Travel extraordinaires (and real Zoe moms), Liz and Bri of Our Traveling Tots have put together a list of their registry must-haves for babies (and parents) on-the-go! Follow Liz and Bri on Instagram for more family travel tips.
When building your baby registry, don’t make the same mistake we did!! We focused solely on what was needed in the first few months, and forgot all the items we would need within the first year for all our planned travel. If we were to do it over, we’d make sure to include these items!
Travel Stroller
You’ve probably already added a stroller to your registry, but don’t underestimate the need for a good travel stroller. Travel strollers are a game-changer for your family's adventures, whether you're traveling across the globe or just running errands around town, having a lightweight and compact stroller makes being on the go much easier.
They’re perfect for navigating tight spaces, like busy airports, crowded streets, or restaurants and many are small enough to carry on the plane. Plus, they save space in your car and are typically only one piece. We definitely would not have been able to truly experience many of the places we’ve traveled to without one!
Travel Strollers we love:
Zoe Traveler - fits in overhead bins!
Zoe Tour - car seat add on compatible!
Zoe Twin - a comfy double stroller that actually fits through doorways!
Travel Friendly Infant Car Seat
As new moms picking our first car seats, we definitely didn’t consider just how often we’d be lugging those things around while traveling. We suggest finding a car seat that meets the following criteria:
- Can be installed without the base
- Lightweight
- Large canopy
We have been using our Nuna Pipa RX for years and have been really happy with it.
If you really want to think ahead, it's not a bad idea to also register for your toddler car seat! A great investment is the Wayb Pico - it is a total splurge (about $500), but it is an incredible travel option. This carseat is designed for 2 years old and up, weighs only 8 lbs and fits into a tiny backpack! A way better option than carrying around a huge toddler car seat.
Car Seat Bag
If you plan to fly with your child’s car seat, you’re going to want a car seat bag! Travel bags protect your car seat from dirt, scratches, and damage during travel. I mean have you seen how your luggage is handled at the airport?!
Many car seat bags have straps or wheels for easy transport, which makes navigating airports and stations less of a hassle. They keep your car seat clean and can even double as extra storage for other essentials. A car seat bag will prolong the life of your car seat, making it a must-have item on your registry for families on the go.
Use the code TOTS20 for 20% off your purchase from J.L. Childress!
Baby Carrier
Baby wearing is pretty much our answer to everything these days. Our current favorite set up is to bring our Zoe Travel Stroller for our oldest and babywear the little one! We have several carriers that we like for different purposes:
The Solly Baby Wrap is a great, lightweight option. This super soft and comfy wrap is great for newborns, warm destinations, and when trying to travel light. The entire wrap fits into a little built-in pouch making it really easy to keep in a diaper bag or under a stroller.
For more intense travel moments like hikes, making it through the airport, or long sight seeing days, we would recommend a structured carrier. The Mabe Carrier has incredibly comfortable straps and the WildBird Aerial has a secure, supportive fit. Bonus: you’ll probably have better luck getting dad to baby wear with a structure carrier.
Stroller Bassinet
When I was pregnant with my first, I thought “Who would pay so much for a stroller bassinet that they are only in for a little bit?” But already having most of the gear when my second came around, I decided to splurge. Boy do I regret not having it the first go around.
I like to avoid leaving my baby in her car seat for very long when I can, so this is a perfect way to transport her around town without needing to carry her. Additionally, it’s the perfect safe sleep location while traveling. It’s easy to pack into the car and small enough to keep right by you in a hotel room.
Pro Tip: Ensure your bassinet has been approved for overnight sleep!
We recommend the Nuna Bassinet!
Sound Machine
You don’t realize how loud places are until you are trying to keep your baby asleep. If you are hoping for successful on-the-go naps, a sound machine will add consistency to the environment and drown out undesired noise.
We recommend the Hatch Go! It has a convenient hook, plays 10 different sounds, comes in cute colors, no wifi/bluetooth needed, and has a battery that can play for 15 hours straight.
Slumber Pod
Wanting to get some shut eye while traveling? Be prepared to handle some less than desirable conditions - a really bright room in direct sunlight, disrupted sleep schedules, or lots of people in one tiny hotel room! Keep your little one well rested by bringing a Slumber Pod with you - this is a breathable blackout tent that fits over a crib, pack and play, or travel toddler bed. This tent works so well that you could leave all the lights on in the room and it will still be dark in there! It fits into a small travel bag and weighs under 6 lbs so you can even fly with it.
Use code OURTRAVELINGTOTS for 10% off your Slumberpod purchase!
Muslin Swaddle Blanket
A major part of having a positive experience while traveling is feeling comfortable - and you or your baby getting cold is simply not comfortable. I always have a blanket in my bag for late evenings, colder than expected weather, and any other unforeseen circumstances. Don’t underestimate the power of a muslin blanket!
Wireless Baby Monitor
Put your mind at ease with a baby monitor that does not require an app or wifi. The Tiny Traveler has dual function and can be used in the car or around the house. It even has the capability to monitor two different rooms with an additional camera!
We love the Tiny Traveler Classic and the Classic Ai!
Portable Bottle Warmer
This is one of the first things I bought myself after having my first baby. I needed a quick and convenient way to heat bottles without hot spots while I was traveling and out of the house. Many are small enough to fit in your diaper bag, allowing you to travel worry-free, knowing you can easily whip up a warm bottle no matter where you are!
If you can find a rechargeable one without needing an outlet, you’ll really be set-up to feed baby anywhere, at any time! We have been using the Baby’s Brew for years, but here is a great option from Amazon!
Portable Bottle Cleaning Supplies
Sometimes you are stuck cleaning a bottle on an airplane or your pump in the car - but this doesn’t mean that you should sacrifice sanitation. We have found several products that make this smoother including a portable bottle brush set and drying rack, wipes, and pump cleaner spray to keep those items spick and span.
Hands-Free, Cordless Breast Pump
Alright, this can be a pricey investment and we heard a lot of mixed reviews when we were considering this item. But, we cannot express how much we LOVE our cordless pumps. We’ve pumped at dinner, in the airport, on long road trips, and more. It might be easier to tell you where we haven’t pumped these days.
After lots of research and personal use of the product, we 100% recommend the Elvie Double Breast Pump. However, if you are wanting a more cost effective option, we have heard that the Momcozy Hands Free Pump is also great!
Ceres Chill
Breastmilk is liquid gold and should be treated as such! Freshly pumped milk should be used or refrigerated within 4 hours. But just because you are out all day doesn’t mean it needs to be tossed. The Ceres Chill is the ultimate mini Hydroflask, but for breastmilk! From the outside, this looks like a water bottle, but when opened you will see an inner and outer chamber. Either chamber can be filled with ice to keep up to 27 oz of milk cold for 20 hours!
Are you ready for takeoff with your little ones? Don't forget to add these baby registry essentials to your list. Connect with us across our other platforms for daily tips & tricks on family travel.