Whether you are looking for travel themed gifts for expecting parents or the most thoughtful travel themed baby shower gifts, you’ll find a perfect gift within my list of 40 ideas for baby gifts for traveling parents.
My list of favorite travel themed baby gifts includes traditional baby gifts for first time parents, like baby toys and blankets. But what makes these unique baby gifts for first time parents is that they are travel themed baby gift ideas.
These travel themed baby gifts make perfect for gifts for moms who travel with a baby. Not only that, but these travel gift ideas for parents cover all aspect of traveling with a baby, from sleeping to flying.
These baby travel gifts will set up the first time parents with everything they need to successfully travel with their new bundle of joy! Wrap your unique gift in fun travel themed wrapping paper – it will fit in perfectly at your friends travel themed baby shower!
Without further adieu, here are my favorite travel themed baby gifts for first time parents – for every budget!
This post contains compensated links.
Baby Gifts for Traveling Parents
SlumberPod
Getting a baby to sleep in a new location is one of the biggest challenges traveling parents face. One of the best baby travel gifts for parents is the SlumberPod (or one of these SlumberPod Alternatives) as a well-rested baby is a much happier traveller.
This portable blackout sleep solution fits over a pack n play and travel cribs will give new parents the gift of a well-rested baby! The SlumberPod is perfect for sharing a hotel room with a baby or naps anywhere.
Read more on my full review of the SlumberPod and use babycantravel$20 for purchasing direct.
CoziGo Bassinet and Stroller Cover
Sticking to the travel themed baby gift ideas that help with getting baby to sleep on vacation, is the CoziGo Bassinet and Stroller Cover. This ingenious baby travel gift idea for parents fits over a stroller to provide a dark environment to help with naps on the go. The CoziGo also works over airplane bassinets to help babies to sleep on the airplane.
Read my full review of the CoziGo here.
Portable Blackout Blind Shades with Suction Cups
Perhaps there's a theme going here, but in my experience, sleep is the most important issue for traveling parents. If the SlumberPod isn't within your budget, then portable blackout blinds are the next best thing.
These useful baby gifts for traveling parents will help keep the room dark and get baby to sleep in a new environment. These are especially good for parents who stay in Airbnbs, which will likely not come with blackout blinds.
I also really love the Sleepout portable blackout curtains. Sleepout travel blackout curtains have industrial-strength suction cups, thermal-insulating 100% blackout curtain plus optional Sleepout Strips to eliminate any light bleeding around the edges of the curtain!
Use code babycantravel to get a discount when you purchase from Sleepout.
See my full review of the Sleepout portable blackout curtain here.
Gorich Beach Tent
With plenty of space to play and nap on the beach, this is the ultimate in baby beach tents! This Gorich Beach Tent lets new parents get outside without any stress! From a family picnic to an afternoon on the beach, babies will have plenty of space to explore.
This thoughtful travel gift for parents comes with a UV shade cover and only weights 4 lbs.
Mommy's Helper Inflatable Bath Tub
While this unique baby travel gift idea won't usually be found on a baby registry, an inflatable bath tub is a very useful gift for new parents who love traveling. Baths are a crucial part of a bedtime routine and babies thrive on routine, especially when in a new environment.
I like this inflatable bath tub so much that I've also included it in my baby travel must-haves to help babies sleep on vacation.
See all my recommended baby travel bathtubs here.
Mustela Bebe On-The-Go Travel Set
With baby wash and skin lotion, this baby travel gift set makes the perfect companion baby gift to the inflatable tub. This travel themed baby gift is just what parents need for flying with a baby, given the small sizes required for getting through airport security.
Baby Diaper Bag Backpack with Bassinet
If you are looking for unique baby travel gifts, then check out this backpack diaper bag with a built in portable bassinet. The multi-use options of this travel themed baby gift make me a little giddy. As someone who likes to pack as little as possible, having a diaper bag that can be used for changing baby and as a place to let baby play makes it one of the best baby shower gifts I can think of.
