Why I LOVE the SlumberTot Inflatable Toddler Bed
When I find a parent hack or product that is a game-changer in the parent-hood, I have to share the love.
My family travels a lot, whether it’s into the mountains for a camping trip, staying in hotels for a wedding, or crossing the ocean via airplane to my hometown in NZ.
And despite the number of travel products I’ve been sent over the years, the SlumberPod is one of the few sleep tools that I get on a soap box about. It really did change the sleep game for me and my family.
When they reached out to let me know that they had a new product ready to go, I was keen to try it. And (no shock here) it didn’t disappoint.
Here is why I love the SlumberTot Inflatable Toddler Bed and would recommend investing in it for your toddler:
The set up is a no-brainer. I intentionally don’t read set up instructions when I receive a new product, because it quickly tells me if a product is going to end up being helpful or a headache. This baby took me about 4.5 minutes to set up, between taking the pieces out of the bag until it was completely inflated. It was simple, quick, and something I’d be happy to do on any trip, whether short or long.
The design is incredibly intentional. And oh my - the QUALITY! You can tell this product is worth your money. Three of the sides are raised to ensure your precious cargo doesn’t roll off during sleep, and the side nearest the feet is lower so your toddler / pre-k can move on and off the bed with ease.
The SlumberTot is SO easy to travel with and maneuver. It comes with a handle on the side, which makes it simple to set up and also move into a closet or corner during the day. The product itself weighs only 6 lbs disassembled and comes in a protective travel bag.
Did I find any drawbacks to using the SlumberTot Inflatable Toddler Bed? There wasn’t much to complain about, but there were a few notes I made for future adaptations:
The fabric on the bottom of the SlumberTot makes a lot of noise when rubbing against a hard surface. If your toddler is sleeping in a room without carpet, make sure to lay a quilt or blanket under the bed. No need for your toddler to come awake from their every movement.
The recommended age use for the SlumberTot is 2-6 years. I would simply caution you here: Follow the recommendation and don’t put a toddler in the bed unless they are at least two years old AND are already used to sleeping in a bed. If they aren’t used to a bed yet, then let’s stick to using a travel crib until they have practiced sleeping in a real bed first.
Tips for using the SlumberTot:
Practice, practice, practice! Before you head out on a trip, practice setting it up so you know what to do and how to do it. When we are jet-lagged or at our wit’s end from a day of short naps, the last thing we want to do is figure out how to set up a new sleep tool, even if it is simple.
Practice (again)! You’ll also want to practice naps (check out our free Nap Cheat Sheet) or nights in the travel bed before actually using it. It’s best to do this at home where your little person is more comfortable and can get used to the bed. Then you won’t have to deal with a new bed in a new place.
Help make sure your little one isn’t undertired or overtired while practicing with our Free Awake Times Chart!
(P.S. If you are heading out on a big trip, make sure to download my travel guide here.)
If you need help getting your toddler to sleep on their own, check out our Toddler Sleep Course.
All the love to humans everywhere who are making our lives more enjoyable by creating useful and beautiful products! The SlumberTot Inflatable Toddler Bed is very easy to use and SUPER helpful for overnights at Nana’s house and longer family vacations. Don’t just take my word for it, though - check it out for yourself at https://www.slumberpod.ca/products/slumbertot or find them on Instagram at @slumberpod.
Happy travels,
Anna