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Every parent knows the importance of a good night’s sleep, especially for their little ones. But traveling with a baby can disrupt those precious routines. That’s where a reliable travel cot comes in! Today, I’m taking a look at the popular BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light from the perspective of a Singaporean mum (me!) who plan on travelling frequently with baby. This review will cover everything you need to know about the crib’s features, functionality, and how it performed on our recent trip(s).
Initial Impressions & Set Up
I first heard about the BabyBjörn cot from my various jet setting friends who bring their babies along on their adventures. Having also heard rave reviews of their baby bouncer from my mummy groups, I was also familiar with the brand’s reputation for quality. Hence while the price tag initially seemed high for a travel cot, I trusted the brand’s reputation and decided to go ahead with my gut.
Trying to save some money, I tried looking for options on Carousell. There were lightly used options ranging from SGD150-288 compared to the normal SGD 454-480 for completely new ones in retail. Fortunately, I came across an Amazon deal where I got it for SGD 377. Score! Consider bookmarking this retailer and waiting for a good deal!
As with all my trusty Amazon purchases, the cot arrived within a few days, neatly packed in a carry on travel bag. Unzipping it revealed the frame and mattress, both of which came out effortlessly. Setting it up was ridiculously simple – literally just unfolding the four legs! Then putting in the mattress as you would a normal cot. My husband, who isn’t the handiest, was super thankful for the idiot proof design. Even my father-in-law, a seasoned handyman himself, couldn’t help but be impressed by the crib’s ingenious design.
Design and Construction
The BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light lives up to its name. It’s lightweight enough for a cot (around 6kg), but don’t mistake that for flimsy. The frame feels sturdy, and the mesh and lining are soft and gentle against my baby’s skin. The materials meet the OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Class 1 for baby products, so I knew it was safe for her to explore the mesh sides with her curious little hands.
Here are some design features that stood out for me:
- Easy Setup Mechanism: Simply unfold the 4 legs of the cot frame, and you have the cot all set up and ready to go! No screws, no adjusting required. Anyone can do this even without a manual. Perfect for husbands who are not great at handiwork like mine XD
- Four breathable mesh sides: Excellent air circulation reduces the risk of suffocation.
- Sturdy base that touches the floor: No worries about the crib toppling over even with a standing baby or collapsing under the weight of baby. No weight limit because of this ingenious feature.
- Machine washable mattress and cover: Perfect for easy cleaning after travel adventures.
- Compact and practical carry bag: Keeps everything organized and easy to transport to and fro (thanks to a shoulder sling).
Portability and Travel Convenience
Since it’s a travel crib, it has to hit all the right criteria of being the perfect travel companion. Here’s some reasons why it was so perfect for my needs:
- Lightweight and Compact: Weighing in at around 6kg, the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light is a featherweight compared to traditional cribs. Plus, it folds down neatly into a compact carrying case. This means less strain on your arms and shoulders, and more space for all your other travel essentials.
- Folds Down in Seconds: Forget complicated instruction manuals! Setting up the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light is as easy as 1-2-3. Literally, all you need to do is unfold the four legs, and voila! Instant crib for your little one. No tools required, just pure convenience for sleep-deprived parents.
- Travel Bag Included: The crib comes with a handy carrying case that keeps everything organized. No more getting things lost in the luggage shuffle. Simply sling it over your shoulder and you’re ready to go!
- Fits Easily in Tight Spaces: Hotel rooms can be compact, but the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light won’t take over the entire space. Its small footprint makes it ideal for even the most cramped hotel rooms or vacation rentals.
- Sets Up Anywhere: The crib’s sturdy design ensures a safe and comfortable sleep space for your baby, no matter where you are. Use it in hotels, family homes, or even outdoors for a quick nap under the shade.
- Baby Sleeps Well in It: And most importantly of all, it’s comfortable enough for my little girl to sleep soundly through her naps and 12 hour bedtime sleeps on our 3D2N trip. So it’s definitely good enough for me. Even though the mattress looks thin, it seems to be cushy enough for babies 🙂
BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light: Pros and Cons
Having used this travel cot so far on a few days of practice trial runs at home, and at least 2 short getaways to JB, here’s my personal take on the pros and cons of the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light:
| Pros | Cons |
| – Lightweight and portable – Super easy to set up and fold down – Breathable mesh sides for good airflow – Sturdy and safe design – Machine washable mattress and cover – Compact carrying case for easy travel – Baby sleeps well in it – Good resale value (as seen by secondhand sellers on Carousell) | – Pricey compared to some other travel cribs – Size limitation – suitable only until your child can climb out – No side window opening (can be tiring to put baby down all the way) – Legs can be a tripping hazard |
The price was definitely the biggest factor for my hesitation in getting it – luckily for me, there was a limited time deal which I took advantage of. But even at SGD 377, it’s almost 4X the price of a very similar alternative that I was considering too – The Dream On Me Travel Light Playard. However, because I was not familiar with the brand, I went with the BabyBjörn eventually.
The size limitation is something that most travel cribs have. So it’s not really a make or break for me.
The side window opening though, is something I hope will be introduced in future iterations. It would be sooooo helpful for mummies (or daddies) with a bad back.
Unlike normal cots which legs go straight down, this travel crib’s legs extend at an angle, so it could be a tripping hazard if you’re not careful. I personally learnt that the hard way when I tripped on it right after my husband set it up the first time, and broke a toenail. But now I know. On the bright side, I also learnt how steady the cot was, because while I hit it with enough impact to break a toenail, the cot barely moved.
Personal Tips to Help Baby Sleep Better On Vacation
My 9 month old baby girl is a crib sleeper at home, so co-sleeping while on vacation wasn’t an option. Having a separate, compact, and lightweight crib like the BabyBjörn was a lifesaver.
Some things we did to help make the sleeping environment a better one for baby girl on vacation included:
- Using a baby bedsheet to block one side of the crib (on the outside) to prevent distractions during sleep. The remaining 3 breathable mesh sides ensured good airflow still.
- Using a white noise machine (which we also used at home) to help her sleep more soundly. It helped her not get startled by us who were also sleeping in the same room (unlike at home where she has her own room).
- Using a waterproof mattress protector for the mattress
- Turning off all the lights in the room for a complete blackout environment (or as close as possible)
- Sticking to her normal bedtime routine even though we are on vacation
Ready to Travel With The BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light?
On the whole, I would say the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light is a comfortable, convenient, and perfect solution for keeping my baby well-rested on our family travels so far. Will update again after my longer trip coming up in June!
Overall, a fantastic crib with great features for travel, but the price might be a concern for some. Consider checking out pre-loved options! The crib’s supposed durability is a plus – friends of mine have used theirs for almost 10 years with no issues.
Planning to get one? Consider bookmarking this retailer and waiting for a good deal!
Do you have experience with the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light or other travel cribs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Find this article useful? Do help share this article with your fellow mummy and daddy friends and spread the love! It’s not easy putting all this information together and I do hope for more to benefit from it! For more baby essentials and helpful tips, check out our other articles here:
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