A Safe Haven for My Baby {Review of Bugaboo Stardust}

Now that the baby is six months old, has outgrown his bouncer, is an expert at flipping over, and is getting more active and adventurous, it has become a challenge for me to lay him down while ensuring his safety. Yet, as a stay-at-home mom who has three other kids to care for and endless chores to complete each day, it is just not feasible for me to be carrying him all day long.

Therefore, I was excited to review the Bugaboo Stardust, which is a multi-purpose portacot and play yard that comes in handy for my needs. With an understanding of how sleep and play are crucial to a child’s development, Bugaboo designed a portable cot to make naptime and playtime easier for both parents and baby. It can be a lifesaver for busy mums who are at home or on the go. Read on to find out more about how it has made my life easier in the past weeks and how baby Ansel has taken to it.

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SIX things we love about Bugaboo Stardust 

1) All-in-one design Bugaboo Stardust’s unique design means it stays in one piece. It requires no assembly, no special techniques - it simply pops up and is ready to go in 1 second. The mattress is built-in, so it folds back together in one simple movement in just 3 seconds, with no need to remove the mattress. Perfect for busy parents like me! 

2) Instant unfold Would you believe it if I told you this cot only takes 1 second to unfold and 3 seconds to fold? Yes, I found that truly amazing too. Inspired by satellite solar panels, the cot’s folding mechanism is designed with patented aerospace technology to fold and unfold nearly instantly. This design not only saves time, but also makes it quick and easy to use. All I have to do is to unfasten the press stud straps and pop the cot open. I tested it and it holds true - the cot opens in a second and takes just a couple more to fold back! What is better still is that I can even open it with one hand when I am carrying the baby (watch my video below), woohoo!
 
3) Portable Since it has a built-in mattress, there is no need to remove or insert it every time you use the cot. Weighing at 6.9kg, which is lighter than my baby, the Bugaboo Stardust is portable and convenient to carry around. It comes with a premium Velcro closing bag with a handle at the side, making it swift and easy to pack up and move. This means that the cot can follow my baby wherever he goes.
 
4) Adjustable This is something I am thankful for because it means less bending over! With two heights to choose from, the cot is baby-friendly and fits children up to three years of age. It comes with a zip-in baby bassinet which holds up to 9kg while the cot/play yard holds up to 15kg. To use the bassinet, unfasten the buttons for the base layer, take it up together with the mattress, zip up the bassinet and then place the mattress on top. The fact the bassinet has a considerable depth of up to 89cm is a huge relief because it means the baby will not easily flip and fall over.

5) Comfortable I was pleasantly surprised to see Ansel's smile when I first laid him down in the cot, too cute! Since the cot is made of durable, chemical-free and high-quality fabrics, it ensures maximum comfort for my baby. The breathable mesh also helps to ventilate and increase airflow while enabling me to keep an eye on him from a distance. In terms of the mattress, my preference would be for it to be thicker for even more added comfort.
6) Multi-purpose While my baby still co-sleeps with me on my bed, having this portacot can be handy in many ways. Although I do not advise for babies to sleep in this cot overnight, it is great for a quick nap and play time. These are some examples of the scenarios when I feel thankful to have our Bugaboo Stardust:  1) When I am busy with chores Trust me when I say it is really tiring to do the chores with a baby in hand. Take laundry for instance, I've done it a few times because he just wants to carried yet the work has to be done one way or another. Having the portacot set up beside me allows me to have my hands free to hang our clothes while keeping him in sight at all times. Actually, it's more of letting me in his sight too so that he feels more assured.
  2) When we go for a swim Previously, I used to hesitate about bringing the elder ones for a swim because the baby doesn't like to be in the water for too long and that means I will have to carry him once he is out. Thanks to the portacot, I can now bring it along if needed so that he has a station to rest and relax while the others continue with their swim.
 
3) When I wish to spend time with the siblings 
Having a new baby means I have less time for the other kids but it also means I need to try harder to make it happen. When it comes to bedtime reading with the 5-year-old, I like the idea of placing the baby in the cot for a little while so that I can have some one-on-one time with his elder brother. It helps to put some toys and teethers in the cot so that he is kept busy and happy.


4) When we go outdoor
 Since the cot is easy to unfold, pack and bring out, this makes it convenient for us to put it in the car when we go out. It helps to have a cot and play yard when we visit our parents, are out on a picnic or when we go for a staycation.


5) When we are home We try our best to stay home recently due to the pandemic but even so, the cot still comes in useful for us since I can easily move it around the house. For instance, I place it near my kitchen when I cook, move it to the living room when we are watching the news or to our bedroom when it is night time.
 In conclusion, I think that the Bugaboo Stardust is a great addition to our home and keeps both baby and I happy. In fact, I think the more time he gets to spend and play in it, the most accustomed he becomes and this can help to free up my hands when I need them. Our experience with it has been a positive one so far and I would recommend it to parents who are looking for a trustworthy brand and a useful portacot for their little ones.

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Watch the video below to find out more about how the cot works, whether the one-second theory holds true and how Ansel has been enjoying his time with it.