CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

7 Essential Accessories for Traveling in the Car With Baby

Whether you’re prepping for a cross-country road trip or just taking a quick drive to the store, here are the must-have travel accessories that will make your life a lot easier (and we love easy!).
save article
profile picture of Meredith Franco Meyers
By Meredith Franco Meyers, Contributing Writer
Updated August 15, 2017
Illustrated road map with pinpoints.
Image: iStock
7 slides
We have included third party products to help you navigate and enjoy life’s biggest moments. Purchases made through links on this page may earn us a commission.

Whether you’re prepping for a cross-country road trip or just taking a quick drive to the store, here are the must-have travel accessories that will make your life a lot easier (and we love easy!).

1

Travel snack pouches

Remember to pack goodies in case the hungries strike.  You’ll want food that’s easy to access in the car, but doesn’t pose a choking hazard (that means no hard fruits, big crackers or raisins). Bumpies love Itzy Ritzy’s eco-friendly, reusable snack pouches. They come in cool designs (hey chevron!) and, best of all, are machine washable. $19, ItzyRitzyStore.com

 

2

Portable diaper pad

You never know when you’ll be stopped at a place where the bathroom changing station just doesn’t cut it. Ew. We love this one from Aden+ Anais. It’s made with durable — and washable — muslin and comes in cute patterns. $20, Diapers.com

 

3

Teething toy

She’s soft. She’s teethable. She squeaks. Baby can love on her for hours in the car. Buy one regular-sized Sophie la Giraffe for the diaper bag and keep a travel-sized Sophie in the car. You know he’s going to throw one on the floor while driving! $23, BabiesRUs.com

 

4

Backseat organizer

Safely stow soft books, sippy cups and other loose stuff in pockets and pouches. Most organizers just snap onto the backseat pocket like this one by Munchkin. We love that it has mesh pouches (we see you, pacifier!) and is made of durable Nylon. $10, Amazon.com

 

5

Car seat monitor

The ChildMinder Smart Clip System snaps on to baby’s car seat strap and alerts you if the strap becomes detached, too loose, or if you forget to buckle baby in (hey, we know how tired you are). You’ll have time to pull over and readjust before anything happens. It’ll also trigger an alarm if you inadvertently move more than 15 feet away from baby, preventing you from ever accidentally leaving baby in the car unattended. $80, Amazon.com

 

 

6

Soft books for baby

Bumpies love Jelly Cat’s colorful books that can be tucked into a backseat pocket and provide a much needed distraction during a car trip. You’ll probably have them memorized, so as long as baby can look at the pictures, you can “read” them to her from the driver’s seat! $17, Nordstrom.com

 

7

Pacifier friend

We would like to personally high-five the mom who created the wonder that is the Wubbanub. This pacifier-and-lovey-in-one is a must-have for a cranky baby, and it’s easy for baby to find in her seat. If baby takes a paci, consider picking one up for the car. $13, Target.com

Plus, more from The Bump:

Best Car Tunes for Rocking Out With Baby 

Top Travel Gear

Tool: Baby Travel Checklist

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

baby-christmas-gifts HERO
31 Best Baby Christmas Gifts, According to Parents
By Martina Garvey
man throwing baby in air with amazon prime day logo
Our Favorite Amazon Prime Day Deals on Baby Stuff for Every Family
By Emma O'Regan-Reidy
mom fastening toddler into car seat
How to Save Big During Target's Popular Car Seat Trade-In Event
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
happiest baby snoo sale
How to Save Almost 50 Percent Off the Cult-Fave SNOO This Weekend
By Wyndi Kappes
FSA- and HSA-eligible Hero
Are Diapers FSA-Eligible? 20 Baby Items You Can Buy With Pre-Tax Dollars
By Emma O'Regan-Reidy
mother buckling baby into car seat
The 8 Best Convertible Car Seats for All Ages, Tested by Parents
By Marygrace Taylor
mother feeding laughing baby in high chair
The Best High Chairs for Baby, Tested by Parents and Infants
By Elizabeth Narins
ADVERTISEMENT
two moms pushing stroller outside during autumn
The Best Strollers for Every Lifestyle, Tested by Parents
By Korin Miller
mom jogging with baby stroller in neighborhood outside
6 Best Jogging Strollers for Runners, Tested by Active Moms
By Korin Miller
grandma checking on baby in travel crib
The Best Travel Cribs, Tested by Babies on the Go
By Jennifer Wirth
ADVERTISEMENT
Best Bassinets-hero
The 7 Best Bassinets for Baby, Tested by Parents and Their Newborns
By Lynsey Eidell
couple walking outside with baby in carrier
The Best Baby Carriers, Tested by Parents and Their Little Ones
By Emma O'Regan-Reidy
best baby monitors, video baby monitor
The 10 Best Baby Monitors, Tested by a Mom of Four
By Korin Miller
ADVERTISEMENT
two small children enjoying popsicles outside in the summer
27 Can't-Miss Fourth of July Sales for Babies, Kids and Parents
By Wyndi Kappes
mother holding baby while shopping online in kitchen at home
The Best Maternity, Kid's and Family Sales to Shop This Weekend
By Wyndi Kappes
family enjoying watermelon in backyard during summer
The Best Memorial Day Sales for Baby, Mom and the Whole Family
By Wyndi Kappes
Toddler Backpacks-hero
5 Best Toddler Backpacks for Preschool and Beyond, Tested by Kids
By Korin Miller
ADVERTISEMENT
Modern Family Products-hero
9 Must-Have Products for Modern Families
By Korin Miller
baby wearing noise cancelling headphones while asleep in baby carrier
6 Best Headphones for Babies and Children, Tested by Little Ears
By Korin Miller
crayons-for-toddlers-HERO
7 Best Toddler Crayons to Really Draw Kids in, Tested and Reviewed
By Korin Miller
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List