Yes, road-tripping with a baby is a challenge. But it’s also a chance to create beautiful core memories you’ll talk about for years. So whether you’re heading out for a quick weekend escape, or your first cross-country trek with your little one, road-tripping with an infant under one doesn’t have to be stressful. 

At Quark Baby, we believe parenting on the go should feel just as relaxing as it does when home. That’s why we’re sharing our favourite tips, gear, and hacks to help you hit the road with confidence.

So, pack your bags, because the best family memories don’t wait until the toddler years. They start now!

Pack like a Pro: Baby Travel Essentials

A Rear-facing Car Seat

Safety first, always. A properly installed rear-facing seat supports your baby's head and spine in case of impact. Double-check installation, and consider a car seat mirror so you can keep an eye on your little traveller without taking yours off the road.

Ditch Using a Thermos to Warm Your Bottle

If your baby is bottle-fed, you know that timing is everything. The BuubiBottle Smart Portable Milk Warmer is a game changer for road trips: it heats milk to the perfect temperature, without needing a bulky Thermos or finding a rest stop with hot water. Just press a button to warm wherever you are, no wires needed. Its digital display shows the exact temperature, ensuring breastmilk or formula is warmed to just the right degree. 

Must-Have Documents and First Aid

Traveling internationally or crossing provinces? Don’t forget to pack your baby’s health cards, travel insurance, as well as a compact first-aid kit. Stock it with infant pain relievers, teething gel, thermometer, and sanitizing wipes, for any sudden discomfort or sniffles.

Keep Your Precious Cargo Entertained

If your baby is on solids, pack a variety of:

• Soft fruits, like banana strips or peeled grapes
  
• Steamed veggie sticks, like carrots and zucchini
• Unsweetened teething biscuits

A pro tip is to bring ice cream cones, as these usually take longer to finish and can keep a teething baby focused and happy for miles. Skip smaller rice products, which, although convenient, tend to dissolve quickly and could lead to overfeeding (and those mid drive clean-ups are no one’s idea of fun.)

Toys With No Screens Needed

Create a sensory trinket box filled with baby-safe objects: crinkle paper, small soft toys, textured fabric squares. 

A sensory trinket box filled with safe, novel objects, like soft rattles, crinkly fabrics, and baby-safe mirrors can offer precious stretches of engagement. Rotate them every hour for novelty. Bonus points for bringing items they have never seen before!

Baby-Friendly Road Trip Routine

Strategically plan breaks every 1.5-2 hours. Stretching, feeding, diapering, and a quick dose of fresh air can reset everyone’s mood. Consider scenic parks or rest areas with grass patches, where your baby can enjoy some tummy time on a picnic blanket.

Example Road Trip Driving Schedule with Baby

Baby Travel Gear That Actually Helps

Hipseat Carrier: For easy sightseeing and walks where strollers won’t go.

Spill-proof cups and bottles: Not all bottles are created equal, and our BuubiBottles and Sippy Cups are designed for travel days when spills are not an option. The spill-proof design means no leaks in the car seat or diaper bag, and its thick, textured base mimics the feel of a breast ideal for babies transitioning from bottle or breast to independent sipping making for easy feeding, even on a bumpy road.

Portable power bank: For white noise apps, feeding timers, and backup YouTube distractions.

Pack an extra for everything: Bring more diapers than you think you need. Pack a spare outfit for the baby, and even yourself.

Washable car seat covers: Use to guard against snack flings and surprises. Adding a muslin cloth as a layer can be easier to clean than the seats themselves, plus it can double as a seat liner, picnic blanket, or emergency clean-up station.

Ready to Roll? With a little planning and a lot of heart, road-tripping with a baby under one can be less about the logistics and more about the memories.

Explore Travel-Friendly Feeding Gear →