Kiki & Ollie
We traveled 7 countries and flew nearly 30 flights with our little one (before he turned 2)! This list includes my absolute favorite travel products for babies and toddlers!
Favorite Product: Slumberpod
Age of First Flight: 3 Months
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You might be reading this post because you’re in the midst of planning your first big trip with your baby or toddler! I had personally traveled to over 70 countries before becoming a mama, but when Oliver came, I was too scared to even leave the house with him for 6 WEEKS, let alone book a flight.
Traveling with a little one for the first time is daunting—even for the most seasoned travelers.
We eventually took that first trip with Oliver when he was three months old. We seriously overpacked—and you likely will, too! That first trip gave us the courage and confidence to continue traveling as a family—and I’m confident it will do the same for you!
We have since traveled 7 countries and flown nearly 30 flights with our little one (before he turned 2)! This list includes my absolute favorite travel products for babies and toddlers!
You’ll find your groove as a family, and learn what items are absolute travel essentials for your own little one. I’m sharing my go-to items to bring on every trip—from toddler travel beds to travel strollers.
Here are the best travel products for babies and toddlers!
Our Favorite Travel Strollers
I will eventually write an entire blog post comparing all of the travel strollers we tested because there’s a lot to consider when dubbing a single stroller the “best” for travel. After taking them on tons of trips, I’ve narrowed it down to my top two travel strollers—each with pros and things to consider!
Metro+ Deluxe
ERGOBABY
This is my personal favorite travel stroller! It’s great for tall parents, lies completely flat for napping on the go, folds into a hand luggage-compliant size, and is sturdy while still being lightweight.
PROS:
Less expensive than most travel strollers. High-quality materials. Super durable—handled 6 weeks of cobblestone streets in Europe like a champ. Built-in newborn nest (no add-on bassinet needed). Adjustable tall handlebar for parents. Completely lie-flat seat for naps.
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
Not the lightest option at 18 lbs. It is not a great option if you need to use it with an infant car seat — you have to remove the entire stroller seat, so you can’t use the stroller seat and car seat interchangeably. Not a one-hand open and close.
YOYO²
TRAVEL STROLLER
The YOYO² is my favorite travel stroller if you want the lightest possible option and money isn’t an object. It can be used from newborn to toddler. The YOYO² stroller folds and unfolds in a moment and can be worn over the shoulder. It folds to cabin baggage dimensions, even with its newborn pack.
PROS:
Newborn to toddler design (with add-ons), folds to cabin baggage dimensions, includes padded strap and can be worn over the shoulder, only 13.6 lbs (14.5 lbs with newborn pack), can be used with car seats using an adapter.
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
It’s pricey. The newborn set and accessories are sold separately. It doesn’t include a footrest (sold separately), which is, in my opinion, an essential feature. The handlebar is non-adjustable.
My Thoughts on the Doona Stroller
I was considering the Doona Stroller in my roundup because so many people love it. However, based on my own experience, it wasn’t the right fit for our family. I think it’s better as an at-home stroller for on-the-go families rather than a travel stroller. It’s not only quite heavy, but it is generally not recommended to keep your baby in a car seat for more than 2 hours for safety reasons.
Flyaway Kids Bed
FLYAWAY DESIGNS
This is genius! Imagine a stress-free flight with your little one. The Flyaway Kids Bed creates a comfortable place for them to sleep and play on planes. It inflates in 90 seconds and deflates in an instant. It can be wiped clean and fits into a handy carry bag.
Travel Bundle Bedbox & Crew Backpack
STOKKE
This is the coolest! This bundle includes 2 travel essentials in one box: a “BedBox” and the cutest backpack. The BedBox essentially turns an economy seat into a first-class seat (so cozy!), and the Crew BackPack expands for travels big and small.
OMNI 360 Mesh Carrier
ERGOBABY
Whether you’re doing contact naps or getting in some major steps exploring a foreign city, you’ll need easy baby transportation. This is my go-to carrier for trips—it’s super comfortable and supportive for little ones. Forward or inward facing — from birth to 45 lbs.
Alta Hip Carrier
ERGOBABY
I love the Alta Hip Seat for older babies & toddlers! It has a detachable panel with padded shoulder straps, so it can be used as a hands-free baby carrier if your little one still likes contact naps or facing forward. It has a side pocket for keys and phones and is made from breathable mesh to keep you both cool.
There are COUNTLESS baby carriers on the market and I’ve tried just about all of them. Oliver exclusively contact napped until he was about 6 months old so we tested a LOT. I liked the Artipoppe (not GREAT forward facing—from birth to 45 lbs), Lalabu Simple Wrap (inward facing only—from 13 lbs to 28 lbs), and Sakura Scout (inward facing only—from birth to 45 lbs) carriers, but preferred them for every day use at home vs while traveling.
The Best Toys for Travel
There are quite a few things to consider when packing travel toys:
- Is it hard to access easily from your carry-on?
- Do they come with a lot of loose parts?
- Is it messy?
- Can it be overstimulating?
- Does it run out of electrical charge quickly?
If you answered “yes” to any of these, they’re probably not the greatest travel toys.
Below are my favorite travel toys for toddlers (many of these work well for babies and young children, too!). These have worked for us on countless flights and road trips around the world.
