Holiday travel with a baby can feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation, it doesn’t have to be! The key to a smooth trip lies in packing smartly and using essential travel gear like a travel stroller and baby carrier. These items make navigating airports and new destinations a breeze, giving you more time to enjoy your baby’s first vacation or your family holiday. Follow our guide to make traveling with an infant stress-free and fun.
Choosing the Right Stroller for Travel
When traveling, a lightweight and compact stroller can be your best friend. The Ergobaby Metro 3 Stroller is the perfect solution for parents looking for the best travel stroller. Here’s why it stands out:
- Compact and lightweight: Easy to maneuver through airports and transport in a car. It even fit in airplane overhead bins!
- One-hand fold feature: Quickly folds down, ideal when you have your hands full with a baby.
- Storage capabilities: Room for essentials like diaper bags, toys, and snacks.
Airline-Friendly Strollers: Gate-Check and TSA Tips
Before flying, it’s important to know how airlines handle strollers. Most allow you to gate-check a travel stroller for free, but it’s helpful to check airline regulations beforehand.
At security: You’ll need to fold your stroller to pass through TSA screening.
Gate-checking: Label your stroller with your contact information both on the stroller itself and on the carry bag.
Carry bag protection: Use the Metro Carry Bag to keep your stroller clean and protected during transit.
Why You Need a Baby Carrier for Travel
Traveling through airports with a baby is much easier when you’re hands-free. That’s where the Ergobaby Baby Carrier comes in, offering convenience and comfort.
- Maneuver easily: A carrier keeps your hands free for tickets, luggage, and snacks.
- Navigating TSA: You can wear your baby through security checkpoints, but they will need to come out for takeoff and landing on the plane.
- Boarding convenience: Carriers make boarding easy, especially when juggling bags and boarding passes.
- Close during travels: Once you arrive at your destination the baby carrier continues to come in handy for on-the-go naps, keeping little ones close for safety and more!
Choosing the best baby carrier for travel ensures you and your baby stay comfortable throughout the trip.
The best baby carrier for travel is one that offers comfort, portability, and convenience. Ergobaby (and our sister brand, Baby Tula) offers several types of carriers, each with its own benefits to suit different travel needs. Whether you prefer structured carriers, wraps, or slings, there’s an option that fits your style and itinerary.
1. Structured Carriers:
Ergonomic and supportive, these carriers evenly distribute your baby’s weight.
Ideal for long airport walks or city tours, offering maximum comfort for both parent and baby.
2. Wrap Carriers:
Soft and flexible, wraps offer a snug fit, making them perfect for newborns.
Lightweight and packable, great for traveling with limited luggage space.
Best for shorter wear periods, such as through security or quick trips out of the stroller.
3. Ring Slings:
A stylish and compact option, perfect for quick transitions.
Baby Tula’s Ring Sling offers a breathable fabric with easy adjustments for on-the-go comfort.
Ideal for infants and younger babies, but offers less support than structured carriers for long periods of time.
Exploring Nature with a Baby Carrier
When deciding which carrier to bring, consider your baby’s age, how long you plan to wear the carrier, and your comfort preferences. Structured carriers are ideal for extended use, while wraps and slings offer lightweight, flexible options for quick trips and shorter wear times.
Learn more about choosing the right carrier for you.
Advantages of Using Strollers for Nature Adventures
While baby carriers are fantastic for mobility and closeness, depending on the adventure of choice you might want to be a stroller along too.
There are a LOT of baby stroller options on the market. So we understand how confusing it can be to choose the one that’s right for your family. Not only are there a variety of brands, but a variety of strollers that serve different purposes.
There are a few types of strollers on the market:
- Full-sized stroller: This is typically the stroller parents thing of buying for all its versatility.
- Lightweight or umbrella stroller:These compact strollers are perfect for on-the-go adventures.
- Jogging stroller: Designed for parents who want to combine fitness with outdoor adventures.
- Double stroller: Designed for parents with multiple kids, especially twins.
- Car seat carrier: These strollers connect to a specific car seat. We don't typically recommend these as they can be unsafe for baby and uncomfortable for parents who are pushing.
