Hi, my name is Cheyanne and I am an over-packer. Add a toddler and a baby and I swear, the amount of crap you bring exponentially multiplies not proportional to the number of humans traveling. Packing and preparing what we’d need took up an immense amount of space in my brain for months leading into our first stop. Even after all that anxiety, research, shopping, and removing even more items from the to-pack list, we still ended up with four carry-ons, three baby items (stroller, car seat, pack and play), and five suitcases – grand total of 12 bags… and a chiropractor bill. So far, we’ve made it to our fifth city with this haul. We’ve been in the suburbs, on planes and trains, walked miles on cobblestone with two kiddos. With all everything we brought; these are the 5 toddler travel items I’d pack again.
BÉIS Ultimate Diaper Bag
If you’ve seen me in person at some point over the past three months, you’ve probably heard me fan girl about this diaper bag. It’s kind of embarrassing at this point. It’s super common to not have changing stations in Europe, but I’m covered! In the back compartment, there is a fold out changing pad, separate pockets for wipes and diapers for wipes, and two small pockets I use for diaper bags and hand sanitizer. Not only does it have a detachable fanny pack and an odor-proof wet/dry bag, but the best part… the wipes pouch under the front pouch. No more digging through your bag with questionable substances on your hands to find wipes. Okay, okay, I’ll stop! Click here for $15 off.
ergobaby Metro+ Compact Stroller
I needed three things out of my travel stroller: 1) it needed to be as compact and light as possible (did I mention 12 bags?!), 2) needed to adapt to both my boys – a four-month-old and an almost three-year-old, 3) robust enough to handle European cobblestone streets. While it’s heavier than my typical travel stroller at 16.9 lbs., how it handles and adapts makes it entirely worth it. In a couple easy adjustments, it changes from a traditional stroller to a newborn bassinet. Plus, it handles like a dream over cobblestone. As traveling auntie put it “I can eat my gelato and still push the toddler one handed.”
Pro tip: If you’re struggling with rough cobblestone like they have at the Roman Forum (by far the worst terrain we’ve had so far), turn the stroller around and pull it, rather than push it across. MVP tour guide Daniela provided the tip!
Baby Tula Explore Carrier
Our stroller was clutch in easily adapting between the boys. Typically, we had Camden in the stroller, but occasionally we did need a nap or containment strategy for Beckett. How are toddlers SO FAST?! So, we always carry the Baby Tula with us and it’s how I carry Camden on all travel days. He loves it now that he’s facing out and will even snooze on the go. Once I got the adjustments fine-tuned, I find it super comfortable and can wear it all day.
Baby Brew Bottle Warmer
Once I thought through how many bottles I’d be warming on trains, planes, and AirBNBs, I looked into protable bottle warmers and found Baby Brew. It’s a chargeable, battery-operated bottle warmer and comes with a formula dispenser. Do I feel a little bougie every time I pull them out? Yes. Do I still absolutely love how easy it is to do bottles on the go? Even more, yes. The formula dispenser is also what Josh deboarded our flight to JFK to sprint across the airport and get. So worth it.
Toddler Soccer Ball
If you’re traveling with little ones, you need an energy burning plan. Meaning how you will burn as much toddler energy as humanly possible every day. Our plan: a soccer ball. It’s light, small, inexpensive, and a toy we’ve used every single day. It’s the best entertainment while waiting for dinner in your neighborhood piazza or on a travel day.
Now, are any of these items essential for a great travel experience? Absolutely not. But, the right travel tools will make everyone a little more comfortable and possibly sane. I’d pack these 5 toddler travel again in a heartbeat.
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