rest, and poor setups can cause discomfort or even safety issues.
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As parents begin sleep training, having the right equipment makes the process smoother and less stressful. Of course, choosing the right sleep option depends on your lifestyle, travel habits, and home space.

Traveling with a Baby: What to Pack for Sleep

​Sleep doesn't stop just because you're on the move. However, babies need familiar cues and cozy setups to rest well, even away from home. When traveling with kids, pack sleep essentials to keep routines steady and stress levels low. Bring a lightweight sleep sack, a soft blanket, and a portable white noise machine to mimic home sounds.
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If your baby uses a pacifier or comfort toy, pack spares. A foldable travel crib or compact bassinet can be a lifesaver in hotels or relatives’ homes. Stick to familiar bedtime rituals whenever possible. A calm, prepared approach helps your baby sleep—and lets you rest a little easier, too.

Moving Abroad with a Baby? Here’s What Sleep Setups You’ll Need

Moving to a new country with a baby brings many questions, and sleep should be high on the list. Babies thrive on routine, so having a familiar sleep setup helps ease the transition. While packing up your child’s room for an international move, the first thing to decide is whether to ship your crib or buy a new one abroad.

The Ikea crib is a smart choice for long-term stays—affordable, easy to assemble, and available in many countries. During the journey, the airport bassinet offers a safe sleep space on long flights. With the right sleep tools, your baby can rest well, no matter what time zone you’re calling home.

The Ikea Crib: Home Comfort, Swedish Simplicity

​The Ikea crib is a popular choice for parents who want a simple, safe, and affordable sleep space at home. Known for its clean design and compact size, it fits well in small rooms and grows with your baby. Many models are convertible, turning into toddler beds later on. Ikea cribs also meet strict safety standards, giving parents peace of mind. Lightweight and easy to assemble, they’re perfect for new families setting up a nursery.
Here’s what makes the Ikea crib stand out:

• Compact and ideal for apartments or shared rooms
• Budget-friendly without compromising on safety
• Converts to toddler beds (on some models)
• Easy to transport or reassemble after moving
• Available in stores worldwide and online.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up the Ikea Crib Safely

Setting up the Ikea crib safely is simple if you follow the correct steps. Always read the manual first and keep small parts away from children. The process doesn’t take long, but careful setup ensures your baby sleeps securely.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Unbox all parts and check that nothing is missing or damaged.
2. Lay out tools—you’ll usually need a screwdriver or the tool Ikea provides.
3. Assemble the frame by following the instructions step-by-step.
4. Secure all screws tightly to prevent wobbling or gaps.
5. Place the mattress snugly inside—there should be no gaps on the sides.
6. Add fitted sheets only—avoid pillows or loose bedding.
7. Position the crib away from windows, cords, or heaters.

The Airport Bassinet: Sleep at 30,000 Feet

The airport bassinet is a helpful sleep solution for long-haul flights with infants. It attaches to the wall in front of bulkhead seats and provides a small, secure space for babies to rest during the flight. Most airlines offer it for infants under 6 to 8 months or below a certain weight limit. It must be requested in advance, as availability is limited. When used correctly, it can make flying much easier for both babies and parents. Key things to know about airport bassinets:

• Only available on certain long-distance flights by some airlines
• Must be reserved early, often by calling the airline
• Fits babies up to a set weight or age
• Allows hands-free rest for parents during flight
• Always follow airline safety guidelines when in use.

Step-by-Step: Using the Airport Bassinet Effectively

Using the airport bassinet correctly can make long flights more comfortable for your baby and less tiring for you. It’s important to plan ahead and know what to expect.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to get the most out of it:

1. Book early and request a bassinet directly with the airline.
2. Confirm weight and age limits—these vary between airlines.
3. Arrive early at the airport to secure the assigned bassinet seat.
4. Ask the crew when and how to install it after takeoff.
5. Place your baby inside once the cruising altitude is reached.
6. Bring a comfort object—a small blanket or soft toy helps your baby sleep better.
7. Follow safety rules—never leave your baby unattended.

What Parents Must Know Before Using Either Option

Before using the Ikea crib or airport bassinet, parents should understand the details of key safety and usage. Always check for recalls or updates on crib models to ensure they meet current standards. With the airport bassinet, review airline policies ahead of time—requirements can vary widely.

Also, be aware of regional sleep safety guidelines, especially when traveling internationally. Understanding how each product works and what’s allowed helps avoid last-minute surprises. Baby sleep solutions only work well when used correctly, so preparation and research are essential for safe, restful sleep.

