New Baby Travel Gear for 2017

Whether you’re enjoying un uncharacteristically warmer winter (thanks, Mother Nature!) trying to flee the rain, snow, and sleet to head to a hot and humid climate, or simply want to get away for a week or two, chances are you have some travel planned this year. And when you have a baby, the considerations you need to make for said travel become amplified. It isn’t just about whether you should bring one bathing suit or two, but now also about what necessities and niceties you should bring along for your wee one – both to make the trip comfortable for him, and easier for you.

From play yards to strollers, portable high chairs and car seats, here are some new baby travel items available now.

If you’re traveling somewhere for a lengthy period of time, you might want to consider bringing along a play yard, and one that can do double duty as a place for baby to sleep as well will make lugging it with you worthwhile. The Chicco Lullaby 3-Stage Portable Play Yard also comes with a bassinet for infants, and a detachable changer, as well as side storage organizer and convenient carry bag. Set it up in your hotel room, AirBnb, or family member’s home and it’s a great place for baby to have some play time while you sip your morning coffee. He can get some sleep there at night, and it’s a comfortable place for diaper changes so you won’t have to worry about soiling bed sheets. It easily folds up with the push of a button, then carry it with you in the bag. When folded, it measures just 18” x 10.5” x 30” in size.

Babies who are already eating solids will need a comfortable spot to sit while munching on lunch. Rather than prop him up in his stroller or car seat, or keep him on your lap, bring along something like the Chicco Rotating Hook on High Chair With Removable Tray. It can attach to pretty well any table up to 5.5” thick using the rubber table clamps, making it ideal to use at a restaurant. Use the snap-on serving tray, or leave that part at home. It’s compact, lightweight at just 3.54kg, and foldable, even coming with a zippered carry bag for easy transport.

Travel even lighter with the Chicco Travel Seat Hook on High Chair, which is just 2.72kg in weight, and also folds into a carry bag.

If you’re traveling by car, a car seat will be necessary. If you don’t yet have one, or are considering a second purchase that can be used in the second family car, or for grandma and grandpa’s vehicle, there’s the Chicco KeyFit Infant Car Seat, which has a five-point harness and padded infant insert.

A stroller will be necessary as well, so consider getting a bundle that includes both the stroller and matching car seat, like the Chicco Neuvo Vapor Standard Stroller with Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat. The stroller has an ample storage basket for carrying your essentials while out and about, plus a cup holder for your coffee or water bottle and child tray for snacks and sippy cup. The removable canopy shades baby from the sun or rain, and has a peek-a-boo window. It can easily fold up for storage in the trunk.

Particularly convenient for travel when you’ll have to get in and out of the vehicle often is a stroller base on which a car seat can sit as well. The Chicco Bravo Orion Standard Stroller works with the Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat. Take a sleeping baby straight from the car and click the car seat into the stroller base using the adapter. Or, use the stroller’s own comfortable seat. Plus, the stroller folds up with one hand.

Ideally, what you want in a stroller for travel purposes is one that light. The Joovy Groove Ultralight Stroller fits that bill, weighing just 13.9 lbs. and compact with self-standing fold for easy put-away. A carrying strap lets you easily carry it around when not in use. A neat feature for night time walks is the reflective safety package that illuminates on all four sides in the dark.

Check out a wide selection of baby gear at Best Buy Online.