Baby On Board: How To Ship Your Family’s Excess Baggage When You Travel

Travelling internationally with babies can be a daunting adventure. Between managing fussy schedules, unfamiliar environments, and jet lag, parents have their hands full. One major hurdle is dealing with the excess baggage shipping that comes with baby gear: strollers, car seats, and bulky toys can quickly overwhelm even the most organised traveller.

Navigating airports with a tired toddler in tow while juggling oversized luggage can be a stressful ordeal. This is where services like Sherpr can be a lifesaver, offering convenient solutions for shipping extra baggage ahead of time, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – enjoying your family vacation.

Planning Your Family’s Travel

Travelling with young children internationally might seem overwhelming, but with thoughtful preparation, it can turn into a rewarding experience for the whole family. Here’s how to make your journey smoother and more enjoyable:

Strategise Around Your Child’s Needs

• Plan flights wisely: Choose flight times that align with your child’s natural sleep schedule whenever possible. A child who can sleep during the flight is often calmer and less fussy, reducing stress for both the child and parents.
• Pack the essentials: Ensure you have all the necessary items on hand, such as diapers, wipes, favourite toys, and plenty of snacks. Be prepared for delays by packing extra supplies. Having familiar items can comfort your child in an unfamiliar environment.
• Keep them entertained: Long flights can be challenging for young children, so bring along a variety of entertainment options. Include books, colouring supplies, small toys, and a tablet with pre-loaded age-appropriate content. These can keep your child occupied and make the journey more pleasant.
• Address special needs: If your child has specific dietary requirements or medical conditions, notify the airline ahead of time. Pack any necessary medications and make sure you have everything you might need in case of an emergency.

Managing the Extra Baggage

• Streamline your packing: Travelling with young children often means bringing extra gear like strollers and car seats. Check your airline’s baggage policy to understand your allowances and any potential fees for oversized items.
• Pack efficiently: Use travel-sized products to save space and consider leaving non-essentials behind. Prioritise lightweight and compact items to maximise your carry-on allowance.
• Ship bulky items: Services like Sherpr allow you to ship bulky baby gear ahead of time, lightening your load at the airport and making your travel experience less stressful.

By planning ahead and staying flexible, you can turn international travel with young children into an adventure filled with memories. 

Managing and Packing Baby Gear

Travelling with a baby can feel like a major expedition, but with some thoughtful planning, you can make the journey smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s how to pack efficiently and ensure a stress-free trip:

Essential Baby Gear: What to Pack

• Diapers and Wipes: Pack enough diapers and wipes for the travel day, with extras for any delays. Avoid overpacking by remembering that most destinations have stores for restocking.
• Clothing: Choose versatile, layerable clothing to adapt to temperature changes. Pack enough outfits for a few days and plan to do laundry if the trip is extended, which helps minimise your luggage.
• Baby Carrier: A baby carrier is invaluable for navigating busy airports and crowded places, keeping your hands free and offering a convenient alternative to a stroller.
• Stroller: Opt for a lightweight, travel-friendly stroller that folds compactly. Some strollers fit in overhead bins, saving time and ensuring immediate access after landing.
• Car Seat: A car seat is crucial for your baby’s safety. Check airline policies—some allow car seats on board with a purchased seat, while others may require them to be checked.
• Baby Food and Bottles: Pack enough baby food, formula, and bottles, keeping in mind carry-on liquid restrictions. Pre-portioning can save time during security checks.

Managing Bulky Items

• Strollers: Most airlines allow gate-checking for strollers. Use a travel bag to protect it from damage.
• Car Seats: If checking, use a cover to protect your car seat. Alternatively, consider renting one at your destination.
• Other Gear: Use compression sacks for bulky items like playmats to save space.

Tips for a Smooth Journey

• Know Airline Policies: Familiarise yourself with baggage allowances and fees to avoid surprises.
• Pack Light: The less you bring, the easier it is to manage everything.
• Maximise Carry-On Space: Keep essentials like diapers, wipes, and clothes in your carry-on for easy access during the flight.
• Travel-Sized Items: Use travel-sized essentials to save space.
• Plan for Laundry: If the trip is long, plan to do laundry to reduce packing.