Rest Easy: The Right Sleep Setup Makes All the Difference

Choosing between the Ikea crib and the airport bassinet depends on where and how your baby sleeps. With the right baby sleep solutions, parents can handle both daily routines and travel with confidence. Simple tools used the right way create safer, calmer sleep, at home or thousands of miles away.

Photos via:
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Pexels​

There are three key aspects to focus on in helping your child develop healthy and effective sleep habits. When working with clients, here is what I focus on first:

1. A Regular Bedtime Routine
Little ones thrive on consistency. They look to us, the parents/caretakers, to guide them in what they should be doing and how/when/where they should be doing it. This is why it is so important to develop routines. Babies and toddlers need consistent routines to orient themselves to where they are in their day and be able to anticipate what is coming next. Creating a regular bedtime routine that begins at (relatively) the same time each night will cue your baby to the fact that it is almost time to sleep. A simple bath, pajamas, a story/song, then off to bed routine can do wonders as long as you repeat the same actions in the same order each night.. Develop your routine based on what works best for you and your child! 

2. Boundaries Around Sleep
If you’ve been around a toddler for more than 5 minutes you’ll know that they love to push boundaries. This is a completely normal developmental milestone, and it’s important for toddlers because they are looking to you to communicate to them what is allowed and what is not. To avoid frustration and confusion, it is important to set clear boundaries for our children, and sleep habits are no exception. Beginning when Baby is young, you can communicate that the expectation at bedtime is for them to sleep in their own bed. Other boundaries you can enforce could be keeping the baby in their room/bed until a certain time each morning (who wants to get up at 5am??) or making sure your toddler is staying in their bed all night. Decide on some healthy boundaries that will serve everyone in your household. 

3. Consistency and Holding Boundaries 
With both of the above tips, consistency is key. As I mentioned before, babies and toddlers look to us to orient themselves within their day and the world at large. Keeping consistent routines and boundaries allows them to know what to expect as well as how to act. This is crucial for them to be able to develop a sense of security and understand the world around them. You’ll begin to notice your toddler taking initiative when you prompt them to begin their bedtime routine. Keep it consistent and everyone will be on the same page!

What does your bedtime routine look like? What healthy boundaries have allowed your child to develop good sleep habits? ​

​​Toddlers are fascinating creatures, aren’t they? Watching them develop into thinking, creative little people is such a fascinating time, and one that parents often wish would last a little longer. Of course, they usually wish that after baby’s grown out of the toddler stage, because along with that creativity and new found intelligence, we usually see a lot of boundary-testing, which can be a frustrating experience.

When you’re considering where your baby should sleep, the obvious answer is ‘a crib’. What you put in that crib important…and I’m not just talking about the baby.

Baby stores, social media and online decorating boards show beautiful huge cribs with lots of bedding, stuffed animals and fluffy-ness all over. While it’s really cute, are those beautifully decorated cribs the safest place to put baby? When my husband and I were shopping for our daughter’s crib, there was a crib in the store decked out in all white with cushy bumpers, a sparkly mobile and soft sheets. My first thought was…what if she spits up? Who wants to try and clean spit up out of white sheets? Not only that, but the crib bumpers were nearly 6 inches thick!

Babies move, even the little ones just a few weeks old. They squirm and wiggle all over the crib so you want to create the safest place for them to sleep. Yes, they need to sleep in a crib or bassinette…not in your bed on the soft mattress, not on the couch or a comfy chair. Don’t use positioners either. If your crib height is adjustable, start it at the highest position, but as soon as baby starts to push him/herself up on her hands, lower the crib mattress height.
Bare is best when it comes to decorating cribs. Cribs should have a firm mattress, with a waterproof cover and a single sheet. Bumpers can become suffocation hazards. Also, don’t put mobiles, toys, stuffed animals, projectors or mirrors in their cribs. Not only can the toys become hazards, but we want baby’s crib to be a place for sleep…not playtime.

Dress baby in one piece pajamas to sleep and make sure nothing covers baby’s head. If you feel like they need to stay warmer, use a wearable blanket, such as a sleep sack. Do not use loose blankets.
Lastly, baby should be put to sleep on his/her back. It may not be the way that you were put to sleep or what you hear from your mom but since the Safe to Sleep campaign (formerly known as the Back to Sleep campaign) was implemented, SIDS deaths are down 50%. Once baby is old enough to roll, it’s ok to let them.
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Making sure that your baby has a safe sleep environment is important, not only for parents, but also for all caregivers. Make sure you communicate to anyone who cares for baby about these safe sleeping practices.
Sleep well!
Christine