Departing DTW Blog

When it comes to parenting on the go (which is essentially all that travel with kids is), being prepared is clutch. It’s never easy, but with the right equipment on hand, it’s at least the tiniest bit less stressful.

Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite buys for adventuring out with little ones in tow.

Affiliate Link Notice: As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases.

(Clockwise, from top left)

Doona Infant Car Seat to Stroller: The ONLY reason that we invested in this car seat was because we knew it’d be put to good use in airports and on flights, and hopping in and out of rental cars. It’s held up beautifully and proven extraordinarily convenient. The only issue that we noticed was it can’t practically be used as a stroller in tropical climates, where the snugness of it is simply too hot for a babe. Otherwise, I couldn’t recommend it more. We LOVE our Doona.
Guava Lotus Travel Crib: We’ve been through a lot of cribs. This one stands out for its compact carrying ability and backpack travel case, and flat-bottom style that prevents sagging. Not only could we fold up the crib, we also stuffed in a sleep sack and sound machine.
LILLEbaby Complete Airflow Baby Carrier: Okay, so it may not be the chicest option on the market, but it’s comfortable on both me and my husband, and has worked for both our babes. Its mesh design keeps kiddos cool even in hot temps and can be worn outward, inward and on your chest or your back.
Compression Packing Cubes: High quality and with the added perk of compression zippers, these packing cubes make stuffing suitcases a breeze. I loved that you can pull them out and pop them into drawers for easy unpacking but the most obvious benefit is that they save some serious space.
WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat: Created for kids between 22 – 50 pounds and 30 – 45 inches, this streamlined, fold-up car seat meets all U.S. safety standards with its five-point safety harness. It worked really nicely for our three-year old, with only an occasional gripe that the buckle clip felt tight (that part is not adjustable). When we weren’t using it, we stowed it in an inexpensive booster seat bag from Amazon (check the store for a link for that, too!).
Inflatable Toddler Airplane Bed: This footrest can be blown up once you’re in the air to take up that useless space between your toddler’s airplane seat and the seatback in front of them. When inflated to seat level, kiddos can stretch their legs straight or curl up comfortably to doze on long flights.

(Clockwise, from top left)

Playnest and Floor Seat: You guys, I spent AGES looking for a travel-friendly option that would contain our six-month-old during the first month or two of our trip. This inflatable seat has crinkle flaps that will keep a baby occupied and serves as a tool to sit them up before they’re sitting on their own. I loved that I could deflate, fold it up and pack it away easily while moving from place to place, AND it allowed me to cook dinner in the evenings while keeping an eye on the baby just a few steps away.
Wireless Door Alarm with Remote: Call me crazy, but I had major paranoia, staying in an Airbnb with a pool and a toddler. While the sliding doors locked, I was terrified that Mack might unlock and slide one open without us knowing in the middle of the night. Instead, I used Command strips to install these wireless alarms, which shrieked (loudly) if turned on when a door was opened. They worked like a charm and at the end of our stay, I removed them with no damage or marks to the doorwall.
Silicon Baby Bibs with Food Catcher: I’ll forever sing the praises of these bibs, which we’ve used for four years, and roll up perfectly with a child’s fork and spoon tucked within them. No ripping or tearing, or even peeling of the print, despite the fact that we toss them in the dishwasher nearly every day.
Pedialyte: If you’re traveling internationally, having an electrolyte drink mix on hand for littles can save a ton of time and energy in a stressful situation. Keeping these on hand saved the day for both the kids and the grown ups, on occasion.
Portable Fabric High Chair: In airport restaurants, cafes that only have one (currently in use) high chair, or in Airbnbs, this fabric high chair was a godsend. Simply slip it over an existing dining chair and tighten it into place. It doesn’t have a tray (that’d be too good to be true), but it makes feeding much easier and keeps a squirmy babe safe.
Toddler Backpack: I’m just going to say it: It’s a backpack with a leash. We rarely used the “leash” option but it was a comfort just to know that it was there if needed. Harnesses onto a toddler in front for comfy wearing and zips up a solid amount of toys and snacks ;) We also tucked an Airtag inside ours.
Stain Treatment Wipes: There’s nothing worse than watching a brutally stained but adorable outfit get tossed in the trash. These handy wipes have saved MANY a piece of clothing. We keep the spray bottles on hand at home and tuck the individually packaged wipes right into our diaper bag or first aid kit.
Long-Range, Secure (No Wifi) Baby Monitor: This monitor was my favorite by far until it died a later than expected death, likely squashed too many times in our checked luggage. It’s range is impressive and the viewing screen is massive. It’s as easy as plugging in and you’re good to go.
Wireless Bottle Warmer: I’m not going to say that it’s the most convenient or fast option for warming up a bottle, but this old school contraption does the trick even while atop a mountain. You’ll need to heat water beforehand to fill the insulated chamber with, but all you need to do later is pour the hot water over the bottle in the oversized plastic warming cup. Give it a bit of time, and you’ve got a warm bottle without electricity. In a pinch, you’ll be extremely grateful.