Traveling with a baby deserves it’s own packing baby traveling checklist. I definitely didn’t have the full picture prior to having kids on how much stuff these adorable little babies need! After many years of traveling I believe I have it down pat.
And after my first born got a little older, my youngest arrived just to give me a refresher and ensure I still remembered what to pack for a baby. We have taken every trip you can imagine. We’ve taken the long weekend getaways by car to the mountains. We have driven a few hours away for a week at the beach.
We have taken multiple short one hour long flights to Disneyland and we have traveled across the world in red eye flights with our babies for month long vacations. Here is a comprehensive list of things you need to check off when traveling with a baby.
Baby Travel Gear- Large Items
Stroller- Very important
Regardless of whether you are traveling by car or airplane, you want to bring a stroller. The type just depends on your trip type. Most of the time however, you will want to take a very sturdy compact stroller instead of your fancy one at home.
Especially when you travel by plane, strollers are left right outside of the plane and they aren’t necessarily handled gently. It’s one of the main reasons I recommend you have a stroller of great quality specifically for your trips.
Aside from durability, you want to take one that is lightweight and that reclines. Both of these are non negotiable. Babies nap! Toddlers nap! You will absolutely regret not getting a compact stroller you can recline when they fall asleep. Though I do have a funny story on how this mistake actually got me to see the Mona Lisa front and center, ha ha.
A few things to keep in mind;
Even if you are just going for a weekend to an island or the beach, I still recommend taking the compact stroller. Why? Because airports are really big and unless you plan on babywearing (and the baby is used to babywearing) carrying an infant through the airport and security while pushing your bags is not feasible.
Also I can’t tell you how many times my toddler didn’t want to walk or stand while waiting for me to check in the hotel or wait for our table at the restaurant to be ready. The compact stroller also provides a chair and a safe place to place your baby say if you need to use the restroom and your spouse isn’t available at that exact moment to carry the baby. Traveling smart means thinking of all realistic scenarios so that you can plan more efficiently.
Baby Carrier
If you already baby wear by all means this is an essential time to do so. It allows you to have free hands, care for your other children and have the baby close to you at all times.
Unfortunately neither one of my kids cared for babywearing past the first few months. For traveling purposes among many others, I wish they had.
Car Seat
This one is a large item that is truly up to your preference. The only car seat we ever took was a booster seat once my son turned four. It made things SO much easier to carry around for taxis and hotel transfers.
Prior to that however we opted not to travel with one. My son highly disliked being restrained therefore air travel was much more pleasant for us if he was sitting on our laps versus the car seat as baby.
If your little one doesn’t mind the car seat, it’s a good option to take. It makes it convenient not to worry about getting a car rental with one already in place or if your transportation has the option to add one.
If you choose not to take one like we did, then just prepare to call ahead transportation that will include it. Rideshares in most places in the world do not have the option to add one FYI.
DockATot
This one is actually one of my top 5 baby must have products that I swear by with my kids as babies and toddlers. One of the reasons is that it makes traveling more pleasant. You can take the DockATot on the plane and place it across your and your spouse’s lap for the baby to sleep comfortably on top of.
This gives you the ability to have free hands and keep the baby on your lap still! Just keep in mind of course when descending and landing they will ask for you to place it underneath your seat. I recommend only doing this on a longer flight for this reason.
DockATot also makes traveling bags to protect your lounger from getting damaged or dirty. Also, it serves as the perfect lounger at your destination as well. It is a significant upgrade from placing a blanket on the floor to play or relax.
Clothes
Onesies– This will largely be dictated by your destination of course but you want to think of the basic pack staples such as onesies. You want to pack a plain sleeveless or with sleeves white onesie to wear on it’s own or underneath clothes depending on the weather for everyday of your trip.
Pajamas- You also want to bring one pajama for every day of your trip as well plus a couple extras in case one gets soiled. Babies are unpredictable. They can spit up, have blow outs, spill water or snacks all over themselves therefore you always want to pack extra of everything when it comes to clothes.
