From portable cribs to deluxe infant carriers to carseat-stroller combos -- the right gear can make a trip with baby easier for all of you.
Baby Beach and Swim Gear
Photo © Pricegrabber.com.
It's a paradox: babies are so small, yet they need so much stuff! At least these items are small and portable. Check out inflatables and swim wear that keep see kids afloat, beach tents for shade, and more.
Evenflo Cross Terrain Frame Baby Carrier
Shade canopy on top, multiple storage compartments, you're good to go, whether it's hiking in a National Park or up and down the hundreds of tiny bridges in Venice.
Front-carrying Infant Carrier
Babies know that facing forward is a sporty way to get around. And Baby Bjorn makes this front-facing carrier with extra lumbar support for mom or dad.Baby Travel Systems
About.com's Baby Products website covers these popular systems which combine a stroller, an infant car seat and a car seat base. The infant car seat has a handle so it can be used as a baby carrier, too. Very handy for travelers! This site covers all kinds of other baby gear as well.Stroller-Carseat Travel Systems
Graco, Cosco, Eddie Bauer and others make these brilliant hybrids.Bugaboo Frog Sand Stroller
Deluxe stroller for a child (newborn to four) to ride with pride however uneven the surface and even on the beach.Samsonite Baby Travel Bed
You can sling this over your shoulder, as a shoulder bag: then, voila, it's a little bed, with protective sides so baby won't roll; zippered fitted terry sheet; snap-on mosquito netting cover; insulated compartment. Doubles as a diaper-changing station, too.Portable Cribs
Portable cribs can be useful even at home: they can double as a playpen in the backyard. Somewhat like an umbrella stroller, portable cribs unfold in a jiffy, and are made out of nylon and sturdy plastic parts. My family used one on many trips: it did indeed set up in one minute (after the first time!) Some models have an attachable change table or bassinet.