Are you tired of going away on trips with your children and having to pack a huge stroller? It sounds like you need to be able to rent baby equipment after you get off the plane, or after you’ve reached your hotel room. Now, you’re probably thinking, “But if I rent baby equipment it’s too expensive.” That’s not the case with Tots-on-the-Go, they’re fast, easy and affordable. Just in case you’re still teetering on what you should do here’s four great reasons why you should rent baby equipment instead of packing your own.

*Convenience – With rental companies stocking everything from cribs to strollers, most with the option of purchasing diapers to be delivered to your vacation destination, there is no beating the convenience if you rent baby equipment. Tots-on-the-Go, a mom who started to rent baby equipment out, advertises this slogan, “All the comforts of home while you’re away.” This is, in a nutshell the main reason to rent baby equipment for vacations or holidays away from home. If you rent baby equipment you no longer need to worry about packing up a Pack-n-Play or figuring hot to fit a travel swing in your luggage. With a few simple clicks of your mouse, all that you need could be waiting for you when you arrive. Such is the simplicity to rent baby equipment.

*Comfort – The world of baby gear has come a long way, but they still have not solved the problem of night travel. As an adult will attest, nothing beats a good bed. When you rent baby equipment you are able to provide your baby he same comforts of their home crib and mattress by renting one. When you choose to rent baby equipment from a company, like Tots-on-the-Go, with strict guidelines on the equipment they carry, including the manufacturer , life span, and sanitation, you and your little will be sure to get a good night’s rest while away.

*No Worries – When you need to rent baby equipment there is no need to worry about the little things you might forget! Not only can you rent baby equipment to be delivered before your arrival but rental companies will gladly rent baby equipment to you during your stay as well. The little things will always be included. No need to worry about sheets, mattress pads, and batteries when you rent baby equipment because it’s their job to make sure everything is in tiptop shape for your entire stay.

*No Hassle – The last thing any parent needs after a long road trip or plane ride is to coordinate a meeting time for equipment to be dropped off. Many good rental companies, like Tots-on-the-Go, prides themselves on creating relationships with local vacation destinations so that when you rent baby equipment it can be set up and waiting for your arrival. Pick up is just as easy, and occurs after checkout.

So you could try to bring your own baby gear and save money instead of trying to rent baby equipment, sure it would be cheaper money wise but when you struggle to bring your own it costs you the convenience, comfort, and worry and hassle free feeling then if you just rent baby equipment before you leave your house.  Make your trip easier, rent baby equipment and make wherever you stay a home away from home.

Flying during the holidays can try your patience, so if you are flying with kids it’s even more important than ever to be prepared.

Packing List. Two weeks before you leave start a packing list for your kids. Losing baggage is all to common, especially during the busy travel system, so be sure to label your bags with your personal information including your cell phone number.

Print boarding pass before you leave home. Of course you can always print it when you get to the airport, but so will everyone else.  And when they break down, it’s just a mess for everyone, so it’s easiest just to have them ready with you.

Beating the crowd. Get to the airport at least two hours before scheduled to leave.  As you get ready to tackle security screening, look for signs with a big green circle that say Family Lane. These lanes are specifically for families and those who need a little extra time to get through screening. It’s the best way to not feel pressure from other travelers.

Restrooms. There are three nature-calls rules to remember when flying with children: go before, during and after the flight. Even if they say they don’t have to go, try anyway.

Relaxing at the Airport. Bring some cards with you, books and tech games/videos as flight delays are too common this time of year.  Don’t be upset if your flight gets canceled, it is most likely for safety reasons during the winter, just be patient and find ways to have fun with your kids. Most of the larger metropolitan airports have kid areas. See a list of the top 10 best kid friendly airports.

Strollers. A stroller is certainly worth it to help with tired little legs and for zipping through a crowded airport if you have tight connections. A lightweight stroller is easiest, but I would make sure it’s not the walmart $15 special, as it won’t hold up being tossed at gate check.  Purchase a travel bag to keep it clean and in one piece.  If your child is old enough to walk with you an will hold on to your hands, then a great options is to rent a stroller at your destination.

Car Seats. If you have purchased a seat for your child and they are still in an infant seat I would highly recommend having them in the seat while traveling.  Same for a toddler in a convertible seat, if it is a shorter distance plane ride. If it’s a longer flight, they would be more comfortable stretching out, I would just recommend renting the CARES harness to keep them secured in their seat. If you do not plan on using the car seat during the flight, rent a car seat at your destination would be the best option.  Most baby equipment rental companies will deliver directly to the airport you are traveling to.

Boarding. Make sure to pre-board with your family. It allows you time to get yourself settled in the seat and have their stuff out ready to play with.

The moans and groans from the backseat of a car, whether a short or long ride, can be unnerving to put it mildly.  Who can honestly blame the child?  Gone are the days of a big back bench seats and non constricting lap belts.  Safety, as it should be, is at the forefront of all that manufacturers and parents do.  With the need for safety and higher standards comes children fastened into five point harnesses and side head restraints that create the perfect “boredom” environment.

