The SlumberPod nap canopy can make vacation less stressful for parents

Traveling with a child can present many challenges, from scheduling when to feed to setting aside nap time. On top of the usual stresses of parenting and juggling multiple tasks, your little one might not want to sleep. I know, I’ve been there. 

Imagine being in a hotel room on vacation, but shutting all the lights off and laying in silence with your significant other with your breath held, hoping your baby will finally sleep. The only problem here for us parents is that it might be only 6 or 7 p.m., nowhere near time for us to rest our weary heads. Does that sound like a promising vacation to you? No, I didn’t think so.

When my friend initially introduced me to the SlumberPod nap canopy, I was skeptical, especially since the newest version retails for $199 at full price. Even though it might go on sale from time to time, I don’t have that kind of money to just test something out. After months of debating and reading online reviews, with an upcoming two-night trip planned to visit my in-laws, I decided to give it a try.

Originally I purchased the SlumberPod 2.0, which came out in 2020. When the brand recently launched an updated version, I got to test out the upgrade. The new SlumberPod 3.0 arrived neatly packaged with instructions along with images for easy set up. Assembly was so simple — just a matter of placing two poles through a series of loops and then standing it upright, like a tent. My only suggestion is to put it together in a spacious area, because placing the poles on the floor and having ample room to move around is key for a quick and easy process. 

The newer version offers an additional ventilation panel at the back of the pod for increased airflow, which is great for summer. The newer version also has an improved pouch for holding a baby monitor in place for quick and easy viewing. The biggest improvement of the 3.0 is that there is an additional fan pouch at the top of the pod in addition to the lower fan pouch. This allows for the use of two fans if desired for hot days. The 3.0 retails for $179, but for an additional $20, the company’s combo version includes a portable fan. For me, the extra amount is worth the money rather than attempting to find a fan that fits in the pouch. 

The SlumberPod works because it’s portable, quick to set up in any hotel room and, most of all, prevents your baby from seeing you as they rest in their little cave to sleep. Parents don’t have to keep all the lights off and pretend to sleep. Now, it doesn't mean you can go around making a racket, either. You still must be aware of making noises that might wake little Junior. But it does give parents a little more freedom and flexibility while on vacation!

The first time my husband and I tried it was on vacation with our 1-year old, Kacey, in Honolulu. Our hotel room was spacious, but it was still a single room. We set up the SlumberPod and settled her in with her little blanket and binkie. Within minutes she was fast asleep and we were able to keep the lights on and continue with our night — him listening to his podcast about true crime and me reading a guide on how to keep houseplants thriving.

The cave-like quality of the SlumberPod offers an ideal environment for a baby to sleep soundly, but best of all, you can also use this at home! Although it isn’t the case for me, if you have a baby with an older sibling, this is ideal for nap time so the older child can move around without disrupting the baby’s sleep. It creates a win-win for everyone. Best of all, it’s easy to store into a closet or under the bed — no bulky hardware here. The SlumberPod is best used for travel cribs, pack ‘n plays and toddler-sized travel cots. It is not recommended for use with full-sized cribs; if you are looking for a solution like this at home, the company sells systems made for this purpose.

The product was created in 2014 by mother and daughter duo Lou Childs and Katy Mallory through their own experiences trying to get Katy’s baby to sleep during a visit. They appeared on ABC’s entrepreneur show “Shark Tank” (Season 11, Episode 10), and the company received an investment from multimillionaire businesswoman Barbara Corcoran. Because of its convenience and the stress it has alleviated on my vacations, I highly recommend this item for your family!