Taking a baby on holiday can feel like a logistical nightmare. Make travelling seamless with the help of these must-have travel essentials for babies – all tried and tested by the Playtimes team
A great travel cot for parents of newborns up to three-year-olds who like to have their baby sleeping close by. The side panel can be lowered making it easy to pick up your baby. It is compact when folded down, making it easy to travel with. It’s worth noting, however, that it’s too small to be used as a playpen. Costs $1,390 from www.chilibaby.com.hk
Babybjorn Baby Carrier Mini
When it comes to travel accessories for babies, few are as crucial as the right baby carrier. Cosy, stylish, and good value; the Babybjorn Baby Mini Carrier is just what any parent on the go needs. It provides all the support that Ergobaby and the full-sized Babybjorn Carrier do, while taking up far less space in your luggage. It’s suitable for use from birth, which is a real appeal for parents of newborns, but is only suitable for children up to one year of age. Costs $999, available from Mothercare.
Travelling somewhere hot? Consider using a baby wrap or ring sling as an option. They’re comfortable, breathable, adaptive, and – crucially for travel – compact. Our personal preference is Solly Baby for baby wraps and Wildbird for ring slings. They can take some practice to get right, but in our opinion are well worth the investment as they’re easier to throw in a bag than a structural carrier and a lot cooler for both momma and Bub!
Babyzen YoYo 2 – Travel Stroller
There’s no two ways about it – if you are travelling with a child under four, you’re gonna need a stroller. When picking a stroller for your holiday, make sure that it is lightweight, small, and practical to use. In Hong Kong, you’ll find that the Babyzen YoYo 2 is a popular choice owing to its size, ease of use, and weight. It can be folded and unfolded in a matter of seconds and is accepted as carry-on luggage on most airlines. You can find this HK favourite for $4,470 at Mothercare
Doona All-in-One Infant Car Seat/Stroller
Many countries legally require children up to a certain age or height to be strapped into a specially designed child seat when travelling by car. With that in mind, many parents choose to opt for a car seat stroller combo, also known as a travel system, when travelling. One that tops many lists is the Doona (a travel essential for babies for many families!).
A fully integrated travel system, the Doona allows you to move from car seat to stroller in seconds. With its integrated, adjustable harness and headrest, the Doona meets the European i-Size safety regulation (R-129). Its sleek design allows you to effortlessly move around with your child whether it’s in your car, public transport or strolling around the city, providing a safe and practical solution for parents on-the-go. $4,280 at Doona
*Readers should note that different countries have their own safety requirements for car seats. To avoid disappointment (not to mention hassle!), it’s highly advisable that you check which carseats are legally accepted at your chosen destination before setting off.
CoziGo Airline Bassinet and Stroller Cover
This blackout travel product is just the thing for parents wanting their baby to sleep in an airplane bassinet. It comes in a small pouch and can be easily popped up and clipped onto the asides of the airplane bassinet. It can also be used as a UV cover for a stroller. Zippered flaps allow you to check on your baby while they sleep. Costs $839, from www.hk.taxibaby.com
Skip Hop Forma Backpack
When it comes to baby travel essentials, a functional diaper bag is a must! This lightweight backpack has room for everything from snacks to spare outfits. The front compartment has two multi-purpose packing cubes, allowing for extra storage. Everything stays in reach with elasticized interior pockets and insulated side bottle pockets, and the extra wide opening makes it easy to find essentials in a hurry. The changing pad pocket can also act as a laptop holder when traveling. $699 from Baby Central
Looking for something more compact for your travels? Consider the Skip Hop Pronto Signature Changing Station, available on BabyCentral for $174.
Milton Sterilising Tablets
One question that always comes up when considering a trip is how to sterilise baby bottles while on holiday. Milton Sterilising Tablets allow you to sterilise in just 15 minutes, killing bacteria, viruses, fungi and spores (tough dormant bacteria). They’ve been used in hospitals for many years and are a simple and very reliable method. $76 on HKTVMall
OXO Tot Bottle & Cup Cleaning Set
Make cleaning baby bottles and cups a breeze with the OXO Tot Bottle & Cup Set. This super compact drying rack fits easily into your travel bag and has everything you need to keep breast pump parts, bottles, and accessories clean while on the go. $341 at BabyCentral
Dreamegg White Noise Machine
When it comes to babies, the topic of sleep is usually at the forefront of most parent’s minds and often a point of concern. After all, travel is a known disrupter to even the most solid sleep schedules. Drown out the noise and foster a calming sleep environment wherever you go by purchasing a portable white noise machine. There are plenty of options on the market. Our pick? The Dreamegg. Available for $187 on Amazon
Portable Blackout Curtains
We all know that dark rooms signal to babies that it’s time to sleep. Help get your babies on local time by bringing blackout curtains along with you on your travels, and thank us later. Get this travel essential for babies for $178 at HKTVMall
Cosy Cover Easy Seat
A lightweight, fabric travel high chair can be super convenient for feeding a baby in hotel rooms or if your Airbnb doesn’t have one. If your baby is eating solid foods, travelling with your own high chair will make your life a bit easier. This one has a 5-point harness and attaches to the back of most chairs. It packs down really small, which makes it easy to bring out with you while seeing the world with your baby! Amazon.co.uk
Travel Toys – A Travel Essential for Babies!
Finally, don’t forget to pack a variety of travel toys to keep your child engaged and entertained while on the go. Our ultimate boredom busters? Fidget spinners (great for airplane windows), Sophie the Giraffe (for teething babies), Baby Einstein (for musical exploration), indestructible books (trust us, babies can’t get enough of these!), and Skip Hop Bandana Buddies (for sensory exploration).
Final Thoughts
Feature photo courtesy of Shutterstock; Photo 1 courtesy of Joie Kubby; Photo 2 courtesy of BabyBjorn; Photo 3 courtesy of Solly Baby and Wildbird; Photo 4 courtesy of BabyZen; Photo 5 courtesy of CoziGo; Photo 5 courtesy of BabyCentral & HKTVMall, Photo 6 courtesy of Amazon
