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Before having kids, my husband and I were lucky to travel often. So, after we welcomed our son in 2018, we were keen to have him tag along. And while we certainly have adorable photos and incredible memories from places like Portugal and St. Bart’s, traveling with a little one is not the easiest.
There are long days, cramped spaces, and time zone changes that can make hitting the road as a family miserable sometimes. But over the 19 months of traveling with our now energetic toddler, we’ve learned some tips and tricks to make the experience more enjoyable. In particular, the helpful gear. Here’s what you should consider buying before your next trip with a tot.
Courtesy Amazon
Slumberpod
This one product hands down changed the way I traveled. Basically, it’s a fold-up blackout tent that fits over any travel crib, which is incredibly helpful for several reasons. First, if you are sharing a room with your child, it allows you to have some level of privacy. You can watch TV quietly after the baby goes to sleep and they won’t be startled in the middle of the night in a new environment. Plus, it allows you to control the time. If it’s nap time and still light out, the tent makes it so your little one stays on schedule. I swear my son has slept better on vacation because of this tent.
There are a ton of travel strollers on the market, each with positive attributes (lightweight, compact, inexpensive, durable, etc.). I’ve tried a couple and find the UPPAbaby MINU to be my favorite. Why? Well, since it’s a higher-end brand, it rolls and maneuvers like your everyday stroller. This is particularly helpful in destinations with cobblestone streets or rougher terrain. Next, it lays almost entirely flat, making naps on the go a breeze. Then it has a large canopy with a pop-out UPF 50+ rated canopy (perfect for sunnier spots), large basket, additional storage pocket, and a one-handed fold feature. And all of this weighs just 14.8 pounds.
It’s often advised that young children sleep with white noise to avoid middle-of-the-night wakeups. And on the road, it’s especially important. Hotels can often be noisy with strangers for neighbors and loud air conditioners. Having a constant, calming noise keeps our son asleep longer. That’s why we always travel with the Adaptive Sound Technologies Lectrofan Micro2 Sleep Sound Machine & Bluetooth Speaker. It’s super tiny, stays on throughout the night, and has multiple sound options. We’ve even used it on long car rides and when visiting in-laws. It’s life-saving.
It’s incredible how quickly things get disorganized with a child around. For my sanity, I try to make sure everything has a place, so we don’t leave a toy or bib behind. To do that, I rely on the packing cubes from Away Travel. Each member of the family has his or her own cube making for an organized suitcase. When we arrive at a destination, we know where everything is and don’t have to go digging. Less mess equals less stress.
If you’re on the road, you can’t always guarantee there will be a high chair. But you certainly aren’t going to lug one around with you. Luckily, the geniuses at Bombol created a pop-up booster seat that allows you to turn anywhere into a comfortable dining space. It fits on almost all adult chairs, provides a safe and comfortable place for your little one, and then folds up to the size of a book.
You would never even know this backpack was a diaper bag. The sleek carryall has storage and pockets for diapers, clothes, and toys with attached pouches for things like snacks. Plus, there are extra hooks to keep pacifiers and your keys easily reachable. There’s even an extra zipper to access wipes without opening your bag, and it comes with a changing pad. Best of all, it has a built-in laptop sleeve and comes with clips to attach to any stroller. You’ll want to use the bag even when you’re not with the baby.
When your child is small enough to still fit in a carrier, it can be one of the best ways to travel. You have your hands free and can tackle some terrain where a stroller might not work. We rely on the BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier One since it’s super comfortable, lightweight, made from a breathable material, and can be worn in four different carrying positions.
This was a newer purchase for us. Up until about 18 months, we couldn’t distract our son with TV or an iPad on a plane. Now, he shows some interest, and it can keep him quiet for an hour or so (godsend on a long flight!). But, we wanted to be sure his ears were protected. So, after several recommendations, we purchased the LilGadgets Kids Headphones. It limits the sound level, reduces outside noise, and fits comfortably on their little heads.
Whether it was breastmilk or snacks, I’ve always needed a reason to keep particular food and beverage items fresh. So, we never travel without an insulated cooler lunch bag. It’s small enough that it doesn’t add a ton of bulk to your carry-ons but will help in a pinch when your tot is hungry and a plane is delayed. Opt for one that has drink/bottle holders to prevent any spills. We’ve prepped full meals thanks to this simple tote.
