Survey: Have You Used a Baby Gear Rental Service?

So far the only traveling we've done with our infant son has been in a car and we're always amazed at how much stuff we feel like we need to bring with us - portable crib, portable high chair, stroller, toys, etc. If you're traveling by plane, train or boat - what do you use when you get to where you're going? Specifically, we're wondering if you've tried a baby gear rental service. Weigh in below the jump...

Sometimes borrowing from friends and family on the other end is an option and you can usually use a hotel crib or arrange a car seat from your car rental company, but sometimes these aren't options. With over 60 locations Baby's Away seems to be the largest rental service in the U.S. and they rent the basics like cribs and strollers as well as exersaucers, baby gates and bouncer chairs. We found this state-by-state list of similar companies and we know there are some companies in Europe (like this one in Spain).

A rental service sounds like a great idea (and seems affordable too), but we'd love to hear your first-hand experiences or other ideas you have for finding and using baby gear items without lugging them across the country or across the globe?

Comments (9)

I used a company called Cry Baby Comforts when I went to Seattle with my then 5-month old for a visit. I rented a crib/mattress, exersaucer and play mat. Everything was in good shape, stain-free and super clean. They were very accommodating (time-wise) with setting it up in my father's house and removing it after we left. We'll definitely do this again when we need to travel. I found their rentals to be MUCH cleaner than those that hotels have for free.

posted by aspenchick on July 16th 2009 at 12:44pm
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This summer, we took our 6 week old on a road trip to a beach house in the Outer Banks of NC. We rented a crib and mattress, which was simple to put together. Can't remember the company, but they rented all sorts of other things unrelated to children (e.g. beach chairs), so beyond these baby gear rental companies, there are other options, at least in tourist destinations.

posted by monkeyknuckles on July 16th 2009 at 1:28pm
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I have been unable to find any sort of baby gear rental place in St. Louis. It's very frustrating. Fortunately thanks to Facebook I've been able to find old friends from high school and had two people offer to let me borrow a pack 'n play when I was recently visiting family. And it was free so you can't beat that.

posted by jensational on July 16th 2009 at 1:40pm
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Used one on Sanibel Island in Florida. I was just all about traveling as hands-free as possible, with as little gear to lug around as we could get away with. So I put my baby in the Ergo in the airport and did not bring a stroller, pack n play or anything. Rented the crib, a jogging stroller (which was fun for the beach), and an exersaucer to boot.

To me the convenience was worth it!

posted by baumgak on July 16th 2009 at 1:55pm
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i had the greatest experience renting baby gear in chicago this past spring from "chicago baby's away." a full size crib, a tub of toys (albiet they all lit up and/or made noise - annoying) and linens. it was a dream to show up at a friends house with every there and ready to go. my 14 month old daughter at the time slept perfectly the entire time.

heading to cape cod for 3 weeks shortly and plan to do the same from "auntie vi's" although this time the list has expanded: crib, wagon to take to the beach, tub of toys, sun tent, beach toys, booster seat, etc. i can't wait to travel without a bunch of crap.

posted by glove3000 on July 16th 2009 at 3:19pm
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There's also a brand new professional association of indepenent baby gear rental companies called Baby Travel Pros. We have over 40 members nationwide ready to serve you! http://babytravelpros.com

posted by babytravelpros on July 16th 2009 at 5:55pm
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We use baby gear rentals every time we go to the beach! (Isle of Palms, SC) We rent gates, cribs, beach toys, indoor toys, highchairs...It is such a big help and we have never felt like things weren't clean or were poor quality.

posted by ImCrafty on July 16th 2009 at 6:22pm
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I don't know the company name but if you ever head to Wilmington, NC (Carolina Beach, Wrightsville beach, Topsail...) there is a company there that has great service and very nice things. My Dad and Step-mom live there and when my sister flies for a visit with her twins they always rent. They have been pleased. (We live seven hours away so always schlepp our over packed car of stuff.)

posted by CrewJulie on July 17th 2009 at 9:03am
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We've used Baby's Away several times, they have franchises all over. We used them in Florida and Colorado. Always have the items waiting for us at the hotel or condo. Just great. In the Outer Banks we use Ocean Atlantic rentals to get a jogging stroller, booster, and pool alarm. I love that you can rent a pool alarm!

posted by avimom on July 17th 2009 at 9:13am
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