Remember when you could hop in the car for a last minute road trip with nothing but your weekender bag and a great playlist? Yeah, we can’t either.
There’s no doubt, traveling with a baby is a totally different ballgame than hitting the road solo -- but that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. With the right gear (and yes, we’ve got a few travel must-haves here at bloom!), taking a trip with your mini in tow can help make your vacation truly a vacation..
Here’s 8 things that will make traveling with a baby so much easier.
1. coco go 3-in-1 bouncer // $219+
Even on the go, babies love to chillax, and with the coco go 3-in-1 bouncer, they’ll be traveling in style. Perfect for napping, playing and just taking it all in, our coco go even comes with its own travel bag which makes loading up the car a breeze.
2. Lollipop Smart Baby Camera // $149
The Lollipop is our favorite baby monitor for travel because it can wrap onto nearly anything! Set up is so fast and you can use your phone (iOS or Android) as a monitor, which helps you pack light.
3. bloom alma papa crib+mattress // $899 (or free at your hotel!)
The qualities that make the alma papa so easy for traveling around your home (lockable wheels, a smaller footprint and an easy fold) are just as helpful when you’re traveling on the road. While you may not want to pack up your own alma papa for your next vacation, you can find our amazing mobile crib at so many great hotels, including the Four Seasons, Mandarin, Andaz and even on the Disney Cruise line. Bring your own alma papa crib sheets and viola! your baby will think they’re right at home!
4. Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack // $215
We’re swooning hard for this Dagne Dover diaper backpack in ash blue. It’s the perfect casual travel bag that has plenty of space for all the essentials. Bonus: it has two special hooks that keep your keys and pacifiers from getting lost in the abyss.
5. Toddler Quiet Book // $76.50+
This quiet book is a work of art. Each one is handmade and filled with so much love. With zippers, counting prompts and removable soft pieces, your little one will be happy and ::gasp:: quiet while on the road. Expert tip: order ahead! The quiet book can take 3-4 weeks to arrive.
6. Skip Hop Grab & Go Snug Seal Wipes Case // $10
When you’re traveling with a baby, germs can be terrifying. Keep a stash of baby wipes (to wipe down your baby AND all the surfaces they’ll be touching) at the ready in this chic and convenient case.
7. fresco mat and bowl set // $89
Our fresco mat and bowl set works on more surfaces than just your high chair! Bring the whole anti-slip, stain resistant mat for meal time at the “grown up” table, or just grab one of the removable three-section bowls. Plus it’s dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe.
8. Cubcoats 2-in-1 Wearable & Playable Hoodie // $35+
We love baby gear that can do double duty - and keep our suitcases light for travel. This adorable fox is a stuffed animal for the car ride and then a zip up hoodie when it gets a little chilly out. Completely genius.
Hanna Nakano is a Washington, D.C. based writer and photographer, and mother of two.