Baby Travel Essentials [What to Pack & What NOT to Pack]
TRAVEL WITH BABY PACKING TIPS
Travel with a baby can require a LOT of gear. Even minimalist parents face the challenge of packing everything required to care for a baby on the road!
It can be so overwhelming that some parents feel like it’s just. not. worth it.
I’m here to tell you that traveling with a baby is doable and FUN! (Not to scare you, but if this is your first baby, QUICK! Book all the trips before your baby turns into a toddler. Or read my Travel with Toddler posts).
Yes, it does require extra packing, extra planning, and extra energy to explore with a baby. But then again, doesn’t a trip to Target require the same thing?
Babies are actually wonderful to travel with. They’re easy to feed. They sleep a lot. You can put them in a baby carrier or stroller and they’re usually pretty content. There’s nothing quite like watching your precious babe’s eyes light up when they see big city lights, animals in the wild, an aquarium, or even just planes, trains, and automobiles.
As a mom of 4 little ones who has taken babies to big cities, National Parks, road trips, flights, resorts and more, I'll show you how to avoid overpacking and still make sure you remember to bring everything you need.
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I've traveled all over the country and to several other countries with a baby, I've road tripped and flown. I've got packing for a baby down to a science!
Today we're going to cover
WHAT TO PACK FOR BABY
WHAT NOT TO PACK
PACKING FOR AIR TRAVEL WITH BABY
PACKING FOR ROAD TRIPS WITH A BABY
MY FAVORITE BABY TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
WHAT TO PACK
I like to start with the carry on bag while my mind is still fresh and excited about packing. Traveling to and from your destination with a baby is usually one of the more stressful parts of a trip, so you want to make sure you’re prepared. If you’re road-tripping, this will be the bag or bin of essentials you keep within arm’s reach so you don’t have to stop the car and dig through the trunk.
WHAT I PACK IN A CARRY-ON BAG WITH A BABY:
This list is JUST what I include for the baby. I, of course, bring other things for myself and my other kids. I usually share a carry-on bag with the baby for air travel. In the car, I usually use the diaper bag for these items and keep it on the floor by the baby’s seat.
2 extra onesies - blowouts & spit-up happen…often at the worst possible moment
muslin blanket - works as a swaddle, blanket, nursing cover, burp cloth, or changing pad in a pinch. These ones are the best!
5-7 diapers - depends on the length of the trip. But pack as many as you think you’ll need then add 2 more.
wipes - not just for diaper changes! Great for wiping food off your other kids’ faces and hands.
pacifier - if your baby takes one. Don’t’ forget the pacifier clip so you don’t drop it on gross airport or rest stop floors! Make sure you have an extra, too!
food/bottle items - this varies wildly depending on your baby’s age and food stage. If you’re exclusively breastfeeding, you don’t need much other than a burp cloth. If formula feeding, bottles, warm water (use an insulated thermos to keep water warm), pre-measured formula. If your baby is eating finger foods, throw in some puffs or fruit pouches - you know, the stuff you normally don’t splurge on at the grocery store.
1-2 toys - none of my 4 kids have ever really played much with baby toys, especially while traveling when there is so much to see. I do throw in one or 2 teething toys though.
antibacterial wipes & hand sanitizer - airplanes, airports, and rest stops are full of germs. And babies drop things.
change of clothes for you- remember…spit-up, blowouts, breast milk, baby food…
wet bag - for soiled clothes
gallon-size plastic bag - for dirty diapers or trash in a pinch
BABY GEAR TO PACK:
This category is for the large items you will need to think about when packing for your baby.
pack & play - you will only need this if your hotel or Airbnb does not offer a crib or pack & play. I’ve never had to bring one on the plane. We bought this travel bassinet for our 4th baby since we were supposed to be traveling to Puerto Rico when she was 3 months old. (Unfortunately, that got canceled due to the pandemic, but we still LOVED it for shorter trips and camping!)
car seat/stroller combo - I love bringing a stroller through security at the airport and gate checking it. The only exception would be if you’re going somewhere where you won’t be using the stroller. Don’t forget to throw this in the car if you’re road-tripping! My babies have taken SO many stroller naps on trips over the years.
car seat and stroller bag - use these protective bags if you are checking your stroller and car seat so they don’t get damaged in transit.
