THIS CRIB IS AMAZING! I know that it is soooo difficult to take another person's word for it, but trust me - you won't be disappointed! I was really apprehensive about spending so much money on a travel crib. We are currently living on student loan money, so I actually used birthday money to purchase this...it is the best birthday money I have EVER spent! I did so much research on travel cribs because I want to get my money's worth. We didn't want our pack n play anymore because we are adding to our family this year and will have three kids now - the pack n play takes up WAY too much room in the trunk, so I wanted something smaller. Plus, the pack n play is ridiculous with it's cardboard mattress and bar right in the middle of their back. Here's why you need this crib:
Weight, Size & Mattress:
When they say light - they mean it! It is so easy to lift and carry, which is a big deal because I'm pregnant and on the wimpy side. The pack n play is near impossible for me to get around. Also, the way in which it folds up is amazing! It fits into a brief-case shaped bag which is VERY durable and strong and fits much more easily when trying to pack for a trip. One of my favorite things is the mattress! It is so comfortable! It is actually soft (not too soft for newborns though). Definitely beats ANY pack n play mattress 100 to 1. By the way - I looked everywhere to find out if they sold sheets that fit the mattress because it is not the same size as a pack n play. When I called Baby Swede, they said that any standard crib sheet would fit. You could even just line it with a blanket if you wanted to. They should sell you a secondary mattress cover in case you need to switch them in the middle of the night, but you can probably get an extra one from the manufacturer. Another thing about the mattress size - it is 4" longer than a pack n play and only 1" shorter in width. Since your children grow length wise, this is ideal! My daughter is only two and already practically hits both ends in the pack n play...and she's petite.
Set up & Take Down:
I know it sounds crazy, but the ease of use with this crib is what you will fall in love with! I know that all of you have struggled with your pack n plays in the past (or maybe a friend's crib) in trying to figure out if you have to push the center down first - no! lock the rails first - no! arghh! Here's what you do with this: take it out of the bag; unfold it (it will be folded in half); then simply turn it over and watch the legs and everything else just fall into place! Simply insert the mattress. It is so light, you do it all while standing up - no more back aches from bending over and reaching to lock rails and push down buttons. I had watched the video online so many times, I didn't even have to read the instructions to figure it out. It literally took me 10 seconds to get it up. As if that wasn't great enough! For take down all you do is turn the crib over (after removing the mattress) and pull each leg out and fold it in towards the center. Then you simply fold the crib in half and you're done. This took me 30 seconds. No kidding!
Stability:
This was what I was MOST skeptical about. How on earth could something so light be sturdy enough? Baby Bjorn tested this specifically for stability. My 2 year old toddler cannot tip it over when standing inside the crib and she can't even tip it over from the outside when it's completely empty (let alone if there is another child on the inside). The tapered shape of it is what gives it such strength. You will NOT believe your eyes!
Comparison:
The only other crib that is this type of style is the Phil & Teds travel crib. DO NOT BUY IT! It IS $100 cheaper (which really drew my attention), BUT it does not even compare! It is meant for outside play such as the beach or park. Read the reviews - it has steaks to drive into the corners...does your house have sand floors?Because of this, it is completely unstable on solid ground (like hotel rooms). It is flimsy and is easily tipped over from inside and out. If you need something for a lot of travel (or even a little) - the Baby Bjorn is the one you want. There is a reason that it costs more - and it's worth it! By far, the BEST baby purchase I have ever made!
Where to buy:
I researched this long and hard when I decided to go with it. Ebay RARELY has them listed, and when they are, they're no cheaper. I did find it for $229 and up, however any place that had it a little cheaper did not have it in stock (it's out everywhere!). BUT strollerdepot.com has them in stock and they ship immediately (I paid $245 - no tax). PLUS - they have FREE SHIPPING! Mine only took two days to get here (Utah to California) You really can't beat that. They also had the best return policy. 30 days and you can return it, you just have to pay shipping and a 10% re-stocking fee...trust me, you won't return it. Here's the link:
http://www.strollerdepot.com/search/result.php
I hope this helps make your decision easier. I really did a lot of research on this and wanted to share it with everyone. I know it's a big purchase, but it IS an item that will be used over and over again...about as much as a stroller for us. And that's about what we paid for a stroller. You'll love it!
Here is a link to YouTube which shows this crib in action and reviewed by a REAL dad!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_8RFa0SuUrc
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BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib LightProduct Description: The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is a versatile, stylish and attractive solution for parents on the go. From birth until toddlerhood, the Travel Crib Light will provide your baby with a snug and safe place to sleep while you're on the road. Aside from it's attractive and trendy styling, BabyBjorn recognized that parents always need extra hands, so they designed the Travel Crib light so it folds compactly and unfolds with a single movement. You can set up the Travel Crib in record time, in one easy movement. It even comes with its own carrying case for ultimate portability! Weighing in at only 11 pounds, BabyBjorn's travel crib is light and easy to carry. Its made of soft fabric, so its cozy and cuddly. For hygiene and convenience, both the mattress cover and the bed fabric can be machine-washed. The mattress cover and all fabric parts that come into contact with your child have been approved in accordance with the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, class 1, eco-certification. Perfect for newborns up to around three years old.
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We wanted something girly but not completly pink. The gingham print is so cute and you can accent with purples, yellows, greens, or pink. We painted the room a sagey green color before we found out the sex and then when we found out it was a girl and we found this bedding set and it was perfect! We also wanted a lamp she could grow into so we bought a white lamp base and a pink shade with white ribbon. What I like most is when you need to wash the sheets you can put on any colored sheet and it still matches. I also loved that when you wash it, it softens up right away.