While I only recommend this baby travel gift idea for supervised play or naps, it's one of those thoughtful baby shower gifts that new parents will truly appreciate.
Britax Car Seat Travel Cart
While this may not immediately seem like one of the best baby travel gifts, this car seat travel cart will make up for it with its usefulness! A car seat travel cart makes navigating airports with a car seat so much easier for traveling parents! This definitely falls into the thoughtful gifts for traveling parents category and they will surely thank you after their first succesful family trip!
World Map Floor Playmats
In my post about how to raise a child who loves to travel, I talk about making travel part of a child's life as early as possible. From an airplane mobile over the crib to this cute world map floor playmat, you'll inspire travel throughout the house with these gifts for moms who love to travel.
Newborn Monthly Milestone Airplane Blanket
One of the cutest travel themed baby gifts on my list is this airplane monthly milestone blanket. With this blanket, new parents will love being able to capture all the milestones with their little world traveler.
Speaking of capturing moments, for extra large budgets (or group baby shower gifts), this Sony A6000 mirrorless camera will make sure they never miss one of those treasured moments!
World Map Milestone Blanket
For a more personalized touch, this world map milestone blanket (or this one) is one of the best travel gifts for parents.
Lotus Travel Crib
Another of my favorite newborn baby gift ideas for traveling parents is the Lotus Travel Crib. This one consistently shows up as one of the best baby travel cribs. With the Lotus travel crib as a baby shower gift for your pregnant friend, she'll never need to worry about where her baby will sleep when she travels.
Pair it with the SlumberPod for the ultimate baby sleep environment on vacation!
Baby Shusher Sound Machine
The Baby Shusher claims to be the sleep miracle. While I can't comment on any miracles, a sound machine is a must have for babies. While traveling, this unique baby travel gift idea helps to mimic the at home sleep environment which will help babies sleep. A sound machine should be on every parents packing list for travel with a baby!
See all my recommended white noise machines for travel here.
aden + anais Swaddle Blankets
Kate Middleton, Beyonce, Mark Zuckerberg and yes, even me, all use and love Aden & Anais Swaddle Blankets.
I’ve been raving about the Aden & Anais Swaddle blankets for travel since my daughter was a baby. It's their versatility, size and light weight that makes them one of the best baby gifts for traveling parents.
Aden & Anais are high-end swaddle blankets that a new mom may pass over in lieu of a cheaper, less trendy swaddle blanket. Your thoughtful baby shower gift will let her pamper her baby in soft cotton luxury.
The Little Big World theme makes the Aden & Anais swaddle blankets one of the best travel gifts for mom.
Read more on why I love these blankets for travel with a baby.
Minky Baby Blanket with World Map
I love the idea of a travel themed nursery, and if the expecting mom loves to travel then there's a good chance she'll be planning something similar. A baby blanket with a world map is a unique baby gift for parents who travel. Not only can they use it at home, but it makes for the perfect prop for those newborn pictures.
World Map 8 Piece Nursery Crib Bedding Set
If a baby blanket doesn't seem like enough, a crib bedding set with a world map is the perfect baby gift for any travel themed nursery.
Custom Blush Pink or Ivory White Globes
Every world traveler needs their own globe - even babies! This charming mini globe in blush or white is the perfect addition to a travel themed nursery and makes an ideal gift for a travel themed baby shower.
Baby Crib Mobile with Airplanes and Cloud
Inspire the love of travel in the nursery with this adorable crib mobile with a cloud and airplanes. The love of travel starts at home, making this a perfect travel themed baby shower gift!
Infant Optics Baby Monitor
A good baby monitor is a must-have item on every baby registry or list of gifts for expecting mothers. New parents will rest easy knowing they can keep an eye on their little one, whether they are at home or traveling to a new country.
This is one of my top recommended items in my list of the best travel baby monitors.
