Traveling with your little one(s) can leave your nerves frazzled, and your body sweat-drenched. Hello, car seat installation with a wriggly toddler by your side. I’ve traveled, solo and with my husband, with my kiddo plenty of times to get a few travel hacks down to a science. These are tried and tested by me and are sure to reduce travel anxiety.
Gear is the key to making travel smoother. Before you begin packing for your trip, ensure that suitcase wheels roll properly, bags zip easily, strollers close smoothly, and you have all of the big and little things that you’ll need during your travels on hand.
Travel Stroller
My favorite travel stroller is the Colugo Compact ($295). It has a lower price point than most of its competitors. It comes with its own carry backpack and accessories. The Colugo Compact boasts a one-handed open/close and plenty of basket storage underneath. The Colugo has an optional infant bassinet add-on ($95) but does not have the option for a kickboard for a second child or car seat adapters. This is my personal stroller that has traveled to numerous places as well as handled daily outings in NYC. The Joolz Aer ($449) has a similar design to the Colugo, with roomy underneath storage, a single-handed close, and a smooth ride. The Joolz also comes with accessories and a travel bag. The Joolz Aer has an optional infant bassinet add-on ($219) and car seat adapters ($45) but does not have optional accessories for a second child. Both of these strollers fold to fit into most overhead bins. Pair your travel stroller with a set of OXO Stroller Hooks ($17) to hang bags off of, and you’ve instantly boosted its storage capacity.
If you’re looking for a compact stroller with options for a 2nd child, look at the Babyzen Yo-yo ($449). This stroller is wildly popular, however, doesn’t make my faves list due to the need to have a two-handed close. It does have optional accessories such as a newborn bassinet ($180), kickboard seat ($125), and infant car seat adapters ($55).
If you’re traveling with a baby and a toddler, you may prefer to bring your larger stroller if you’ll need it at your destination. In this case, I highly recommend putting your stroller in a travel bag designed to fit your stroller model and gate-checking it. Please note that anything that does get checked does run the risk of being damaged. For valuable strollers, I suggest a padded bag from the stroller manufacturer.
Car Seat
Some people prefer to have their little ones fly in their own car seats, while others do not. A great lightweight car seat for toddlers in the Cosco Scenera Next and Finale (both $60). These car seats are inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to travel with. They install quickly into rental cars and taxis using the vehicle seat belt (the Finale does need to have the top tether for proper installation). When we used the Cosco Scenera, I would either attach it to the stroller with hooks or into the seat using the luggage strap hack (see here). The Finale is a bit larger for these hacks and I have not attempted them personally. For airport travel, I personally have always checked our car seats at the counter using this large travel bag ($50) on wheels. (I secretly add extra items in here since the car seats themselves are so lightweight that a few extra pounds in diapers/ wipes/ toys usually aren’t noticed. Note that this isn’t allowed but have only ever had someone check once and I have to remove the items and place them in our checked luggage). If you’d like to take your car seats onboard with you, a car seat trolley ($74) may be more your speed to wheel it through the airport. I’ve even seen toddlers being wheeled around this way, which is really helpful when they’ve fallen asleep or just can’t walk anymore. If you don’t need a stroller at your destination, this might be a reasonable option for airport travel.
Now that my son is a bit older, we started to use the WayB Pico ($380) for a lightweight but secure 5-point restraint car seat. The WayB Pico folds up to be very compact and has several carry bag options, with my preference being the backpack ($80) that can slide onto my checked suitcase handle. The WayB Pico installs quickly and easily into vehicles using the LATCH system and top tether. It is suitable for ages 2+, with exact weight/ height specifications available on their website.
Carriers
Oh, how I love a baby carrier. I baby-wore my son until he was so tall that his feet knocked my knees. It makes life so much easier, and hands-free, and they feel safe and secure as they are snuggled up next to you. I remember breezing through security with my son in a carrier, a backpack, and our Colugo stroller. The mom in front of me was struggling with her bulky stroller, a diaper bag, and a baby in her arms. She remarked about how envious she was of how easy I got through. Want to read more about baby carriers? Read here.
Using a soft structured buckle carrier provides you with back support for walking countless steps through the airport. Some even have extra pockets to store your phone, boarding pass, lip balm, or any other small items you need within arm's reach. I’ve owned many carriers and personally always reached for my Tula Free To Grow ($179) the most frequently. It can fold up nice and small to fit in your diaper bag when not in use. The Colugo Carrier ($149) is another nice option that doesn’t require double-jointed shoulders to get on. IYKYK
Now, I’m a bit extra when it comes to babywearing. I love to bring a ring sling for onboard a flight. I find it more comfortable to sit down while holding a baby and it also makes for an easy adjustment when the baby inevitably falls asleep. You can loosen the ring to create a hammock-like hold while still supporting them without your arms. The extra tail can also create either a cushion beneath their head or a cover to block out excess light. It is remarkably easy to breastfeed in a ring sling while providing a built-in cover. I wasn’t one for covering while breastfeeding but did feel more comfortable in flight to be slightly more covered.
A final, and major, tip for babywearing: Do NOT under any circumstances wear a jumpsuit or other one-piece outfit. Your bladder will get full precisely as your baby has fallen into a deep slumber. You’ll be trapped. If you’ve been a sensible person in pants and a separate top, you can still go to the bathroom while the baby remains asleep in the carrier. Don’t learn the hard way like me.
Overall
Preparation and organization will save you headaches while traveling with little ones. Test it out at home before you hit the road to ensure that you can handle the load. Outsource wherever you can and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Flight attendants and friendly seatmates can assist you in getting luggage into overhead bins or watching your toddler while you go to the bathroom or change a baby’s diaper (in the bathroom only please, never in your seat).
Have the right items that will serve you, your littles, and your peace of mind. The adventures and memories are all worth those sweaty moments of making it all happen. Happy travels!
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Gear Listed In Post:
Cosco Scenera Next Car Seat $60
Cosco Finale Car Seat $60
WayB Pico $380
Colugo Compact Stroller $295
Joolz Aer travel stroller $449
Joolz Aer Bassinet $219
Joolz Aer Car Seat Adapters $45
J.L Childress Car Seat Bag with wheels $50
Car Seat trolley $74
Colugo Baby Carrier $145
Tula Free to Grow Baby Carrier $179