The best baby travel products according to TPG readers
A new adventure is about to begin for The Points Guy. And this time, we're not talking about a safari or the world's longest flight.
The Points Guy himself, Brian Kelly, will soon become a dad, as you may have read in his latest newsletter. We couldn't be more excited to welcome a fabulous new flyer to the TPG family.
Last week, Brian asked readers to share their favorite tips for traveling with a baby, and as usual, our readers did not disappoint us with their recommendations.
In fact, there were so many great reader-recommended products to consider, many of which had multiple rave reviews and useful tips, that we wanted to share them with all of you.
Related: How I've kept traveling — even after having a baby
Here are some of the products new parents should put in their carry-ons, and some can't-miss tips for traveling with newborns and babies, as recommended by TPG readers.
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Baby carrier
When babies are pint-sized, a snuggly baby carrier is an easy way to navigate airports and keep your hands free. TPG readers highly recommended two wearable baby carriers.
The first is the Moby by Petunia Pickle Bottom, a wrap that fits babies from 8 to 33 pounds. The wrap comes in 20 colors and costs between $43 and $50 (depending on the color).
The second option is the Happy Baby carrier — a structured front carrier. Crafted from Belgian linen, the Happy comes in 28 colors, can hold a baby between 7 and 45 pounds and costs $155.
Note that if your baby doesn't meet the minimum weight suggested for these carriers, you should wait to start using one until they reach it or consult with your doctor before use.
Related: I flew a million miles (mostly) alone, then added a newborn — here’s what I learned
Sleeping on the road
If you're a parent and you've traveled anywhere with your family, you know that getting a room away from home dark enough, long enough for your baby or children to fall — and stay — asleep is a constant challenge.
That's why it didn't come as much of a surprise that so many of you recommended the SlumberPod, a tent-like portable pop-up structure ($175) that fits over a crib or bassinet to help your baby sleep in a dark environment.
Another great suggestion was the Lotus travel crib — a playpen and portable crib ($239) that folds into a backpack for easy travel.
Related: How to pack — and prepare — for travel with a baby
Keeping babies busy
It doesn't matter how much you've prepared for comfort — if your baby isn't occupied, it will make a two-hour trip feel like a long haul to Singapore. For the littlest hands, the Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle is a personal mom favorite — a brightly colored plastic sensory toy that's chewing safe and ultra distracting. It costs about $15.
A popular sensory toy recommendation from readers for little ones 12 months and up is the Beetoy buckle pillow. This toy (also about $15) features six different straps to buckle and unbuckle, plus buttons, zippers and threading activities that will keep toddlers busy while they work on their fine motor skills.
Finally, TPG parents also recommend activity books -- like these animal quiet books ($14) -- to keep a baby occupied on the plane.
Changing diapers on the go
You can truly never have too many diapers when you have a newborn or baby. TPG readers highly recommended a travel-friendly changing pad like Skip Hop ($25.99) that holds extra diapers and wipes. The grab-and-go option is great for a quick change stop with everything you need easily at hand.
Pop it into an easy-to-carry backpack diaper bag like the one from Beaba ($89.95), for an option that gives you space to load up toys and the extra outfit you should bring for both of you, too.
Stroller
When Brian's baby gets a little older, we're definitely going to help him pick the best travel stroller after his little one graduates from the Doona ($550), of which TPG has been a long-time fan.
You'll also want to check out the video in this post of TPG's director of travel content, Summer Hull, doing a demo when her daughter was just a baby road warrior.
Related: These are the 7 essential baby gear items that make travel easier
Advice on traveling with a baby
TPG readers also shared some of their most useful travel hacks and advice for flying with a baby. Many of the tips below were shared by multiple people.
- Use a pacifier or bottle for your baby during takeoff and landing to alleviate ear pressure.
- Avoid connecting flights if possible.
- Book the bulkhead seats with the built-in bassinet on long-haul flights.
- Before the baby arrives, take first aid training for parents and caregivers.
- Ship diapers to your location or buy them once you arrive to avoid overpacking (be sure to pack some emergency carry-on diapers, too).
- Always pack more diapers in your carry-on than you think you’ll need, and bring a change of clothing — for both you and the baby — on the plane for any messes.
- Create an on-the-go, free bottle warmer: Lounges sometimes have coffee machines that offer a cup of hot water which will double as a bottle warmer. Almost any dining establishment you visit can also provide you with a cup of hot water. Pop your bottle in the mug of hot water, and there's no need to travel with a bottle warmer.
- Buy duplicates of a stuffy or lovey that your child gets attached to. That way when they lose it, you'll have a backup.
More advice for traveling with a baby:
- Flying with a baby checklist
- 21 airline stroller policies around the world
- Should you select a bulkhead seat when traveling with a baby?
- Planning award travel with a lap infant
- Privacy please — best US airline seats for lap babies and nursing moms
- Traveling with a baby: How young is too young to fly?
- The best airline seats, suites, lactation rooms and lounges when breastfeeding
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.