Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly use and love. Thanks for supporting The Unsnobby Mommy!
I love squeezing in quick road trips to beautiful places. Before the baby, it was so simple: we’d load up the car with our dog, book an Airbnb or a cozy little hotel for a few days, and spend our time hiking, enjoying the scenery, and wandering through cute downtowns.
Now that we have a baby, we still love our getaways, they just take a lot more planning and packing. For such tiny humans, babies are high maintenance- so much gear! I’m a chronic overpacker as it is, and I’ve had to tone it down just to make room for all the baby stuff. The car is always packed to the brim.
After a few trips, we’ve figured out what works and what doesn’t- what to bring, how to pack it, and the must-haves that actually make traveling with a baby more enjoyable, and less chaotic.
1. Packing Smarter
We used to toss all our stuff into a hard-shell suitcase without much thought. Now, every inch of trunk space counts.
These Shacke Packing cubes are game-changers for organizing by person or activity. For a quick trip, sorting by activity is especially helpful- need pool stuff? Just grab the cube with everyone’s swimsuits and towels. Heading to the snow? One cube with hats, gloves, and snowsuits has you covered.
Vacuum seal bags have also saved us in colder months. Bulky coats and gear shrink down so much, and you just bring little pump that comes with the bags to reseal them for the trip home. We’d stick our packing cubes right into the vacuum bags to make unpacking at the destination super easy. This 20-pack of bags comes with 5 different sizes, and a portable electric pump- a major time saver!
A roomy but still sleek fanny pack in lieu of a purse, that easily fits a diaper and travel wipes, so you don’t need to bring the whole bulky diaper bag inside every single rest stop and attraction. This Carharrt waist pack is water resistant and comes in some really pretty colors!
2. Carriers & Strollers
Travel stroller: While we love our Evenflo Pivot Modular travel system for everyday use, it’s still a bit bulky when broken down in the trunk. When space is tight, we reach for the GB Pockit All-Terrain+. It’s a bit of a splurge (around $200), but it weighs under 10 lbs and folds down to 13x8x16.5- tiny enough to tuck into a corner of the trunk or even a tote bag at the airport.
If you’re even more pressed for space, the GB Pockit Air is lighter and folds even smaller- just know it also has a smaller basket and sunshade.
Budget pick: The Ingenuity 3D Mini Convenience Stroller (about $60) is another great lightweight option. It folds longer (44” tall) but still has recline, sunshade, cupholders, and a basket. Just not ascompact as the Pockits.
Babywearing: We’ve loved our $30 Infantino carrier– it’s simple, easy to adjust, and baby loves it. It’s a great budget-friendly alternative to the BabyBjörn, which several of our friends love too. We chose to save here so we could splurge elsewhere!
3. Baby Sleep Setups
Pack ‘n Play: We registered for the Baby Trend Retreat Nursery Center and have used it constantly- for naps, as a changing station, and on every trip. It has two levels and folds into a carrying case. Even if a hotel offers a crib, we often bring our own- baby sleeps better in something familiar.
Blackout tent: If we’re all in one room, the Hiccapop Pack ‘n Play blackout tent is a lifesaver. It blocks light, keeps baby from being disturbed while we settle in for the night, and has holders for a fan and monitor- super smart for ventilation and peace of mind.
4. Car Ride Helpers
Portable white noise: The Hushh by YogaSleep is rechargeable, has a clip for the car seat or stroller, and offers three soothing sounds. A must-have for long drives and stroller naps.
Backseat mirror: The Onco baby car mirror clips easily to the headrest so we can peek at baby in the rearview mirror.
Toy & pacifier clips: Total sanity-savers- these keep baby from flinging her entertainment onto the car floor every five minutes.
Car seat cover / nursing cover: I love a good multitasker. Ours doubles as a car seat canopy and a breastfeeding cover, perfect for nursing at busy rest stops.
• Window shades: to keep the sun and heat off of baby’s skin, and out of their eyes.
Road tripping with a baby isn’t always easy, but it’s always been worth it! With a little planning and the right essentials, our adventures have stayed just as special, and a lot more memorable. Every trip teaches us something new, and I’m proud that we haven’t let having a baby stop us from doing the things we love. If you’ve got a little one and are nervous about hitting the road- trust me, you’ve got this! Just pack the snacks, cue the white noise, and go make some memories.