When I told my husband I wanted to go to Madrid with Olivia, he looked at me like I'd suggested climbing Everest. And I get it. Our first getaway with her — she was 4 months old then — had been a disaster: two giant suitcases, a stroller that wouldn't fit anywhere, a travel crib that weighed a ton, and us exhausted before the vacation even started.
But this time would be different. I'd discovered something that completely changed how we travel with young children: renting baby equipment at your destination. And after five days in Madrid with Olivia — who's now 10 months old and a walking hurricane — I can say we'll never go back to traveling the old way.
This is our experience. I hope it helps if you're in a similar situation.
What we were doing wrong: the never-ending luggage
Before I tell you about the trip, let me explain how we used to travel. Maybe you'll relate.
For a weekend at my parents' house — a three-hour drive — we'd pack in the trunk: travel crib, full stroller with bassinet, folding high chair, inflatable baby bath, two bags of clothes, the diaper bag, toys, the portable sterilizer... The car was maxed out and we were on edge.
When we started thinking about flying, I realized it was impossible. How were we going to check all that? How much would the extra baggage cost? What if they wrecked the stroller in the cargo hold, like what happened to my sister-in-law?
I searched for information on what to pack when traveling with a baby, and every article said the same thing: minimalism, travel light, bring only the essentials. Sounds great, but nobody explained how to travel without a crib if your baby needs to sleep, or without a stroller if you're spending the day walking.
Until I found baby equipment rental services. And suddenly everything made sense.
Planning the trip: what to rent when traveling with a baby
I found Equipme searching for baby equipment rental in Madrid. I liked that their website was clear, prices were posted, and there were real photos of the products. No generic stock images.
I wrote to them explaining our situation: 10-month-old baby, five nights in a vacation apartment near Plaza Mayor, we'd be walking a lot and also wanted to do a day trip outside Madrid. They responded the same day with specific recommendations.
Here's what we booked:
- Travel crib with mattress. The apartment said it had a crib, but from past experience I preferred to make sure we'd have a quality one. Good call: the apartment's crib was an old contraption that honestly looked scary.
- Lightweight travel stroller. They recommended a super-compact model that folded with one hand. Perfect for the subway and for getting into any restaurant.
- Convertible car seat. Essential because we'd booked a day trip to Toledo with a rental car. Olivia already weighs over 20 pounds so she needed a bigger seat, not the infant carrier anymore.
- Portable high chair. The apartment didn't have a high chair. And eating with a 10-month-old in your arms while you try to have dinner is an extreme sport.
- Baby carrier backpack. I requested this for museums. Olivia does fine in the stroller but sometimes prefers being close to us, and the carrier keeps your hands free.
Total rental for five days: less than what it would have cost us to check our equipment on the plane. And no risk of them destroying it.
Arriving in Madrid: everything ready at the apartment
We flew from Barcelona with one carry-on each and the diaper bag. That's it. No checked stroller, no weird oversized items, no special lines. Olivia in my arms, us traveling light, and off to catch the subway downtown.
When we got to the apartment — around 2 PM — all the equipment was already there. The crib set up in the bedroom, the stroller folded by the entrance, the high chair by the table, and a note from Equipme explaining how everything worked.
My husband, the skeptic, stood there staring at the crib with a look of disbelief. "That's it? We're done?" Yep, we were done. I fed Olivia in the high chair, put her down in the crib, and while she napped we unpacked our bags in peace. No stress, no assembly fights, no arguments about how to open the stupid travel crib.
At that moment I knew we'd never travel any other way.
Five days in Madrid: how the rented equipment worked out
The travel stroller was a dream. Light, maneuverable, and it folded in a second. We took it on the subway no problem, into restaurants, stores, everywhere. Our stroller at home is a tank compared to this one — we're already thinking about switching.
The travel crib was better than ours. Seriously. More stable, thicker mattress, and Olivia slept like a champ every night. I'm sure that's part of why the trip went so well — a baby who sleeps well is a happy baby.
The car seat worked perfectly. On our Toledo day we picked up the rental car, installed the seat in five minutes, and Olivia slept the whole drive. When we returned the car, we just left the seat back at the apartment. No hassle.
The portable high chair saved our lives. We used it in the apartment for every meal, and we also brought it to a couple restaurants that didn't have high chairs. It clipped to the table in seconds.
The baby carrier was perfect for museums. At the Prado, Olivia fell asleep in the carrier and I got to see the galleries peacefully while my husband pushed the empty stroller. At the Reina Sofia we carried her the whole time — way more comfortable than the stroller for moving between the artworks.
What families overpack (and don't need)
After this trip I realized all the stuff we used to bring that we really didn't need:
Our stroller from home. Weighs twice as much, way more bulky, and the rental one was better for the city. Alternative: rent a lightweight travel stroller at your destination.
Our own travel crib. Those 20+ pounds that take up half a suitcase. Alternative: crib rental, delivered already set up.
Toys from home. We brought a whole bag of toys and Olivia barely touched them. She preferred playing with the apartment keys and a wooden spoon. If you need toys, you can try baby toy rental — there are options.
Inflatable baby bath. The apartment had a regular bathtub, so we didn't need it. But if we'd gone somewhere with just a shower, baby bath rental would have solved the problem.
The folding play yard. We brought it once and never took it out of the suitcase. If we'd needed it, we could have gotten a play yard rental.