baby carrier (Lillebaby) - I always like to have both a stroller and a baby carrier with me for different situations. The Lillebaby works from infancy to toddlerhood. Best baby carrier I’ve found!
bouncer - this is definitely a luxury you don’t NEED, so if you’re flying, I wouldn’t worry about it. I do throw our portable indoor/outdoor activity center in the car when we’re road tripping because our baby plays so well in it and it gives us a few minutes of free hands to help the other kids or get ready ourselves. (You actually could bring this on a plane since it folds up small and comes with a carrying bag. If you’re trying to limit gear it’s not necessary, though).
portable high chair - again, another item that’s not a necessity. Check with your hotel/Airbnb to see if they have one. I would pack a cheap pop-up high chair if your little one is into solids!
PACKING BABY CLOTHES
Naturally, this list will vary depending on your destination and the length of your trip. Here is a basic list of what I bring that you can modify to fit your trip.
onesies (5-7)
pants (3-4)
rompers (1-2)
dresses (1-2)
socks (3-4)
shoes (I almost never put shoes on my babies until they start to walk. If your baby is walking or pulling up on furniture go ahead and pack them)
swimsuit (1-2) - we like rash guards for babies
sun hat
pajamas (5-7) - less if you have access to laundry.
DIAPERS AND WIPES
There are 2 ways to do this: pack enough diapers for the trip which is perfect for road tripping or remote destinations. You can use a packing cube, a seatback organizer, or a diaper caddy.
OR you can buy the diapers and wipes when you arrive or have it delivered to your hotel/Airbnb with Amazon or Shipt.
Make sure to bring plastic bags for dirty diapers (we use dog poop bags). The LAST thing you want is a smelly diaper making your hotel room smell bad
Diaper rash cream - we love this kind.
Changing pad - get a light travel pad that folds up small
SLEEP ITEMS TO PACK FOR BABY
1-2 wearable blankets or swaddles
night light - this is my newest travel obsession! I’m up at night nursing the baby or sometimes you need to move around the room and get things ready for the next day while the baby is sleeping but you don’t want to turn on the light. These touch-activated night lights have been lifesavers for our family!
baby monitor - especially if you’re in a rental house
FEEDING ITEMS TO BRING FOR BABY
NURSING: nursing pillow (try this inflatable one for air travel), burp cloth, breast pads, nipple cream, nursing bras
PUMPING: pump, accessories (flanges, tubes, power cord, adapter, batteries), milk storage bags, cooler, ice packs, bottles, nursing cover, pumping bra, sanitizing wipes
FORMULA: thermos for warm water for bottles, pre-measured formula in a formula dispenser, small bottles, burp cloths
BABY FOOD: I’ve always been mostly a baby-led weaning mom, so I usually just cut up whatever we’re eating for the baby. Easy foods to pack for travel while BLW: bananas, fruit pouches, Cheerios, or puffs. Also, bring bibs, snack traps, and sanitizing wipes.
HEALTH ITEMS TO PACK FOR BABY
baby shampoo (travel size)
2 washcloths
infant pain reliever (dye-free)
thermometer
nail clipper, brush
baby lotion
sunscreen/bug repellant (if above 6 months)
mosquito net
PLAY ITEMS TO PACK FOR BABY
blanket or mat for the baby on the floor
3 toys max (teething toys are perfect)
indestructible books - they’re lightweight and fun for baby to play with or put in their mouth!
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS THINGS TO PACK
WHAT NOT TO BRING FOR BABY (PLUS SOME MINIMALIST PACKING TIPS)
You don’t need to bring…
tons of toys
cloth diapers (even if you use them at home, which I did for our first baby, go with disposables on the road)
board books (WAY to heavy and take up too much space. Use the indestructible ones)
bulky blankets - stick with muslin blankets! They are so lightweight and barely take up any space.
Car seat: rent a car seat when you arrive if you're renting a car. It will save you the hassle of hauling one through the airport or risking your car seat getting damaged.
Diapers: Buy/order diapers and wipes when you arrive. You can even have them delivered to you at an Airbnb, and check with your hotel to see if you can have them delivered to the lobby.
Pack & Play: Check to see if your Airbnb/hotel has a crib or pack & play so you don’t have to bring one.
