Baby Equipment Rentals When Traveling: Everything You Need to Know
When I was traveling with my baby for the first time, I was carrying half of the stuff with me. And I mean everything: stroller, crib, car seat, and even more toys that my child did not even want to look at. When I finally packed everything and was close to the airport, I felt like I was running a one-woman moving company. That’s when I found out about baby equipment rentals, and I am here to tell you that it is a lifesaver. Why didn’t anyone tell me about it earlier? Instead of carrying so much, I could rent most of the equipment I needed for my holiday! A real lightbulb moment, to be honest. I will guide you on how baby equipment rentals can make your travel more enjoyable and your luggage a lot lighter.
5 Reasons You Should Rent Baby Travel Gear
Traveling with a baby is like going on a quest, only with diapers. When I tried to pack everything for the baby in my suitcase so that it could fit, it felt like playing Tetris on a high level with no extra life points. And everyone knows if you lose, you have to start from the very beginning. But then I discovered renting baby travel gear and have felt enlightened. Below are the top implemented reasons why it is so cool.
1. Packing Frustration-Free
Remember when you were trying to zip up the suitcase that was so full you had to put all your strength into it to do it? I bet you spent quite a few times playing that awkward lady’s role. Renting baby gear means you do not need to pack the nursery facilities. It is like a load off your shoulder, or at least a lighter suitcase. Imagine yourself walking through the airport in peace, without attracting all the eyes that see you as a leader of a circus parade.
2. Breath Easy When You Lost or Broken Baby Gear
Does the thought of your stroller not arriving at your final destination intact worry you? That haunts my nightmares. When you rent baby gear, you’re not worried about airline baggage handlers playing football with your car seat. There is not a reason to baby it because you did not purchase that piece of gear, it is not your concern if it gets bumped. Can I get a hallelujah?
3. Convenient Delivery
The first time I had baby gear delivered to my hotel, it was like a little kid on Christmas morning. I did not even need to put it together! The gear was just there; should I choose_STACK_VERTICALSTACK_FULL_ble too? consume it.
Delivery to your accommodations: Many rental companies will deliver items directly to where you are staying, but there is nothing like going with ease through your trip without having to pick up and haul large bulky gear all over town. You just had to appear and — presto switch-o — there was everything you required.
4. Clean, High-Quality Equipment
That might make me sound like a germaphobe, but when it comes to my baby, I want the gear to be clean —really clean. Wash those half-dozen baby jackets and winter outerwear items in the camping sink and on the line outside every night! Choose a reliable baby gear rental service. Between rentals, they sanitize everything so your kids aren’t getting up close and personal with another person’s crumbs. On top of that, the gear is usually pretty solid, meaning you’re not paying for a shiny old beat-up stroller. If you look at the photo, your baby may be traveling better than you!
5. Less Stuff to Forget
Real talk: The more you travel with, the more you have to keep an eye on. The number of baby socks and pacifiers I have forgotten and left behind is too high a number, it would make me feel guilty for abandoning them. Renting narrows down the amount of stuff you have to remember. Less stuff to carry around = less shit falling into the black hole known as “the farthest fucking corner of the hotel room” and never being seen again. This is why renting makes your life easier, and when you have a baby during long travels in the airport, mall, or town, you want all the easy ways possible.
Therefore, when preparing for your next trip with your children, try renting all you need. Your spine, your sanity, and your bag will be grateful for it.
Rent Instead of Pack This Baby Travel Gear
When you are traveling with a baby, your suitcase quickly can become a black hole of stuff — all the things you think need but won’t. And I will admit, guilty sometimes over here packing my luggage until it feels like I’m getting ready for an expedition to the North Pole instead of a mere weekend Getaway. It took a few trips to discover I didn’t have to pack the entire nursery with me for me to get into the swing of renting baby travel gear. Below is a list of what you should absolutely avoid packing and renting instead.
Rent a Stroller
Strollers Are A Necessary Evil When Flying With A Baby, I love strollers, let’s be real here, but pushing one around an airport is like trying to maneuver a shopping cart in a packed grocery store during a sale. Not fun. When you don’t have to check your stroller either at the gate or as luggage, that’s one less thing to worry about. And of course, rental companies often offer a range of stroller options, so you can find one that fits your unique needs perfectly.
Rent a Baby Car Seat
More than almost anything else I detest when traveling, is figuring out what to do with the car seat. It is large, heavy, and a bear to install in an unknown rental car. For example, instead of struggling with your car seat gear at the airport, just rent a car from a company. Your back will thank you, believe me. In most cases, car seats rented from rental companies are high quality and in good condition — you may set your mind at ease knowing that safety is not something to worry about.
