Travel cribs are lighter than conventional cribs, usually weighing 10-15 pounds compared to the 20-35 pounds of a full crib. Travel cribs are designed to be taken onto airplanes or collapse compactly to fit into your car. Travel cribs may collapse into a backpack or convenient case that fits into a diaper bag. Here we’ll compare the GoCrib and Baby Bjorn travel cribs. Both of these units are far superior to the Pack and Play cribs I used with my oldest child. Both travel cribs are lighter, use less storage space, are easier to assemble and take up less floor space than the Pack and Play crib.
GoCrib
Most models of the GoCrib portable baby travel crib and play yard is cheaper than the Baby Bjorn travel crib. You can buy an additional, add-on mosquito net and sun shade.
You must inflate the GoCrib, though the air pump is included with the crib. One of the disadvantages of this portable crib is that if the air pump stops working or the travel crib springs a leak, it must be fixed or it is rendered unusable. You also have to inflate the mattress. If you have just arrived at your hotel room tired and stressed, it can seem time consuming to inflate the crib and mattress. It comes with a backpack for easy carrying and storage after it has been deflated.
Because there are no metal beams or rods, this crib cannot fold up and pinch or trap your child. There are also no end caps to lose. You can access your child through a side panel or the top. The GoCrib offers more air circulation than the Baby Bjorn travel crib. You must wash the mattress cover as soon as the child spits up on it or has an accident or cover it with towels or blankets to protect it. Toddlers can climb out of the GoCrib once they are about a year and a half old. They may also be able to get out once they figure out the zipper.
Baby Bjorn Travel Crib
You can only reach the child through the top of the travel crib. This can be painful for your back when done repeatedly through the day or with older children. The Baby Bjorn Travel Crib is easier to set up than the GoCrib, and it does not require inflation. It is actually more work to fold up the Baby Bjorn Crib when ready to put it away than it is to set up for use.
Baby Bjorn Crib is designed for children from newborn through toddlers, allowing it to be used with older babies and toddlers who are too large for the GoCrib. The fabric is very soft, but may not be suitable for newborns and those that cannot roll over.
If you are flying with this travel crib, you may not be able to carry it onto the aircraft and have to check it instead. Baby Bjorn’s Crib comes with its own mattress, though this fits in the carrying case.
Baby Bjorn units are large enough for two small toddlers or a toddler and an infant. For some families, you may be able to use one Baby Bjorn travel crib instead of two GoCrib travel cribs.
