Should you rent baby gear for your family’s next vacation?
While there are times it makes sense to bring your own gear with you—especially great baby and toddler gear that is built for travel—there are also times when it may make a lot of sense to have the items that can make or break your “vacation with baby” meet you at your destination.
If you’ll be traveling in the next few months with your baby or toddler, you might want to consider whether any of these situations may apply to you:
Will you be visiting a destination where having specialty outdoor gear that may be expensive to purchase and awkward to travel with would enable you to see and do more activities during your stay? Renting a rugged, all-terrain stroller (especially a twin if you’re packing two little ones) or perhaps a large, framed backpack carrier at your destination may be well worth it if it gets you closer to the canyon or farther up the mountain.
Will you be staying in the home of relatives or friends where baby-proofing issues may make it difficult for you to relax and enjoy the visit? Where certain safety items you might never pack on a plane—like a safety gate or SuperYard—could make a big difference? Even a rented exersaucer may be a welcome addition if you can park your happy crawler on occasion while helping your hosts with the dishes.
Would having a parenting “luxury” item such as a baby swing to soothe your infant’s evening fussies allow you to actually sit through the holiday meal with your extended family?
Will you be traveling to a beach destination where a pop-up sun tent or beach umbrella, plus buckets of toys, a wagon, and/or an ice chest will make it all the easier to enjoy the sand and sun with your child? Many baby gear rental agencies in popular beach destinations from the shores of Hawaii to the sunshine coast of Spain rent all these extras and more.
Could renting a full-size crib make all the difference in your child—and you by extension—getting good rest during your vacation? Baby gear agencies around the world offer full-size cribs with linens delivered to your accommodations (plus more compact models and/or Pack ‘N Plays).
If you decide you want to rent gear for an upcoming trip with your child—or if you just want to browse to see what’s available at your destination, you can now find baby gear rental agencies in all of these regions in the 
Worldwide Directory of Baby Gear Rental Agencies:
Worldwide Directory of Baby Gear Rental Agencies:
And for upcoming holiday travel, look for the special offers provided by select agencies listed there.
How about you? Have you used a baby gear rental agency or equipment hire service? Would you recommend renting certain gear to friends traveling with a baby or toddler?
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli
Author of the award-winning Travels with Baby guidebooks
All content of this blog (c) Shelly Rivoli 2007 – 2011