Rent a Baby Crib
Big things: Are you going to schlep a pack-and-play, stay with family far away from the stuff they used to own, or do something else? I didn’t think so. The way to go is to rent a crib. Many hotels and rental companies offer cribs that are up to safety standards and will make for a comfortable stay with your baby. One less thing to pack and saves you from the assembly required experience. You just have to get in, and your baby bed is ready
Rent a High Chair
Another thing you should not haul from home when on the road is a high chair. And not a quick-read blog story but rather an experience when I thought I could finish my meal while holding my baby to eat over lunch. Ermm, it was hardly an easy meal out. Imagine having this high chair for travel to always ensure the baby has a safe and clean spot to eat regardless of if you are at a hotel, vacation rental, or visiting family. As a bonus, this spares you the trouble of wondering which closet to put a high chair in your luggage.
Baby Travel Renting: A Baby Monitor and Other Infant Items
Take a look as well at other things you could rent to make your trip more comfortable. Such as baby bathtubs, bottle sterilizers, or even toys. Yes, toys. Renting these items allows you to pack your luggage without overflowing with every single baby item on the market while keeping your baby well entertained and comfortable. Who can afford to make room for a large baby bath in their luggage?
When you rent baby gear while traveling, you make your life easier. It is one less thing to pack, which will decrease your stress and give you more time to spend on your trip. Then leave the cumbersome work to others and just enjoy your time with your little one.
How To Avail Trusted Baby Equipment Rental Services
I remember when I began to travel with my baby, and the idea of renting all manner of baby stuff was quite mind-boggling. No more lugging the stroller, car seat, and pack-n-play around the airport like a parental mule. Everything sounded fine and dandy until I had to take the next step of finding a seemingly trustworthy company where that wouldn’t leave me with a dingy old stroller that looked like it had spent some time in someone’s attic. So, based on my own experience, I give you some advice so that you ge to trust an emprsa of baby things for rent.
How do you clean your equipment?
The reality when it comes to babies is that they are messy. Really messy. The thought of being stuck renting a high chair with pureed peas from someone else horrifies me. Just be sure to inquire with the company on how they clean and sanitize their gear. A reputable organization would have strict cleaning and sanitization protocols besides just the regular wipe-down. Because you need the assurance of knowing that the equipment your baby will be sleeping in is truly clean and safe.
How often are your rental goods replaced?
Infant-esque is a dude’s way of complimenting somebody you’ve known for a while. Like, “Oh, Carla still looks baby-like! Oh man…” It makes us uncomfortable.
The point is: Babies grow out of moons and seadoos just like they grow out of diapers and Brita filters—why would your boat rental be any different? An old stroller: If the stroller you’re renting is older than your diaper years, it might be due for a tune-up. Inquire the company, how frequently they replace their rental objects. Baby gear, especially safety features, is newer and better.
How often are your rental goods replaced?
Infant-esque is a dude’s way of complimenting somebody you’ve known for a while. Like, “Oh, Carla still looks baby-like! Oh man…” It makes us uncomfortable.
The point is: Babies grow out of moons and seadoos just like they grow out of diapers and Brita filters—why would your boat rental be any different? An old stroller: If the stroller you’re renting is older than your diaper years, it might be due for a tune-up. Inquire the company about how frequently they replace their rental objects. Baby gear, especially safety features, is newer and better.
How does the company cancel?
But alas, plans change when you travel with a little one. Your flight is canceled, or your baby decides just at this moment to not sleep anywhere besides his own crib. Do check the cancellation policy before you book. And you certainly don’t want to be caught servicing gear that no longer serves your needs. This just further proved this company gets parents. Like really gets them, with the full nature of parenting and behind pulling a whole lot of kindness & sensitivity to us crazy folk whose nerves are already worn real thin! You have enough to worry about— cancellation fees shouldn’t be one of them.
Is the company parent or grandparent controlled?
It is comforting to know that you are renting from a company run by people who understand the rental process. A parent or grandparent can also be an excellent resource, as they know firsthand what works best (and much more importantly, what doesn’t!). If it is owned independently from any parent or grandparent company, you can almost guarantee that the owners live and breathe the quality of gear they sell and service. It’s as though you’re borrowing from a friend who’s done it all before and just wants to make your life easier for the short time you’re around.
Does the company promise the exact item that they are stating and provide images of on their site?
Baby gear shopping can be all or nothing, but when its the latter, it stings even more because you expected one thing and received another.
Make sure the company guarantees the item you see on their website is specifically what you will be getting. No shocks, no sad faces. You really don’t want to be that person who gets stuck with a stroller you thought was your dream, only to find out it’s completely unsuited in practice.
What should you tell the company so that they can offer you the perfect baby equipment for your baby?