How many- For that reason you will want to pack two outfits per day of your trip when planning a baby traveling checklist. Think of how often you change the baby at home. If it’s once or twice just pack a couple per day. More than that then you want to bring more extras.
Bibs- Now, for all of the reasons I just provided you, bibs are also absolute musts for the packing list. two per day as well.
Shoes- Consider your destination! Sandals in warm weather, sneakers in the cold. You want to bring their most comfortable pair of shoes for the regular outing and anything new make sure you try them out at home first.
Specialty shoes-Also any special shoes you may need for the occasion such as water shoes. Many of the world’s most beautiful oceans and beaches have rocky sand not suitable for delicate, bare little feet.
Nursing & Feeding
Onesies– This will largely be dictated by your destination of course but you want to think of the basic pack staples such as onesies. You want to pack a plain sleeveless or with sleeves white onesie to wear on it’s own or underneath clothes depending on the weather for everyday of your trip.
Pajamas- You also want to bring one pajama for every day of your trip as well plus a couple extras in case one gets soiled. Babies are unpredictable. They can spit up, have blow outs, spill water or snacks all over themselves therefore you always want to pack extra of everything when it comes to clothes.
How many- For that reason you will want to pack two outfits per day of your trip. Think of how often you change the baby at home. If it’s once or twice just pack a couple per day. More than that then you want to bring more extras.
Bibs- Now, for all of the reasons I just provided you, bibs are also absolute musts for the packing list. two per day as well.
Shoes- Consider your destination! Sandals in warm weather, sneakers in the cold. You want to bring their most comfortable pair of shoes for the regular outing and anything new make sure you try them out at home first.
Also any special shoes you may need for the occasion such as water shoes. Many of the world’s most beautiful oceans and beaches have rocky sand not suitable for bare little feet.
Nursing & Feeding
Burp cloths- They should be treated like bibs on your baby traveling checklist. Bring as many as you use per day at home plus an extra. My first son never spit up so we used mainly one a day. With my second however, we have gone through 3 or 4 per day! You want to accommodate their needs as much as you can.
Nursing pads- If you are nursing you want to pack nursing pads, disposable or reusable whichever you typically use.
Nursing scarf- I like to pack one for privacy. It also helps them fall asleep if they are free from distractions while nursing.
Nursing pump- I hardly ever pumped so this wasn’t something I ever packed however if you anticipate being away from baby during a nursing session, you’ll want to bring along a nursing pump. Also, this is of course for exclusively pumping mothers.
Bottles if you are bottle feeding. Pro tip, whether you bottle feed or not, take with you FizzWizz tabs! They clean bottles and sippy cups amazingly well! All you need is water!
Snacks- These are very important! Even if you plan on tossing them prior to security at the airport, pack snacks and replace them as soon as you pass security. They help tremendously curb tantrums and keep them occupied as well.
Health & Bath
Disinfecting wipes- Now more than ever it is imperative to bring disinfecting wipes. You want to pack a travel sized one for your diaper bag and one regular tub for your checked in luggage to have once you arrive at your destination.
Wet wipes- Babies need mouths, hands, feet, arms wiped down from sticky foods. Of course you want to bring enough for diaper changes but consider all the other little messes you’ll need to clean up as well.
Shampoo & body wash- Most baby soaps are for hair and body and my recommendation is to stick to a brand you already use at home. If you are flying, take TSA approved 3.4oz containers to fill with your favorite brands of soap.
Inflatable baby bath tub- To ensure proper hygiene, bring an inflatable baby bath! They are the perfect size and excellent replacement when your accommodations don’t even have bathtubs.
Comb- Especially if you are traveling to the beach, you’ll want to keep baby’s hair detangled.
Lotion- Just like you did with the soap, stick to the brand you already use and place it in a 3.4oz container.
Diaper rash cream- Any food reaction can cause diaper rash so it’s best to come prepared.
