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1. A Travel Crib
While some accommodations may provide their own travel cribs, we personally prefer to bring our own. Our daughter is accustomed to it, and frankly, we can never be sure of the cleanliness or condition of the provided cribs. We’ve encountered unexpected disappointments—either no crib available or one that’s broken.We’ve encountered disappointing surprises in the past—either no crib available or one that was broken. We personally use the Guava Lotus Travel Crib and find it super light and easy to fold/unfold.
2. A Blackout Tent
We didn’t learn about blackout tents until our daughter turned one. On a family trip to Chicago, I was concerned that the time difference between Chicago and Texas might disrupt her sleep schedule. She was used to waking up at sunrise, and I feared it would be difficult to get her back on track once we get back to Texas if she got accustomed to the new time zone. Fortunately, our hotel room had a small windowless room. That’s when I discovered that when it was pitch black, our daughter could actually sleep a full 12 hours uninterrupted! So, I did some research and discovered blackout tents. It’s an extra weight in your luggage, but for a little one sensitive to light, it makes all the difference. After reading numerous reviews, we decided on the Slumberpod, and it has been a game-changer!
Photo by Ezequiel Garrido on Unsplash
7. A Car Seat + Car Seat Travel Bag
Most airlines allow you to check in a car seat at no additional cost, so why not take advantage of that? While checking in a car seat may seem cumbersome, we’ve had some unpleasant experiences renting car seats through rental agencies — one even told us they had no car seats available, despite our prior booking. For that reason, we highly recommend bringing your own car seat, especially if you plan on going on a road trip. After reading multiple reviews, we bought the Graco Extend2Fit and found a fitting travel bag on Amazon
8. A Back Seat Mirror
It may just be me, but I like to keep an eye on my daughter, especially when she goes quiet. Since she’s in a rear-facing car seat, I found this accessory to be incredibly helpful so thought it would make sense to include it in my travel essentials.
9. A Facial Spray and/or a portable fan for hot weather
It’s a bit challenging—and often costly—to find this in the United States, but it’s quite common in Europe: a facial spray. When the weather gets hot, I find it incredibly useful to have one on hand to refresh my daughter and keep her cool. Alternatively, a portable fan can be quite effective as well, and some models even offer the added benefit of a misting function for extra refreshment.
10. A Portable High Chair
While high chairs are standard in most U.S. restaurants, that’s not always the case in other countries. For example, in France, they’re more of an exception than the rule. Additionally, some restaurants may not have the space to accommodate an unfolded stroller. Having a portable high chair with you can be incredibly practical and convenient. Inglesina offers some well-made, sturdy options that are perfect for travel.
