Why We Never Travel Without the SlumberPod
As a family that travels often with young kids, there’s one piece of gear we never leave behind: the SlumberPod.
We started using it when our daughter was about 10 months old (story to follow) and it instantly became a must-pack item. It’s ideal from birth to about age 2. After that, our kids started wanting to see their surroundings and weren’t as into the full blackout experience—but before then? Absolute game-changer.
The Trip That Changed Everything
I’ll never forget a trip to Michigan when our daughter was 9 months old. We stayed at an Airbnb that had blinds—technically—but they were sheer and let in every bit of morning light. We were up at dawn every day with a baby who thought it was time to party. That sleep deprivation cut our trip short.
After that, we vowed to never travel again with a baby.
But then—we stumbled across the SlumberPod. At that point, we figured we had nothing to lose, so we bought one.
It turned out to be an absolute game changer.
Since then, it’s become a non-negotiable item on our packing list. It’s helped save naps, preserve bedtimes, and made traveling with a baby not just possible—but actually enjoyable.
What We Love
- Total blackout: Even in bright rooms, it keeps everything pitch black.
- Fits over most travel cribs: We use it with the Guava Lotus and it works perfectly.
- Baby monitor sleeve: There’s a clear pocket up top so you can still monitor your baby.
- Packable & lightweight: It fits in our luggage easily—yes, even when flying.
- Lets adults have a life too: In hotel rooms, we’ve watched shows on our laptop with AirPods while the baby sleeps soundly in the same space.
Real Talk: What We Were Skeptical About
We were honestly skeptical at first. A pitch-black tent over a crib? Would our baby freak out?
But nope—our kids never even blinked. They sleep like they’re in a room with blackout curtains. It’s dark, calm, and distraction-free.
Things to Know
- Setup takes a little effort: Not hard, but not instant either. Still 100% worth it.
- Can get warm inside: Especially in hotter climates or rooms without AC. We recommend a small fan to help with airflow.
Where We’ve Used It
- Hotels
- Airbnbs
- Friends’ houses
- Flights (packed in checked luggage—no problem)
It works anywhere and helps your kid feel like they’re in a familiar sleep space no matter where you are.
Final Verdict
If you’re traveling with a baby or toddler under 2, the SlumberPod is one of those rare products that actually lives up to the hype. It turns any sleep setup into a cozy, blackout room—and we never travel without it anymore.
We’d buy it again at full price without hesitation.
Recommended Pairing
We use our SlumberPod with the Guava Lotus Travel Crib—a perfect match. Both are light, compact, and easy to check at the airport. The SlumberPod also works great with:
- Most standard pack-n-plays
- Small fans or sound machines
- Video baby monitors (thanks to the monitor sleeve)
Where to Buy
We’re sharing our genuine experience—no sponsorship here, just love. But if you’d like to support our family blog, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through the link below:
Shop the Slumber pod on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases.