5 Travel System Essentials (And 3 to Avoid)

At BabaBing, we’re more than just a baby brand—we’re parents too. We know what it’s like to wrestle with prams in the rain, to juggle babies and bags, and to want products that just work. That’s why we design travel system essentials that real families actually need—nothing more, nothing less.

From our LovedByParents award-winning travel system to our everyday baby gear, every BabaBing product is built around three things:

• Function – It has to make your life easier

• Quality – It has to last the distance

• Value – You shouldn’t have to pay for fluff

We don’t believe in overpriced gimmicks or endless upsells. We believe in smart design, honest pricing, and helping parents find the best travel system essentials without the overwhelm.

💜 Our goal? Give you everything you need—and nothing you don’t.

Whether you’re prepping for your first baby or upgrading your gear, BabaBing is here to help you get the right travel system essentials , the first time around.

Buying a travel system can feel like navigating a minefield. Everyone has an opinion, and every brand wants to sell you everything. But truthfully? Some features are absolute game-changers…
and some are just expensive clutter.

In this guide, we break down the 5 travel system essentials that are genuinely worth your money—and 3 extras that are mostly marketing fluff .

✅ 1. A Safe, I-Size Compatible Car Seat

This one’s non-negotiable. An i-Size (R129) certified car seat offers the latest in child safety, especially in side-impact scenarios. Look for features like easy base compatibility , adjustable headrests , and newborn inserts for added comfort.

🛡️ Safety = peace of mind. This is where to invest.

✅ 2. A One-Hand Fold That Actually Works

You won’t fully appreciate this feature until your baby’s screaming, your coffee’s spilling, and you’re trying to fold a pram in a muddy car park. A true one-hand fold makes your life easier—and faster.

Bonus points if it stands upright when folded.

✅ 3. All-Terrain Wheels with Suspension

Even if you’re not trekking up hills, good wheels make a massive difference . Cobblestones, kerbs, and gravel are no match for large, air-filled or rubber wheels with decent suspension.

Your baby glides. You push less. Win-win.

✅ 4. A Carrycot or Lie-Flat Seat for Newborns

Don’t be fooled by prams that claim to be “suitable from birth” but only offer a bucket seat. For safety and spine development, newborns need a flat sleeping surface —ideally in a ventilated, padded carrycot or full recline seat .

Carrycot = better naps = happier baby (and you).

✅ 5. A Lightweight but Solid Frame

A good travel system is both easy to lift and built to last . You want it to handle day-to-day life without wobbling or weighing a ton.

Look for:

• Aluminium frames

• Compact folded size

• Lockable wheels

✅ Pro tip: Lift it in-store before buying.

❌ 1. Overpriced Accessories

Do you really need a branded cup holder, umbrella, phone pouch, and snack tray? These add up fast—and you’ll likely use just one or two.

Stick to the basics. Accessories are easy to add later (often cheaper, too).

❌ 2. Built-In Gadgets

From Bluetooth speakers to temperature sensors—techy add-ons sound cool, but they’re usually more gimmick than game-changer.

Babies don’t care if your pram plays white noise. Save your money.

❌ 3. Matching Designer Extras

A changing bag that matches your travel system is cute… until your baby covers it in yoghurt. Designer changing bags and liners are nice, but budget options work just as well .

Buy practical, not Instagrammable.

What’s worth the splurge — and what’s just sales fluff?

💡 Pro Tip:

You’ll use 90% of your travel system daily . Make sure that 90% is made of smart, practical essentials —and not showy extras that just collect crumbs.

At BabaBing, we believe you shouldn’t pay for fluff . 

That’s why our LovedByParents Gold Award-winning travel system includes all the features you actually need—no unnecessary extras.

✅ I-Size compatible
✅ Lightweight and foldable
✅ Newborn carrycot included
✅ All-terrain wheels

When you start shopping for a pram or pushchair, it’s easy to get swept up in all the features. But travel system essentials are simply the things that make your daily life easier, safer, and more comfortable — for you and your baby .

Think of them as the core features that get used every single day:

• A car seat that clicks in and out with zero fuss

• A pram that folds fast when you're juggling bags

• A system that can handle pavements, parks, and public transport

• A safe, flat sleep space for your newborn

These are the travel system essentials that make the difference between a good day out and a stressful one.

👶 Why You Shouldn’t Skip the Essentials

It’s tempting to save money by choosing a basic travel system, especially with so many costs stacking up when your baby’s on the way. But skimping on travel system essentials usually leads to frustration down the line — or worse, needing to replace your setup sooner than expected.

Here’s what happens when you don’t invest in the right essentials:

• You struggle to fold it one-handed while holding your baby

• The car seat doesn’t fit well in your car, or feels flimsy

• The wheels jam or rattle on uneven pavements

• Your baby outgrows the seat too fast because it wasn’t designed from birth

Buying smart once is cheaper than buying cheap twice.

🛍️ How to Spot Travel System Essentials When Shopping

Here’s a quick way to check whether a feature is truly essential:

Ask yourself:

“Will this make my life easier or safer at least 3 times a week?”

If the answer’s yes — it’s likely one of the travel system essentials .
If it sounds nice but not necessary? It’s probably a bonus, not a must-have.

Look out for marketing buzzwords like:

• “Luxury add-on”

• “Premium bundle”

• “Exclusive matching set”
  These are usually upsells. Stick to features that give you real everyday value .

🚶‍♀️ Your Lifestyle Affects Your Essentials

Not all parents need the same setup. Your travel system essentials should match your daily routine.

Here’s how it varies:

• City living? Go compact, lightweight, and easy to fold.

• Countryside or coastal walks? Prioritise strong wheels and suspension.

• Using public transport? Look for fast-fold frames and carry handles.

• Driving often? A car seat with ISOFIX base will be your best friend.

Tailor your essentials to your life—not the showroom.