The Best Travel-Friendly Toys for Toddlers
Travel Products for Feeding Babies
Portable Bottle Warmer
THE BABY’S BREW
Heat up a baby bottle on the go isn’t always easy, so I love that this is a cordless, battery-operated device. It has adapters that work with different brands of bottles. You can heat water for formula or breast milk in a bottle from anywhere, and even adjust the temperature. It’s an absolute essential for at home and travel!
Travel Baby Bottle Drying Rack
TERMICHY
This travel bottle drying rack is small but has enough space for many baby bottles, nipples, pacifiers, and pump parts!
Steam Sterilizer Bags
DR. BROWNS
These are essential on every trip with a baby! You do need a microwave, but most hotels can provide access to one, and some will even put one in your hotel room.
Wearable Breast Pump
WILLOW
If you are pumping, the Willow is a great option for someone who is frequently on the go. It is completely wireless and super portable. Willow can go with you anywhere, and you can pump directly into a bag to store or freeze, or into a pourable container to use straight away.
My Favorite Snacks & Containers for Travel
I’ve discovered a few tried-and-true snacks and accessories that have saved me from tantrums and tears on countless adventures. These are some of the best travel-friendly snack essentials for toddlers, and they’ll make your next road trip or flight a breeze!
Toddler-Approved Snacks for Your Next Flight
The Best Sleep Products for Travel
Sleep interruption while traveling with a baby or toddler is one of the bigger hurdles. That’s why these sleep products have been absolutely essential for our travels!
If you want to ensure good sleep on-the-go, these are my favorite products. They work just anywhere and are suitable for any trip.
Lotus Crib & Bassinet
GUAVA
This convertible travel crib can be used as a crib or bassinet. It folds up small enough to fit in a backpack and only weighs 15 pounds so it can even be carried on your flight as a carry-on.
I typically only bring a pack-and-play on domestic trips. Some items are absolutely essential to bring on every trip. But I don’t think a crib is. Book accommodation with a crib whenever you need to fly to your destination, or on trips where you’re moving around a lot! This will seriously Iighten your load!
Privacy Canopy
SLUMBERPOD
Perfect for little ones and toddlers, this blackout privacy pod allows your babe to get a good night’s sleep anywhere (day or night). Its bottomless design is made to fit over a travel crib, mini crib, or some toddler cots.
Discount Code: THEBLONDEABROAD
Inflatable Toddler Bed
SLUMBERTOT
This inflatable toddler air mattress is perfect for ages 2-6! Designed to fit perfectly inside the SlumberPod, or on its own, SlumberTot is the perfect sidekick for travel, at-home movie nights, or sleepovers at Grandma’s.
Discount Code: THEBLONDEABROAD
Portable White Noise Travel Sound Machine
DREAMEGG
We have used a white noise machine from day one and still use it for every nap and at bedtime. I love that you can use this travel-sized version at home or on the go—it also doubles as a nightlight.
Baby Monitor
ANMEATE
I bring this video monitor on every vacation. It’s basic and inexpensive, works without Wi-Fi, and has decent range so the baby can sleep while you move from room to room.
The Best Car Seats & Accessories for Travel
Universal Baby Car Seat Sun & Sleep Cover
SNOOZESHADE STORE
Keep your little one safe from the sun. This infant car seat cover makes it easy to protect babies from 99% of UV. It’s also great for protecting from wind, drizzle, chill, and bright lights.
Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat
COSCO
Most infant car seats are FAA-approved, so you can bring them on a flight. Once they need a convertible car seat, I recommend the Scenera NEXT—cheap, lightweight, and FAA-approved.
Portable Fan
AMACOOL
I use this everywhere—I even brought it in my hospital bag when Ollie was born! It has bendy legs and rotates to fit almost anywhere (like a stroller, car seat, or crib).
The Best Diaper Bag & Accessories for Travel
The Ultimate Diaper Backpack
BEIS
I love how BEIS paired functionality with a stylish aesthetic! We opted for the ultimate diaper pack because it’s a bit bigger. It has a removable fanny pack for when you don’t want to bring the whole bag and a built-in changing pad.
Disposable Changing Pads
PEEK A POO
I try to limit our use of single-use items, but disposable changing pads are a must when traveling. In cities like NYC and many parts of Europe, for example, changing tables aren’t often available, so you’ll have to make a plan wherever you can.
Portable UV Sterilizer
MUNCHKIN
Babies throw their pacifiers onto the ground all the time. This UV sanitizer sanitizes in 60 seconds! It has a rechargeable battery that can last over 100 uses on a full charge. It also comes on a key chain to keep it handy in your diaper bag. NOTE: You cannot use UV on natural rubber, but it’s fine for silicone pacifiers.
The Best Luggage for Toddlers & Kids
The Mini Roller
BEIS
I LOVE this adorable rolling suitcase for kids. It comes in two colors and has a front pocket for storing snacks, books, or low-profile toys.
See-Ya Suitcase
OLLI ELLA
This may just be the cutest suitcase, EVER! Elli Ella’s kid-size luggage comes in a variety of colors (they even have a floral print). It has a retractable handle and a built-in elastic band, so your little one’s favorite plush toy can come along for the ride.
