Traveling with kids takes a lot of patience and pre-planning. It also takes a lot of gear!
With everything you’ll need to take with you, you will probably wonder if you are packing for a vacation or an entire move!
Whether you are hitting the road or boarding a flight, we have rounded up travel essentials for your kiddo to get you and your family to your destination safely while (hopefully) minimizing meltdowns.
What to Take When Traveling With Your Baby
We will separate the items you may need and want to pack for your baby in the following categories: traveling, feeding, sleeping, bathing/diapering, entertaining and miscellaneous.
You may not need every item on this comprehensive list. It really depends on where you are headed, how you plan to get there, how long you will be gone and what works best for your baby and your family. Use this checklist as a guide to make sure you don’t forget anything!
If you are flying to your destination, be sure to check out our article on what your child needs before boarding a domestic or international flight.
Traveling
- Car seat: Even if you plan to fly, a car seat is a must-have travel item. When you land at your destination, chances are you will need to hop in a car or taxi to get to your hotel, rental property, family’s house, etc. For young kids, flying while strapped in an FAA-approved car seat is the safest way to travel by plane.
- Stroller: Many families find it convenient to travel with a lightweight or umbrella stroller when packing up the car for a road trip or heading to the airport to catch a flight. If your baby is still in an infant car seat, look for a lightweight stroller option that has adapters for your child’s specific infant car seat.
- OPTIONAL – Doona Car Seat and Stroller: If your family travels quite a bit, consider investing in the Doona Car Seat and Stroller in one. This pricey, yet extremely convenient item is an infant car seat that instantly turns into a stroller. If you have limited cargo space or want to travel a bit lighter, the Doona is a no-brainer. Keep in mind, once the Doona is converted to a stroller, there is no undercarriage storage.
- Baby carrier: A baby carrier, such as a sling, wrap, or traditional carrier, is another must-have item when traveling through an airport with your baby. It keeps your hands free when going through security. Even when traveling by car, it is an easy way to quickly and conveniently carry your baby while remaining hands-free rather than digging through the trunk to pull out the stroller.
- OPTIONAL – Car seat and stroller bags: I would recommend car seat and stroller bags for your specific brand if you plan on gate-checking the car seat and stroller at the airport. This keeps them clean and minimizes the chances of the items getting damaged as they are thrown into the cargo of the plane.
Feeding
Depending on if your little ones are still on formula and/or breastmilk or if they’ve started eating solid foods, here are some of the items you will need, may need and/or want to take with you to feed your baby when traveling.
- Breastmilk and/or formula: Even if you feed your baby powdered formula, take a few bottles of ready-t0-feed formula for emergencies. You may end up in a situation where you don’t have easy access to clean water.
- Bottles and nipples: The number of bottles you’ll need depends on how many times a day your baby is drinking from the bottle and how often you’ll have access to wash them. A good rule of thumb is to take the number of bottles your baby drinks in a day plus one more.
- Formula dispenser
- Breast pump
- Breast milk storage and ice packs
- Sippy cup/straw cup for water (if your baby is old enough to drink water)
- Burp cloths
- Canned or jarred baby food
- Snacks
- Snack container: Don’t worry about a million pieces of Cheerios littering your aisle or backseat by packing a reusable snack container with you. I like the silicone snack cup with lid by BraveJusticeKidsCo. They are easy to pack because the cups collapse and expand as needed. The large carry handle is perfectly sized for little hands. The cups are spillproof yet easy for babies to reach in and pull out a quick snack. The dust-proof lid also fits snugly. When the lids are not in use, the cup with opening is one piece, so there is no way your little one can take the cap off and dump snacks all over the floor. The cups are made of durable soft silicone and won’t break. The materials are also free of BPA, phthalates, and latex.
- Bibs
- Feeding utensils in carrying case
- Travel bottle washing kit: Even if you exclusively breastfeed your baby, the OXO Tot On-the-Go Drying Rack with Bottle Brush is still a great thing to pack. It includes a bottle brush and drying rack, creating a sanitary place to not only wash and dry baby’s bottles and nipples but also pacifiers, teething toys, pump parts, and more.
- Travel dish soap: I like this travel size option by Babyganics for washing bottles on-the-go.
- Sanitizing bags: If you would rather not deal with having to wash bottle parts and you will have access to a microwave, try these convenient sterilizing bags by Medela. Simply throw the baby’s bottles, nipples, and pump parts in the bag with a little water. Microwave for 3 minutes and steam clean to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria. Each bag can be used up to 20 times.
- 5-in-1 Cover for Nursing, Car Seat, and More: This versatile cover by Copper Pearl is always in my diaper bag and a must-have item when traveling. You can use it as a nursing cover, a canopy over the infant car seat, and my favorite use: to put over grimy high chairs at restaurants. The fabric is ultra-soft, washes easily, and folds up compactly.
