Friday, October 06, 2006
Travel Gear for Baby
Top 9 Travel Gear Items for Travel with Babies
From portable cribs to deluxe infant carriers-- the right gear can make your trip with baby easier for all of you.
1) Portable Cribs
Portable cribs can be useful even at home: they can double as a playpen in the backyard. Somewhat like an umbrella stroller, portable cribs unfold in a jiffy, and are made out of nylon and sturdy plastic parts. My family used one on many trips: it did indeed set up in one minute (after the first time!) Some models have an attachable change table or bassinet.
2) Evenflo Cross Terrain Frame Baby Carrier
Shade canopy on top, multiple storage compartments, you're good to go, whether it's hiking in a National Park or up and down the hundreds of tiny bridges in Venice.
3) Front-carrying Infant Carrier
Babies know that facing forward is a sporty way to get around. And Baby Bjorn makes this front-facing carrier with extra lumbar support for mom or dad.
4) Stroller - Backpack Combo
Quite the concept: converts from stroller to backpack "in seconds", and you even get booties for the wheels, so you don't get dirt on your clothes.
5) Stroller - Carseats Travel Systems
Graco, Cosco, Eddie Bauer and others make these brilliant hybrids. A "travel system" usually has three pieces: an infant carrier/carseat attaches to a stroller and to a carseat base.
6) Bugaboo Frog Sand Stroller
Deluxe stroller for a child (newborn to four) to ride with pride however uneven the surface and even on the beach.
7) Samsonite Baby Travel Bed
You can sling this over your shoulder, as a shoulder bag: then, voila, it's a little bed, with protective sides so baby won't roll; zippered fitted terry sheet; snap-on mosquito netting cover; insulated compartment.
8) Beach Tents
Bring along your own shade, at the beach.
10) Sun Stop'r Kwik Cabana
A cute cabana, like a little tent just for baby.
Top 8 Baby Swim Wear and other Pool & Beach Gear
It's a paradox: babies are so small, yet they need so much stuff! At least these items are small and easily portable. Click below for baby swim wear that keeps babies and toddlers afloat; swim diapers; water wings; and more.
1) Pool Baby Seat with Shade
Babies love these floating seats --kind of like a lifesaver, with a seat in the middle-- and this one has an umbrella that attaches, for shade. (See also Inflatable Baby Float, below.) Note: if no image is available on the Compare Prices page, just click through to the seller's site.
2) Baby Swim Wear: Swim diapers
Indispensable for the resort pool!
3) Baby Swim Wear: Aqua Learn Swimsuit
Terrific invention: these swimsuits have "polyfloats" inside that keep your child afloat in the water.
4) Water Gear Water Wings
These heavy-gauge vinyl waterwings come in three sizes: small, for ages 1-3; medium, for ages 3 to 7; and there's even a large size, for ages 7-11.
5) Beach Tents
Bring along your own shade, to protect that tender skin.
6) Sun Stop'r Kwik Cabana
A cute cabana, like a little tent just for baby.
7) Baby Floats
Many different kinds of inflatable floats, so that baby can bob happily in the pool.
8) Aqua Leisure Deluxe Tot Trainer Inflatable Rubber Tube Swimaid with Pants
Picture a bright yellow maillot-type suit, with an inner tube around it: a cute way to keep a tot afloat. For ages 2 to 7.
Top 10 Diaper bags for travelers
Have baby, have diaper bag; and when you're hopping on a plane, or otherwise traveling, you'll want to make the best possible use of that essential item, to tote along all the extras you'll need.
1) Baby Bjorn Backpack Diaper Bag
Keep both hands free, when you're on the go. Comes with many pockets: big ones for diapers, velcro for odds'n'ends, insulated pockets for baby bottles... Also comes with a changing pad.
2) McKenzie Sling Diaper Bag
Padded shoulder strap, with a money and card holder right on the sling strap; four inside pockets, and insulated bottom compartment; two zippered external insulated pockets for bottles; changing pad... Plus a Tote-Away Pouch, a separate bag that attaches directly to the main Sling bag.
3) McKenzie Kids The Highland Satchel Diaper Bag
Another dynamic duo bag set: the Highland Satchel has pouches, insulated bottom compartment, "dirty duds" zippered pocket, backpack-style padded shoulder straps, and other nifty features; and a Tote-Away Pouch that attaches directly to the Satchel, or your belt as a hip pack.
4) SKIPHOP - Duo Diaper Bag
Un-diaper-bag looking, and designed to look good on both moms and dads; wear over-the-shoulder, or hang it on a stroller (adjustable stroller bar strap large rear pocket holds changing pad; bottle/organizer pockets; side mesh pocket, and more.)
5) MV Graco Day Tripper Diaper Bag
Traditional-looking diaper bag, with lots of outside compartments, changing pad, Dirty Duds bag, baby wipes case, and dinner set with fork, spoon, and bowl.
6) Jeep Diaper Bag Combo
Low cost, and looks like more like a travel bag than a diaper bag, with double handles and detachable shoulder strap; side bottle pocket; changing pad, detachable accessory pouch, built-in bottle holders.
7) Baby Sherpa Diaper Bag for Dad
.. or Mom, and very much the look of a traveler. High-tech back-pack style, with storage for food, diapers, medicine, keys, wallets, cell phone, sunglasses, and bulky items such as toys, blankets and clothing.
8) Samsonite "Euro Traveler" Tote Diaper Bag
Hinged, Zippered, Compartment folds completely open; three exterior pockets, cell phone pocket, insulated bottle pocket, changing pad and storage bag. (Note: most of the models described here have easy cell phone access.)
9) Maclaren - Tote Bag
If you want something simple that doesn't look like a diaper bag, check this out. Shoulder straps, leather trim, spacious, internal and external pockets, changing pad, bag to store wet items.
10) Fleurville Orange Corduroy Alpha 7 Diaper Bag
Deluxe corduroy bag that can be worn over the shoulder, messenger bag-style, or as a backpack; shoulder strap has a non-skid pad, and can be slung over stroller handles too; insulated beverage holders; sleeve for the changing pad; pockets for cell phone and sunglasses, more.
Baby travel gear lists provided by Teresa Plowright for About.com, Your Guide to Travel with Kids.
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