So, is there a way to create a fun car ride for the family without compromising the safety so necessary to protect little ones?  Definitely!  A little creativity coupled with a few must-have products and family car trip blues can be a think of the past, regardless of the ride length.

Boredom Be Gone… Our Top 10 Ways to Make Car Rides Fun!

1 – Be prepared:

Whether a short trip to the store or a long car ride to grandma’s, the number one key to relieving car ride anxiety is preparation.  Keep a few prepared storage bags ready for quick access.  Pack them with a few books, a notebook, and crayons.  Keep them in a small bin by the door you use to exit to the car.  This way you can pick one up as you slide out of the door.  Even if it is a last minute car ride, you will be prepared!

2.  Create useable car seat space:

Depending on the age of your child and the activities you want to persue, the Snack & Play Travel Tray or the Universal Car Seat Protector are great, safe additions to your child’s car seat.  For children potty training or who have a tendancy to spill things, the Universal Car Seat protector offers a waterproof protector for the seat, while providing two fully adjustable travel storage pockets on each side.  For children who are a little older, the Snack & Play Travel Tray is designed to give children a nice flat surface for eating, coloring, or playing.  It also has nice travel pockets for storage on each side.

3. Music, stories, and games:

There are CDs that boast everything from kids songs to fun games to play in the car.  Making a habit of a weekly checkout at the library and including these on your list will ensure that you won’t break the bank while keeping your music choices in the car fresh and exciting for both you and your little one.  Don’t forget to look through the books on CD section for children for those longer trips.  These usually come with a book for checkout, and they make the perfect boring car ride saver.

4.  Have potty; can travel:

Every parent knows that as soon as you get underway on your trip, you are bound to hear the word “bathroom” in an area that has no rest stops.  Alleviate the stress of having to find the perfect potty break place by keeping a travel potty in your car.  From the Caboose Travel Potty (which is very compact and ingeniously uses a diaper as the liner for easy clean up) to the Cool Gear Travel Potty (which uses gallon size storage bags, has two storage sides for all potty needs, and folds flat) or even the Baby Bjorn Smart Potty (which is perfect for travel or home), there is a potty that will fit each family’s lifestyle and needs.

5.  Boo-boo care:

For a parent’s own sanity, keeping a first aid kit in the car is necessary.  Bumps and scrapes are always likely with children, but especially at those quick pit stops when their energy level is at its highest.  Keeping a kit like the Boo-Boo Care First Aid Kit Travel Size in the car ensures a quick fix of a boo boo when it happens.  Complete with no-sting wipes, antiseptic cream, fun shaped bandages, and sympathy/appreciation stickers, this tiny kit packs enough of the essentials to treat more than 52 boo-boos.  Have an accident prone kid or spend lots of hours in car travel, try the Boo-Boo Care First Aid Kit in its full size.   It includes everything from the travel kit plus guaze, wound cleaner, reusable cold pack, and even a play stethoscope to keep the wounded child occupied.  You can also add the Boo-Boo First Aid Cold Pack or the Boo-Boo First Aid Wound Cleansing Foam to either kit.

6.  Don’t mess with a hungry baby:

Having to make a car stop to find a bathroom with enough hot water to warm a crying baby’s bottle adds one more element of stress to a long car ride.  On The Fly Bottle Starter Kit and Refill Warmers offer 8 hours of continuous heat, as well as a perfect fit for narrow or wide bottles.  This electricity-free bottle warmer is made of all natural materials and packaged in recyclable materials.  Just keep one in the baby bag, and once activated use as needed for up to 8 hours; no need to pull off the road and find a place to warm the bottle.

Carrying your baby is a safe, natural way to stay on-the-go. How do you choose the right baby carrier for you though when there are so many options on the market? Here are top 10 reasons why you should choose the lillebaby Everywear carrier as your one and only baby carrying choice.

1. Multiple Carry Positions – there are 6 carrying positions for your baby. Face in, Narrow seat, Face in, Suport seat, Face forward, Hip Position, Back Position, Cradle Carry with Insert.

2. All in-one Carrier – With 6 carrying positions the lillebaby Everywear offers all in one carrying positions from infant to 42 pounds and is truly the only carrier you will need.

3. Comfortable – Ergonomically designed – the EveryWear distributes weight on the hips making it comfortable for the wearer at each stage of the child’s growth.

4. Ergonomic – A patented, adjustable seat makes the EveryWear comfortable and ergonomically correct in each position as it grows with your child.

5. True Hip Carry – With a convenient, removable strap the EveryWear is the only carrier on the market that converts to a “true” hip carrier for added comfort.

6. Lightweight – Made from wind/water repellant microfiber, the EveryWear carriers are lightweight, so. Also available in a sport mesh fabric for those active parents.

7. Great for Traveling with kid – Light weight and small enough to fit in a diaper bag, the EveryWear has a zippered pocket for storing keys, diapers and more.

8. Great look – Availalble in several great colors and styles including Style, Sport and new Nordic.

9. Ecofriendy – Offering an Organic carrier featuring organic bamboo fabric. Their original Style version also use organic bamboo for the liner and the removable hood.

9. Great Price – Cheaper than their competitors, lillebaby also offers the Nordic at a very reasonable $79.95.