Some of my favorite finds
From stormy nights in a tent to roadside hotels with guests who probably want to sleep without a baby screaming next door, I've had my share of adventures while traveling with babies.
Sometimes I was grateful for the gear we had.
Other times, I immediately looked for a solution when we returned home.
The list below shows a few options for portable high chairs, utensils, baby carriers, hearing protection and more.
Traveling with a baby doesn't have to be hard.
Every baby-- and every family-- is different. So is every trip.
What equipment is right for your next adventure?
Portable diaper bag and travel bassinet
I LOVE this diaper bag that opens into a travel bassinet. It provides some storage for essentials while offering a safe, clean spot to put your baby.
Unlike some baby bags, this one is somehow both trendy and classic at once. I love the simple gray look and compact style.
There are similar options, but this is one of the cheaper ones that is still a solid, well-rated product.
It has thermal pockets for bottles as well as a USB charging port so you can stick a power bank in the bag and charge your phone while you use it.
This one is similar but is a pretty gray and pink.
Baby carrier
Baby carriers are a compact, lightweight choice for when strollers simply aren't an option.
Sometimes when you're traveling, there is simply no room to pack a stroller. I enjoy multiple brands of baby carriers, but the LILLEbaby is one of my favorites.
I love the thick, padded shoulder straps, the pockets and the removeable hood.
It's also made from recycled ripstop fabric, so you're giving new life to old materials.
Portable changing pad
Portable changing pads are helpful for changing babies in a carseat, during a picnic, inside or wherever you happen to be.
I like changing pads that are small and slim enough to fit into a diaper bag or in a car seat organizer.
Carseat airport backpack bag
This bag is designed to fit most carseats. If you're in a situation where you'll need to carry your carseat into an airport, this can make it easier to haul.
You can wear it like a backpack or pull it along on its wheels.
The bag is meant to fit a range of carseats, but you can check their guide to make sure it'll work for your carseat model before purchasing it. The bag has an ID card in a pocket to make it easier to know which one is yours.
You could even clip a bright luggage tag to it for it to be even more visible and easily identifiable.
Baby headphone hearing protection
Special headphones are a great way to help your child calm down and to protect their hearing.
You can use them at fairs, parades, for fireworks, on airplanes, when they can hear loud equipment or during loud family gatherings.
These come in a few different color options and have soft padding to make them more comfortable for your baby.
Your child might take some time to adjust to them, but once they do, these headphones can work wonders.
Refillable wipe dispenser
If you're working to reduce your plastic consumption and costs, try using a refillable wipe dispenser.
These are great when you're out and need wipes. They're small enough to keep in a diaper bag.
Instead of buying a lot of small individual packs of wipes, you can buy large bulk packs as refills for these.
They come in several patterns and colors, and many have clips to make them easy to hang from a bag or stroller handle.
Snack cup
Instead of buying expensive, plastic-heavy individual snack packs, try these.
Many snack cups I've seen are fully plastic. This one is nice since it has a stainless steel body and a plastic lid with handles.
If you really need to save as much space as possible in your cooler or diaper bag, these collapsible silicone snack cups are a good option.
They have a handle and come in a wide range of colors, making it easy to tell which cup belongs to which kid.
They collapse down nearly flat.
Collapsible baby bathtub
A collapsible baby bathtub is perfect for camping, hotel stays or visiting family.
It can be difficult and nerve-wracking giving babies a bath in a regular-size tub, and not everyone wants to use someone's sink to wash their baby in while traveling.
This tub pops up to give you plenty of space to bathe your baby, then collapses down small enough to tuck beside your bags in the car.
When you're not using the tub for your baby, it can also function as a laundry basket, according to the Amazon listing.
This foldable baby bath sink insert can be used in the sink or tub. It folds down into a travel bag and is easily portable.
Folding indoor/outdoor high chair
This chair folds down like a camping chair, has a sun canopy and accomodates children from birth up to 75 lbs.
It's easily portable, and the sun canopy makes it a great option for camping or outdoor events.
Another option is a hook-on chair. Some come without trays, but I like that this one has a tray so your baby isn't eating from the table.
This one is also very portable, but maxes out at 37 lbs. -- much less than the one I linked above.
I do really love that this one has six different positions you can lock it into, so your baby can face whatever direction is most convenient for you.
Car seat/nursing cover
This cover is great when you're on the go because you can use it to keep the sun out of babies' eyes, help keep them away from strangers who want to touch them and use it as a nursing cover when you're out, if you decide to use one.
This option comes with a drawstring bag, which I like since it helps keep dirt off of it between uses.
If you're nervous about germs, you can clip a tag onto your car seat cover or baby carrier.
Many I've seen are plastic. I like that this one is made from beech wood and the message isn't as aggressive as some others I've seen.
Wet/dry bag
Whether you use cloth diapers or disposables, wet/dry bags can be a lifesaver.
They're great for regular diapers, swim diapers, swimsuits, soiled burp cloths, used breast pump parts, cloth wipes, or whatever else you need to stash.
If your baby spits up on itself or on you, the soiled clothes can go in the bag until you find a washer and toss them in the laundry.
Even the bag itself can go in the wash.
Sun umbrella shelter
These shelters are great for any age as they provide portable shelter on the go.
According to the Amazon listing, it has a UPF 50+ rating.
This is a great alternative to the more traditional beach tents.
The umbrella provides some shelter but also keeps the front open for those who want a view of the ocean.
If you have older kids or pets you need to watch, this provides an open viewing area and quick access to them.
Are you traveling with toddlers or young children? Check out this gear guide.
