Travel Writer Approved …

Baby Gear

When it come to baby gear, my approach is always “less is more.” Remember, most of the time you can buy items in your destination and you can always rent the big items from BabyQuip.com or BabysAway.com. That being said, here are some pieces I have loved traveling with when I was traveling with my babies.

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Nite Ize Carabiners

I used to write a lot of adventure travel, so I always had carabiners on hand. I found out how useful they are when I had my first child. This little tool is the extra hand I need while traveling with kids. I clip my water bottle to my backpack, or my backpack to my suitcase, or even my kids jackets to mine. I always travel with at least three.

Doona Car Seat & Stroller

My mom used to joke that it was cheating to use this stroller/car seat combo, and I’m happy to say, she was right, and I take no shame in cheating the baby gear game with this genius stroller! The Doona goes from car seat (that can easily buckle into taxis, Ubers, etc.) to stroller with the push of one button. Saved my back and saved me from bringing extra equipment.

Clip-On Sound Machine

I love this sound machine for its compact size and natural sounds. Some sound machines sound tinny or synthetic, but this is a sound I can actually sleep to as well as one my kids can’t resist.

Solly Baby Wrap

After testing out many baby wearing devices, this was my favorite. The fabric was breathable and soft, and it was so easy to travel with when I was baby wearing. Worked as a breast feeding cover up as well, and then just stored in my backpack easily when I wasn’t using it.

BEABA Wellington Diaper Bag Backpack

This French brand has been my go-to diaper backpack. I love that it opens wide enough to not have to search for items when I need them quickly. It also comes with a changing pad and can fit my laptop plus everything I need for my kids.

Clip on Sensory Toy

I love clip-on toys for traveling because it makes it really hard for them to get lost or thrown out a window. This little sensory toy made it through both of my kids and was an absolute favorite. I clipped this to the shade cover of my Doona stroller and both of them loved to play with it while I was checking in for flights or anytime my attention needed to be diverted from them during travel.

Onesie with Built-In Reversible Mittens

When I travel with my babies, I don’t want them touching anything, because I know those fingers are going to go straight into their mouths. These onesies were my travel outfits for both kids, because they have built in mittens that just fold over their hands. The beauty of these built-in mittens is you can’t lose them (I’ve lost many baby mittens and got over it, so bought these instead). The zipper goes both ways, too, so it’s easy for quick diaper changes.

Medela Mini Cooler

I used this mini cooler to carry milk when I was breast feeding, but then transitioned to using it for snacks and sandwiches when my kids got older. It is so lightweight that I often just clipped it to my backpack with a carabiner. It condenses for storage when not in use.

Mini Ice Pack

I like these ice packs because they’re so thin. Often in-room freezers are tiny, so space is limited for keeping ice packs frozen for the return trip home. These have always made it through TSA for me since I bring them fully frozen.

Busy Board

I was skeptical on this felt board for travel (i.e., there are many pieces to lose), but my kids love this so much that it made the cut. It also teaches fine motor skills, which is how I justify all the little felt pieces that I have to keep track of while traveling. Strangely worth it though.

Uninflated Balloons

An uninflated balloon takes up nearly zero space in your bag, but it’s such an easy source of entertainment for your kids while traveling. I toss a few in every purse/backpack/etc. that I bring, and pull one out in hotel rooms or parks for impromptu games of “keep it in the air” or for drawing silly faces.

Lansinoh Baby Bottles

These weren’t just my favorite bottles for breastmilk and formula, but I also used them as storage when I bought the accompanying screw caps. I often put powdered peanut butter in them for instant peanut butter while traveling or used them as snack cups in a pinch.

Zoku Travel Straw

Plastic straws aren’t great for the environment, and paper straws are just the worst … but sometimes a straw is very necessary for cup-users-in-training. I have had this in my diaper bag since the beginning, and I can’t tell you how many times it’s saved me when a restaurant served my baby a glass of water and I didn’t want to deal with spills. Comes with a cleaning brush that’s easy to use in a hotel sink.

Camping Spork

I like to travel with oatmeal just in case my kids don’t end up eating much at dinner; that way I have a back up I can make quickly in the room so they don’t wake up hungry (but also, so they don’t wake ME up hungry, lol). A camping spork is my go-to in-room utensil and fail safe for dining out.

Pouch for “Emergency” Clothes/Underwear

Extra underwear and clothing is essential for your kids and for you, but you don’t want those extras beneath the plane if something happens in flight. I keep this pouch filled with backup underwear and a t-shirt for everyone on the reservation when I travel.

Lysol Wipes or Hypoallergenic Wipes

You don’t need tray table covers or placemats while traveling. You just need a good wipe that can clean the surface enough for your kids to safely touch. These wipes are packable and so easy to use in so many situations. I like the scent of the hypoallergenic wipes better, personally, but both options can do the trick.

Baby Beanies

Travel days are a mix of air conditioning and sunshine, and these little beanies are great for protecting your baby’s little head from both. I love the weight of them, and I love that they come in a six pack … just in case one gets lost.

Gate Check Bag

This universal gate check bag folds into itself, and I just clip it on my backpack with a carabiner and unfold it at the gate to protect my Doona stroller when I gate checked it. This was worthy every penny and it was the one piece of gear that I knew was saving me money by protecting my stroller from damage and from the elements so it was always usable as soon as I unwrapped it from the bag.