The rule I follow now: if you can rent it at your destination, don't bring it. Your back and your sanity will thank you.
What equipment to rent based on your baby's age
I've talked with other moms who also use rental services, and together we've come up with these conclusions:
Babies 0-6 months: Bassinet (they sleep a lot and anywhere), stroller with bassinet attachment or infant car seat, infant car seat. If you're bottle feeding, a sterilizer might be useful. Baby wrap carriers are great for this age.
Babies 6-12 months: Travel crib (they've outgrown bassinets), stroller with seat, convertible car seat depending on weight, high chair (they're starting solids), baby bath if there's no tub at your accommodation. Baby carrier backpack for excursions.
Kids 1-3 years: Large travel crib or bed with safety rails, stroller or pushchair, convertible car seat, high chair. A baby walker rental can be useful if they're starting to walk. Baby monitor if the place is big.
Kids 3-6 years: They don't need as much stuff anymore, but the car seat is still required. Kids' toy rentals or educational toys can keep them entertained during the trip.
The question we all ask: is it hygienic?
Before booking, my main concern was hygiene. My baby was going to sleep in a crib that other babies had used. Was that okay?
I asked Equipme directly how they clean the equipment. They explained that everything goes through a professional cleaning process between each rental: fabric parts are washed at high temperature, surfaces are disinfected, and everything is inspected before going out again.
When the crib arrived, it smelled clean. Not artificially perfumed — genuinely clean. The mattress had a waterproof cover and fresh sheet. The stroller was spotless. The high chair gleamed.
Honestly, it was cleaner than equipment I've borrowed from friends or family, which sometimes comes with cookie crumbs embedded and mysterious stains.
My advice: if you're worried about hygiene (and it's normal to be), ask directly how they clean. Any serious company offering clean and safe baby equipment rental should be able to explain it without hesitation. If they can't answer or they dodge the question, look elsewhere.
Different equipment for different types of trips
A trip to Madrid isn't the same as going to the beach or a country house. Each type of trip has its needs:
City trip (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia): Prioritize a compact, lightweight stroller. You'll walk a lot, use the subway, go in and out of shops and restaurants. Car seat only if using taxis or rental car. Baby carrier is perfect for museums and pedestrian zones.
Beach trip: You need a stroller with big wheels that won't get stuck in sand, or just go with a carrier. UV protection umbrella can be rented. Portable baby bath almost certainly needed since beach apartments usually only have showers.
Country house or rural area: Here you definitely need a baby monitor if the baby sleeps far from where you'll be. Safety gates for stairs. Hiking backpack carrier for walks in the countryside. Folding play yard if you want to keep the baby entertained while you cook.
Rent vs. buy: the math we did
My husband is a numbers guy, so before the trip we did the full comparison:
- Option A: Bring our own equipment. Checking stroller and car seat: $60 (round trip). Risk of damage: high. Hassle at the airport: maximum. We already owned the travel crib, but it weighs 22 pounds and takes up half a suitcase.
- Option B: Rent in Madrid. Crib + stroller + car seat + high chair + carrier for 5 days: under $120. Delivery to apartment included. Pickup at the end included. No risks, no weight, no hassle.
The financial savings weren't huge, but the difference in convenience was massive. And if we'd had to buy a car seat just for the trip (because ours didn't fit in the rental car), renting would have been way cheaper.
My takeaway on the rent vs. buy baby equipment debate: if you're only going to use it a few times a year, rent. If you use it daily, buy. But for travel, renting wins almost every time.
Questions other moms ask me
What if the equipment doesn't work or is in bad shape?
Didn't happen to us, but I asked before booking. They told me if something isn't right, they swap it at no charge. They have WhatsApp support throughout the rental, so if something comes up, you message them and they fix it.
Can I book if I arrive really late or really early?
Yes. We arrived at 2 PM and the equipment was already there. If you arrive in the middle of the night, they drop it off the day before by coordinating with your accommodation. They're pretty flexible.
What if I need the equipment longer than I booked?
You message them and extend. We didn't need to, but they told me it's very common and no problem as long as the equipment is available.
Can grandparents pick up equipment if they're visiting us?
Yes. I thought this was great: if your parents are coming to visit and need gear for the grandkid, they can rent directly and have it delivered to their place. That way you don't have to haul the crib across the city.
Is it worth it for a weekend or only for longer trips?
It's worth it whenever you're flying or whenever it saves you from hauling stuff. For a weekend road trip two hours away, probably not. For a weekend by plane, absolutely yes.
Bottom line: traveling with babies can be easy
Look, traveling with a baby is never going to be like traveling without one. There are diapers to change, naps to respect, and meltdowns to manage. Nobody can change that.
But the logistics, the weight, the stress of dragging half your house from one city to another — that does have a solution. And the solution is simpler than it seems: rent what you need at your destination, travel light, and spend your energy enjoying the trip instead of managing equipment.
Our Madrid trip was the best we've taken with Olivia. Not because Madrid is special (though it is), but because for the first time we traveled without feeling like pack mules. We arrived rested, moved around easily, and enjoyed every day.
The next trip is already planned: Valencia in the spring. With rental equipment, of course. There's no going back.
Planning a trip with your baby? Contact Equipme and travel without packing a thing.
Crib, stroller, car seat, high chair rental and everything you need. Delivered to your accommodation.
More information:
• View all available strollers and pushchairs
• Cribs and sleep equipment
• Car seats by age group
• Contact and reservations
