Traveling with a baby is not exactly easy, but definitely doable. There is nothing that makes me happier than to create meaningful memories traveling with my family.
When our daughter was eight weeks old we travelled with her to New Zealand. The only difference between travelling with our baby and staying at home with them was we were out exploring and having an amazing time.
Babies are one of the easiest ages to travel, especially if you are breastfeeding. (you can read more pros and cons of travelling with a baby here)
There is extra luggage and sleep times to juggle. But, babies don’t do much else and they will love the time they get snuggled up to your chest as you carry them around.
To make it easier on yourself, you definitely need to have some quality essential products that help to reduce the load.
Since the birth of Savannah, we have been trying some Baby Bjorn products and the only word I can use to describe them is..
Love
yes with a capital L.
They make travelling with a baby SO MUCH EASIER.
Essential Products for travelling with a baby
Baby Bjorn Miracle Carrier
When Kalyra was a baby I had a Baby Sling. I loved the idea of it, but it was bulky and awkward and I constantly feared that she would fall out or be smothered. Plus it hurt my back.
The Baby Bjorn Miracle Carrier is everything that sling was not.
- It is easy to wear and easy to put Savannah in.
- It is safely secured.
- Savannah is close to us at all times.
- It is designed to grow with Savannah, allowing us to carry her in it until she is about 15 months old.
- She can face towards or away from us.
- My hands are completely free and it is easy to do other activities with her in it.
- It is great for Craig to wear as well – and he loves the daddy bonding time carrying Savannah whilst doing any chores!
- It is recommended by pediatricians and has an adjustable design, padded waist belt, comfortable back support and wide shoulder straps.
- If the airlines weren’t so ridiculous, it is the perfect airplane seat belt (they make you take the bubs out and put their flimsy belt around them that they can slingshot out of easy enough)
Most of all Savannah LOVES it – like really loves her Baby Bjorn. Like loves it so much that as we were touring around Rotorua for the day she slept the entire time, only popping out for a feed.
The other guests on the tour could not believe how well she slept in it. In fact, later that night she protested all night that she now had to sleep in her cot.
That had us worried that maybe the Baby Bjorn had ruined her sleeping for good. Thankfully, she sorted it all out by the next evening and was happily back in her cot.
I just wish they made Adult Bjorns so Craig could carry me around all day and I can sleep.
The Baby Bjorn Travel Cot Light
When we traveled with Kalyra we used to lug around a heavy and bulky port-a-cot; a cheap and very ugly one from Target.
The first time we opened it up to use it, it took Craig and I almost half an hour to put together, it was that tricky. Even more so when it came time to fold it back up.
I hated carrying it around with us and sometimes it just worked out better to throw Kalyra in the bed with us.
In a word – the Baby Bjorn Travel Cot is…
LOVE
seriously, with capitals.
I opened the small square bag, that was as light as a feather, at only 5 kg. It’s size and shape meant I was not going to swipe out the person beside me as I walked or worse tangle it up in my own legs and send myself sprawling over the tarmac.
No, it almost felt like I was carrying a laptop bag.
And then when I opened the cot to put it together, it sprang out from my hands, popping itself out into a port-a-cot. Just like that. I did not have to do a thing. Literally just sprang out.
All I had to do was open out the thick, soft mattress and place it inside. The hardest part was then making the bed – too much effort!
The portable cot is small and compact, which Savannah loves. She likes to feel like she is being embraced. She does not like a lot of empty space around her. It is the perfect size to fit in the smallest of rooms.
I love the breathable mesh around the outside, which also makes it easier to keep an eye on her when she is sleeping. The fabric is guaranteed harmless to infants and I love the soft grey colors.
I would never use anything but a Baby Bjorn Miracle Carrier and travel cot, ever again. And even though these products were complimentary, in exchange for our review, I guarantee you that I stand behind these products as being the BOMB.
I would purchase them myself and I would recommend these as a must travel product for traveling with a baby.
It will make your parenting life easier. Even without the travel.
More Family Travel Tips
Have you used any of these travel products for family travel before?
Yep, I used one of these as well. Worked well on taking walks and very easy on the baby. Even gives mom a break as dad can use it as well! Very safe and secure so I can attest to this product! 🙂
Love how Mum gets a break!! Perfect bonding time for Daddy
I used the Baby Bjorn Carrier with both of my children. I would have to say they are great and highly recommend.
I have not tried the travel cot but it looks very similar to a Phil&Teds one I have and it works well.
The travel cot is so great. I can’t believe how easy it is to put up and down and how light it is. It is perfect for travelling and Savannah sleeps well in it, which has me won
Wow, 5 stars from y Travel Blog! They must be fantastic!!!
Absolutely!! Travel with children is not easy so products like this excite me
Totally agree! I absolutely love the bjorn baby carrier – i never go anywhere without it packed somewhere – just the freedom alone with two hands free makes it totally worth it! One other great thing to use along your travels…. The luxurious Stroller Bag by Stylish Little Me… perfect for travelling as it fits on all prams and can carry all the necessary travel essentials!
Thank you for sharing!! Love being hands free, it is so so much easier and they are so much better for bonding. I love my Savannah snuggles
Love the travel cot, wish I knew about that when my son was littler. We ended up just having him sleep in the bugaboo. When you out grow the Bjorn, check out the Boba carrier. I use that for my three AND my five year old. Without a stroller, they get tired and still need a break from walking after a few hours in museums.
Cheers!
J.
Thank you so much for the Boba carrier suggestion. We have been trying to find something for Kalyra but thought she was too old. She’s four now and so is a bit big for the stroller but still can’t walk around a lot. That will be perfect for travelling
We used a local baby carrier from China, loved it!! Our little guy is now almost 2 and he won’t even get near a carrier…he is in full running mode, but he still needs a crib at night. i will take a look at the travel cot! Thanks for sharing
You are welcome. They are really worth it
Love the travel crib. A friend lent it to us on our first trip to China. By the second trip I had my own. Only problem is that the 2 year old is now too big for it. Luckily his little brother is on the way and will fit just fine. The crib is expensive but SO worth it. As for a carrier, I still love my Ergo. It’s the only thing that ever got my kid to sleep on a plane. Heck, now that I’m pregnant I make the daddy walk the toddler to sleep in an emergency. It’s comfy on our hips and can still hold our almost 30 pounder. I’m just hoping he didn’t stretch it out too much so Baby #2 can fit comfortably in it as well 😉
You get your husband working!! you need the rest. ACtually they need to make the carriers for us Mums! Thanks for sharing your experiences, very helpful for our community.
We also swore by the Baby Bjorn travel crib before Charlotte graduated to a big-girl bed. We even managed to fit it into our suitcase.
And I agree on the necessity of a baby carrier. We used a moby wrap for the first few months, and then an Ergo. I’ve heard that the Baby Bjorn is bad for babies’ hips…
I haven’t heard that about the baby carrier. I checked it all out and it said they were designed with the advice of peadiatricians
We are heading to Europe with our three kids and I am wondering if there is a similar product for an 18mth old. Obviously it would be different than this but something that can help us carry her about through narrow streets and up mountain paths. Any ideas ?
The baby bjorn probably won’t work, but we also have a Kelty hiking carrier which we love!!!
They are much bigger and bulkier but definitely make life easier