All babies are different, and what works for one may not work for the other. A good rental company will also inquire about your baby’s age, weight, and needs so they can better assist you with getting the right equipment. No matter if you know your baby will only sleep in the crib we have or that you need a stroller that can handle all-terrain running, just tell us what you need, and because of this advanced notice, we will ensure we equip our items to suit those needs. After all, who knows your baby better than you?
So, looking for a trustworthy baby equipment rental is not hard. Follow these guidelines, and you can feel confident you are picking a company that makes your travel easier and more enjoyable! Traveling with a baby is hard enough, so you really need to know your stroller will hold up under some hard work.
Renting Baby Equipment While Traveling||Tips Tricks Planning.
Traveling with a baby? Fun, right? Life with a baby isn’t crazy hard when you’re not carrying all the baby equipment you need to take! While renting baby equipment can spare you the labor of loading heavy AND unnecessary cargo (a child, and whatever may be in diapers), you cannot always avoid psychically preparing yourself for it by choosing anything available first. I wanted to help out, so here are six tips that I have learned about buying gear on Craigslist or other resale sites for you. This way you can rest assured that you’ll get good gear and a solid deal.
Contrast Rent vs. Replace Price
Before you even consider renting, do a little math first. What would you pay to hire that stroller or car seat, versus just buying a shitty one at your destination? In some cases, buying and then throwing out can actually be less expensive. On the other hand, renting can also bail you out of spending too much on top-notch items from time to time. But make sure to account for the convenience — you won’t want to be spending your vacation running around shopping for baby gear.
Consult Online Images and Receive Digital Installation Instructions
You never purchase a vehicle sight unseen, do you? This also applies to baby gear rental. Get some gear that is not gathering dust in a garage somewhere. View photos online of the things you’ll actually be renting. And better still, look to see if the company provides digital installation instructions (particularly for car seats). Nothing worse than trying to wrestle with a base while your baby screams in the backseat.
Request Testimonials
I think parents are the most reliable of all sources when it comes to baby gear. And request testimonials from other customers (or even better, read reviews online) from the rental company. I mean, Dutch parents are honest when their kids are concerned. If everyone is gushing about how clean and fresh the equipment was — you may be in luck. If not, well, you know what to do.
The Quality Is Underwhelming ?
We have all been there — you order something online only to receive it and find out that item is truly nothing like what was pictured. The Baby Equipment Rental Save Your Sanity Guide ~ Don’t let it be your baby gear! Ensure that the items sold by the company come with some guarantees about their quality. This gear costs a decent amount of your hard-earned cash — so, keep it clean and keep it working. Ask if the older airports could return them too early for their next flight.
Confirm When and Where
I know one of my biggest hesitations when renting baby gear is, what if it and I am left high & dry. It just helps to know what time the food will arrive and when it needs picking up so I can plan my day a little more: for everyone’s sanity — mine mostly;) The last thing you want is to be waiting for a crib that happens to a 45-minute drive from your house. Triple check everything — the dates, times and addresses so that its not even a bit off when you reach there.
It asks for your flight details.
A few rental companies will even set up a delivery based on your flight time and how many of you there are. If your flight gets delayed, then they will know to delay the delivery. It was such a weight off my shoulders — cause when you traveling with a baby, you cannot be having no setbacks. Save yourself A LOT of stress and give them your Flight INFO!
Parveen is the Holy Grail when it comes to renting baby gear, and we all know how convenient that should be Composing a list of travel architecture makes things easier. Follow our quick guide on how to get around this and ensure you are standing strong on the top of your surfboard on the best wave of your life. The single with the baby though will be given some TLC along the way, because when you are traveling with a baby, surely it is not just about perfection.
Where to Rent & How It Works
You made the sensible decision and chose to rent baby gear this time in order to save you from carrying everything from home. Smart move! The ultimate question at this point might be, “Haha okay, that was a joke, but how in the heck does baby equipment rental work?” Fear not — I have you sorted. Read on for a full demystification of what it is really like to rent baby gear, from making reservations for your things and understanding exactly what you do not need to waste space pulling along.
Reserving Equipment
Step One:… Secure Your Stuff It’s like online shopping, only you don’t end up with buyer’s remorse. Visit the website of a rental company, look up what you want, and select it. At most, you are allowed to select your travel days and equipment on the site itself. That was all fine, just triple-check your dates— you never know, the crib might turn up two days after your kid has already been sleeping out of a suitcase… 🤷♀️
Pick Up/ Drop Off
So now we have arrived at the easy part. Choose When Your Gear is Delivered and Picked Up After you book your gear, Indow will ask how you want it delivered and picked up. Certain companies will even deliver it all to your hotel or Air BnB, so it’s all there when you arrive. Some will also greet you at the arrivals gate and are absolutely a godsend when you have a little one with them (quick trip to baggage reclaim as well). They will pick everything up when you’re finished, meaning no returns are needed! Think of it as you own baby gear valet.
