On Vacation with a Child—What Should You Pack?
I think the best time to go on vacation would be with week-old babies. Babies just eat and sleep at that age—in other words, they do exactly what an ideal travel companion does. Unfortunately, that's just how it is with one-week-old babies: instead of thinking about relaxing, their parents are more likely to be wondering if the baby is eating enough, or why it's staring in one direction, and whether that's normal, and what our pediatrician's phone number is..
So let's leave the one-week-old baby alone and move on to a little one who's already two months old and has parents who have things somewhat under control. A two-month-old baby tends to sleep less now, but when placed in one spot, he’ll stay there until you move him. On top of that, with a two-month-old baby, you can walk into a store for a bottle of water and walk out of that store with a bottle of water—not a bottle of water, a Peppa Pig balloon, and a screaming two-year-old who, after all, has always dreamed of having the stuffed toucan from the display.
Nevertheless, whether it’s a one-week-old baby, a two-month-old infant, or a two-year-old eager for stuffed animals, a trip like this can be stressful, and it’s worth investing in a few items that will minimize stress and make your vacation easier.
Stroller Cover
Whether you're traveling by plane or by car, a stroller cover will definitely come in handy. The Koo-di Pack It series stroller cover is an option that will meet everyone's needs. First, it easily fits a stroller; second, it closes with a drawstring, so there's no worry that the zipper will get stuck in a rush at the airport; and third, it's machine-washable.. Most airlines allow you to check your stroller right at the plane after you've checked your luggage. In that case, you can put the cover in your pocket and pack the stroller just before boarding the plane.
Changing Pad
A mat like this will come in handy not only on a plane, but also at the beach, in a bar, or in a hotel room. One of the things you don't realize when you don't have kids is that changing tables are actually quite rare. While at home you can change a baby’s diaper wherever your imagination takes you, in a bar it’s a little scary to change a little one on a hipster Scandinavian-style couch or on the cold floor in the restroom. For a minimalist option, I recommend the Effiki changing mat. When folded, it takes up very little space and can be carried in a bag with your little one's belongings. If you have a little more space or want to use a changing table—for example, in a hotel room—it’s worth considering the Snoozebaby changing table with a cover. It's soft, so your little one is sure to love it, and the cover has sewn-in tags that will keep your child entertained while you take care of their diaper ;).
High Chair
The Koo-di portable high chair will come in handy when you're traveling with a child who has already started eating solid foods. Bars and restaurants don't always have high chairs, and holding a toddler on your lap while eating is a recipe for disaster (especially if you're wearing a white linen dress). It's safer to strap the child into a car seat and let whatever will be, will be ;). Koo-di offers a fabric high chair that you place over a regular chair; after the meal is over, you simply fold it up and put it in the bag. It takes up very little space, we can be sure our child won't slide off the chair, and—as a bonus—we don't have to mess around with a high chair ourselves, so we can enjoy our meal in peace..