Going on vacation with little ones – but dreading overpacking? Or got family visiting and not enough stuff for their tots?
Baby’s Away, a gear rental service with 80-plus locations nationwide, can help. It has three Michigan branches – two new as of April.
Lisa Johnson just opened one up in Traverse City (the others are in Grand Rapids and metro Detroit). The Lansing teacher and mom first used the service to rent a Pack ‘n Play for Ezra, 2, during a family trip to Alabama.
“It’s economical and environmentally friendly,” she says. And, of course, “It takes the burden away from how much you have to pack.”
Make an online reservation 24 hours in advance for 20-plus items, ranging from wooden cribs and car seats to wagons and room monitors.
“Everything is brand-new,” she says, “and it’s always really nice and high end.”
Johnson and her husband, Mattias, deliver gear to your car, hotel or even the airport. And all equipment is thoroughly cleaned, from linen laundering to hard-surface sanitizing.
Baby’s Away
Reserve gear through Michigan’s three Baby’s Away branches:
- Metro Detroit: Since 2003. Tanyeka Buchanan, 800-235-1570 or mibabysaway@yahoo.com.
- Grand Rapids: New in April. Eryn Guikema, 800-571-0077 or babysawaygrandrapids@gmail.com.
- Traverse City: New in April. Lisa Johnson, 517-281-5280 or babysawaytraversecity@gmail.com.
 helps families avoid overpacking by offering loads of baby gear for you to rent for your next vacation.){kind=link}