Traveling with a toddler and a baby in New York City sounds like a logistical nightmare to most people — and I get it. Two kids under three, a double stroller, diaper blowouts, snacks everywhere, all in the busiest city in the world? It’s a lot. But it’s also become one of the most humbling, grounding parts of my motherhood journey.
With some patience, preparation, and mindset shifts, I’ve learned how to turn what could be chaos into moments of joy and presence. Here are the small but powerful ways I navigate NYC with two little ones — and still stay (mostly) sane.
4 Tips for Traveling with a Toddler and a Baby in NYC
1. Prep Is My Love Language
I’ve learned that overpacking is a form of self-love when you’re a mom in the city. My diaper bag is less of a purse and more of a command center. I never leave the house without:
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Diapers and wipes (for both kids — it’s better to be over prepared than under).
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Snacks, and then backup snacks, because my toddler will always drop his or suddenly decide he hate the ones he picked at home.
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A change of clothes for each kid. I’ve learned my lesson once by forgetting this tip and never again.
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Small toys, especially for subway rides. I keep a few new items hidden for emergencies — novelty always buys me a few extra minutes of peace.
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Hand sanitizer, sunscreen, a burp cloth, and a blanket.
I treat my diaper bag like a survival kit. Because sometimes, it is.
2. Embrace the Slow
This was the hardest shift for me. As a native New Yorker, I’m used to moving fast, crossing streets before the light changes, catching trains with seconds to spare. But toddlers and babies don’t move on anyone else’s timeline — and trying to rush them only ends in tears (usually mine).
So now, we leave early. We stop for every airplane, firetruck, or pigeon in the sidewalk that captures my toddler’s attention. If we miss a train, we wait for the next. I build in buffer time for diaper changes, meltdowns, and spontaneous snack breaks.
When I stopped trying to control the clock, our days got softer. More present. More alive. It’s one of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve made with traveling with toddler and baby in a city that never slows down.
3. Babywearing for the Win
NYC isn’t always stroller-friendly — especially with subway stairs, narrow doorways, and packed sidewalks. My solution? Babywearing. I wear my baby snug against my chest, and my toddler gets the stroller — complete with snacks, toys, and a view of the world.
Babywearing not only gives me more mobility, but also keeps my daughter soothed and close to my heartbeat. It creates a little cocoon of peace for both of us. And when my toddler tires out and wants to be held? I can easily switch things up.
Bonus: It keeps my hands free for coffee. Which is essential.
4. Travel in Pockets of Peace
I’ve learned to plan outings around the natural rhythms of my kids. That means:
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Mornings after breakfast and a solid nap are our sweet spot.
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I avoid rush hour at all costs — both on the streets and in my own energy.
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I scope out quiet parks, lesser-known playgrounds, and coffee shops with changing tables and patient baristas.
Sometimes, we only make it one or two stops from home — and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to do everything. The goal is to do what feels manageable, and to enjoy the tiny magic moments in between.
NYC with two little ones can be intense. But it has also taught me how to be soft in the middle of noise, how to surrender instead of strive, and how to find magic in the mundane.
It’s not about doing it perfectly — it’s about showing up with love, snacks, and a little grace for yourself. And maybe, just maybe, a croissant in your pocket.
