Rent baby and toddler gear when you travel

May 22, 3:43 PMFrugal Family ExaminerMelissa Newby

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  If you’ve traveled with a young child, you know that breezing through security with only a carry on bag is no longer your life. Children need gear. Lots of gear. They need car seats, portable cribs, high chairs, strollers, backpacks and more. Or do they?

Our first trip by plane with a child was when our son was 18 months old. As first time parents, we packed enough to survive being away from home for several months, not the week that we were actually gone. We lugged our car seat and portable crib to the airport and checked both as luggage. When we got to our destination, both looked as though they had been dragged behind the plane instead of riding in the cargo hold. Add to that the hassle of trying to navigate an airport loaded down with gear.

Instead of bringing baby and toddler supplies with you, try renting. Zilok.com connects you with people who are willing to rent you just about anything out of their own personal belongings. A quick search turned up lots of folks renting car seats, portable cribs, high chairs, and other baby items.

Tots Travel Rentals also offers baby gear for rent. For a reasonable fee, you can pick out the gear you want and have it shipped ahead to your hotel or destination. That sounds about as easy as it gets.

Renting gear that you already have might not be the most economical choice, but with airlines charging more and more for checked luggage, it might end up costing about the same. Plus, not having to carry mounds of extra baby gear through an airport is worth a couple extra bucks to me. So go through your list of what your child uses each day and consider what you must bring when you travel with your child. Then get creative to keep your trip on budget and your load light. .