5 Must-Have Products for Traveling with Babies and Toddlers

Written by Oneika Raymond

Whether you’re a travel newbie or a seasoned voyageur, traveling with children can present its own set of challenges. From selecting kid-friendly destinations the little ones will enjoy, to ensuring they’re healthy and happy throughout the duration of your trip, planning a vacation that includes children is no small feat!

Traveling with kids can become even more challenging when babies and toddlers are in the mix, since their needs are so numerous, wide-ranging and specific in comparison to adults.  With all that said, there’s absolutely no need to panic – that is, as long as you’re prepared.

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Here’s a list of 5 must-have products for traveling with babies and toddlers that will greatly facilitate (and upgrade!) your getaway.

A Car Seat Stroller

Ditch the extra luggage and streamline your packing list by investing in the ultimate baby travel hack: a car seat that converts into a stroller with the click of a button. All the rage among travelers with small children, car seat-stroller combos are efficient, compact and lightweight.  Even better? Their petite size means that you can easily bring them on the plane, either as a carry-on or as a booster seat for your tot. This capability has the added benefit of allowing you to avoid checking bags so that you skip the dreaded luggage carousel. Perfect for parents on the go, you’ll love using this car seat and stroller combo, whether you’re away or at home.

A Portable Cloth Chair Harness

In a perfect world, every restaurant would have a high chair for parents’ use. However, the harsh reality is that securing one at meals is often hit or miss. For this reason, forewarned is forearmed; grab yourself something known as a portable cloth chair harness. This accessory is a travel essential you’ll use again and again, whether to feed your little one when you don’t have a high chair at your fingertips, or to comfortably keep them in place when sitting in a “big boy” or “big girl” chair. Because it’s cloth, there’s no need to worry about spills or messes after eating, since you can throw it in the washer and dryer or hand wash and hang dry when necessary!

A Baby Carrier

Baby carriers are the absolute best travel accessory for parents! Here’s why: not only does baby-wearing allow you to sightsee hands-free, your little ones will thoroughly enjoy being able to see the world from a higher vantage point (as opposed to being in a low-riding stroller).  The best baby carriers will be constructed of lightweight, breathable fabric, have sturdy straps that are adjustable, and will come with enough padding to keep your child comfortable.  Also make sure to get a carrier that has a collapsible hood that can protect your tot’s noggin from the sun or rain.

A Diaper Changing Pad

Frequent diaper changes are part and parcel of caring for a small child, and traveling guarantees the “call of diaper duty” is bound to take place in some interesting spots.  As such, being equipped with a good portable change pad is a must: look for one that is waterproof, folds up compactly and ideally has a handle so you can carry it around easily.  The best pads will also be durable, odor-proof, and soil and stain resistant.  If possible, a pad with a zipped pocket is also very helpful: in it you can store wipes, diaper creams and any other bits and bobs you may need for your baby.

A Baby Day Bag 

Whether you call it a day pack, diaper bag or baby tote, one thing is for certain: you will need a bag to carry all your baby’s paraphernalia while on your travel adventures. While the choices for totes can be somewhat overwhelming, the perfect baby bag for your vacation is one that is robust (because it’s bound to take a beating with all the exploring you’ll be doing) and comfortable (because if your trip is active you might wind up logging a number of hours with it in your hand/ on your back). Speaking of hands and backs, convertible diaper bags are very popular right now and with good reason: the added option to wear the bag as a backpack, crossbody or purse ensures you’ll be comfortable no matter what your travels throw at you.