Sanity-Saving Devices For Traveling Mamas

Confession: I run a travel website, and even I find the thought of hitting the road with my ever-curious toddler, well, daunting.  Lucky for me, my job affords me the chance to put all sorts of purported Sanity-Saving devices to the test. Here’s my short list of Greatest Hits for soothing your little one to sleep when you're away from home:

The Gold Standard

The BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light has been my go-to travel crib for the past year. So handy dandy it can be assembled in less than 30 seconds (Yes – 30 seconds! Just call me MacGuyver-Mommy) it comes complete with a plush mattress sure to keep your tyke snug. For those parents looking for portability and comfort, nothing beats this puppy.

Go-Go Gadget Camping Crib

Then along came the GoCrib, the latest and greatest portable crib from the geniuses over at Guava Family. In one word: awesome. This 7-pound wonder folds into a lightweight backpack that easily slides into an overhead airplane compartment (take that, Airline check-in luggage fees!). Bonus: this bad boy morphs into a mini play center, with the sides zipping down to give your toddler a taste of freedom, and can be set up and broken down in less than five minutes.

Pack It Up Pretty

Relying on a rental crib from the hotel? Fret not about whatever er… deposits… any previous occupants might have left behind by making use of a removable, washable slipcover from CoverPlay. Simply slip the colorful cover over the provided play yard, creating insta-protection from gross-out germs. Or just book your stay at a family-friendly hotel chain like the Marriott where all the rental cribs come complete with CoverPlay slipcovers.

Go To Sleep Little Baby

Whoever coined the term “sleep like a baby” has obviously never traveled with an infant. Enter the Sleep Sheep from the “Baby Sleep Specialists” over at Cloud B. This genius little mother’s helper looks like your standard fuzzy stuffed lamb. But Little Miss Lamb is packing a secret: a sound machine broadcasting four calming sounds to soothe even the lightest sleepers to slumber. Strap it to almost anything, turn on the crashing waves or warbling whales, and your fussy little babe will be snoozing pretty in no time flat.

Pint-Sized Products

The gals over at 3floz must have some firsthand experience with the madness packing can produce in an over-scheduled mama. They recently launched a way-cool new baby section, featuring the best pint-sized (and TSA-approved) baby products like Little Twig Travel Basics Bee Calming Kit to turn bathtime into a soothing Spa-like lavender-scented prelude to Dream Land. Stock up and don't forget to tuck in a few extra additions for yourself.