Ergobaby Baby Carrier

A baby carrier is a must for travel. It stores easily under the stroller and allows you to navigate side streets and crowds that would be hard with a pram. The Ergobaby is comfortable for both parent and child, and usually within 5 minutes of strapping a baby into this thing they will be asleep. 

My only gripe with this product is that it is impossible for me to take on and off. I never experienced another baby carrier so don't know if this is a common issue. So fellas, unless you are a super flexible, yoga-loving individual, get a partner or friend to assist. 

-Michael

Britax Stroller

This should be called the tank of strollers. Not because of its size or weight (because it's relatively small and light), but because we've lugged this piece of baby equipment to 4 countries, 10 states, dozens of trips in the NYC subway system and through a particularly brutal snow storm, and it has performed and survived. This thing can take a beating yet still function beautifully. Our baby loves it too.

Priced in the mid 200s (400s if you get the entire travel system that we have), this stroller has many add-ons that make it even more functional. We purchased the cup holder accessory and the car seat insert (so 400 bucks total). 

In my humble opinion, this is the best stroller for travel. Since it's not one of those thousand dollar prams, you don't worry too much when you see a bag handler man-handle it. I also think it looks better with the many dings and scuffs that come with international travel. It easily folds up, making it easy to put through security and into the back of Ubers and taxis.

The website states, "The 3-wheel configuration with swivel front wheels provides an ultra-small turning radius so you easily glide through crowds, thin aisles and other tight spaces. Combine the maneuverable B-Agile 3 with any Britax infant car seat and you get the perfect travel system from the 1 brand in safety technology. The Click & Go System allows for a quick and secure connection - no adapters needed."

I'd agree with that claim. Car seat is super easy; however, the wheels will need to be oiled from time to time otherwise you lose that ultra-small turning radius and the wheels become wonky. As long as you keep the oil flowing, the stroller moves like a dream.

-Michael

Britax website
 

Filson Backpack/Diaper Bag

My wife and I were in Portland when the inspiration struck for this ingenious idea. She was 4 months pregnant and we had just passed a hideous floral cloth diaper bag being lugged around by two otherwise hip individuals. My wife declared, "I will never, ever carry a bag like that." She went on to say that she wouldn't carry a bag in her hands at all, she would carry it on her back. We both agreed that was actually a brilliant idea.

Since we were in the Northwest, we walked into the Filson store and the rest is history. This waterproof backpack is perfect for all baby essentials and makes travel a whole lot simpler. Anything that frees up the hands is a smart move. AnaLiza always keeps the bag loaded and by the door, so she doesn't even need to think much when leaving the house. Just put it on and go.

Here's what's in our bag at the moment:

1. Skip Hop Changer w. Diapers, Wipes and Rash Cream

2. Happy Baby Travel Packs, Spoons, and a Bib

3. Spare Outfit and Socks

4. Baby Ginger Gas Drops

5. Plastic bag in case main outfit gets dirty

6. Mom's incidentals (since this doubles as her purse now) so keys, wallet, and small makeup bag.

-Michael and AnaLiza

http://www.filson.com/luggage-bags/backpacks-rucksacks/tin-cloth-backpack.html#196

UE Roll 2 Speaker

We were introduced to this speaker by a friend on our Lake Tahoe trip. Waterproof, drop-proof and all-in-all baby proof, this speaker will allow you to play baby-calming music all the while your baby attempts to eat, tear apart and destroy it. Compact and easy to store in the stroller, you will never be without music again.

Connects to your mobile device via Bluetooth. Karina's favorite songs are anything by Shakira, Romeo Santos and Gloria Estefan. As an aside her first word after mommy, daddy and mum mum was Gracias! Teaching your baby a second language starts with music selection!

-Michael 

http://www.ultimateears.com/en-us/store

Guava Lotus Crib

For reasons that I will not go into here, even though we only have one child we've gone through four different types of pack and plays. The Guava has emerged as a clear winner. 

I decided to throw down the 200 dollars on the Guava when we were on our Lake Tahoe trip. Through a friend of a friend, we were able to borrow a pack and play. When picking it up, I was immediately suspicious. No way could a pack and play fit into the small rectangular black case I held in my hand. It was so light I thought perhaps it was just the mattress. No, the friend of a friend assured me, it was all there.

This incredibly designed masterpiece sets up super fast. The other benefit is that it's light and folds up super easily, making it a breeze to move the Guava around the house or outside so that the baby can follow wherever the action is.

We've brought the Guava to the beach, to the lake, to many lawns and fields, and to numerous friend's houses. Typically when we take a trip involving a plane I would call ahead to make sure the hotel supplied a crib. This would prevent us from enduring the burden of lugging around a pack and play; but honestly, the Guava is so compact and light that I will probably start taking it with me in case we decide to go to the park or have a picnic at our destination. It has made traveling with Karina that much easier.

-Michael

Travel Food Packs

I enjoy these as much as my baby does. 

From our research we've settled on Happy Baby and Plum Organics for our travel food of choice. We try not to feed our baby these packets too often, and prefer to use home cooked meals, but when you travel I find these to be the best option. Easy to pack and put through security, they are also super easy to serve to your baby. You can either squirt them onto a spoon, or put the nozzle directly into baby's mouth. I try the first bite of every pack we serve Karina, and they are mighty tasty. 

-Michael

plumorganics.com

happyfamilybrands.com

Skip Hop Diaper Changer

This product looks great and is very compact for easy storage in our diaper backpack. We can fit about 5 diapers and a pack of 50 wipes into this foldable changer. The surface can be cleaned easily with a wipe. 

Comes in multiple colors and priced at $30. We chose the one featured above.

-Michael

http://www.skiphop.com/pronto-signature-baby-changing-station

Baby Merlin's Magic Sleep Suit

Ladies and Gentlemen...BEHOLD...The Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit. It will CHANGE your life. I received this as a baby shower gift and couldn't stop laughing. My friend (who was also pregnant at the time) said that all her friends recommended it for baby to sleep in. I couldn't imagine that it would work, but boy did it. It was a dream for her, and for us.

Babies can't wear these until they're about three-months-old. A little later for premature babies, but once they go from swaddle to this...things change (at least for us). For those parents that this didn't work, I'm so sorry to hear :-( but for most babies, it does work. 

So here's the deal. Baby will start to outgrow the swaddle and get out of it at night. That's when you know it's time to make the switch. The way this suit works is that it prevents baby from letting flailing arms wake him/her up. It keeps them nice and cozy and feeling secure, and here's the kicker...they will sleep longer! Yes, you heard it right...MORE SLEEP FOR BABY WHICH MEANS MORE SLEEP FOR YOU! 

It was Winter for KK during this time, so we put her in a one-piece, hat and socks on her hands and made sure the room was about 68-70 degrees. She gets hot easily. the first night we tried it, she slept 8 glorious hours! 8 HOURS! The next night, 10 hours! 

Anyway, they only make two sizes because once baby starts to flip and turn at night, the jig is up and it's best to go to a wearable sleep blanket. Except hopefully they've created a new sleep pattern by that time. And hopefully, you've gained some more zzzzz's. 

Goodnight...sleep tight!

-AnaLiza