Before we had any children, we were proud to be minimalist packers when traveling. Whether we were going on an international flight or an epic road trip, our luggage typically just consisted of some carry-ons or backpacks. However, once we had our baby, we quickly learned our littlest family member would significantly increase our luggage. From diapers to strollers, our packing list for baby travel definitely got much longer!
Packing for a baby can be stressful. After all, you don’t want to be stuck somewhere without an important item for your little one! But you also don’t want to bring too much and be overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you need to haul around. On one of our first road trips with our baby, we couldn’t help but laugh when we loaded all our luggage onto a cart at the hotel. Our little guy’s things probably took up 3/4 of the cart!
So what should be on your packing list for baby travel? We understand each child is different. Our intention is that when you use our list below, be sure to use it as a starting point and adapt it for your family.
BABY TRAVEL PACKING LIST
Clothing
- 1-2 outfits per day (as you know, babies are prone to accidents or getting dirty!)
- Pajamas
- Any other sleep-related items (e.g., sleep sacks or swaddles)
- Depending on activities: hats for sunny days, shoes, etc.
Sleeping
- Pack ‘n Play and sheets (or confirm that your hotel/rental has a crib)
- Sound machine (or download an app if your baby sleeps with white noise)
- Baby monitor (if you plan to be in another room while your baby sleeps)
Health (Diapers, Toiletries and Meds)
- Diapers (bring plenty! Or if you’re flying, consider buying a pack at your destination.)
- Wipes
- Foldable diaper changing pad
- Diaper disposal bags (tip: pet waste bags work just as good and they’re usually cheaper!)
- Hand sanitizer
- Bags for soiled clothes (you don’t want to be stuck packing poopy outfits with your clean clothes if you aren’t able to immediately wash them)
- Baby soaps and lotions/creams (especially if your baby has sensitive skin)
- Thermometer (we speak from experience: you don’t want to be guessing if your baby has a fever while traveling)
- Baby Tylenol/ibuprofen (in case for fevers, teething, etc.)
Food
- Age-appropriate food
- Milk/formula
- Nursing covers (if necessary)
- Burp cloths (if necessary)
- Bottles/cups
- Bibs
- Baby tableware or utensils (if necessary)
- Booster seat with tray (nice to have if you can bring along)
Other
- Picnic blanket (useful for rest stops)
- Stroller and/or baby carrier (depending on activities)
- Toys and books (gotta keep them entertained!)
So as you can see, a packing list for baby travel, while pretty long, can be pretty manageable after you break it down into categories. And while this list has worked well for us, you may want to adjust it for your own family, travel style and preferences. Don’t let packing for a baby steer you away from traveling with your young ones. Even though they may not remember specific memories, travel will help instill a lifelong sense of adventure, love of learning and curiosity!
Do you have any questions for us about traveling with a baby? Do you have a must-need item when venturing out with your little ones? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to check out our other travel tips!