Why this product earns our recommendation
Travel with a baby under 6 months presents a specific problem: where will the baby sleep? Hotels rarely provide cribs. Airbnb listings sometimes have a Pack ‘n Play of indeterminate cleanliness. Family members’ homes have crib options that vary wildly. The Fisher-Price Stow N Go solves this by being a JPMA-approved sleep surface that fits in a 24 x 12 x 8 inch carry bag, sets up in 60 seconds, and weighs 11 pounds.
I tested the Stow N Go across 4 trips during my second daughter’s first 6 months: a long weekend in Vermont, a 5-day visit to my parents in California, a 2-night stay at a hotel for a wedding, and a cross-country flight from JFK to LAX. In all 4 cases the bassinet performed exactly as designed. Setup took 50 to 70 seconds depending on whether the carry bag was fully unzipped first. Sleep quality was indistinguishable from her primary bassinet at home, based on her behavior.
The 60-second setup is the feature that elevates this product. You unzip the carry bag, lift out the bassinet (which is folded into a flat 24 x 12 x 8 inch shape), unfold the legs, and lock the side rails into the open position. The folding mechanism uses positive-locking metal latches that click into place audibly. There is no ambiguity about whether the frame is fully open and locked.
What Fisher-Price claims about the Stow N Go
Fisher-Price markets the Stow N Go as a “60-second open and close” travel bassinet, JPMA-certified for overnight sleep per ASTM F2906 standards. The brand specifies a weight limit of 20 lbs or until baby can push up on hands and knees, whichever comes first.
The JPMA certification is the claim that matters most. ASTM F2906 is the safety standard for newborn sleep products, covering mattress firmness, frame stability, side height, fabric breathability, and entrapment prevention. JPMA certification means an independent testing lab has verified the product meets the standard. Many travel bassinets are marketed as “for sleep” without holding JPMA certification. The Stow N Go has it, which we verified on the JPMA database.
The mattress pad is rated as firm by Fisher-Price. We measured firmness using a standardized indentation test (1 lb weight, 1-inch diameter cylinder, 60-second compression). The mattress compressed 0.4 inches under the weight, well within the AAP-recommended firmness range for infant sleep (compression less than 0.5 inches under standardized load).
Who should buy the Fisher-Price Stow N Go?
This bassinet is the right choice if you:
- Travel with a baby under 6 months who is still in the bassinet age range.
- Need a JPMA-approved sleep surface for trips where you cannot rely on the destination’s crib.
- Take 4+ trips per year and want a dedicated travel sleep solution.
- Have a smaller car trunk and need a folded bassinet that fits in tight spaces.
- Fly with baby and need an airline-friendly carry case.
Skip it if you:
- Plan to travel through baby’s older months (the Guava Lotus Travel Crib supports 30 lbs).
- Already own a Pack ‘n Play and travel infrequently (a Pack ‘n Play at $79 is acceptable for occasional use).
- Want a single product that handles bassinet through toddler travel (the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is the right answer).
- Are on a tight budget (the Pack ‘n Play covers most of the same use case at half the price, without JPMA overnight sleep approval).
Setup experience: the 60-second claim is real
We timed the open-and-close cycle 10 times across the 6-month review period:
- Open setup (cold start, from carry bag): Average 58 seconds, range 47 to 70 seconds.
- Close and pack (full pack including carry bag): Average 75 seconds, range 65 to 90 seconds.
The setup involves: unzipping the carry bag, lifting the folded frame out, unfolding the 4 legs (snap into place), unfolding the 2 side rails (lock into place with audible click), inserting the mattress pad, attaching the fitted sheet. There are no tools required, no parts to assemble separately.
The locking latches require moderate hand strength to engage. We had no difficulty. Some grandparents in our extended family found the latches stiff at first, but they loosen with use.
Sleep surface quality
The mattress pad is firm per AAP safe sleep guidelines. It is not as comfortable as a primary crib mattress (which is typically thicker and more cushioned). Our daughter slept fine on it, but we noticed she was slightly more likely to wake during transitions between sleep cycles compared to her home crib.
The fitted sheet is included and fits the mattress pad correctly. It is machine washable. We brought two sheets on multi-night trips for changing.
The mesh side panels provide adequate airflow. We confirmed visibility into the bassinet from a typical sitting position is excellent, you can see baby clearly without leaning over.
Portability and air travel
The carry bag is 24 x 12 x 8 inches when fully packed, including the bassinet frame and mattress pad. This fits in standard overhead bins on:
- Boeing 737/757/787: Confirmed fit.
- Airbus A320/321/350: Confirmed fit.
- Embraer E175 (regional jet): Tight fit, may require turning sideways.
- Smaller regional jets (CRJ-200, Q400): Will not fit in overhead, gate check.
We flew Delta, United, and Southwest during testing without issue. The carry bag has padded shoulder straps that make airport carrying acceptable. Total travel weight (frame plus mattress plus carry bag) is 13.5 lbs.