Tons of Clothes: Bring laundry detergent and do some laundry to pack less clothing. Even if you’re in a hotel and you don’t want to pay for the laundry, you can do laundry by hand in the tub in a pinch.
Read more: Minimalist Packing with Kids - How Not to Overpack
AIR TRAVEL TIPS WITH A BABY
Use a backpack as your carry-on. You’ll want to be hands-free to take care of the baby! Use small packing cubes, bag organizers, or even gallon-size plastic bags to keep it organized. [Read more: How to Use Packing Cubes - Packing Tips for Travel with Kids]
Make sure you have a passport and birth certificate. I recommend a snap closure envelope so they’re easy to find.
Put the baby in the stroller travel system to get through the airport. Gate check your items with a padded travel bag. Check with the gate agent to see if there is an extra seat for your baby's car seat and to get gate check tickets.
If you don’t want to deal with gate checking the stroller and car seat, or you’re renting them when you arrive, wear your baby. You'll have to take them out of the carrier for take-off/landing, but otherwise, it’s nice to have your hands free. The Lillebaby does not hurt my back, even when I wear my babies for long periods of time. [Read more: LILLEBABY Airflow Complete Review]
Wipe down everything with antibacterial wipes. Babies put EVERYTHING in their mouths.
In my experience, babies never play with the toys you pack so don't waste precious carry-on space. Ask the flight attendant for an empty cup for them to play with, sing nursery rhymes to them, or feed them to keep them busy.
READ MORE: Tips for Flying with Little Kids without Losing Your Mind
BABY ROAD TRIP TIPS
The beauty of a road trip is that you can bring as many items as you can fit in your car. If you’re more comfortable bringing your own pack & play, your huge stroller, or a portable bouncer and you have room for it - go for it!
DO remember to stay organized by using packing cubes and seat-back organizers. This helps you find items quickly and efficiently. You don’t want to be in a situation where the baby is screaming but you can’t find her pacifier, bottle, blanket, or whatever because you just threw everything into a bag haphazardly!
Some other baby road trip tips:
Double-check to make sure the car seat is installed correctly.
Set up a diaper changing station somewhere in the car. We love this seatback organizer for diapers, wipes, and everything else you’ll need! You could also use a diaper caddy to stay organized. Don’t forget those plastic bags for soiled clothes or dirty diapers!
Keep your bag of essentials in the front of the car (see above).
Hang a mirror on the headrest behind the baby’s car seat so you can check on them without climbing in back.
Stop every 3 hours or so to feed and stretch.
There WILL be a blowout in the car seat. Have the necessary cleaning items in a bin or caddy within arm’s reach.
Try driving at night or very early in the morning when the baby is more likely to sleep for longer stretches.
Set up a sunshade so the sun is not shining in baby’s eyes, and to protect your baby from the sun’s rays.
TRAVELING WITH BABY CHECKLIST
MY FAVORITE BABY TRAVEL GEAR:
SUMMER POP & JUMP PORTABLE ACTIVITY CENTER
This portable bouncer with shade can be used inside or outside, and the shade attachment is perfect for beach days or camping!
It’s super easy to fold up and comes with a travel bag with a shoulder strap.
LILLEBABY Airflow Complete Baby Carrier
The Lillebaby comes with lumbar support, and a lot of the baby's weight is distributed to your hips with the wide waist belt so it doesn’t hurt your back, even when wearing your child for long periods of time.
There is a mesh hood you can pull up over the baby's head to protect them from sun or rain or to give you more coverage while nursing the baby in the carrier. The Airflow Complete also has a little pocket in the front to store your phone or keys, which I love because I always need to whip my phone out to take pictures or Instagram stories.
This is the perfect baby carrier for travel!
DREAM ON ME PORTABLE TRAVEL BASSINET
This travel bassinet is portable and lightweight. It folds up easily and comes with a travel bag.
We were going to use this for our trip to Puerto Rico, which sadly has been postponed due to the pandemic.
We still use this for our baby, and love how easy it’s been to take camping, moving, in hotels, and staying with family!
DON’T FORGET IT! PIN IT!
Emily Krause is a Florida-based travel blogger who writes about exploring the world with kids. On A Mom Explores you’ll find best family travel destinations, Disney World tips, and how to make travel with babies and toddlers a little easier.
Emily believes that exploring starts in our own backyards, and adventure can happen anywhere with the right mindset.
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