Learn more about the types of strollers and which one would be best for you.
Stroller vs. Carrier: Which is better for the airport?
When it comes to navigating airports, both strollers and carriers have their benefits. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide what works best for your situation:
Stroller
Pros:
- Provides a comfortable seat for your baby.
- Offers extra storage space for bags and travel essentials.
- Allows you to gate-check the stroller, so it’s available immediately after landing.
Cons:
- Requires folding at security and for boarding.
- Takes up more space than a carrier, especially in crowded airports.
Carrier
Pros:
- Hands-free mobility through busy airports.
- Keeps your baby close and secure in crowded areas.
- No need to gate-check—wear it throughout your airport journey.
Cons:
- Offers minimal extra storage space.
- Baby cannot stay in the carrier during takeoff and landing.
Best of both?
Using both a stroller and a carrier gives you ultimate flexibility. Push your baby in the Metro 3 Stroller for longer airport walks, and switch to the carrier when you need hands-free mobility through security or boarding.
- Storage Space for Gear: Ample room for carrying all your essentials like a diaper bag, beach toys and more.
- Shade and Weather Protection: Built-in canopies to shield your baby from the sun when they are lounging.
- Options: If you have more than one kid, you can stroll with one and carry the other. Or, if you’re getting warm or your little one is getting fussy, you can switch up their position from stroller to carrier or vice versa.
Safety Tips for Strollers
- Ensure your stroller is in good working condition. Make sure buckles are still buckling and that there are no rips or holes that could compromise your baby’s safety.
- Use sunshades or bug nets to protect your little one’s skin.
- Securing the baby properly: always buckle up your baby for safety even if you think they are old enough to go without the buckle.
How to Pack a Stroller for Travel
When preparing for air travel, it’s essential to pack your stroller properly to avoid damage and ensure smooth handling.
Use a Stroller Carry Bag
The Metro Carry Bag provides padded protection for your stroller during transit.
- Prevents damage from baggage handling.
- Keeps the stroller clean during storage and flights.
- Makes the stroller easy to carry with comfortable straps.
Tips for Disassembling Your Stroller
- Empty the stroller completely to prevent items from getting lost.
- Fold the Metro 3 Stroller with its one-hand fold feature—ideal for quick transitions.
- Label the stroller and the carry bag with your contact information to avoid any mix-ups during baggage claim.
Baby Travel Essentials: What to Pack
Planning ahead with a baby travel packing list can make your trip go smoothly. Consider these baby travel essentials for flights:
- Diapers and wipes: Pack more than you think you’ll need.
- Snacks and bottles: Keep your baby fed and content during travel. If your baby can eat solids, find snacks that are an extra special treat. Cereal can be a fun way to keep them chewing and entertained.
- Toys and comfort items: Bring familiar items to keep your baby entertained, plus a few new options that will pique their interest.
- Carrier and stroller: Use both for ultimate flexibility during your journey.
- Clothing layers: Airports and planes can be chilly, so pack layers to keep your baby comfortable (and will be available for back up just in case).
At Your Destination: Managing Strollers and Carriers
Once you arrive, both a stroller and carrier can come in handy, depending on your plans.
Storing Your Stroller at Hotels or Rental Properties
- Ask about designated stroller storage areas to keep it safe and out of the way.
- Use the Metro+ Carry Bag to prevent scratches and damage.
Using Carriers for Day Trips and City Strolls
A baby carrier offers portability and versatility for exploring your destination. It’s perfect for crowded areas, outdoor markets, or places where strollers aren’t practical.
Stress-Free Holiday Travel with the Right Gear
Holiday travel doesn’t have to be stressful with the right stroller and baby carrier. The Ergobaby Compact Stroller offers the perfect combination of lightweight design and functionality, while a baby carrier gives you the freedom to move through crowded airports with ease.
Whether you’re heading out on your baby’s first vacation or visiting family for the holidays, using both a stroller and carrier ensures a smooth, stress-free journey. So, pack smart, enjoy the adventure, and make memories with your little one that will last a lifetime.
Happy travels!