If you've ever tried to navigate an airport with a baby, a stroller, a car seat, and a diaper bag (all while trying to find your boarding pass), you know that the right travel gear can make or break your trip. In this blog post, we'll review some of the gear that we've found to be absolutely essential on our family adventures, as well as a few items we wish we'd brought along. So buckle up, and let's dive in!
1. Stroller
We used UPPAbaby Cruz. This stroller has been a lifesaver on our travels, and here's why:
Pros:
- Large storage: This stroller can carry all your baby essentials and then some. It's like having a portable storage unit! We were able to fit our diaper bag, our son's backpack, and more, giving us a carry-free experience at Legoland.
- Rumble seat: The rumble seat can lie flat, providing a comfortable space for your baby to nap. With the addition of an insert, our baby slept like a dream during long walks. The seat can also be adjusted to different levels, allowing our baby to sit upright and enjoy the view when awake.
- Compatibility: The UPPAbaby Cruz is compatible with the UPPAbaby car seat, making transitions a breeze. We could easily switch between the car seat and the rumble seat based on our baby's needs.
Cons:
- Size: The large frame of the UPPAbaby Cruz can be a bit cumbersome to carry around, especially in crowded places. Taking it in and out of the car required some work, and it was a bit of a challenge to handle when boarding the plane.
- Handling: Opening and closing the stroller requires two hands, which can be tricky when you're juggling a baby and a diaper bag.
2. Baby Carrier
The Ergobaby Embrace Carrier is another must-have for traveling parents with a little infant.
Pros:
- Comfort: The Ergobaby Carrier is comfortable for both the baby and the parent, making it perfect for long walks or when navigating crowded places where a stroller might be impractical.
- Convenience: The carrier was particularly useful when going through customs. Our baby could sleep peacefully in the carrier while we had both hands free to handle other tasks.
3. Car Seat Bag
A car seat bag is an often-overlooked piece of gear that can make your travels much smoother.
Pros:
- Protection: The car seat bag protects your car seat from dirt and damage during travel.
- Extra storage: You can sneak in a few extra items into the car seat bag, like diapers or toys. We even used it to pack a bag of diapers at the last minute without having to open our luggage.
Cons:
- Extra item to carry: While it's not heavy, it is one more thing to keep track of during your travels.
4. Nursing Cover
Whether you're breastfeeding or not, a nursing cover can be a versatile addition to your travel gear.
Pros:
- Versatility: A nursing cover can serve multiple purposes. It can provide privacy for breastfeeding, double as a blanket or a sunshade, cover the stroller or car seat when your baby is sleeping, and shield your baby from crowds to help them fall asleep easier. We used the WeeSprout nursing cover, which is light, soft, and breathable.
- Value: While there are many stylish and expensive brands out there, we found that a $20 nursing cover like the WeeSprout offered great value for all its uses.
5. Backpack Diaper Bag
A backpack diaper bag is a practical and stylish option for carrying all your baby essentials.
They typically have plenty of pockets and compartments for organizing your items. We especially loved the well-layered compartments that kept wet and dry nappies, bottles, and diaper cloths separated. The side pockets were perfect for baby wipes and drinking bottles, and the enlarged insulated pockets kept the milk cold for a few hours.
What We Wish We'd Brought:
- UPPAbaby Bassinet: This would have provided an even more comfortable sleeping option for our baby. Most hotels provide pack and play cribs, but they are deep and inconvenient for getting the baby in and out. The bassinet could have been a more convenient option everywhere, especially at Airbnb locations where cribs aren't available. Plus, it's easy to plug into the Cruz frame and can replace the rumble seat for the baby to sleep when you're walking around.
- SlumberPod: This portable blackout tent would have made it easier for our baby to sleep in unfamiliar environments. We usually set up a dark place for our baby to nap at home, so the SlumberPod would have helped recreate that environment during our travels.
- Smaller Stroller (UPPAbaby Minu): A smaller, more compact stroller would have been easier to handle in crowded places and during transit. The Minu can be opened and closed with one hand and can even be brought onto the plane if the overhead cabin is big enough. It also has an adapter for use with a car seat or bassinet. However, it doesn't have a convertible seat and the seat doesn't provide much support for a 2-month-old baby. But for older babies with good head control, a more compact stroller like the Minu would definitely be a better choice.
Remember, every family and every trip is different. What works for us might not work for you, and vice versa. The key is to find the gear that makes your life easier and your travels smoother. After all, the journey is just as important as the destination, especially when you're traveling with a tiny human!
Stay tuned for more tips, tricks, and sanity savers in our next blog post. Until then, safe travels!