Travel with baby

Family-oriented travel company Kid & Coe rents kid-friendly residences around the world—think Airbnb but with cribs and highchairs included—and we asked some of its globetrotting hosts to share their best tips for traveling with a tot in tow.

Seize the day (and the nap)
“Traveling with babies doesn’t have to be a terrifying experience. I think it’s actually the best time to travel with kids. They’re easily distracted, very portable—and let’s not forget you don’t have to pay for an extra seat [on the plane] until they’re 2. We’ve had some of our best explorations and nicest lunches around the world when baby was happily napping in her stroller.”
—Zoie Kingsbery Coe, founder of Kid & Coe, The Baker Street Residence, England

Bring along the essentials
“Always carry wet wipes, iPads and lots of patience. And I always pack my own pillow because I like to sleep well, too.”
—Asta Kristiansdottir, The Hrisateigur Residence, The Engjateigur Residence, Iceland

Make it easy on yourself
“We try to stay somewhere that has children’s toys, beach equipment, bikes and scooters readily available, so we only need to pack the essentials and the rest is already there waiting for us. People are often worried about going on long trips with their children, but I always find [kids] are way more flexible than we think.”
—Niki Brantmark, The Salongsgatan Residence, Sweden

Let baby lead the way
“My daughter is barely a toddler, so we just like exploring textures and smells and visiting local food markets. We like to walk the streets and let her lead the way—no agenda, no preconceptions.”
—Jennifer MacFarlane, The Covert Street Residence, New York

Act like a local
“We like to make like locals, [which is] why we prefer home rentals to hotels. It’s more of an immersion. You can really get a feel for a neighborhood, get insider’s tips, shop and cook your own food, and settle in. Pack patience, spontaneity and a couple comforts of home.”
—Tara Fray and Ryan Rogers, The 1930s Residence, The W. 95th Street Residence, New York

Make a no-rules rule
“Your ultimate goal is to arrive at your destination alive and sane. With that in mind, our philosophy is ‘anything goes.’ Our normal rules about screen time, junk food and schedules go out the window. Whatever it takes!”
—Amanda Blakey, The Clarendon Avenue Residence, Canada

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