Ergobaby Embrace Cozy Newborn Baby Carrier
A baby carrier for travel is an absolute must have baby essential for traveling parents. I used one extensively on my family travels. A baby carrier is not only a useful baby gift at home, but even more so on the go. That is why a baby carrier shows up on every baby shower registry and is featured prominently in my list of baby travel essentials.
See all my recommended baby carriers for travel.
Travel Themed Cotton Bandana Bibs
Babies drool a lot, but how much more adorable would that drooling baby on the airplane be wearing one of these cute travel themed bandana bibs. The ideal travel themed baby gift for traveling parents!
Travel Themed Baby Clothes
A travel themed onesie is one of the best gift ideas for mom and baby. These are the perfect addition to many of the other baby gift ideas for traveling parents on this list. There are plenty of travel themed baby clothes to choose from, but I love this one from Blue Giraffe Apparel on Etsy.
For other adorable baby travel clothes options:
- Mommy and Daddy's New Travel Buddy by HappyAddition.etsy.com
- Let's Go Explore by BlueGiraffeApparel.etsy.com
- Adventure Begins on Amazon
Diaper Bag Backpack
Moms need free hands, whether it's navigating through airport security, carrying a baby that doesn't want to be in the stroller or any of the other times moms need to multitask. A backpack diaper bag is a necessity for all traveling parents, making it an excellent baby shower gift idea. From baby through toddlerhood, this bag will come in handy with its stroller straps and thermal pockets.
See all the best backpack diaper bags for travel here.
Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller
Besides a baby carrier, a lightweight travel stroller is another must have item for traveling parents. This well reviewed stroller actually folds down in two easy steps to be small enough to meet the carry-on standards of most airlines! This travel themed baby gift idea will be useful from Day 1 as it is infant car seat ready, with no need to buy additional adapters.
See all of my recommended travel strollers and infant travel strollers.
Little Traveler Board Book Set
Baby travel books are a wonderful baby travel gift idea as they start introducing the world to babies and toddlers. These fun baby gifts also make ideal distractions on airplanes or on road trips. I think this Little Traveler board book set is a fun way to start talking about travel and the world.
Other baby travel books on Amazon that I recommend are What Do You See? Around the World and Busy, Busy Airport.
Baby Changing Pad
What says world traveler more than world map fabric? A portable changing pad is a must-have for all traveling parents, making it a thoughtful baby shower gift. What better way for parents to show off their love for travel than with this travel themed diaper change pad.
See all my recommended travel change mats here.
Skip Hop Portable Baby Changing Pad
If you are looking for a baby changing pad that comes with all the bells and whistles, the Skip Hop is highly rated, wipes clean, and has both a built-in pillow and wipes dispenser. This is a very practical gift for moms who love travel, and I guarantee she will get plenty of use out of it.
Baby's first passport cover and luggage tag set
What a cute baby gift idea for traveling parents! Keep your baby's passport safe in this sweet personalized baby's first passport cover. It also comes with a set of luggage tags.
My Brest Friend Inflatable Travel Nursing Pillow
One of the best items for flying with a breastfeeding baby is this inflatable nursing pillow. It's an ideal gift for a mom who loves to travel and wants to keep breastfeeding her baby while traveling.
Momcozy Insulated Baby Bottle Bag
Whether the new mom plans on breastfeeding or formula feeding, an insulated baby bottle bag is one of my favorite gift ideas for expecting mothers. She can use thoughtful baby travel gift idea for pumped breastmilk or even later to carry baby food on a road trip.
For something a little more portable, see the Skip Hop Insulated Breastmilk Cooler on Amazon.
Skip Hop Waterproof Wet Dry Bag
Soiled diapers, soiled clothes and much more - this part of traveling with a baby isn't glamorous but it's reality. This practical baby gift idea gives traveling parents an easy way to deal with it with a waterproof wet dry bag. This, along with a backpack diaper bag, a portable change pad and she'll be ready to take her little one on adventures.
