Unless you’re the baby whisperer, traveling with infants can be as hard as herding cats. Successful trips start with knowing how to pack and what to pack. Pro tip: don’t follow the common logic of laying out everything you think you need and then putting half of it back. That age-old rule only works for potty-trained people who eat solid foods. Instead, lay out everything you need – especially diapers, wipes and clothes – and double it. You can thank us later. And just as important, think beyond your everyday baby essentials. For example, step up your away game with these three game-changing products. They make life on the road with your little one a whole lot easier.
Willow Pump 3.0
Traveling isn’t always kind to nursing mamas. Even if you dot every i and cross every t on your itinerary, your schedule—and baby’s—is likely to be upended. Think early morning flights, unfamiliar hotels and sensory overload from all the exciting new sights and sounds. Unfortunately, this means nursing, pumping, and feeding can get a little complex.
Enter: The Willow Pump. This impeccably-designed discreet breast pump allows you to pump in public without drawing unwanted attention. Now in its third iteration, it’s even more efficient than previous designs. You’ll get 20 percent more milk each session and several precious minutes added back into your day.
It’s also a godsend for traveling moms who can relate to forgetting some crucial part of a breast pump kit at home. With Willow, you don’t have to mess with complicated tubing and a sink full of pump parts to sanitize. There are just three parts to clean. To use it, whether you’re sitting in economy or strolling through a museum – simply tuck the pump in your bra and take comfort in the spill-proof milk collection bag and quiet technology that doesn’t turn heads. If someone does notice, it will probably be an eagle-eyed nursing mom who wants to know where she can get one ASAP.
Infant Optics DXR 8 Pro
At home or on the road baby monitors are must-haves for new moms. Even if your little one doesn’t go down that peacefully, they provide some peace of mind once they’re down. If you’re on vacation, a video monitor may even help you relax to the point of enjoying a cat nap. Seriously, a mom can dream!
Our pick for a travel monitor is Infant Optics DXR-8 Pro. Unlike a lot of options on the market, this monitor doesn’t operate rely on Wi-Fi. This is incredibly important since hotel and vacation rental internet can be notoriously unreliable or even worse, non-existent. Using a Wi-Fi connection also makes you vulnerable from a security perspective. Instead the DXR-8 Pro operates on a closed-loop system using a random serious of radio frequencies. Basically, this monitor can’t be hacked and only you have access to the audio and video.
Other great features of this monitor: it’s the first to offer Active Noise Reduction technology to eliminate background noise as an option. It’s also small enough to easily tuck into a handbag. Finally, it offers night vision, two-way communication, and full camera view controls. Out of its 2,500 reviews on Amazon, more than 90 percent of parents give it a perfect 5-star rating.
Nuna TAVO and PIPA lite LX
Ever since the invention of the wheel parents have been wondering which car seats and strollers are worth taking on the road. Even though car seat stroller combos make it a little simpler, combing through all the options can still feel futile at worst and frustrating at best. To save you time and money, here’s our pick for a travel system: the Nuna TAVO + PIPA lite LX.
Whether you’re transferring the carseat and stroller in and out of an SUV or a 747, you want an option that is lightweight but doesn’t skimp on safety. The PIPA lite is the very lightest among all infant car seats—just a smidge over 5 pounds— it’s packed with safety features like side-impact protection and flame retardant fabric. It also fits seamlessly with the TAVO stroller which you can open and close with just one hand. If it seems pricey at $495, just remember this; it’s an investment that will grow with your infant all the way until they achieve big kid status. It’s also a lifesaver for getting around. The stroller’s slim profile makes it perfect for navigating busy city sidewalks and crowded shops. There’s also plenty of storage and a wheeled travel bag that comes in handy if you have to check it as luggage. It protects the components and keeps them clean so they’re in pristine condition when you reunite at baggage claim.