First Aid kit and basics- You will want to pack a thermometer. It is extremely important you don’t forget this as it may be needed at the most unexpected time. I have certainly been there and had to go through many inconvenient loops to obtain one.
In that same kit include a fever reducer, Band-Aids and Neosporin. These are non negotiable for your baby traveling checklist.
Nail clippers– did you know these are most forgotten? Babies nails grow really fast and you don’t want to risk them scratching themselves on the trip.
Sleep & Play
White Noise machine- Regardless of where we go, we take a whote noise machine. There are compact ones perfect for traveling. When we forgot one one time, we had to use our cell phone to play a YouTube video of white noise and prayed the wifi signal from the hotel was strong! I can’t imagine if this would have happened in Italy where we had a weak wifi signal!
Favorite type of toys that entertain baby- Notice I said type of toys and not his or her favorite toys. That is because they want to be brand new to maximize the baby’s interest in the plane or the trip in general.
Feel free to bring their favorite toy as comfort but the remainder toys should be all new. For example my son loves touch and feel books. I would get him small, new touch and feel books since I already know they entertain him for a little while and because these are brand new it should keep his attention longer.
Other questions you may have about baby traveling checklist
Does a diaper bag count as a carry-on?
No, you are allowed to bring a carry on plus a personal bag per seat with most airlines. What I do is put my ID, lip gloss and boarding pass in the diaper bag to replace my purse.
What should I pack in my diaper bag for vacation?
In the diaper bag you want to include diapers, wet wipes and a few travel sized toiletries such as diaper rash cream and lotion. You also want to pack a couple extra outfits, burp cloths and bibs. Make sure it has room enough for a nursing blanket if you prefer one.
What can I bring on the plane for baby?
As I mentioned earlier, you want to bring that diaper bag full of necessities but also toys and snacks! You’ll need to obtain those once you pass security since you cannot bring food or drinks through TSA.
You may also bring a stroller and car seat that you will check in at the gate and it will be brought back up for your convenience once you land upon exiting the plane.
How do I protect my baby’s ears from flying?
Nursing always does the trick. You may also give the baby a pacifier and snacks to alleviate any discomfort.
What do I need for baby’s first vacation?
Go through the checklist a couple times to make sure you don’t miss anything. Aside from all the clothes, gear, and toiletries, you want to bring a camera! Make sure you take as many pictures as you can to document baby’s first vacation. And don’t forget video.
Lastly I will mention that some airlines require a birth certificate when checking in at the airport if you plan on having him or her on your lap. Therefore you will want to include it or a passport more ideally, especially traveling internationally.
Where does baby sleep while traveling?
This will mimic how they sleep at home and you want to follow the same safe sleep guidelines. That may mean co-sleeping like you do at home or asking the hotel for a crib or a cot. I mentioned using a lounger for supervised sleep.
What do I need to bring my baby to the beach?
In addition to all of the above, for the beach you’ll want to pack sunblock and swimwear. I wrote a whole blog post of what to pack for a beach vacation that will be useful.
How to pack clothes for a baby?
Use packing and organizing cubes! They have soft ones with breathable mesh to pack delicate clothes such as babies. I recommend also getting a set of cubes in a different color than the rest of your family so you can easily identify whose clothes are which family member.
Remember to keep complete separate clothes not counted in the packed ones for the baby’s diaper bag. Those will be more to be prepared for unforeseen changes due to food stains, milk, drool or diaper blowouts.
I hope you have a clear baby traveling checklist when going on a trip now. If you need excellent recommendations on the best travel laundry bags I got you covered as well. There’s even a great option for baby’s laundry.
You can also sign up for my newsletter to receive a handy packing for baby traveling checklist you can print out or save on your phone as PDF to check off as you go. This list will also work great if you’re just having a weekend getaway with baby or going on a road trip.
Also head over to my Instagram to view trips around the world with my sons on my story highlights!
Love,
Angelica