Traveling with a baby can present its challenges, but it is manageable – particularly if you have all the right gear. Just what types of items are useful to have? This post lists a few handy accessories that every parent traveling with an infant should consider.
7 Items for Traveling with a Baby
Diaper bag
This is something that you may already own. When it comes to taking diapers, wipes, bottles, and other baby essentials with you, you must have a bag. The best diaper bags have lots of different pouches and compartments and are easy to clean (in case something spills in them).
Most of these bags are fairly neutral in design, but you can find some tropical and beach-themed bags online, which could be fun for a vacation in the sun. A waterproof diaper bag could be particularly handy for use at the beach/around a pool when traveling with your child.
Car seat
Traveling with a baby in the car? You will need a car seat – and it’s likely you already own one. But should you invest in a better car seat? Not all car seats are created equally, and while all of them do have to meet minimum safety standards, some are more comfortable and generally better suited for long drives.
This could be something to consider if your little one is going to be spending a lot of time in the car. Just remember that no matter what car seat you are using, it is important to take regular breaks and let your little one out of the car seat – most manufacturers recommend that babies shouldn’t be left in a car seat for any more than 2 hours at a time.
Lightweight stroller
While some of the most comfortable and durable prams are generally the biggest and bulkiest, these are not the types of pram you want to be taking on your travels. Instead, you ideally want a lightweight stroller that is fully collapsible. Such a stroller is easier to lug around and will fit more easily in a car or on a coach.
You’ll find lots of strollers online that are designed for travel. Make sure to read reviews to make sure that the stroller you buy is still fairly durable and easy to steer – some strollers are light and compact, but this can come at the expense of being flimsy and hard to push.
Travel crib
Where will your baby sleep while you travel? While some hotels have cribs, not all accommodation provides such facilities, and those that do may not always provide a good quality crib.
Taking a travel crib can ensure that your little one has their own space to sleep so that they’re not sharing the bed with you. It’s worth taking the time to compare different travel cribs.
These travel crib health and safety tips could also be worth reading. It is one of the most important items when traveling with a baby.
Baby carrier
There are times when a baby carrier can be a much better option than a stroller (such as when going on a hike or going somewhere with lots of stairs). Baby carriers come in several forms. The most basic option is the baby sling, which involves wrapping fabric around you to hold the baby in place.
The second option is a front-facing baby carrier, in which the baby sits at the front of your body. Then there are backpack baby carriers in which the baby sits at the back (generally better for hiking). Decide which option is best for you and your baby.
Portable sterilizer
Portable sterilizers can help to keep bottles or pacifiers sterilized on the go. They are a much more practical option than bringing a bulky plug-in sterilizer (especially if you’re going camping and don’t have ready access to electricity).
Some of these work by using a sterilizing tablet, while more modern options use UV light. Traditional options typically don’t need to be charged up or need batteries, however, UV sterilizers can be more convenient to use as you only have to push a button.
Last Item for Traveling with a Baby
Tablet
Finally, it could be worth bringing a tablet. While some moms and dads are against putting their babies in front of screens to occupy them, there are times it can come in use when traveling (such as on a long-haul flight).
Tablets can be particularly good at occupying toddlers as you can play their favorite movies/TV shows and download games onto them. But of course, there are other ways to occupy a toddler while traveling if you don’t want to bring a tablet.
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