Our little ones have been with us to France, Italy, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, South America, five Caribbean Islands, Hawaii, Australia, & on a road trip to California and the Grand Canyon. I’d say we’ve learned a few tricks of the trade. There have been so many improvements in kids' travel gear since our maiden voyage to Europe with our son when he was only 9 months old in 2017. Below find our favorite items to bring along to ensure you have an awesome time with baby (or kiddo) in tow.
1. Travel Stroller or Double Travel Stroller
Airport security will only allow a small, collapsible, and lightweight stroller (it cannot exceed 20lbs/9kgs). Anything over this must be checked at the ticket counter instead of the gate. Don’t risk having to run around with a bulky stroller only to have it rejected! You have enough on your hands, which is why we recommend the Summer Infant 3DLite Stroller. It’s our absolute favorite because it’s durable, comfortable, and only weighs 13lbs. It’s also not so precious that it can’t get a little beat up during travel; we wanted something resilient against maneuvering cobblestones and European buildings without elevators. Remarkably (and fairly easily), we hauled it up and down six flights of stairs each day in Paris.
Pro Tip: If you have older children (ages 5+) consider bringing along a double-seated stroller. You’ll be walking miles and miles in Europe and kids get tired easily. Give their little legs a rest and your sleepy tots will probably take a nap on the ride home.
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2. Travel Car Seat and Stroller Combo for Infants
This is a top seller for a reason. At only 16lbs, this Doona Car Seat/Stroller Combo is an all-in-one lifesaver. I nearly broke my back lugging my son’s car seat and stroller all over Paris. It was a nightmare and carrying multiple 20lb items is the bane of all parents’ existence. On top of that, you’ll be getting in and out of taxis all day with European drivers moving at light speed; it’s a chaotic mess! Learn from our mistakes and invest in this combo - It’s easy to install as a car seat, then easily pops out to become a stroller. It’s a breeze and honestly changed our quality of life while traveling; I only wish I had gotten it sooner. Best purchase ever.
Note: All airlines will check your car seat at the ticket counter free of charge.
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3. Travel Carseat for Toddlers and Little Kiddos
Car seats for toddlers are not to be underestimated. They’re hard to get in and out of a small rental car and almost impossible to lift when you’re juggling baby AND luggage at the same time (and don’t even think about trying to collapse it!) Spare yourself from lugging a 35lb+ car seat around Europe. This WAYB 8lb car seat is collapsible, so we use it on road trips, flights, taxis, ferries, etc. It holds children up to 50lbs and easily attaches to your backpack or slips onto the handle of your luggage. It’s the most manageable car seat we’ve found so far.
Pro Tip: A Car Seat Luggage Belt is an ultra-portable travel solution to work with what you already have. The strap allows you to attach your car seat to your suitcase. So in a matter of seconds, you have an effortless mode of getting your kids from airport to airport without having to push a heavy stroller around (plus all carry-on luggage). Works like a charm!
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4. Stroller Clips
Stroller Clips will come in handy on any adventure with kids. You can hang blankets over the stroller canopy for sun protection, hang diaper bags, baby toys, snacks, and basically any object to keep yourself hands-free. Parasol canopies can be really noisy and wake up your baby while they sleep. We love that we can clip lengthier blankets to our stroller and know our honeys are sleeping peacefully under the shaded cover. We use these constantly and they’re very resilient against wind.
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5. Woolino Sleep Sack
I love the Woolino sleep sack! It is 100% natural, made from premium soft Australian merino wool, has an organic cotton outer shell, and is machine-washable. It also can be used in all 4 seasons because it regulates the natural body temperature and is comfortable for baby from external temperatures as low as 60°F (16°C) to as high as 77°F (25°C).
It’s a great way to keep babies cozy on an airplane and ensure they feel safe during long travel days. It’s also helpful for unpredictable temperatures in hotels. It’s a bit expensive but also worth it since it replaces loose blankets you would otherwise need in the crib. We don’t have to travel with many blankets, which also keeps our luggage weight down.
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6. Baby Bjorn Travel Crib
This cozy little crib makes traveling with children easier than ever before. What I love about it is that my babies have a familiar, safe space in the middle of a new environment. Kids are easily overwhelmed and overstimulated by new places, people, and things. This BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light gives them a familiar home-away-from-home where they can rest easy and have a peaceful sleep or playtime. You can set it up and refold it in one step. With a soft mattress and lightweight design, we take it with us across Europe, and Airlines will allow you to check this for free because it’s a “baby item” (no additional checked bag fees). Ultimately, this item is a must.
Pro Tip: Before you travel, have your tot take a few naps using this travel crib and create a consistent routine around it. Your babies will come to perceive it as a place of solace. This at-home practice will be invaluable to them connecting with it in new and unfamiliar settings.
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7. Homeopathic First-Aid Kit
Allopathic medicine (over-the-counter meds and prescriptions) typically masks your little one’s symptoms but doesn’t aim to alleviate the root cause of the problem or heal the real issue.
We try to opt for the homeopathic approach to medicine because it is a natural and often botanical way to treat the underlying cause of conditions – aiming to get you off the medicine sooner rather than becoming reliant upon it. We love that these natural, safe, effective remedies don’t cause harmful side effects and are safe for children. Natural remedies actually stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself and boost your baby’s natural immunity. They have saved us repeatedly during teething, tummy aches, or sickness. I can’t recommend them enough.
- Natural Gas Relief – We have many Hyland baby products and love that they are formed with NO artificial flavors or dyes. They relieve the pains of gas, stomach pressure, burping, constipation and bloating, and restlessness.
- Echinacea Drops – We give our children these immune-boosting drops before any trip and they’ve yet to become sick while traveling. They taste like nature’s candy and can be given to children 6 months+. Crafted with wild echinacea flower, it provides natural health in a bioactive compound.
- Calming Tablets – As the name indicates, these tablets are wonderful for calming your little one and keeping them relaxed. For a baby that is restless, teething, or gets fussy and irritable while traveling – these are a lifesaver. They instantly reduce baby’s irritation so everyone can get back to sleep!
- Earache Relief – By age 3-5, nearly every toddler has had an ear infection and it is one of the most common reasons young parents go to the doctor. These all-natural drops are a must-have for parents; they will reduce symptoms like pain, irritability, fever, and sleeplessness, providing a safe application in the form of a dropper.
- Baby Vitamin C – Mary Ruth is one of our favorite brands because it’s organic and what you see is what you get – the only ingredient in this product is organic Vitamin C. It is an incredible immune booster, powerhouse antioxidant, and protects against free radicals. I start to give our children this a few days before we travel.
- Camilia Teething Relief – Prevent teething pain before it begins with these natural relief drops. We aim for homeopathic solutions that target the root cause of the pain instead of just masking the symptoms. These droppers also alleviate digestion issues related to teething, restoring peace for the entire family.
See more tips on traveling with babies in our guide on best baby travel gear ➜