By focusing on essentials and packing strategically, you can make travelling with a baby more manageable and enjoyable.

Shipping Excess Baggage

Travelling with young children often involves more than just packing clothes. Strollers, car seats, and other essential baby gear can quickly consume your luggage space, making travel cumbersome. One effective solution is to ship your excess baggage ahead of time, a strategy that offers multiple advantages.

Why Ship Your Baggage?

• Save Money: Airlines frequently charge hefty fees for overweight or oversized baggage, and these costs can add up fast. Shipping your baby gear separately can often be more cost-effective, especially when you factor in the convenience and reduced stress.
• Reduce Travel Stress: Imagine navigating through the airport without the burden of hauling heavy bags, strollers, or car seats. Shipping your gear ahead of time allows you to travel lighter, giving you the freedom to focus on your family and enjoy the journey.
• Maximise Packing Space: With fewer items to carry, you can pack more efficiently, bringing only the essentials for your trip. This can be particularly helpful if you’re travelling with young children who require a lot of gear.
• Minimise Risk of Loss or Damage: Shipping your gear separately reduces the chances of it being lost or damaged during airline transit. When you ship with a reliable service, your items are handled with care and delivered directly to your destination.

How to Ship Your Baby Gear

• Choose a Reputable Shipping Service: Start by selecting a trusted service that specialises in shipping bulky items, offering door-to-door pickup and delivery. Services like Sherpr are designed for this purpose, making the process seamless.
• Pack Securely: Properly packing your items is crucial. Use sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and other protective materials to ensure your gear arrives in good condition.
• Schedule a Pickup: Arrange for the shipping service to pick up your items at a convenient time. Most services offer flexible pickup options, allowing you to coordinate with your travel plans.
• Track Your Shipment: Once your items are on their way, you can monitor their progress through real-time tracking provided by most shipping services.

Shipping your excess baggage ahead of time simplifies your travel experience, allowing you to enjoy a more relaxed and stress-free vacation with your family. By taking this step, you can focus on creating memories rather than managing logistics.

Navigating Airport and Travel Logistics

Dealing with excess baggage at the airport can be stressful, but with a little preparation, you can minimise the hassle.

• Check baggage allowances: Understand your airline’s baggage policies, including weight and size restrictions.
• Weigh your bags: Use a luggage scale to avoid surprises at the airport.
• Consider shipping: For bulky items, consider shipping them ahead of time to avoid excess baggage fees altogether.

• Online check-in: Check-in online if possible to save time at the airport and potentially avoid additional fees.
• Be prepared: Have your passport, boarding pass, and baggage ready for a smooth check-in process.
• Negotiate: If your bag is slightly overweight, politely ask the airline representative if there’s any flexibility.

• Pack efficiently: Maximise your luggage space by packing light and using packing cubes.
• Consider options: If you must pay excess baggage fees, compare prices between paying at the airport and pre-paying online.
• Travel light on return: If possible, plan to purchase souvenirs or gifts that can be carried on your return flight.

By following these tips, you can navigate the airport with confidence and minimise the stress associated with excess baggage. Remember, a little planning can go a long way in ensuring a smooth journey.

Post-Arrival Tips

Receiving your shipped items upon arrival is the final step in a stress-free travel experience. Here’s how to ensure a smooth process.

• Utilise tracking information: Most shipping services provide tracking numbers. Use them to monitor your package’s location.
• Stay informed: Be aware of the expected delivery date and time.

• Confirm delivery details: Coordinate with the shipping service about delivery options, such as home delivery or pickup at a designated location.
• Be available: Ensure someone is available to receive the package at the scheduled time.

• Check for damage: Upon receiving your items, inspect them for any damage caused during shipping.
• Document any issues: If there’s damage, take photos and contact the shipping service immediately.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your shipped items arrive safely and on time, contributing to a seamless travel experience.

Final Word

Travelling with kids means extra gear. To avoid the hassle, plan ahead. Check airline policies, pack efficiently, and consider shipping bulky items like strollers and car seats. Services like Sherpr can simplify the process by handling your excess baggage. By shipping ahead, you’ll save time and money at the airport, allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip with your family. Remember, a little planning goes a long way in ensuring a smooth journey.