The Best Portable Baby Gear

Having a baby is a wonderful thing, yet those tiny people can require a lot of over-sized gear. When we had our first two children, we lived in an apartment and had a compact car, and I thought I might go crazy with all of my space being invaded by bulky baby products. It was from this experience that I was determined to search out the most compact baby products on the market to save my space and my sanity. Below, I've shared some of my favorite portable baby products from car seats to high chairs, perfect for those with little space or who just want to keep their spaces open. Whether you live in an apartment, have a small car, or just don't want your décor swallowed up by baby gear, these products will stay contained yet offer all of the comforts and features of their larger counterparts. And if you travel frequently or just want your baby to enjoy the comforts of home while on vacation, this travel baby gear will get you there and back. So don't fear any longer-it is possible to have wonderful products for your baby without having to buy a larger home and car to accommodate it all.

Ocean Wonders™ Deep Blue Sea™ SpaceSaver Swing & Seat $70.00
My husband and I purchased Fisher Price's first SpaceSaver swing almost 8 years ago for our firstborn, and we'll still be using it for our fourth baby this fall. While this compact baby swing has improved over the years, the concept can't be beat; this portable baby swing has all of the function and features of a large swing, yet takes up very little room (less than 2 feet) and can fold up and be transported with ease. We have taken our swing everywhere, from vacation to the grandparents' house, and it quickly became the most-used piece of baby gear in our home for all three kids. The Ocean Wonders™ swing has lots of great features, including: songs, sounds, five speeds, vibrating seat, adjustable recline, and swing-away overhead mobile & toy bar. Best of all, a locking feature at the base keeps the seat stationary so you can use it as an infant seat as well. The swing folds up easily and can be stowed away taking up minimal space. Your baby will love this swing, and you'll love this 2-in-1 product that doesn't take over your living space.

SpaceSaver High Chair $55.00
With my first two children, we lived in an apartment and I always hated how the high chair took up so much valuable space. It was big, awkward, and always stuck out like a sore thumb in the dining area. Even in our house, there's really no space for a full-sized high chair. But when our third son was born, Fisher Price saved the day with their SpaceSaver High Chair. We had used portable booster seats for our kids before, but they couldn't sit in them until they were about a year old. This high chair, however, combines the space-saving appeal of a travel booster with the features of a full-sized high chair, allowing infants through toddlers to use it. The deep, high-backed seat has a three-position recline, so even when our son was beginning solid foods at four months, he was comfortable and able to use this chair. The tray is easy to clean and can even be put in the dishwasher. It also features a one- or two-handed release, making it easy to remove with a squirmy baby. The infant seat can come off and the chair converts to a toddler booster, which can be used with or without the tray. Our son is two-and-a-half and still happily using this chair, which will be passed down to our next baby soon. We've taken this seat everywhere from family dinners to vacations, giving our baby a safe and comfortable place to eat or even sit and watch the action. The seat is made of durable plastic and easy to clean, and the vinyl pad is surface-washable (though I've put it in the washing machine on the gentle cycle without any problems). It has strapped in easily onto countless kitchen and dining chairs, and because it sits on an existing dining chair, there's no more trying to arrange our eating area around a bulky high chair. I have recommended this product to all of my friends, and I couldn't be happier with this high chair.

Maxi-Cosi Priori™ Car Seat $199.99
Take a look at the car seat isle in any major retailer, and you'll wonder if you're viewing baby restraint systems or Barcaloungers. Most of the seats are bulky and take up a lot of room in your back seat. If you have a sedan-type car or more than one child, it can seem impossible to wedge one of these car seats into your vehicle. Even in our SUV, I had a hard time fitting a friend's in the rear-facing position; it hit the back of my seat the whole time (I'm only 5'4") and was wider than the actual seat, making it hard to strap in properly. So when our older two children were still in booster seats and our third son was born, we knew we needed to search for a car seat that would be safe, compact, and fit across a bench with 2 boosters. After much research, I found the Maxi-Cosi Priori Car Seat. This compact, European car seat follows the highest safety standards, yet fits into the smallest of spaces. It features a 4-position reclining system which can be adjusted after it is installed (perfect for when my son falls asleep on long trips), 5-point adjustable harness, easy-to-use latch system (or can be used with a seatbelt), and a soft, washable fabric cover. The seat can be used rear- or front-facing, so newborns through 40 lb. toddlers can use it. Our two-and-a-half year old son is in the 95^th percentile for height and still fits within the harness system just fine, with room to grow (even with a jacket on). Our son has used this seat on several long road trips, including a 17 hour drive to Disney World, and has stayed comfortable. The styling and colors are fun and fashionable, and we have been nothing but happy with the functionality of this car seat. It easily fits across our SUV's bench seat next to 2 booster seats, and our son is always comfortable and secure. This seat is worth every penny and is perfect for even the smallest cars and those who travel; you won't be disappointed.

For more compact gear recommendations, check out my article: The Best Compact Strollers.