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One of the most challenging parts of traveling with a toddler can be figuring out the best sleep option for your child. There are a lot of possibilities out there and it can be overwhelming deciding what to go with.
We’ve tried a lot of different sleep configurations with our kids while traveling over the years, and we know that finding the right setup for your child can make a huge difference on your trip.
One travel item that can be very helpful while traveling with toddlers is a portable bed rail. This is a product that goes under your child’s sheet to make a barrier at the edge of your child’s bed. These rails create a boundary for your child and prevent them from falling out of the bed onto the floor while they are sleeping.
Portable bed rails are perfect for older toddlers as well as older kids who tend to move around a lot while sleeping.
There are several different portable bed rails for toddlers to choose from and we’ve reviewed the best options for you here. Read on to find the perfect portable bed rails for your trip!
For more helpful travel items, see our ultimate list of toddler travel essentials!
Best overall: Hiccapop Inflatable Bed Rail
Best budget option: Ushma Travel Bed Rails for Toddlers
Best foam option: Milliard Travel Bed Bumper
Best portable bed rails for travel with toddlers
Hiccapop Inflatable Bed Rail
The Hiccapop Inflatable Bed Rail is sturdy, lightweight, and perfect for keeping kids contained on their bed. These bed rails are designed to stay put on the bed, with a safety flap that extends beneath your child. Their weight, along with non-slip dots, keep the rail securely in place even if your child bumps up against it.
The bed rails are quick to inflate (six breaths should do it) and can be deflated by pushing the release valve button. They come with a storage case for when they are not in use.
Thick, durable vinyl prevents the rails from leaking or getting holes, but if you do have a problem the company has great customer service. They are also water resistant and washable, making them easy to clean if your child has an accident.
And, perhaps most importantly, these rails pack down very compactly and are lightweight, making them ideal for travel.
Pros
- Safety flap holds rail in place
- Inflates quickly
- Comes with storage bag
- Waterproof and washable
- Compact
Possible drawbacks
- No pump
Product description
- Weight: 2.2 lbs
- Inflated size: 52”L x 7”W x 4.5”H
Shrunks Inflatable Bed Rail
Another option is the highly-rated Shrunks Inflatable Bed Rail.
This does not come with a safety flap like the Hiccapop, but instead has grip strips on the bottom to keep it in place. For the most part the strips seem to do the job in keeping the rails in place, although it does need a snug fitted sheet to prevent any movement of the rail.
It comes with a manual pump but can also be blown up with your mouth. A large opening in the air valve allows the rails to be inflated and deflated quickly.
These bed rails are made of durable, high grade PVC and are waterproof and washable for easy cleaning.
When not in use they fold down very compactly and are easy to pack in the storage bag. They are also extremely lightweight, making them convenient for travel!
Pros
- Comes with manual pump
- Comes with storage bag
- Waterproof and washable
- Compact
Possible drawbacks
- No flaps to secure it under child
Product description
- Weight: 1.43 lbs
- Inflated size: 48”L x 7”W x 4”H
Sunnyglade Portable Bed Rail
Another option similar to the Shrunks is the Sunnyglade Portable Bed Rail. Made of durable PVC, this bed rail is water resistant and easy to clean. It fits underneath the bedsheet and is held in place by grip strips on the bottom of the bed rail.
A manual foot pump is included, although there are a lot of complaints about the pump not being very useful. You can also choose to inflate the bed rails with your mouth if the pump isn’t doing it for you.
These bed rails are easy to pack for travel and will take up very little space in your luggage.
Pros
- Comes with foot pump
- Comes with storage bag
- Water resistant
- Compact
Possible drawbacks
- No flaps to secure it under child
Product description
- Weight: 2.29 lbs
- Inflated size: 48”L x 7”W x 5”H
Ushma Travel Bed Rails for Toddlers
For a more budget-friendly option, the Ushma Travel Bed Rails are another inflatable bed rail at a lesser price.
Like the Shrunks bed rail, these rails are made of waterproof PVC material. Grip strips on the bottom of the rail, along with positioning them securely under the fitted sheet, prevent the rails from moving while your child is sleeping.
Because they are inflatable, these rails are lightweight and can fold down very compactly for easy packing.
As a less expensive alternative to the other inflatable bed rail options, these rails still provide a good user experience to help keep kids secure at night.
Pros
- Low price point
- Compact
Possible drawbacks
- No safety flaps
- No pump
Product description
- Weight: 1.48 lbs
- Inflated size: 48”L x 7”W x 4”H
Milliard Travel Bed Bumper
For a non-inflatable option, you might want to consider the Milliard Travel Bed Bumper. This foam bumper fits under the sheet to provide a secure barrier for your child.
The bumper folds in half to make it more compact for travel and has a handle for easy carrying. It requires virtually no setup, just unfold the bumper and place it under the sheet!
Included with the bumper is a removable, machine-washable cover. The cover has a waterproof backing to prevent the foam from getting damaged should an accident occur. It is made of a soft, comfortable material and has a non-slip bottom to keep the bumper secure on the bed.
