No matter how much we learn about an infant’s brain, no matter how expensive our strollers become, no matter how hi-tech the baby gear gets, science and technology seem to have no impact on one key aspect of parenting - the schlep factor. Traveling with baby is still one big exercise in inconvenience.
Short of hiring a staff to do your heavy lifting, your next best option is to rent baby gear at your destination (a good way to avoid all the airline baggage charges). The newly-formed Baby Travel Pros Association represents baby equipment rental companies across the country. Members must agree to adhere to various safety and cleanliness standards. The organization’s co-founder and president, Sarah Peters, outlines what you need to know and ask when renting gear on the go:
The real deal: Ask if the product you see pictured on the company’s website is what you’ll actually be getting. No bait and switch. Who wants a pack n’ play when you ordered a full-sized crib!
The recall loop: Ask point blank if the company regularly checks lists of recalled products. Also, inquire if they’re on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) e-mail list for updates and recalls. Find out whether they register all their products.
Age: Inquire how old the equipment is and how often it’s replaced. Car seats should be no more than seven years old. No car seat should be expired.
Shape: Gear should be in “like-new” condition. It goes without saying that nothing should be broken or missing parts. Feel free to ask for the owner’s manual.
Specifics: Let the company know your child’s age, height and weight, and make sure that the equipment (in particular, car seats and strollers) is suitable.
Cleanliness: You may want to ask what kind of cleaning products they use on the rental items. Eco-friendly? Hypoallergenic?
A last word on car seats: All car seats manufactured after September 2002 should have the LATCH system and a five-point harness.
For more information, visit babytravelpros.com.