One of the things that surprised me most when I became a new parent was how much anxiety I had over my daughter’s sleep schedule. Pre-kid, I remember thinking it was strange how much my friends and relatives with children would constantly make plans around naps and bedtime. After having your own child, you realize how much sleep can make or break your sanity on any given day.
With that in mind, I was terrified of traveling for the first time with my daughter. After months of sleepless nights and coffee-filled days, we finally had a 6-month-old who could sleep through the night after a round of sleep training. The idea of that all going out the window when we brought her somewhere new made me sick to my stomach.
That’s when a friend recommended the SlumberPod. The portable, privacy “sleep nook” that basically acts as a blackout tent you can put on your kid’s pack ‘n’ play, mini crib, or toddler air mattress.
Desperate to try something that could work, I picked it up for our first trip away. And now? I won’t go anywhere without it. Keep reading for my honest SlumberPod review.
Looking for more travel product reviews? Check out our full review of the Stokke Jet Kids bedbox.
About the SlumberPod
The SlumberPod is essentially a portable mini tent. It features breathable fabric that blocks out 90 percent of light, eliminating the need for blackout shades when you’re traveling. The fabric canopy and poles come in an easy to travel with carry bag. It is also very easy to assemble. Seriously, I couldn’t pitch a tent for the life of me. Even I was able to assemble and disassemble this within five minutes.
With a bottomless structure design, once assembled, the SlumberPod can fit over most standard playards, mini cribs, and select toddler cots and mattresses. The SlumberPod comes with a ventilation panel with breathable mesh for airflow and can unzip from the front so you can easily take your child in or out. On top of the SlumberPod there are two pouches. One that you can put a fan in (though it’s not required) and one where you can put a portable video monitor.
Planning to travel with baby? Check out our Best of Family Travel page.
SlumberPod Review
Options for the SlumberPod
You have two options when getting the SlumberPod. You can purchase the SlumberPod for $179.99 or buy the SlumberPod with a fan for $199.99. While we sprung for the latter of the two options, the fan is pretty basic, so if you have one that will work, you can definitely save the $20.
While having a fan is not a requirement to use the SlumberPod since there is natural airflow, having one definitely made a difference for us, especially in a warmer climate. As for colors, you can choose from teal, black, and navy—or navy with night sky accents, which is exclusive to SlumberPod’s website.
Slumberpod Sizing
Once assembled, the SlumberPod measures 50″ long, 36″ wide, and 56″ tall. It’s tall enough that our 1-year-old could easily stand up with extra room, but not so tall that we felt it took up a huge space in the hotel room. The SlumberPod will fit playards 39-40″ long, 28-30″ wide, and 28-34″ tall.
We used it with our standard Graco Pack ‘n’ Play with no issue. Disassembled, the SlumberPod is 5.5 pounds and measures 17″ long, 5″ wide, and 6″ tall in the carrier bag. It’s incredibly lightweight and small enough that it’s easy to bring along when traveling.
Is the Slumberpod easy to use?
Both my husband and I have been fully bested when it comes to assembling baby products in the past. Far too many “easy to assemble” baby playthings and accessories have left us (OK, me) at the edge of tears.
With that in mind, believe me when I say the SlumberPod is incredibly easy to assemble. Once we figured out where to put the poles, we got everything up and ready within a handful of minutes. Taking it apart and packing it back in the carrier bag was somehow even quicker.
Where to Buy the SlumberPod
You can find the SlumberPod at the following retailers:
Final Thoughts: Is the SlumberPod Worth It?
On our first trip using the SlumberPod, my daughter was able to sleep as well as she does at home. Using this in a brightly-lit room, the SlumberPod was able to block out the light incredibly well so that she could fall asleep no matter what time of day.
One thing I had been a little concerned about going in was the air ventilation. While there’s enough natural ventilation that it won’t get stifling hot in there, we found that the fan was very much necessary, especially in a bit of a warmer room.
There’s no denying the price tag for the SlumberPod is steep. But the stress it has taken out of traveling was well worth the cost for our family. It has helped us keep our family’s sleep schedule as regular as it possibly could be while traveling. It also allowed us to not have to stop our night right at bedtime. And that’s why I never plan on traveling without this magical product again.
Morgan Flaherty, Contributing Writer
Morgan is full-time writer, editor, and mom. Along with her work as a contributing writer for The Everymom on all things Disney World, beauty products, and the latest fashion trends, her writing has appeared in Well + Good, InStyle, Scary Mommy, Byrdie, and Baby Chick.