The biggest drawback to this bumper is that it doesn’t pack down as compactly as the inflatable options. While this might be a good option for road trips or local travel, it does take up a lot of space in a suitcase, especially if you’re bringing two.
Pros
- No risk of product deflating
- Easy setup
- Machine-washable cover with waterproof backing
Possible drawbacks
- Does not pack as compactly
Product description
- Weight: 1.61 lbs
- Product size: 40”L x 7”W x 4.5”H
Why use a bed rail for toddlers
There are a couple of different scenarios where you might want to use a portable bed rail for your child.
The first is if you’re staying somewhere where your child will have their own adult-sized bed. In this situation there is the risk of them rolling off the edge of the bed while they are sleeping. Putting a bed rail on both sides of the bed will create a safety barrier to prevent your child from falling.
Another situation where a bed rail can come in handy is if you are sharing a bed with your child. Your body will provide a barrier on one side and a bed rail on the opposite side of the bed will create a barrier on that side as well.
These bed rails can also be used as a divider between kids who are sharing the same bed. Our kids tend to move around a lot while sleeping. When they share a bed it often ends with one child rolling on top of the other and then both of them waking up screaming. Not fun for anyone. Putting a bed rail in between children in the middle of the bed can help to keep them on their own side and prevent any middle of the night wakeups.
Tips for using bed rails for toddlers during travel
Try it out before you leave
Plan on pulling out your portable bed rail and trying it out before you travel. Especially with the inflatable ones, there is always a chance (though slim) that you could get one with a leak. You don’t want to find that out when you’re already on your trip!
Plus it’s helpful to get a sense of how the bed rails work and if they are going to be a good option for your child.
Place it under the fitted sheet
These bed rails all work best when placed under the bottom sheet on your child’s bed. This helps to hold them securely in place even if your child bumps into them during the night.
Alternatives to using portable bed rails
There are a few other alternatives to using bed rails during travel with toddlers. We’ve listed a few other ideas below so you can choose the best option for your trip.
Pillow border
One alternative to using a bed rail is using pillows to create a border around your child on the bed. The nice thing about using pillows is that it means you have one less thing to bring with you on your trip.
We’ve used this option many times and it can be effective but does have some drawbacks. One is that the pillows take up more space on the bed than the bed rails. This might be fine if your child is on the bed alone, but if they are sharing with a sibling or parent it can feel really crowded as the pillows force your child more into the center of the bed.
The other downside is that pillows aren’t as secure as the bed rails. We had a couple of instances where the pillows were pushed out of place and our child actually rolled off the bed, which made us feel that this wasn’t a very safe option for our toddler.
The portable bed rails are very good at staying in place, giving you the confidence of knowing that they’ll actually be there if your child needs them.
Pool noodle
A pool noodle is another option that creates an effect similar to the inflatable bed rails.
The main drawback here is the amount of space that they take up. If you’re going on a trip where you’re driving, this can be a convenient solution if you have extra room in the car to pack them. However, if we’re flying we feel that a pool noodle would take up too much space. We would rather use that space for other items, so for us the inflatable bed rail is the more useful option for travel.
Note that a pool noodle is also not as tall or wide as the inflatable bed rails, so there is a greater chance of your child rolling over the top of it.
Toddler bed
If you’d rather have your child in their own, smaller bed, you could also consider bringing a portable toddler bed. These beds are specifically designed with toddlers in mind and are a safe and secure place for your child to sleep.
This also means that you don’t have to have a bed available for your toddler to use at your destination as you will be bringing one with you. You can set up a toddler bed anywhere to create a cozy sleep space for your child.
Toddler beds are an ideal option for younger toddlers who might climb out of the larger bed in the middle of the night.
The downside to toddler beds is that they tend to take up more space in your suitcase, whereas the portable bed rails are quite compact to pack. But they can work and are also a great option if you’re driving instead of flying.
Pack ‘n play
One final option is to use a pack ‘n play when traveling with your toddler. Pack ‘n plays are quite bulky, so if you’re flying this might not be the best option. If you’re staying at a hotel they will often have cribs available, just call beforehand to check. Sometimes Airbnbs will have pack ‘n plays available as well.
Final thoughts
Bed rails can be a perfect option for keeping your child safe and contained while sleeping on a trip. When tucked under the sheets, they create a border to prevent your child from rolling off the bed during sleep.
Although there are a lot of different sleep options out there, if you have a bed available for your child portable bed rails are compact and easy to bring when traveling. They provide an extra measure of peace of mind to both you and your child, allowing everyone to sleep better.
Other posts you might be interested in:
The Ultimate List of Toddler Travel Essentials (+Toddler Packing List!)
The Best Car Seat Travel Bags to Simplify Your Travel!
The Best Airplane Beds for Toddlers
How to Get a Toddler to Sleep on the Plane (Tips that work!)
