Whether you’re in the baby or toddler stage, travelling with your little one for the first time is a key new parent milestone. There’s nothing more anxiety-inducing than trying to manage a sleep schedule on the road when the difference between a good night’s sleep and a bad one can totally derail the next day. I’ve been there and can vividly remember the first time I took twin toddlers across the country. I was so worried about room sharing with an older sister, adjusting to the 3-hour time change, and trying to keep the shaky schedule we had built intact.
That’s why I wish I had rented the SlumberPod on that first trip. Parents seriously can’t stop raving about this piece of gear, and after this in-depth review, you’ll see why.
What is the SlumberPod?
The SlumberPod is a super portable blackout sleep tent for babies and toddlers that creates a private sleep nook by easily sliding over a pack ‘n’ play, mini crib, cot, or toddler air mattress, like the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light. The SlumberPod is essentially a mini tent that allows you to create a 95% dark sleep space so you don’t need to travel with blackout curtains or keep an entire room dark when putting down your baby or toddler. It comes in a travel-friendly bag that can fit inside a carry-on and only weighs about 5 lbs.
The SlumberPod is made of breathable mesh and is designed with ventilation panels that can be rolled up for additional airflow. The front of the SlumberPod unzips from the front so you can easily take your child in and out. I’ve sat inside the SlumberPod myself and found it to be breathable. You’ll also find two pouches at the top of the tent where you can add a fan and include your baby monitor.
It’s perfect for hotels, room sharing, and brightly lit rooms because your little one can enjoy a nap or go down for bedtime in a dark, comfortable sleep environment. This is a total game-changer for parents because you don’t need to tiptoe around in the dark while in a hotel room, or worry about having multiple kids who go to sleep at different times when room sharing.
How long can you use the SlumberPod?
SlumberPod is recommended for ages 4 months and older and can be used with pack ‘n’ plays or playards and mini-cribs. After graduating from these sleep products, SlumberPod states that it can be used with toddler cots and inflatable mattresses for children up to five years old. In reality, once your toddler hits preschool age - about 3 or 4 years old - they’ll probably be less interested in climbing in the SlumberPod to sleep.
What are the pros and cons of the SlumberPod?
Pros
- Dark: It blocks out 95% of light so it’s really dark. It’s dark enough to share a room with your kid and not wake them up by having the lights on.
- Easy: Set up and take down are easy; once you get the hang of it, it takes about 5 minutes.
- Versatile: It accommodates babies and toddlers with most popular pack ‘n’ play, mini crib, and toddler cot models.
- Breathable: Made of breathable fabric and offers extra ventilation.
- Customizable: Can use a monitor and fan to replicate your at-home sleep environment with a white noise machine next to it.
Cons
- Larger footprint: Not for teeny tiny rooms and can’t fit in a closet; when assembled the dimensions are 54" long, 40" wide, 53" tall.
- Must bend to put baby in: Some taller parents report discomfort bending down to put baby in. Some toddlers may need to be coaxed in.
- Take care with set up: Tent Poles are long so be careful on set-up. The best way to avoid scratching walls or knocking over objects is to connect the poles as you insert them.
- May need extra ventilation in warm climates: Dress your little one for possible + 1-2 degrees Fahrenheit difference inside SlumberPod and open air vents in the summer or in warm climates.
- Not for regular cribs: Does not fit over a regular-sized crib it is made for pack ‘n’ plays.
How to assemble the SlumberPod?
Before leaving for your trip, I recommend you try to set it up at home just so you get the hang of it before leaving. After you understand the process it should only take about five minutes to set up and take down, but there’s nothing worse than learning how to set it up after a long day of travel while you’re exhausted and your little one is ready to go down.
Follow the steps outlined below and check out this video for detailed instructions.
- Place the canopy over your pack ‘n’ play
- Assemble the polls by unfold theming to full length
- Insert poles into pole sleeves (note, these will be long)
- Place pokes into webbing pockets
- Snap clips onto poles
If you’re preparing for a trip, I recommend you take note of the assembled dimensions so you can plan where to place it in the room. Assembled, the SlumberPod is 54" long, 40" wide, 53" tall. If you’re in a small space you can always fold down your pack ‘n’ play, lift off the SlumberPod and fold down to store under the bed or in the closet until you’re ready to use it again.
Why rent the SlumberPod?