What We Rent
With BabyQuip, you can rent anything your baby could possibly need (strollers, car seats, cribs, high chairs—you name it). I have seen diaper genies on there. The best part? You can specify the model you’re interested in and not get a Fiat Panda-esque monstrosity that weighs as much to hop into your boot as an actual small SUV. Even though one way is good and the other ways are bad, just choose what you want to do with your baby, and that should probably be enough for anyone.
What We Bring
Renting equipment will cut down on the load but there are still some things you are likely to bring from home. For instance, I always take my baby’s favorite blanket and a few of their home toys. Those little comforts can be a saving grace on the road, believe me. Another aspect that you may want to pack is your own baby monitor or sound machine (especially if they are better than what the Airbnb provides).
What We Don’t Need for Travel
One of the biggest reasons is that you get to leave a lot of your gear at home if you plan on renting some of it. No need to shove the car seat into the overhead bin!
And there is no need to bring the pack ‘n play if you are renting a crib or the high chair if you know one will be available once you land. Comfort is simplifying that travel—sstreamlining it and the less you have to contort your everyday life to couple around all of your work/play essentials—the common heavy camera gear.
Rental Costs
We will now talk about the finance part. Baby gear rental can cost, but its value of pay-to-get is often important for the second baby! Rates will depend on what you are renting, and where you plan to go, but most companies offer a package if want multiple items. Oh, and who are we kidding, you probably need more than just a stroller anyway. Not to mention the money you save on airline baggage fees by not dragging all that gear around.
Baby travel gear rentals are a lifesaver. It feels lighter, freer, and a whole lot less stressful. However, make sure that you reserve your specific items in advance and be sure to pack items that are not so baby-specific, and then revel in the feeling of being on a trip relaxed and unburdened by too much baby gear. And take my word for it, your back will appreciate it.
Rent a City
Having a baby is difficult, and traveling with a baby is even harder, but renting gear in different cities makes life so much easier. Over the years of trying baby equipment rentals in various locations, I have discovered a few city-specific hacks to navigate the rental scene with less frustration and more ease. I am doing a breakdown of what I found in Chicago, Nashville, and Denver and then a general overview for those wanting a bit more versatility.
Chicago
I was shocked by the rentals I found in Chicago. It may be called the Windy City, but baby gear rental services there are far from breezy. In Chicago, you could get things delivered the same day from most companies — a huge blessing if your flight was delayed or you did not think ahead as well as originally planned. Just remember: LA traffic can be a nightmare, so double ensure when and where your delivery and pick-up times are. And if you happen to be staying in a tall building, make sure the building has any rules on deliveries (most of Chicago’s delightful rental condos are.)
Nashville
Sad to leave Nashville, the welcoming nature of the entire process was completely in line with the charm of every part of that amazing city. Many of the baby gear companies here provide personalized service in-store with staff who generally seem to care that you leave their store equipped. They are extraordinarily helpful, for example, if you require a stroller suitable for the downtown cobblestones. Most Nashville rental companies are also very flexible and understanding when it comes to pick-up and drop-off times (because we are never on time, honey). But always be sure to ask about the inside scoop—they are likely to point you in the right direction towards a hidden gem of something to do with your little one.
Denver
Denver really does take your breath away with that altitude, along with their baby rental selections! In Denver, the rental services typically provide top-notch equipment that would suit the outdoor activities that you are possibly planning. And Denver companies have managed to get the inventions down pat, from a stroller that can go the extra mile to a crib that travels well. All in all, they can make you realize that mountain weather is not always sunny (no duh), and offer some of the greatest flexibility with their rental terms. Each time they head out, always ask if you need something more for those surprise weather alterations perhaps snow boots for strollers?
General Experience
Overall, we have found hiring baby gear in other cities to be a relatively straightforward process, with pretty much the same formula occurring each time. Luckily, the vast majority are more than happy to accommodate your travel and life needs so this is another area where flexibility comes in handy. Another major one to consider is cleanliness; nobody wants to use a piece of equipment that looks like it’s been through hell and back. Lastly, communication is key. Besides this, make sure to get everything confirmed, from delivery to pickup, in advance to save yourself from last moment glitch.
And there is nothing that can help calm nerves and ease tensions like rentals of baby equipment for your travels. Whether you are experiencing the skyline of Chicago, the music of Nashville, or hitting the trails in Denver, a little planning and access to great rental services can help. And anyway, the less gear you have to haul from place to place, the more energy and fun you will have when exploring cultures and people in a city!
