After a few trips battling with a bulky and cumbersome Graco Pack ‘n Play, the dream of easy baby travel felt distant. The traditional Pack ‘n Play, while common, proved to be heavy, awkward to carry, and frankly, not the most stylish piece of baby gear. Discovering there were better travel crib options sparked hope, and the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light emerged as a promising contender for our family adventures. Its promise of easy setup and lightweight design was immediately appealing. Could this be the solution for stress-free travel sleep for our little one? Spoiler alert: it was! Even for someone like me, not particularly known for assembling things, folding and unfolding this crib was surprisingly intuitive, almost needing no instructions.
In this detailed review, I’ll share our experiences with the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light, from its initial unboxing and effortless setup to how it became a versatile play space for months at home. Keep reading to discover why this lightweight travel crib has become an essential item for our family travels and if it’s the right choice for you.
Women setting up the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib
BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light: Quick Overview
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is designed specifically for families on the go. Unlike standard, bulky travel cribs, this model folds down to a compact size, comparable to a large briefcase, making it exceptionally portable. For parents prioritizing their baby’s sleep comfort and safety while traveling, bringing a familiar travel crib like the BabyBjorn can be a much better option than relying on potentially less comfortable or less clean hotel cribs. If you’re seeking tips for hotel stays with a baby, check out our guide on hotel stays with infants.
Its slim, folded profile is a game-changer, especially for road trips. The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light fits neatly in car trunks, even when luggage space is tight. It’s ideal for children who have outgrown bassinets and are up to approximately 3 years old, or until they can climb out.
A key difference from the traditional Pack ‘n Play is the BabyBjorn’s mattress placement. It sits closer to the floor, enclosed by breathable mesh, providing excellent visibility of your child from any angle. This design is not only safer but also offers peace of mind.
The overall design is minimalist and sleek, featuring gently angled legs and slim support poles. Soft padding along the top edges ensures safety for standing toddlers, eliminating any sharp or hard surfaces within reach. Notably, there’s no upper weight limit for this travel crib; the primary safety guideline is to discontinue use once your child can climb out independently.
Important Reminder: The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is not intended for newborns as a bassinet alternative, nor is it suitable for toddlers or children capable of climbing out.
Women carrying the Baby Bjorn travel crib inside
Key Features of the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light
Let’s delve into the standout features that make the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light a favorite among traveling parents.
Lightweight and Compact Dimensions
When fully set up, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light measures a comfortable 32 x 44 x 24 inches. This size is perfectly balanced – spacious enough for your child to sleep and play comfortably, yet not so large that it dominates a room. We even used ours as a playpen in our living room for several months, finding it a convenient and unobtrusive addition to our home.
Weighing just 13 pounds, carrying case included, this travel crib lives up to its “Light” name. It’s the lightest travel crib we’ve owned, making it easy to transport. I felt completely comfortable asking my mom to help bring it to the car – a testament to its manageable weight.
The slim fold-down design significantly reduces the burden of bringing a travel crib along. Compared to the unwieldy Pack ‘n Play, the BabyBjorn is a breeze to carry and transport, making visits to family or friends for naps or overnight stays much less stressful.
An infant in the Baby Bjorn travel crib playing with toys
Effortless Foldability and Packability
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light truly shines in its ease of folding and packing. The process is straightforward and quick. First, remove the mattress and fold it in half – this folded mattress provides structure to the crib when packed in its carrying case.
Next, unhook and fold each of the four support poles, following the indicated arrow symbols for correct folding direction. Once the poles are folded towards the center, the entire crib frame can be folded in half. The frame then nests neatly within the folded mattress inside the carrying case. Finally, zip up the case, and the crib is ready for travel. The intuitive design means you’ll master the folding process in no time.
Women setting up the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib
Women setting up the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib
What’s Included
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light package includes everything you need to get started: the travel crib frame, a comfortable mattress, a fitted sheet, and a convenient carrying case. You also have the option to purchase additional fitted sheets separately for added convenience.
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Women setting up the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib
Machine Washable Fabrics
Hygiene is crucial, especially with baby gear. The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light addresses this with removable and machine-washable crib fabric. This feature is incredibly practical, particularly if you use the crib as a playpen, making clean-ups from spills or accidents easy and stress-free.
Baby Bjorn travel crib top cushion
High Safety Standards
Safety is paramount when it comes to baby products, and the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light meets stringent safety standards. It adheres to the EN 716 safety standard for domestic child sleep safety, as well as national fire safety requirements, ensuring peace of mind for parents.
BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light vs. Graco Pack ‘n Play
The most significant difference between the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light and the Graco Pack ‘n Play comes down to weight and portability. Preparing for a road trip, my husband jokingly (but seriously) advised me against even trying to lift our Pack ‘n Play due to its considerable weight.
He wasn’t wrong! The Pack ‘n Play is surprisingly heavy and bulky. Before owning the BabyBjorn, my husband would always carry our Pack ‘n Play, which weighs nearly 19 lbs and folds into a cumbersome shape.