By now, you can see why the SlumberPod is a must-have for travel. However, many families just don’t travel enough in the baby’s first few years to justify owning one. Renting is a great option for families who travel seasonally or take a couple of big trips a year. Plus, this is a great piece of gear to try by renting before committing - some kids love it, and some don’t take to it. I’d personally rather learn that lesson through renting than spending hundreds of dollars.
Because kids grow so fast, they are constantly ageing into and out of their everything - toys, cribs, carriers, you name it! I’m basically drowning in “old” baby gear like a lot of other Millennial parents and honestly not having another thing in the house is a huge benefit. I like renting baby and toddler gear because I don’t have to deal with the clutter.
Renting baby gear from a membership like JoyLet can give you the flexibility to get the right gear at the right time, and get rid of it when you’re done.
What are SlumberPod's key specs?
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Price |
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Weight |
5.5 pounds |
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Assembled Dimensions |
54" long, 40" wide, 53" tall |
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Bag Dimensions |
17" long, 5" wide, 6" tall |
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Compatibility |
Playards up to 44” long , 30” wide, and 38” inches tall |
Child Safety and Comfort
At JoyLet, our top priorities are safety and cleanliness. SlumberPod has passed all juvenile product safety tests in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Although the pod was designed (material and design itself) with airflow in mind, SlumberPod has taken an extra step to ensure that caregivers’ concerns were addressed. The company has submitted SlumberPod for an additional, voluntary assessment and expert opinion using advanced test methods. The evaluating doctor (selected by the independent, third-party lab – and not by the SlumberPod team) independently concluded that the product “presents a low hazard” for CO2 rebreathing. For more information see SlumberPod’s commitment to safety.
We always recommend that parents use SlumberPod in a well-ventilated and climate-controlled environment — as it is approved for indoor use. Be sure to use modern and CPSC-approved sleep products inside SlumberPod for babies and toddlers and follow safe sleep practices.
As we mentioned above, some children take to the SlumberPod naturally, others will need to adjust it before using it on a trip. You may try sitting in it with them or having them play inside with the door open before bedtime.
What is the SlumberPod compatible with?
Per SlumberPod.com, this product can be used with:
- Playard’s including but not limited to the following models: 4moms® breeze® playard, BABYBJORN® Travel Crib Light, Baby Trend® Deluxe Nursery Center, Cosco Funsport® Play Yard, Dream On Me Portable Playard, Dream On Me Travel Light Play Yard, Evenflo® Portable Deluxe Playard, Fisher-Price® Ultra-Lite Day and Night Play Yard, Graco Pack-n-play®, Graco® Travel Lite Crib, Guava Family® Lotus Play Yard, Foundations Essentials Portable Travel Yard, KidCo® Travel Pod Portable Playard, Nuna™ SENA™ Aire Travel Crib, phil&teds® Traveller™ Portable Crib, Safety 1st Happy Space Play Yard and more.
- Mini-cribs including Babyletto Mini Crib, Bloom Alma Mini-crib, DaVinci Emily 2-in1 Mini-crib, Dream On Me Aden 4-in-1, Delta Children portable crib, and LA Baby® The Original Bedside Manor Mini Crib.
- Cots and small inflatable mattresses (follow recommended age guidelines) including the Regalo My Cot Portable Toddler Bed™, the Baby Delight Go with Me Bungalow Deluxe Portable Travel Cot and the Ozark Trial Kids Camping Airbed.
For the latest compatibility information be sure to check SlumberPod.com.
JoyLet Verdict
Bottom line – the SlumberPod is a must-have for traveling parents because it is compact, portable, and ensures your little one will get a good night’s sleep on the road without disturbing the rest of the family. To arrive at this conclusion, we’ve vetted and tested the SlumberPod in our own families and against our rigorous rental product standards. That’s why it’s no surprise that the SlumerPod is one of our top rentals here at JoyLet.
Why you should trust us
Consider JoyLet your trusted partner in parenting. Our team is made up of parents and baby gear experts, including a certified child passenger safety technician. We've rented and cared for tons of gear and have seen it all. We understand how real families like you actually use various pieces of gear and how gear stands up to wear and tear over time. Count on us to provide unbiased guidance to help you make the right choice for your family.
About the Author:
Natalie Poston
Natalie is the co-founder of JoyLet and stepmom to three funny, smart, and strong-willed girls. Originally a midwesterner, she is new to Southern California and spends her free time exploring all it has to offer. She nerds out on baby gear, design, and sustainability. Natalie’s quotes have been featured in Forbes, Scary Mommy, and Yahoo.