What Kind Of Baby Travel Sleep Gear Is Right For You?

baby travel sleep gear

Baby's first overnight trip is a big deal - a very big deal.

To make sure everything is just right at the destination, we parents are notorious for doing some major over-packing. Chances are if it would fit in a tote, the kitchen sink would come along just in case!

So, what are the bare essentials  and how much stuff really needs come along from the ride?

The answer to that question does depend a whole lot on baby's age.

If she's very little, the honest to goodness list of must haves is a whole lot shorter than most of us even want to admit. Older babies and toddlers might require a few extra pieces, but the list is still quite small.

A basic list of items to bring along include:

• A portable bassinette or travel playpen. Unless there's a crib at the destination, this gear is an absolute must. While it's tempting to put her in bed with you - especially in a strange place - doing so is plain dangerous. Just make sure to bring along the right, age-appropriate sleeping platform. If at all possible, get her used to sleeping in the bassinette or playpen prior to the trip. You'll thank yourself for doing so later!

• The right fitted sheets. Crib sheets might fit a portable playpen just right, but chances are they simply will not do for a small, travel bassinette. To ensure bunching of sheets doesn't occur, bring along a few fitted sheets.

• Sleepwear. Don't forget to pack plenty of comfortable sleepers. A sleep sack or other wearable blanket is also a great idea. This is especially so if staying in a hotel where setting the thermostat to a non-freezing temperature is often difficult. These will save baby from getting cold and prevent you from trying to figure out how to keep her safe with a loose fitting blanket as the only option to cover her up.

• Monitoring devices. If she's expected to sleep in another room, it's more than okay to bring these along. In fact, a good monitor should help give you some much-needed peace of mind and enable you to better enjoy your time away from home.

• Safety gear. While these types of items don't necessarily constitute baby sleep gear, they are important to pack and have handy in a strange environment. Things like aspirators, medical supplies, portable bed railings (for a toddler) and so on can really come in handy on a trip away from home.

Toddler Baby Travel Sleep Gear

The basic baby travel sleep gear is generally all included on a toddler list. A few extra items might come in order here though to ensure a baby on the go gets enough sleep.

Some items to consider for an older baby include:

• Favorite toys. If she cannot sleep at home without her favorite doll or stuffed animal, don't expect miracles on the road without the item. Remember to pack at least a few security toys to make her feel safe in temporary surroundings.

• Blanket. Most toddlers develop a special affinity for their blankets. If your toddler has done so, consider this an essential baby travel sleep gear item to bring along.

For the most part, babies do much better on the road than us parents give them credit for in advance. Just take the time to pack up the baby travel sleep gear that's really needed and leave the kitchen sink at home!

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