Breastfeeding Nursing Cover and Carseat Canopy
This multi use breastfeeding cover works as both a car seat cover and a nursing cover. The best baby gifts for traveling parents are multi use travel items - this means less things to remember and less to pack!
Haakaa Manual Breast Pump
The ideal breast pump for traveling moms is the award-winning and highly rated Haakaa manual breast pump! The Haakaa manual breast pump is lightweight, portable and easily fits in any diaper bag making it the perfect travel themed baby shower gift.
Manhattan Toy Aviator Bear Stuffed Animal Toy
This cute bear would make one of the best baby travel gifts! Keep that sweet world traveler entertained with this aviator teddy bear. Just imagine the adorable pictures too!
Other baby travel toys that I recommend for entertaining baby on a plane are small to pack and are colorful, like these:
Nuby Helicopter Teether
Pack along for baby's first flight! This silicone teether comes in an adorable helicopter shape. It's lightweight and easy for babies to grab hold of!
liuliuby Travel Portable Travel High Chair
While they won't get any use out of this until their baby is about 6 months old, this ingenious travel high chair is the ideal gift for new parents who travel. When traveling to the best places to visit with a baby, they'll never need to stress about whether they'll find a restaurant with high chairs. Even better is that this travel high chair packs down to fit in the diaper bag and is machine washable!
See all my recommended travel high chairs.
Tommee Tippee Portable Travel Baby Bottle Warmer
Another very practical baby shower gift idea, this portable baby bottle warmer means new parents won't have to stress about being on the go. Traveling parents will be well prepared to be out sightseeing with their bundle of joy.
See all my recommended baby travel bottle warmers here.
Boon Travel Drying Rack
This travel gift for new parents makes life just a little easier. This travel drying rack for baby bottles is the ideal size for travel with a bottle feeding baby. Pair it with the baby bottle warmer and this insulated baby bottle bag to create the perfect set of travel themed gifts for new parents.
Coleman Beach Sun Shelter
Your friends won't have to miss a single beach outing with this baby beach tent. With a place for their baby to nap and be protected from the sun, traveling parents can still enjoy a day on the beach with their baby.
This is a great baby gift for outdoorsy parents!
See all my recommended baby beach tents here.
Deuter Kid Comfort Pro Hiking Backpack Carrier
If your budget can afford it or you go in with friends for a group gift, this hiking backpack carrier is one of the best baby gifts for outdoorsy parents who love travel and being active.
Get more details on the best hiking carriers for babies.
Scratch Off Map of The World
Another really fun travel themed baby shower gift idea, new parents can keep track of all the amazing trips they've taken with their baby with this scratch off map!
My Top 3 Travel Themed Baby Gifts
I realize 40+ baby gift ideas is a lot, so to help you get to the best of the best, here are my favorite items from my post on baby travel essentials.
- A baby carrier – using a Baby K’tan or Ergobaby helps keep a new parents’ hands free and will make their life so much easier while traveling with a baby.
- Lightweight Baby Blankets – One of the most versatile baby travel essentials on my list, your expecting mom will get a ton of use out of these.
- Fabric Travel High Chair – There are so many situations where a versatile travel highchair is a lifesaver- from restaurants to hotels to Airbnbs.
Additional Baby Shower Gift Ideas
- House cleaning: Being a new mom is hard. You don’t get much sleep, you are constantly changing diapers and feeding the baby. Often, it’s the housework that gets left behind. The gift of house cleaning is such a thoughtful baby shower gift, she will be very grateful for the help.
- An Amazon Prime Membership: An insanely practical gift, any new mom will love an Amazon Prime Membership. I know from experience that my online shopping increased dramatically when we had our first baby. Free same-day, one-day or two-day shipping is such a nice treat. Plus, members get free unlimited photo storage for all their baby pictures, Prime Video and much more.
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This post was written & edited by:
Celine Brewer is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she's helped millions of new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has shared her expertise on traveling with a baby or toddler by contributing to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, USA Today, the Lonely Planet magazine and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.