Strollers, car seats, carriers, bibs, bottles and more. Whether it's just an overnight at grandma's house or a week-long summer vacay, babies require a heck of a lot of stuff. And try as you might to pair down, there are just some things you have to pack. First on the list? A portable, travel crib. Traditional pack-n-plays are heavy, and many are a pain to set-up. Baby Bjorn to the rescue!

With their Travel Crib Light, Baby Bjorn took the pack-n-play and made it lighter (only 11 lbs compared to the 25-35 lbs of traditional pack-n-plays), more compact (19'?³ x 24'?³ x 6'?³), and much easier to set-up and take down (no locking sides to battle with). The frame sets up in just ONE step (well, two if you count pushing the mattress down) and in about 30 seconds. The mattress is not bulky, but is plush enough to provide a comfortable cushion which is good since the mattress does rest directly on the floor.

The wider base keeps the Bjorn Travel Crib Light steady and sturdy despite being lightweight, and the mesh sides allow for easy airflow. The Travel Crib Light can be used from newborns up to about a 3-year-old depending on the size of your child (the mattress size is 24'?³ x 41'?³ x 4'?³). Bjorn also sells an organic cotton fitted sheet for the travel crib, but since the mattress cover and crib fabric are removable and machine-washable, you can get away with skipping the sheet. Currently the Bjorn Travel Crib Light is only available in two colors - silver and blue - with hopefully more colors to come?

You might not be able to cut down on the amount of gear you bring when traveling with your baby, but at least with Bjorn, you can make it lighter and simpler. Buy on Amazon for $279.

What's your favorite piece of gear for making traveling with baby easier?

Kate Bayless is a writer, editor, gear guru and mom of 3 boys. You can visit her www.katebayless.com and @katebayless.

Momtrends was not paid for this post. A sample was provided for this review.