Products We’re Loving for November

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Ready or not, the holiday season is upon us. For many, this time of year is synonymous with travel, whether it’s flying to join family gatherings or jetting off to somewhere tropical for an under-the-radar vacation. Regardless of where you’re going, you can expect the airport to be very busy between now and the end of the year. Based on passenger counts from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Wednesday before and the Sunday after Thanksgiving are two of the busiest air travel days every year (PSA: Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, Nov. 23 this year), with the days following Christmas trailing right after. 

Navigating your way through airports solo this time of year can be difficult, but add in a couple of kids or a baby (and all of their gear), and it can feel downright impossible. Truth be told, it doesn’t even have to be one of the busiest days of the year for family air travel to be overwhelming. Thankfully, airports and airlines are somewhat accommodating to families with young children, with many providing lactation pods for nursing parents, checking strollers and car seats at no charge, offering early boarding, and allowing free TSA pre-check for kids 17 and under who are traveling with parents with the service (which is worth every penny, if you ask this TSA pre-check mom). 

The little tricks don’t have to end there, though, because there are also some fantastic products that can help make air travel a little easier for families. Whether you’re traveling during these busy months or you have a trip planned for early next year, November’s Pregnancy & Newborn editors’ picks will get you from point A to point B with a little less stress. 

JetKids by Stokke

Admittedly, the JetKids by Stokke is pricey for a carry-on (let alone one for a child), but it serves a much larger purpose than simply offering extra packing space. Available in six colors, this suitcase is designed for your child to sit on and safely ride through the airport (which is especially helpful for kids who struggle to keep up with their grown-ups), is sized to stow in flight in the overhead bin or tuck away under the seat in front of your child, and offers space for a tablet, books, and a blanket. Probably the coolest feature, this little piece of luggage comes with a mattress and side panels that help convert your child’s airplane seat into a spot where they can comfortably stretch their legs and even lay down to nap. Basically, even in an economy seat, your kiddo will feel like they’re flying first class.

Go-Be Sleeves

In a post-COVID world, we’re all very aware of the many germs that live on airplane surfaces. One place that is particularly troubling is the tray table since it’s what you and your child use for snacks and drinks. Go-Be Sleeves are antimicrobial covers designed specifically for airplane tray tables, offering passengers (and their food and beverage) an extra layer of protection between them and whatever is lurking on the surface. These sleeves can be purchased individually (in 17 different color/pattern options) or in two packs in either adult or kid prints—which are absolutely adorable if you ask us. These sleeves are washable and reusable (and the antimicrobial technology remains effective even after 25 washes), and the two packs also come with a storage case for easy packing.

VGCUB Carry-On Backpack

As a mom who just embarked on air travel for a family vacation in September, trust me when I say you will need a travel backpack for all of your things—and your kids’ things (yes, I know you got them their own carry-ons, but somehow you’ll still end up carrying a bunch of their stuff). We like the VGCUB Carry-On Backpack because not only is it super budget-friendly, but it’s also designed with a spot for your tablet or laptop, a wet/dry bag front compartment, and a large middle compartment large enough to hold snacks, blankies, stuffed animals, and one or two things for yourself. The bag also has an external USB charging port, features plenty of pockets, is sized to fit in an overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you, and has a special strap on the back that allows you to secure it to the handle of rolling luggage. Plus, it comes in a rainbow of color options. 

Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow

Once you have your little ones all settled (and have convinced your partner to hold the baby on their lap for this leg of the trip), you may be able to rest your eyes for a few minutes during your flight. With the Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow, those brief moments of shut-eye will actually be comfortable, too. Unlike most travel pillows, this one features a 360-degree ergonomic design that can be adjusted based on your unique shape. The memory foam pillow also compresses to 60% of its fully stretched-out size, making it easy to tuck into your carry-on when it’s not in use. It also has a removable cover that’s machine washable and comes with a carrying case to make stowing the pillow away even easier.

BabyQuip Rentals

On the surface, it may not seem like baby gear rentals would make life in an airport with your family any easier, but not having to check and lug around your child’s Pack ‘N Play, stroller, or high-back booster seat is a game-changer. BabyQuip has everything parents need for their little travel companions, including baby bathtubs, strollers, high chairs, cribs, bouncers, and even games and toys. You can also choose to rent equipment individually or browse their bundles for easier shopping. Simply enter your travel destination and work with your BabyQuip representative to have your gear delivered to your destination or even to the airport for your arrival. All of BabyQuip’s rentals are guaranteed to be safe, in working condition, and clean/disinfected, so you have one less thing to worry about–and much less to schlep through the airport–when flying with your family.