There’s no doubt there will be more than a few trips to grandma’s house in your future. But the thought of lugging all of your little one’s baby gear to and fro is enough to bring any kind of travel plans to a screeching halt. That’s why it's a good idea to make sure grandparents have most of what they need at their house.
And no — it doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. Picking up gently used baby products is a great way to stock all of the things every grandpa and grandma needs when their new grandbaby comes to visit.
But what exactly does a new grandma need? Our gear experts say these are the top baby items that will not only make your own life with a little one easier, but the lives of everyone else who is involved in your kiddo's world.
1. Portable Playard or Pack ‘N Play
Your little one can’t very well spend the night — or even take a nap — at their grandparent’s house without a safe place to rest their head. A playard, which is a type of portable crib, is a great option, because it can be set up and collapsed in just a few seconds, saving precious floor space in their home when their grandbaby isn’t in residence. Many pack ‘n plays also come with various attachments — a bassinet or a changing table, for example — that can add to their versatility during your trip.
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2. Clip-On High Chair
Even the most compact full-size high chairs take up a lot of space when in use. And even the ones that fold up for storage are relatively bulky items to store. A clip-on high chair is a great alternative, because most of them fold flat into a carry bag that’s small enough to fit in a diaper bag. These chairs generally feature two clamps that attach to a dining table or kitchen island, leaving your little one safely suspended in the air. Another bonus to these high chairs? You’ll be glad to have the clip-on style if the family plans to dine out while you’re visiting — they’re super convenient for restaurants.
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3. Safe Seat for Lounging
Babies just want to have fun, and you and your parents just want to put them down sometimes to say, eat a sandwich. While at your own house there are probably tons of safe spaces to rest little bodies, it's different when they stay at the new grandparent’s house. A collapsible bouncer is a fantastic option, since some of them fold entirely flat for storage.
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4. Baby Carrier
A new baby isn’t big enough to ride in a standard stroller, so a soft or structured baby carrier is a great option for times when you — or the new grandparents — are headed out of the house for a walk, errands or good old fashioned family fun. They’re lightweight, adjustable to most bodies and easy to stash when not in use.
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5. Small, Lightweight Stroller
Unless your little one’s grandparents are regular caregivers, you don’t need to keep a fancy, feature-filled stroller at their house. Something simple and lightweight — like an umbrella stroller — is much more practical, since it can be stored when the baby is gone.
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6. Car Seat
Rather than purchase an infant car seat for grandma and grandpa’s house, opt for a convertible car seat instead. This way, your little one will have a safe seat during both their infant and toddler years. Just make sure the expiration date is a few years in the future to ensure you get the most use out of the seat.
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7. Baby Monitor
Even video baby monitors have a lot of wires that can tangle during transit. Plus, it can be a pain to sync your camera to their internet when you arrive — and then back to your own once you’re home again. Instead of run into these dilemmas, stock a simple and inexpensive option at grandma’s house.
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8. Baby Gates
You may not be able to swoop in and babyproof their entire house, but a set of tension gates can help ease your nerves around stairs — especially if you have a new and curious crawler or walker on your hands. They’re also a great way to make sure older toddlers who are no longer sleeping in cribs stay in whatever room they’re sleeping in.
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9. White Noise Machine
Your little one may not be used to all of the ambient sounds at their grandparent’s house, and a white noise machine can help drown all of that out. Not to to mention, on weekends when the whole house is full, it’ll prevent idle chatter from waking up your kiddo.
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10. Portable Bath
For something that holds such a small baby, infant tubs are incredibly bulky and hard to store. Thankfully, there are some much more compact options on the market today that can make bath time possible on the go — some even fold flat; other inflate and deflate in seconds.
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11. Feeding Gear
Why pack a bag full of bottles and bibs when you can buy a few to keep at grandma’s house? The same goes for plates, utensils and baby-safe cups for older babies eating solid foods and beverages other than formula or mom’s milk. Breastfeeding moms may also want to buy some extra milk bags or even an inflatable boppy pillow for convenience.
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12. Changing Pad
Grandma and grandpa probably don’t want you changing poopy diapers on their couch or carpet. That’s where a portable changing pad comes in handy. Many are small fabric squares that fit into included carry bags and wipe clean easily. (Some are even machine-washable.)
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13. Toys
Chances are the new grandparents can spare a drawer somewhere for some play things for baby. During the first year, some rattles, small balls and soft blocks are a great option. Later, look for things like Magna-Tiles, small dolls and puzzles — all highly-engaging toys that can be played with up and off the floor (great for older grandparents with mobility issues).
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Should Grandparents Have a Nursery at Their House?
Your parents and in-laws undoubtedly want to create a safe, comfortable spot for their new grandchild to sleep when they’re visiting, but not everyone has the space or the budget to create a dedicated nursery at their house. Don’t sweat it if you fall into this camp. A portable crib or playard is a perfectly good option for a baby or toddler. And you can easily make the space even more cozy with a few add-ons like a sound machine or even a SlumberPod to block out any light. Of course, if you want to set up and decorate a nursery, go for it.
Who Should Buy the Gear for Grandma’s House?
If new parents want the convenience of having their child’s grandparent’s house fully stocked with baby gear, they should be open to the idea of paying for it. That said, this kind of thing is family dependent. In some cases, grandparents are financially stable enough to offer to spring for the gear — and more than happy to do so. In other cases, grandma and grandpa may not have the financial means to cover the costs associated with a second set of baby products. Have a candid conversation with your parents or in-laws to see what everyone is comfortable with.
And don’t forget: The best way to keep it manageable for all is to shop secondhand. There’s plenty of high-quality, gently-used baby gear out there just waiting for a new home, and in many cases, you can score whatever you’re looking for at hefty discounts — some to the tune of 50 percent or more.
