By Amy Morrison | Updated January 2026
Amy has been researching baby products and writing about pregnancy since 2010. She's a mom of two boys and runs Pregnant Chicken, helping parents navigate the chaos of early parenthood with humor and practical advice.
Visiting family with a new baby should be about snuggles and showing off your baby and not stressing about what gear to pack. After traveling with two babies and testing dozens of products, I've learned what's actually worth bringing and what you can skip.
The bottom line: You don't need everything on this list. But knowing what's available helps you make smart decisions based on your specific situationso you know what's out there to get you thinking like, "Oh yeah, mom's dog goes bananas anytime someone sets foot in the room. How are we going to swing naps?"
Table of Contents
- Sleep Essentials
- Feeding and Bath Time
- Keeping Baby Entertained
- Safety Gear for Non-Baby-Proofed Homes
- Getting Around
- Packing Tips
Sleep Essentials
Travel Crib
After struggling to lower my sleeping baby into a traditional pack 'n play post-C-section (my core strength was nonexistent), I always look for the side-zip feature like the one on the Chicco Alfa Lite.
Why I love it:
- Side-zip entry means no awkward lowering from above
- You can even crawl inside if you nurse to sleep
- High sides work as a safe playard during awake time
- Quick, easy setup when you're already exhausted
Budget alternative: A standard pack 'n play works fine if you're driving and only setting up once. They just tend to be bulky and heavy if you need something lightweight. (I also find them a pain to set up and take down.)
Splurge option: The BabyBjörn Travel Crib is beautifully designed but pricier.
Blackout Curtain
If you've worked hard to establish a sleep routine, a sun-drenched guest room at 1 PM can undo all that progress. I learned this the hard way at my in-laws' house.
Amazon's Portable Blackout Curtain uses suction cups to stick to windows and block out light. Also worth checking out: OtterSpace's blackout curtains if you want something more reliable and durable.
Small Sound Machine
Your baby might sleep like a dream at home, but Uncle Mike's booming laugh or your mother-in-law's yappy terrier is a different story.
The Hatch Go has 10 sounds with three easy buttons for quick control. It's connection free with no app or WiFi, so you're not waiting for your dad to hunt for the tiny slip of paper with the password tucked into a James Patterson book.
Feeding and Bath Time
Portable High Chair
Once your baby can sit up unassisted, the Lalo Hook-On High Chair is brilliant for unfamiliar spaces. It clips directly onto the table, bringing baby up to everyone's eye level for meals.
Added bonus: It keeps your newly mobile baby safely contained in homes that aren't baby-proofed like yours.
Portable Bottle Drying Rack
If you're formula feeding or pumping, you need somewhere to dry bottles that isn't your aunt's fancy granite countertop.
The Munchkin Portable Bottle Drying Rack has angled pegs for faster drying, dedicated space for nipples and pacifiers, and even includes a brush. It holds three bottles and packs flat.
Portable Travel Bathtub
Guest bathrooms either have massive soaking tubs or tiny showers with no tub at all. The Ingenuity Tuckaway Toddler Tub solves both problems.
I love that it fits two kids (lifesaver when visiting with cousins) and folds completely flat for packing. We've also used it for backyard "pool parties" on hot days.
Note: these suckers may be small, but a baby can easily drown one, so don’t leave them unattended. You already know that, though. You’re super smart.
Keeping Baby Entertained
Portable Activity Seat
The portable activity center folds like a camping chair and creates a safe space for your baby to hang out inside or outside.
Tip: I hook these rings onto it with a couple of new, inexpensive toys. It buys you at least 10-15 minutes of hands-free time, which is gold when you're trying to have an adult conversation.
This also works great at home if you don't want a giant "circle of neglect" taking up your living room permanently.
Lightweight Playard
Sometimes it’s just easier to secure the baby rather than trying to secure the house and I love these baby thunderdomes to keep kids contained with enough room to play. Plus, baby gates can be challenging for some people to navigate.
This portable playard works indoors, in the backyard, or on the road. You can get versions with canopies for sunny spots.
Budget hack: Grab a baby pool, inflate it, fill with toys, and let your crawler explore safely. This only works with babies who are content staying put – determined escape artists need the real playard.
Safety Gear for Non-Baby-Proofed Homes
Pressure Safety Gate
The Toddleroo Supergate uses pressure to stay in place – no drilling required. Perfect for blocking kitchen entrances or rooms full of breakables.
Important limitation: These are best suited if you’re trying to keep a curious baby out of a kitchen or room of antique china and not suited for the top of the stairs or over-enthusiastic large dogs.
Cabinet Locks
There's always that one drawer or cabinet your crawler will find. These sliding locks install in seconds and cost just a few dollars. I throw a pack in our travel bag for every trip.
Getting Around
Lightweight Stroller
The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is my top pick for travel. With a one-hand compact fold and included carry bag with backpack straps, it makes navigating airports effortless. At 14 lbs, it fits easily into overhead bins and car trunks.
Key features:
- One-hand fold with carry bag and backpack straps
- All-wheel suspension that handles rough sidewalks smoothly
- Near-flat recline safe for younger babies
- Compact footprint when folded
- Weighs just 14 lbs
Premium alternative: The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 folds in literally one second and meets airline carry-on requirements (IATA-compatible). At 17.6 lbs, it's slightly heavier than the Baby Jogger, but the fold speed is unmatched. If you travel frequently and want the smoothest ride with the fastest fold, the extra investment might be worth it.
Budget option: The Graco Ready2Jet weighs just 13 lbs and costs significantly less than both options above. It's not as smooth to push as the Baby Jogger or Bugaboo, but for occasional travel where you won't panic if it takes a beating, it gets the job done at an unbeatable price.
Baby Carrier: Skip the Stroller Entirely?
Honestly, you might not need a stroller at all, especially if your baby is very young. A good carrier (the one shown here is the Tula Free to Grow) works for most quick trips and family visits.
Perk: You can hand off the baby to other relatives. "Here, Dad, let me strap this screaming kid to you for your evening walk. Love you!"
Packing Tips
Write Your List Over 24 Hours
Don't try to make your packing list in one sitting. Write your list over the course of a day so you don’t forget the mundane stuff. (This is how I forget socks.)
Don't Forget the "Just in Case" Stuff
Infant pain reliever, diaper rash cream, nail clippers, insurance cards – things you might not use daily but are a nightmare to find at 9 PM in an unfamiliar town.
Check the Weather
This seems obvious, but I once packed exclusively for spring weather and arrived to unexpected snow. Check the forecast for your destination and pack hats, sunscreen, or warm layers accordingly.
Ship Heavy Items Ahead
Consider shipping extra diapers, wipes, formula, or new gear to your destination rather than hauling them in the car or on the plane.
Consider Renting Gear
Google "rent baby gear [city name]" to find local services that deliver items like cribs, high chairs, and strollers directly to your destination. We have a full guide on renting baby gear when traveling here.
Brush Up on Safety
Share these resources with family before arriving:
- Surprising choking hazards for babies (lithium batteries keep me awake at night)
- Introducing pets to your baby (for that wary chihuahua)
Most of all, take it in stride.
Your baby will probably have a meltdown in front of Uncle Mike, who'll mutter something about kids being spoiled these days. Auntie Barb might actually trip over the baby gate after her third glass of wine.
Who cares?
Hand the baby to a willing relative (maybe not drunk Auntie Barb), pour yourself a drink, and enjoy your wonderfully chaotic family. These early visits fly by faster than you think.
Safe travels, and let me know what I missed in my travel gear list!
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