- Portable High Chair or Booster Seat: Wherever you are staying, ie) a rental property, call ahead to see if the hosts have a high chair available. If you are staying in a hotel and most likely dining out at restaurants, finding a high chair should not be a problem. Consider taking a clip-on chair that attaches to most tables or this travel booster seat from hiccapop. Regardless of whether or not my family is traveling, I use hiccapop’s Omniboost Travel Booster Seat for my daughter on a weekly basis. It attaches to most chairs and comes with wide feet attachments for better grip on uneven surfaces like sand. The tray also easily attaches and detaches for quick cleaning. The seat folds down compactly and fits in the included carry bag.
- Disposable placemats: If your baby is eating solids, create a germ-free surface when dining out at restaurants when traveling by taking these peel-and-stick placemats.
- OPTIONAL – Portable pacifier sterilizer: Imagine you are on an airplane, your overtired baby drops his pacifier on the ground (the horror!) and you have no way of cleaning the thing. Enter the Mini UV-C Sanitizer Box for Pacifier. It is not a travel essential, but it sure is convenient plus it can hold two pacifiers at once. It eliminates 99.9% of germs in under a minute.
- OPTIONAL – Portable bottle warmer: Another non-essential-but-very-convenient-to-have-in-the-moment item is a portable bottle warmer. If your baby does not like to drink cold milk, the Baby’s Brew Portable Bottle Warmer Pro will make your life easier when traveling. In the past, I have had to ask for hot cups of water from Starbucks to warm bottles, and it took much too long to satisfy a hungry baby! The Baby’s Brew system fits most wide-neck bottles and also offers adapters.
Sleeping
- Pack ‘N Play or portable crib: Unless you will have access to a pack ‘n play or portable crib once you reach your destination, taking one with you is an absolute must. Parent tip: some hotels do have pack ‘n plays available. Just be sure to call ahead to confirm. It is still a good idea to take your own playard sheets with you! The Lotus Travel Crib is a parent favorite because it is compact and folds into a backpack, making it easy to lug around the airport.
- Playard or portable crib sheets: Take at least 2 in case of a middle-of-the-night blowout!
- Portable white noise machine: A portable, easy-to-charge white noise machine like this one is a travel must-have item. You’ll be glad (and more well-rested) that you packed one.
- OPTIONAL – Blackout tent for travel crib: This is a handy but not essential item to take to ensure baby gets the best sleep away from home. Everyone, little ones included, gets the most restorative sleep in his or her own bed. You can help create that environment with a blackout tent for the crib. This is also very convenient if your family will be staying in a hotel room without separate rooms. If you have multiple children or will be room-sharing, sleeping your infant in his or her own tent will minimize distractions and promote sleep. Note: it is not safe to have loose bedding in your baby’s sleep area if he or she is 12 months old and younger.
Bathing and Diapering
- Toiletries, including shampoo and body wash, body lotion, sunscreen, comb/brush, toothbrush, toothpaste (if your child has teeth)
- Diapers, wipes, diaper cream
- Portable, inflatable bathtub: Be prepared to safely give your little one a bath, no matter what accommodations are available at your lodging options. Only a shower or an extra large tub? No problem if you you pack this portable tub from Mommy’s Helper. It is very easy to inflate and deflate. The tub provides a safe, padded space to bathe little ones from 6 to 24 months old.
- Skip Hop Pronto Changing Pad: This convenient carry all changing pad by Skip Hop has compartments to hold everything you need for a quick, mess-free diaper change. Whether you are running around an airport or need to quickly change baby’s diaper in the trunk of your car, all you will need is to grab this changing pad and your baby. It has zippered compartments to hold a diaper, a wipes case, and an easy-to-carry wristlet. It is easy to wipe down and clean, as well.
Entertaining
If you are lucky, your baby will get in nice long naps as you head to your destination. But let’s face it – whether you travel by car or by plane, you will need to be prepared to keep them entertained, possibly for hours.
While tablets ready with your little one’s favorite shows are always safe options (no guilt for screen time when traveling, mama, but don’t forget the headphones!), here are a few age-appropriate, quiet, and mess-free options to keep your little ones happily distracted.
- Crinkle books: Babies don’t need a lot to stay entertained. Crinkle books are great because they are interactive and wonderful developmental toys. The crinkle of the pages and squeakers, which are often included, are just quiet enough as to not be obnoxious to other passengers when you are on a flight. There are countless crinkle book options on the market to choose from. These from beiens are a parent favorite!
- DIY Activity Kits: You can make your own portable activity kits with items you already have around the house. Remember, anything “new” will be exciting to your little one and will surely entertain them for at least a little while. A great activity kit could be as simple as a small container of play dough, a few popsicle sticks, and small toy figurines all in a Ziploc bag. Pull down that airplane tray table and let your little one’s imagination run wild. You don’t have to overcomplicate it!
