If you’re reading this post, it’s safe to assume we survived our eight hour flight from Newark to Naples, Italy, with Teddy and Peter in tow! I’m writing this post before our trip after many hours of research and many conversations with mom friends on the best toddler travel gear for our trip as this is our first time traveling internationally with two toddlers (for reference, Teddy is 2 years and 10 months, Peter is 1 year and 3 months, and I’m in my third trimester with baby #3!).
Ultimately I really don’t believe there’s a perfect set-up when it comes to toddler travel gear (or at least any precise configuration that can guarantee a stress-free travel day with little ones!) but I thought I would share what I ordered in the hopes of making our trip as seamless as it could be. I hope it’s helpful to some of you too!
stroller // ride-along attachment // car seats
bed box // inflatable foot rest // noise machine
OUR TODDLER TRAVEL GEAR PACKING LIST
1. Babyzen YOYO2 stroller and yoyo+ board attachment.
I set out on my research hoping to avoid ordering an expensive travel stroller, but the rave reviews online and from close friends ultimately convinced me this was the way to go. The stroller folds up small enough to fit in the overhead compartment on the plane, meaning we can use it for Peter right up until boarding, and I think Teddy’s going to be excited about the ride-along board on the back, which gives him the option of sitting or standing depending on how he’s feeling.
2. Cosco convertible car seats.
We checked one in a car seat travel bag and brought one on the plane for Peter, who is extremely wiggly and more likely to sleep in a car seat he’s already familiar with. We took these on a much shorter flight this spring and it was a great set-up so fingers crossed they work out equally well abroad!
3. JetKids by Stokke BedBox.
Another product that got rave reviews from friends and Instagram followers alike! I ordered this for Teddy, who’s definitely more likely to fall asleep lying down on the plane without being confined to a car seat like his younger brother. I also knew he would be excited about filling the space around the mattress with little toys and treats as well as pushing his own luggage through the airport for some period of time, so I have high hopes for this one!
4. Inflatable foot rest.
If you don’t want to splurge on the BedBox, I heard from many moms who used this affordable inflatable foot rest to create a makeshift toddler bed on an airplane. I actually decided to order this mostly for myself as it seemed like a nice-to-have for flying during my third trimester, plus a back-up sleeping arrangement for Peter if the car seat idea totally backfired.
5. Hatch noise machine.
The boys each have one of these in their rooms at home so we always travel with both of them to recreate as much of their familiar sleep environment as we can once we get to our destination (we’ve never used a portable noise machine as there’s so much white noise on planes anyway but that might be something to consider as of course every little one is different!). I’m partial to the ocean waves setting myself. 🙂
6. Slumber Pod and travel crib.
This was an emergency purchase during our first summer on Nantucket when Teddy surprised us by waking up before the sun nearly every day for two months. Putting this over the travel crib made a world of difference and while Teddy can now sleep in a hotel crib or cot situation without total darkness, it’s been a perfect hand-me-down for Peter. It fits perfectly over this travel crib, both of which fold up quite compactly and are easy to check and pick up at baggage claim.
I think that’s everything! I went back and forth on a double stroller and a carrier that would work for a toddler (my favorite infant carrier tops out at 20 pounds) but ultimately I feel pretty good about the toddler travel gear we wound up with for our particular kids on this trip and the likelihood we’ll use it all again many times in the years to come. Feel free to follow along with our trip on Instagram!
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