You’re ready to plan your first trip with a little one, you’ve done all your research on the best family-friendly vacation spots, and now you are thinking about the packing list. This is about the time that the panic sets in. Trust me, I have been there (more than once)!
Traveling with a baby starts to feel impossible when you start adding up the various gear they need. Luckily, there are baby gear rental companies that can bring all of the necessary baby gear to you. That’s right, you can say goodbye to lugging pack n’ plays through the airport!
Below, I will go over how renting baby gear works and I will let you in on the secret of the best baby gear rental companies!
Why Would I Rent Baby Gear?
Bringing things like car seats, strollers, and pack n’ plays along while you travel can be really tough. They are bulky and heavy, and make it nearly impossible to chase after a toddler.
There are a few reasons I highly recommend renting baby gear while traveling whenever possible.
- Whether you are traveling by plane, train, or car being able to save space and trim down your packing list is great.
- While airlines do have multiple options for bringing baby gear (like checking your gear when you arrive or gate checking as you get on the plane), there are still some things you just won’t be able to bring along. For example, a strollers wagon or a full-size crib just can’t come along. BUT, there are baby gear rental companies that offer all kinds of high-quality baby gear.
How Does Renting Baby Gear Work?
First off, you are going to look for baby gear rental companies in your destination. You will find some companies are local-only options and other companies have a variety of locations you can rent from. In popular family vacation spots, you will find tons of options! Even when traveling somewhere more obscure, I have always been able to find baby rentals, though.
Put in your travel dates and select the baby gear that you need. The gear available to you may differ depending on the dates you arrive and the length of your stay. Make sure you select a drop-off window that works for your plans so you aren’t left without gear when you need it.
Read item descriptions for safety and quality information and then finalize your rental! Most baby gear rental companies will list extensive details about the item, like how old it is and how worn it is.
Make sure you read the full description so that you get the best item possible. This is especially important for car seats since they have expiration dates and are vital to your baby’s safety.
What are the best baby gear rental companies?
BabyQuip
Let’s kick things off with BabyQuip, it is probably the most popular baby gear rental company and is available in 1000+ locations in the US and Canada.
This service is meant for short-term rentals for vacation or “in a bind” situations. They have tons of quality providers across the US who rent out clean, safe, and insured baby gear.
The providers have a whole page dedicated to them with ratings, their specific rates, and everywhere they can deliver. They can often deliver to airports, hotels, and private residences in a certain location range. Keep in mind, their delivery fees do differ so it’s important to take note before proceeding to book.
You can also send BabyQuip your itinerary and they will build a package that they think fits your needs! This is a great option if you are renting out a lot of gear and want to do minimal planning.
Of course, baby gear availability will depend on where you are but in most cases you can easily find all of the necessities.
Here is an example of a provider page:
Products Offered:
- Cribs
- Pack n Plays
- Strollers
- Car Seats
- Toys
- And much more, depending on location and provider!
Happiest Baby
I had a Snoo Smart Sleeper with my last baby and now I recommend getting one to everyone I know! If you are taking a long trip with a newborn I highly recommend looking into Happiest Baby’s rental options for the Snoo.
The minimum rental period for the Snoo is 1 month, so it is really more of a long-term rental option but in the case that you are taking a long trip with an infant this is my top recommendation. It is not only a safe place for your baby to sleep while traveling but it will help comfort and soothe your baby so you all can get the best sleep!
The Snoo Smart Sleeper is like having an extra set of hands to rock and comfort your baby. It was created by Dr. Harvey Karp, who we absolutely love and take advice from regularly.
The Snoo is the only product that Happiest Baby rents, but they do have some accessories that you can buy as well. Plus, when you rent right now you get 2 swaddles, a mattress, and a fitted crib sheet to keep for free!
I love that they have a meticulous 5 step process for certifying the Snoo is cleaned and sanitized in between families.
Baby’s Away
Baby’s Away is pretty similar to BabyQuip and is a service for rentals both for home and for when you’re traveling. You can find them in most states across the US and each location is run by locals, typically parents or grandparents themselves.
They carefully inspect and clean their products before each rental.
Products Offered:
- Cribs
- Toddler Beds
- High Chairs
- Booster Seats
- Bottle Sanitizers
- Bottle Warmers
- Car Seats
- Toys
- Swings and Bouncy Seats
- Beach Necessities
3 Peas Baby Gear Rental
If you are vacationing in Phoenix or Scottsdale (my favorite spring destination!), you can rent all your baby gear from 3 Peas! It is a family-run company that offers many premium and high-end products for rent in the Phoenix area only. On top of the gear, they can deliver diapers, wipes, and food to you as well.
The delivery team is fully background checked, which brings parents like me peace of mind! The gear they rent out is all bought new. This means it isn’t used by a child before they begin renting it out, and on top of that, they make sure everything is JPMA certified, safety recall checked, and in great condition.
Products Offered:
- Cribs
- Travel beds
- Bathtubs
- High chairs
- Bouncers
- Toy Packages
Toddler’s Travels
Toddler’s Travels is a baby equipment rental located in San Diego. They offer single-item rental and rental packages that come with everything you need if you plan on traveling as lightly as possible. Toddlers Travels is family-owned and operated, having been around since 2007 when it was founded by a traveling mama.
They are located just one mile from the San Diego Airport rental car hub and they will actually meet you at the rental car company to bring you a car seat!
Products Offered:
- Cribs
- Toddler Beds
- High Chairs
- Boppy Pillows
- Car Seats
- Bottle Sanitizers
- Bottle Warmers
- Toys
- Swings and Jumpers
- Beach Necessities
These are just a few of the many baby rental companies spread across the world! You can easily find one in your specific travel destination by simply googling “baby travel gear in ‘insert city’” and checking out the reviews and comments from other parents who have used the service.
If you are looking for a full list of everything you need to travel with a baby, my article here lists the absolute must-haves! After all, we all deserve the chance to get out there and explore new places with our babies or try out a product we think we might love.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is rented most on BabyQuip?
Full-size cribs are the most rented item on BabyQuip. Having a safe, comfortable place for your baby to get a good night’s sleep is so important while traveling!
Can you rent strollers while on vacation?
Whether you are headed to Disney World or your favorite beach town, there are plenty of companies out there to rent strollers from while on vacation.
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Pin for Later – Baby Gear Rental for Traveling & More!