- Reusable stickers: Stickers are the perfect travel activity because they are quiet and relatively mess-free. I love the Melissa and Doug Puffy Sticker Play Sets. They come in a variety of themes, such as safari, ocean, on the farm, etc. The stickers are reusable, so your little one can create a new scene every time. If you have an older toddler, they can play on their own. If you have a younger baby, always supervise when playing with these sticker sets because some contain smaller stickers that could pose choking hazards.
- Mess-free coloring: Thanks to the geniuses at Crayola for coming up with its Mess-Free Color Wonder Lineof products. Each kit comes with Color Wonder markers that only work on the Color Wonder pages. No more bright marker stains on clothes, airplane seats, trays, and the like! Whether your little one loves Baby Shark, Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, etc, there is likely a Color Wonder Set that they will love!
- Water paint: Along the same lines as Crayola’s Color Wonder Kits are Melissa and Doug’s Water Wow! Sets. These are truly amazing. Simply fill the pen with water and watch your amazed little one “color” in the scenes. Once the water dries, the colors disappear. These activity pads can be used over and over. The water pen easily stores in the cover, making it perfect for travel.
Miscellaneous
Finally, here is a list of items that you should always have when traveling in case of emergencies and big messes.
- First aid kit, including Tylenol, Benadryl, nasal aspirator, saline solution, nail clippers, thermometer, etc. Ask your pediatrician about dosing for common medicines.
- Hand sanitizing wipes: Seriously, you will want to wipe down everything when you travel and constantly wash baby’s hands. Always have several packs of sanitizing wipes handy.
- Gallon Ziploc bags: Having a few empty bags on hand is a great idea to store dirty clothes or dirty diapers and food waste when you don’t have a trash bin nearby. Doggy bags work great for this, as well.
- Extra clothes: Always have an extra change of clothes for your baby and yourself within arm’s reach. I don’t mean in your checked luggage or in your suitcase buried in the trunk. Prepare for blowout and spit-up emergencies!
- Extra lovey, pacifier, comfort item: If your little one has a lovey, pacifier or a favorite toy for soothing, pack an extra just in case.
- Phone chargers
- Patience!
Your Travel With Baby Checklist
You can print this list, screenshot it, or copy and paste it into your phone’s notes for a handy travel planning list right at your fingertips.
✓ CAR SEAT
✓ STROLLER
✓ BABY CARRIER/WRAP/SLING
✓ CAR SEAT AND STROLLER BAGS
✓ BREASTMILK OR FORMULA
✓ BOTTLES AND NIPPLES
✓ FORMULA DISPENSER/CONTAINER
✓ FOR PUMPING MOMS: BREAST PUMP, BREASTMILK STORAGE, AND ICE PACKS
✓ SIPPY CUP OR WATER BOTTLE
✓ BURP CLOTHS
✓ BABY FOOD AND SNACKS
✓ UTENSILS AND SNACK CONTAINERS
✓ BIBS
✓ BOTTLE WASHING AND SANITIZING GEAR
✓ NURSING/CAR SEAT COVER
✓ TRAVEL HIGH CHAIR OR BOOSTER SEAT
✓ DISPOSABLE PLACEMATS
✓ PORTABLE PACIFIER SANITIZER
✓ PORTABLE BOTTLE WARMER
✓ PACK AND PLAY OR TRAVEL CRIB WITH SHEETS
✓ PORTABLE WHITE NOISE MACHINE
✓ BLACKOUT TENT
✓ DIAPERS, WIPES, AND CREAM
✓ CHANGING PAD
✓ TOILETRIES: SOAP, SHAMPOO, LOTION, SUNSCREEN, COMB/BRUSH, TOOTHBRUSH, AND TOOTHPASTE
✓ TRAVEL BABY BATH
✓ CRINKLE BOOKS
✓ ACTIVITY KITS
✓ MESS-FREE COLORING
✓ WATER PAINT
✓ TRAVEL FIRST AID KIT
✓ HAND SANITIZING WIPES
✓ GALLON ZIPLOC BAGS
✓ EXTRA CLOTHES (APART FROM SUITCASE)
✓ EXTRA LOVEY, PACIFIER, OR COMFORT ITEM
✓ PHONE CHARGERS
Final Word About What to Bring When Traveling with Your Baby
We know this list is overwhelming and covers a lot of items. And that’s by design. Please don’t feel you need to pack every single thing on this list to have a smooth traveling experience with your kiddos.
Simply use this checklist as a guide and template for what you may need. Babies are extremely resilient, and so are you!
If you forget something, you will both adjust. And chances are, you can likely find what you need at your final destination.
Never let the fear of forgetting something or the daunting task of packing keep you from making wonderful memories with your family. Happy traveling!
