Four Essentials for the Urban Mom

Maybe you live in the big city, or are just planning an urban vacation with your little one. Well, to get around the mean streets, here are my four must have items.

#1 The big wheels.  If you live in an urban area, and walking is your main mode of transportation, I highly recommend a big wheeled, durable stroller such as a Bugaboo or Uppa Baby (we have the Bugaboo Frog). The uneven sidewalks will take its toll on your wheels and a flimsy stroller might not survive. Plus, if your child will be spending extended time in the stroller, you want him or her to have a comfortable ride. Yes, these strollers are expensive, but in my opinion, worth the money. And to potentially cut costs, I recommend checking out gently used strollers on Craigslist.

#2 Lightweight stroller. Hmm… I’m already contradicting what I said in point #1! If you are an urban mom, it’s going to be tricky to exist with only one stroller. And if you are touring a city, you will need to bring a stroller that is small and light that can be carried up and down stairs, folded easily on a bus or in a taxi, or tucked away in the corner of a small bistro. I have the Uppa Baby G-Luxe and it is light enough for me to carry down the subway stairs with my son in it. Others like the Maclaren Volo/Quest or the Chicco Capri.

#3 A baby carrier. You want to have a baby carrier, such as a Baby Bjorn or Ergo for navigating public transportation especially when traveling with an infant too small to ride in a lightweight stroller. Even when toting a toddler, many carriers allow you to “back-pack” them, freeing up your hands. When using a baby carrier, you may be able to ditch the stroller altogether.

#4 Nursing cover. In the city, odds are you will HAVE TO nurse in public. Unless you can duck into a mother’s room at a baby store (the only place I have seen a nursing room in NYC), you will end up nursing in the park, at a café, or even on the subway. I speak from experience on this one!  Using a nursing cover will not only allow you to feed your baby discreetly, it will minimize distractions while your little one is eating.