Baby Equipment Rentals - Family Holidays

Young mothers across the country have set up baby equipment rental companies to make use of the equipment they no longer need. When their baby outgrows the baby equipment they have purchased, one great stay at home business is to rent that baby equipment to traveling parents. Strollers, high chairs, baths, travel cots, car seats, even toys are all reusable in this business. The business is aimed at families with a baby arriving for a few days or a few weeks in their area.

If you are flying with a baby or toddler on a family vacation it can be difficult to pack all of the baby equipment you will need on your family trip. This baby gear has become indispensable for your baby and you will need it when you arrive. It is also possible that this baby equipment will be needed by a family member or friend who is visiting your home.

Here is a great list of baby equipment rental companies that will deliver directly to the city where you need their baby equipment. All it takes is a few clicks and they will have the items delivered to your doorstep. Most baby equipment companies carry recognized brands and they always keep them in clean and perfect condition.

Another way to have all of the baby supplies you will need for your family vacation is to have all of your diapers, wipes, formula, food and bath products delivered directly to your hotel. Companies like Babies Travel Lite will take all of the baby gear you use on a daily basis and time the delivery so it arrives at your hotel when you need it. Obviously these baby items are not rented, but sold to the customer.

So use these family travel resources on your next family vacation with a baby and your trip will run as smoothly as if you were at home in your own living room.

Should I bring my car seat with me when I fly with a baby? Yes and no.

The safest place for a baby during a flight is in a car seat, not in your lap. When a baby is in a car seat you have your hands free to take care of yourself and your baby. When you are holding an infant it is difficult and sometime dangerous. When a baby is in a car seat during the flight they are locked in place. Even turbulence is enough to knock a baby out of your lap. So the real question is do I bring my own or do I rent a car seat from a baby equipment rental company?

A car seat is very comfortable to fly in. Your baby is used to being in a car seat and many parents will drive their baby around just to get them to fall asleep. To your baby, a car seat is just part of their life. Will it make a difference to your baby if the car seat is not the one they normally sit in?

If you decide it is cheaper to fly with a baby in your lap, then you might have to rent a car seat for when you land. Many car rental companies will rent car seats. Others we decide to check their own car seat rather than rent one from a rental company. If you do check your car seat it is recommended that you gate check you car seat at the gate. They even make specialized, lightweight gate check car seat bag.

Not all car rental agencies are created equally. Some don't clean their car seats very well. Have you ever rented a specific type of car only to show up after the flight to find that they don't have your car... or any car for that matter. What about installation? Will they install it for you? Do they know how to properly install a car seat? I have heard stories of all of these problems when renting a car seat from a car rental agency. So always confirm your reservation and check to see if they will have it installed ahead of time.

I always put my kids in their car seats for the flight and they liked it. When they got older they complained that without their car seat they couldn't reach the airplane's fold down tray. The car seat made them taller and closer to the tray. When they were too old for the car seat on the airplane, we would gate check the car seats and stroller. The benefits to gate checking are many. It allows you to keep your stroller in case your flight is delayed. It also lessens the chances of something breaking during the flight. However, the best reason for gate checking your baby equipment is it gives you an excuse to talk to the airline employee at the gate counter. This will help you get a seat with an open seat next to it, or get help carrying your gear onto the airplane.