Edition #6: Practical Hacks for Tiny World Travelers
Plus a lifesaver sleep tool for on-the-go naps.
I didn’t leave the state of California until I was a teenager. As a young, avid reader, the expanse of the world existed only in my imagination: Paris! London! Tokyo! I spent six weeks in Zimbabwe and South Africa in my early twenties, and my husband and I planned a last-minute trip to Paris and Amsterdam in our first year of marriage. We’ve made it a point to travel internationally every year since, both with and without our littles.
There’s something about sunrise runs around Notre Dame and afternoon ice cream in Rome that can’t be replicated.
And the beautiful thing about travel?
We can share it with our children.
Though our jetsetting love came later, we’ve passed it on early. Both of our girls had their passports stamped before their first birthdays - our second daughter was in Europe before she was six months old! Through plenty of trial and error, we’ve learned what makes a family trip smoother, and, most often, what doesn’t. Here’s our list of must-have travel products for little ones on big adventures. I hope there’s something here that makes your journey feel a bit more possible and much more joyful.
And yes, about that world-famous Doona stroller? You’ll find our (gently dissenting) opinion at the very end 👀
Ready for takeoff!
SnoozeShade ($70)
Why we love it: A lightweight, packable alternative to the Slumber Pod.
This cloth crib cover folds up perfectly into a pack-n-play bag and blocks out unnecessary light for naps and bedtime. Way easier (and cheaper) to travel with than bulkier sleep tents. We swear by it and have used the same one for both of our kids.
Bottle Warmer ($69.99)
Why we love it: A lifesaver in Vienna and on the go.
This particular bottle warmer is built like a tank, with a thermos-style top that won’t spill in your diaper bag. Yes, it’s pricey, but worth the investment when your baby needs a bottle while out and about. The battery life is great, and it lasted us a full 24 hours (roughly 6 bottles) as we traveled from Tennessee to Austria.
Tiny travelers! Our oldest daughter has been to ten countries, and little sis brings up the rear with a solid five.
Stroller Fan ($21)
Why we love it: Must-have for heat and the famous European lack of air conditioning.
We have one for each stroller. Whether you're walking midday or stuck on a train without AC, this little fan is a serious lifesaver. It charges quickly and lasts for hours!
Toddler/Little Kid Lunchbox ($32.99)
Why we love it: Familiar routines = smoother meals.
Our 3-year-old was far more adventurous with new foods when we packed them in her school lunchbox. We also brought her thermos ($16.99) and snack box ($19) from home.
Snacking on Lake Como.
Portable Sound Machine ($39.99)
Portable Version
In-room version: No longer available, but similar
Why we love it: Sleep support wherever you are.
We always bring two—one for the stroller and one for the room. Our second daughter has napped everywhere from a water taxi in Venice to a bridge in Budapest, thanks to her little white noise machine. Do we get a few confused looks from locals? Yes, yes, we do.
Napping in Venice with her stroller fan and sound machine.
Bottle Brush ($7.99)
Why we love it: Total game changer for bottle-feeding.
You will end up cleaning bottles in weird places. A dedicated travel bottle brush makes all the difference when tackling formula buildup in an airport bathroom. Love this tiny one with its own drying rack!
In Paris with our ten-month-old. She took her very first steps on Pont Neuf.
Spinner Toys for Baby ($9.99)
Why we love it: Small, clean, and screen-free.
These window spinners attach to airplane windows or restaurant tables. No mess, no residue, and a great way to pass time mid-flight or during meals. Both our kids love playing with them!
Not the best photo, but *definitely* the best toy. It’s also great to stick to restaurant tables, if you’re as passionately anti-screen as we are.
Baby Bjorn Mini Carrier ($99)
Why we love it: Lightweight, easy to pack, and perfect for airports.
We used this almost every day abroad—especially in places where strollers weren’t ideal (hello, cobblestones and subway stairs). The breathable mesh version packs up small and is great for children under the age of 1. We used it on our most recent trip when our second daughter was 5-7 months old, and carried our first daughter all around Paris at 10 months old.
Walking our six-month-old through the streets of Venice thanks to the Baby Bjorn.
Nursing Cover ($10.99)
Why we love it: Great for feeding and naps.
Even though I’m no longer nursing, this cover came in handy for blocking distractions while our baby slept in the carrier. Bonus tip: clip your portable sound machine to the carrier with a carabiner. Our daughter napped in the middle of the loud Las Vegas airport thanks to this easy combo.
Some airports offer nursing rooms with quiet, dark spaces for tiny travelers. Make sure to check ahead and snag one if you can!
Little M, our tiniest, taking a nap in the Baby Bjorn thanks to our nursing cover and sound machine. Nothing like a quick pick-me-up in the Las Vegas airport.
Travel Tips: A Few Tried and True Mantras & Tips
The flight will end: No matter how hard the flight feels/is, it will end. This tip always sounds silly until you find yourself on a flight with a screaming child and seven hours left, and it feels like you will simply live on an airplane forever. It will end. You can do it. You are the only person on that plane who knows how to soothe and love your sweet baby the way they need. You’re incredible! You’ve got this!
Give jetlag three days: We took our oldest daughter to Tokyo a few weeks before she turned two, and our experience with the Asian time difference was the same as our European experience: give it three days. Be flexible with naps. Keep the light and energy low when your little one wants to have a wake window in the middle of the night, and consider having a movie on in the background for yourself. There’s no reason you shouldn’t enjoy a little late-night hang with your kids!
Unpopular Opinion: Don’t Pack the Doona ($600)
Why we leave it at home: Great in the U.S., but a hassle abroad.
The Doona is amazing for car-heavy travel (we used it extensively in NYC/Chicago/San Francisco), but not for navigating Europe. It’s bulky, lacks storage, and struggles on cobblestones. Instead, we recommend a compact stroller that folds into the overhead bin.
We loved using the Baby Jogger in Tokyo.
We could probably write an entire email series on tips and tricks for long travel days, so please leave a comment below if there’s anything you’d love to know. Encouraging other families to experience the world with their littles is such a joy.
Weekly Recommendations:
🎧 Isimo by Bleachers: Dreamy vibes and fantastic lyrics, this (fairly) new release came on during a writing session the other day, and I put it on repeat. There’s something about the blend of nostalgic lyrics and upbeat tempo that keeps me in a thoughtful mood without dipping towards melancholy.
📚 Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver: I read this earlier in the year, and I can’t stop thinking about it. The descriptions! The family drama! The environmental exhumation of Appalachia! Long and verbally lush, it’s perfect for reading in the heat of a summer afternoon.
Part of me is obsessed with this literary tote trend. Silly, unnecessary, and too small to carry anything but a book and chapstick, but I think they’re a whole lot of fun.
✏️ Something fun to read: Love this breakdown of the top Wes Anderson movie characters. It’s a fun distraction when everything feels heavy. Plus, my husband and I have a soft spot for #5 😉
What a joy to share another week with you. These essays are usually quick, somehow jotted down between naptimes and running a business and coffee dates with my husband, but getting something done and in your inbox every week is a joy.
Have the best holiday week! I have complicated feelings about the United States, but I’ll be watching the fireworks and cheering for better years to come. This newsletter will still be published on Thursday, and I’ll include an update on my novel in-progress (!) and a summertime bucket list.