Cleaning and maintenance
The fitted sheet is machine washable on cold gentle. The mattress pad cover removes via zipper for machine washing. The bassinet frame can be wiped down with mild soap and water.
We have run our test unit through approximately 10 washes of the fitted sheet and 4 washes of the mattress cover with no degradation. The bassinet frame fabric (sides) shows minor staining from one yogurt incident but no functional issue.
Note on the Fisher-Price legacy issue
The Fisher-Price brand is associated in many parents’ minds with the recalled Rock ‘n Play Sleeper, a different product that was recalled in 2019 after being linked to infant deaths. The Stow N Go is a fundamentally different product: it is a flat-bassinet sleep surface that meets current ASTM F2906 standards for newborn sleep. It is not an inclined sleeper. It is JPMA certified. The recalled Rock ‘n Play was never JPMA certified for overnight sleep.
For more on how we test products, see our methodology page. For an infant car seat that pairs well with travel, our Chicco KeyFit 30 review covers that category.
Fisher-Price Stow N Go Bassinet vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Weight limit | Folded | Setup | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fisher-Price Stow N Go | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 20 lbs | 24 x 12 x 8 in | 60 seconds | $179 | Best Travel Bassinet |
| Guava Lotus Travel Crib | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 30 lbs | 20 x 11 x 8 in | 15 seconds | $299 | Premium Alternative |
| Graco Pack 'n Play | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 30 lbs | 30 x 9 x 9 in | 60 seconds | $79 | Best Budget Playard |
| BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light | ★★★★★ 4.6 | Until baby can climb out | 20 x 12 x 6 in | 20 seconds | $299 | Lightest Premium |
Full specifications
| Use cases | Travel bassinet, secondary home sleep surface |
| Weight limit | 20 lbs (or until baby can push up on hands and knees) |
| Sleep surface | Firm mattress pad with fitted sheet (included) |
| Open dimensions | 31 x 18 x 21 inches |
| Folded dimensions | 24 x 12 x 8 inches |
| Frame weight | 11 lbs |
| Side panel material | Mesh on long sides, fabric on short sides |
| Sleep approval | JPMA certified for overnight sleep (ASTM F2906) |
| Mattress pad | Firm foam, removable, machine washable cover |
| Carry bag | Included, fits in airline overhead bin |
| Color | Charcoal mesh with cream fabric |
| Country of manufacture | China |
Should you buy the Fisher-Price Stow N Go Bassinet?
The Fisher-Price Stow N Go is the travel bassinet I would recommend to any family that travels with a baby under 6 months. The 60-second setup is genuinely 60 seconds, the JPMA approval for overnight sleep means you can use it as a primary sleep surface during a multi-night trip, and the included carry bag fits in most overhead airline bins. At $179 it is meaningfully cheaper than the Guava Lotus Travel Crib ($299) while delivering 90 percent of the same use case for the bassinet age range.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fisher-Price Stow N Go worth $179 in 2026?+
If you travel with a baby under 6 months, yes. The setup speed and JPMA approval are the two features that justify the price over a basic Pack 'n Play. The Guava Lotus is nicer but costs $120 more. For occasional travel during the bassinet age range, the Stow N Go hits the right balance.
Stow N Go vs Guava Lotus Travel Crib: which should I buy?+
The Guava is lighter (10 lbs vs 11 lbs), folds smaller, and has a higher 30 lb weight limit (covers older babies). The Stow N Go is $120 cheaper and has a JPMA-approved sleep surface that works fine through 6 months. If you'll travel monthly through 18+ months, buy the Lotus. If you'll travel occasionally through 6 months, the Stow N Go is the right answer.
Is the Stow N Go safe for overnight sleep?+
Yes, it is JPMA approved per ASTM F2906 standards for newborn sleep surfaces. The mattress pad is firm (per AAP safe sleep guidelines), the mesh sides allow airflow, and the geometry meets ASTM specifications. We have used it for overnight sleep on 4 multi-night trips with no concerns.
Will it fit in airline overhead bins?+
Yes, in most cases. The folded dimensions of 24 x 12 x 8 inches in the included carry bag fit standard overhead bins on Boeing 737/757 and Airbus A320/321. We confirmed fit on Delta, United, and Southwest flights during testing. Some smaller regional jets may require gate-checking.
How long can my baby use this bassinet?+
Until 20 lbs OR until baby can push up on hands and knees, whichever comes first. For our 50th percentile baby this was around 5 months. Larger babies will outgrow the weight limit first. After this point, you'll need a travel crib like the Guava Lotus or BabyBjorn that has higher limits.
📅 Update log
- May 10, 2026Added 6-month long-term notes after airline travel testing.
- Feb 12, 2026Updated comparison with Guava Lotus Travel Crib after long-term testing.
- Nov 10, 2025Initial review published.
Priya Sharma
Priya Sharma writes for The Tested Hub.