The Travel Kit vs. Building Your Own Baby Skincare Travel Set: Which Is More Practical?

Quick answer

For most families, Tubby Todd's Travel Kit is the more practical choice: it's TSA-approved, pre-packed with travel sizes, and costs less than buying full-size products. But if you have specific skin needs or prefer to customize every product, building your own set gives you control, albeit with more effort and potentially higher cost.

Traveling with a baby means packing half the nursery, and skincare is no exception. Between diaper changes, sunscreen, and bath time, you need products that are gentle, portable, and ready for anything. Tubby Todd's Travel Kit offers a convenient solution, but is it better than assembling your own baby skincare travel set?

In this comparison, we'll weigh the trade-offs between convenience, cost, and customization, using Tubby Todd's actual product lineup to help you decide what's most practical for your next trip.

Convenience: Pre-Packed vs. DIY

The Travel Kit from Tubby Todd is designed to be grab-and-go. It includes travel-sized versions of your favorite products in a TSA-approved size, so you can carry them on flights or toss them in a diaper bag without thinking. That's a huge time-saver when you're already juggling a baby, a car seat, and a stroller.

Building your own set means you'll need to source travel-sized containers, decant products, and remember to pack each one. It's doable, but it adds a step to your pre-trip to-do list. If you forget a crucial item like a diaper paste spray, you'll be scrambling at your destination.

• The Travel Kit is pre-assembled, so you don't have to worry about forgetting a step.

Cost: What You Pay for the Convenience

At $27.50, the Travel Kit offers significant savings compared to buying full-size products separately. For example, a full-size All Over Ointment costs $11, and a Suds Stick bar is $3.50. If you were to buy just a few of these in full size, you'd quickly exceed the Travel Kit's price—and you'd have to transfer them into travel containers anyway.

Building your own set can be cheaper if you already own full-size products and just need travel containers. But if you're starting from scratch, you'll likely pay more per ounce for travel sizes, and you may end up with more product than you need for a short trip.

• Compare prices per ounce: travel sizes often cost more, but the Travel Kit bundles them at a value price.

Customization: One Size Doesn't Fit All

The Travel Kit includes a curated selection of products, which is great if you're new to Tubby Todd or want a no-fuss option. But if your baby has specific needs—like a sensitivity to oats, or a preference for a particular scent—you might want to swap items. For example, the All Over Ointment Original Formula is fragrance-free and oat-free, which is ideal for oat-sensitive skin, but the Travel Kit may include the version with Colloidal Oatmeal.

Building your own set lets you choose exactly what your baby needs: a Micellar Water for quick cleanups, Barrier Balm for dry patches, and Sweet Cheeks Diaper Paste Spray for diaper changes. You can also pick your preferred scents and sizes, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

• Check ingredient labels: the Travel Kit's contents may not match your baby's sensitivities.

Trade-Offs to Consider

• Cost: The Travel Kit is a value bundle at $27.50, but if you only need one or two items, a DIY set might be cheaper. If you'll use most of the kit, it's a bargain; if not, you might overspend.
• Convenience: The Travel Kit is ready to go, while a DIY set requires time to gather and decant products. For busy parents, the time saved is worth the price.
• Customization: A DIY set lets you choose exactly what your baby needs, but you'll have to manage multiple purchases and containers. If your baby has specific sensitivities, DIY gives you control.

Product Facts: What's Inside

• The Travel Kit: All products are travel-sized in a TSA-approved size to carry on all of your flights or tuck into a diaper bag. Every product is gentle enough for the tiniest newborn and toddler's faces, and good for sensitive skin. You can breeze through airport security and have everything you need for on-the-go touch-ups, without worrying about exceeding liquid limits.
• Sweet Cheeks Diaper Paste Spray: With 14% zinc oxide and lots of gentle ingredients, Sweet Cheeks is safe to use during diaper changes throughout the day! The perfect top layer to help seal out wetness and irritants and protect skin. A diaper paste spray is a travel essential—it's mess-free and easy to apply, making diaper changes on the go less stressful.
• Micellar Water: This refreshing formula contains micelles to gently lift away dirt and other impurities from skin without stripping natural oils. Just splash onto one of our reusable cloths and gently swipe across skin anywhere little one needs a quick clean—no rinsing required! Perfect for freshening up between baths, especially during travel when a full bath isn't possible.

Which Should You Choose?

Best for

• Parents who want a grab-and-go solution for occasional travel
• New parents who want to try a variety of Tubby Todd products without committing to full sizes

Not for

• Parents with specific ingredient sensitivities that require a fully customized set
• Families on a tight budget who only need one or two travel items

Ultimately, the Travel Kit is the more practical choice for most families because it combines value, convenience, and trusted Tubby Todd quality. But if your baby's skincare needs are unique, building your own set lets you tailor every detail. Whichever route you take, having the right travel toiletries for baby will make your trip smoother and your little one's skin happy.