In contrast, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is a full 6 pounds lighter, a difference you can definitely feel. Its folded shape is also much more manageable and user-friendly. I can easily lift and carry the BabyBjorn with just one hand.
The Pack ‘n Play’s awkward length makes it challenging to fit into car trunks. The BabyBjorn, when folded, is significantly more compact and trunk-friendly.
(Here’s a photo of our Pack ‘n Play set up at an Airbnb, before we upgraded to the BabyBjorn Crib)
Graco Pack n Play assembled on a hard wood floor
BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light vs. Guava Lotus Travel Crib
A more direct competitor to the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is the Guava Lotus Travel Crib. Both are mesh travel cribs featuring mattresses placed on the floor, with similar minimalist designs. The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light has a slight edge in weight, being a bit lighter than the Guava Crib, which weighs 15 lbs.
Baby Bjorn travel crib feet on a hard wood floor
Price-wise, the Guava Lotus is generally more affordable and often available on sale. However, their folded shapes differ. The BabyBjorn folds into a flatter, taller shape, while the Lotus becomes a more compact, cube-like backpack, designed for easy airport navigation.
Both cribs share a minimalist aesthetic with slanted poles and mesh sides, fold down easily, and are discreet travel companions.
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light’s flatter folded profile makes it ideal for road trips, especially when trunk space is limited. The Guava Lotus, with its backpack carry, might be better suited for air travel and navigating airports. For more on flying with a baby, explore our guide on air travel with infants.
Here’s a visual of our Guava travel crib packed in its case. For a deeper dive into the Guava crib, check out my comprehensive Guava Lotus Travel Crib review.
Is the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Worth the Investment?
For parents seeking a lightweight, machine-washable, and thoughtfully designed travel crib, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is undoubtedly worth considering. Its price reflects the brand’s commitment to creating a product that prioritizes portability and ease of use, evident in its 13-pound weight and slim, simple-to-fold design.
If you plan to grow your family and anticipate frequent travels, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is a worthwhile investment that will last through multiple children and countless trips. For occasional travelers, borrowing a crib might be an option, but for those who value convenience and hygiene, owning your own travel crib is a smart choice.
Consider using the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light as a “playpen” at home, as we did. Its easy foldability allows for quick storage when guests arrive, offering a temporary and stylish solution for containing a pre-crawling baby.
Where to Purchase the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light
While not universally stocked, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is available at select retailers, including BabyBjorn.com (our recommended source for the best selection and service).
Tips for Maximizing Your BabyBjorn Travel Crib
Here are some helpful tips to enhance your experience with the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light.
Flying with the BabyBjorn Crib
Typically, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light, when packed, cannot be carried on as hand luggage due to its size. It usually needs to be checked in as baggage at the check-in counter. The good news is that the mattress provides built-in protection for the frame during transit.
Update: Some parents have reported successfully carrying the Travel Crib Light onto planes and fitting it in overhead compartments. However, unless you are flying on a larger aircraft with spacious overhead bins, it’s best to plan to check it.
Easy to Move Around
Unlike the bulkier Graco Pack ‘n Play, the lightweight BabyBjorn Crib is incredibly easy to move around your home without collapsing it.
This portability is a significant advantage over heavier alternatives. My mom, who often hosts both my niece and our child, appreciates how easily she can move the BabyBjorn between rooms compared to her Pack ‘n Play.
Mastering the Folding Technique
While generally easy, packing the crib into its carrying case can feel snug initially. Like any travel crib, a little practice makes perfect. We found a few practice runs were helpful with both the Pack ‘n Play and the Guava Lotus Crib as well.
Cleaning Instructions
Accidents happen. The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is designed for easy cleaning. The mesh sides and mattress cover are removable and machine washable. The frame can be wiped down with baby-safe cleaning wipes.
The mattress cover can be washed in hot water. Remember to wash the included fitted sheet in warm water before first use!
Replacement Parts Availability
Should you need replacement parts for your Travel Crib Light, BabyBjorn.com offers individual components such as mattresses, extra fitted sheets, and even transport bags.
About the BabyBjorn Brand
BabyBjorn is a brand we came to appreciate starting with the BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Mini. Its user-friendly design and versatility made it a favorite for both my husband and me during our baby’s newborn phase. It was perfect for exploring places like Litchfield, Connecticut and the Catskill Mountains.
From months 1-6, the BabyBjorn baby bouncer was another essential – a top recommendation from our parent friends. Its quality and popularity made it ideal for visits to friends’ homes. We even considered bringing it on road trips with our baby.
Exploring the BabyBjorn range, we discovered their baby carriers, sleep products, kitchen items, and bathroom potties. BabyBjorn’s blog about baby travel is a great resource for parents navigating travel with little ones.
What we appreciate most about BabyBjorn is their focused product line. They specialize in parent-favorite bestsellers across key categories, avoiding an overwhelming product range and simplifying purchasing decisions.
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