So, you’re about to take your first trip with your baby—how exciting! If you’re wondering what to pack, you’re definitely not alone. Traveling with a little one can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. After flying multiple times with a baby, I’ve learned what’s truly essential (and what you can leave behind). Here’s everything I packed, along with a few tips to make your journey easier.
1. Tip #1: Make lists ahead of time
First thing I recommend is to make two lists: A paper list you can physically check off AND one on your phone for when you think of things in the middle of the night, which you can later add to your paper list. Add things in the weeks leading up to the trip whenever you think of things and in moments you are focused. When you’re actually packing sometimes you’re too excited or scatter-brained to properly focus but you can rely on your more-focused self and the list created! This is especially important for things you can’t pack until the day of. I even make a separate list for those items. That way the morning of the trip I don’t have to think, just check off the items as I pack them and know I can rely on it because I made the list at a time I was more focused.
I tend to organize my lists for what I need for a baby by category: Sleep, Eating, Care, On-The-Go, and carry-on. Some of it may overlap- that’s okay- you know you won’t forget the item!
What To Pack In Your Carry On (and bring onto the plane)
Let’s start with the carry-on.
My Personal List:
- Stroller (3 wheel jogging stroller is what I use- you bring it through security and check it at the gate when you board the plane. It will be waiting there when you exit the plane after the flight)
- Baby carrier
- Bottles, formula, water (I bring extra formula in case of any delay or emergency)
- I like to use formula dispenser containers to have my formula pre-measured
- Baby snacks/food
- Toys (preferably ones they have never seen before)
- Their usual sleep related items for nap(s): sleep sack or comfort item, pacifier
- Swaddle blanket (nice to have if it gets cold)
- Stroller fan- sometimes airplanes can get hot while waiting for take off- to avoid a hot grumpy baby this can come in handy on the plane and at the airport
- Diapers, wipes, hand sanitizer in case the airplane bathroom sink doesn’t work to wash your hands
- Change mat
- Sanitizing wipes
- Doggy bags (to throw diapers away in)
- 2 extra outfits just in case (things happen)
- Just in case: baby thermometer, nasal aspirator, medicine
- Pacifiers (extras in case they get lost or dirty)
- A tablet ready with Ms Rachel for when it comes down to that
This list just includes baby related things but I also pack a passport organizer that zips up and con contain everybody’s boarding passes, passports, and anything else important. I recommend a bright one rather than black so you can find it when you inevitably leave it on the back of the black stroller or need to find it quick in your bag. The rest of your own things are pretty self explanatory but I just wanted to highlight the passport organizer since I found it really helpful.
CAR SEAT NOTE: A lot of people also bring their car seat. I personally will always choose the FREE lap infant seat until I can’t anymore, so I do not have tips on bringing a car seat. On my trip we had organized a shuttle van as we had a lot of people and the driver of that van was able to provide car seats. For taxis and buses they are not required. What you do will depend on how you plan to get around on your trip. If you are renting a car, you will of course need to bring your car seat. Check your airline’s website for what you can bring at no extra cost.
For baby’s ears at take off and landing
To help your baby pop their ears after take off and before landing you can do a few different things. I usually try time their bottles so that they’re hungry for this or even make a little extra before boarding if they have already eaten. You have to hold your baby in the burp position for actual take off, but once you’re able to you can feed them so they swallow and their ears pop. You can also give snacks or a pouch- anything to get them to swallow helps. If you have only a little milk you can give it little by little every few minutes (if your baby tolerates that- depends on temperment, mood, how hungry they are). For landing I do the same thing.
Tip for getting on/off the plane
Before boarding, I put baby in the baby carrier so that I have both hands ready to get out my boarding pass and passport, fold up the stroller, put bags in overhead bins and get situated. The same goes for getting off the plane. It just makes things easier.
Okay, let’s move on to the other lists.
I’ll start with feeding related items.
How do I wash bottles with unsafe drinking water?
Depending where you are going, the tap water may not be safe for drinking – so how do you wash your bottles?
We recently went to Mexico and what I did was wash the bottles as normal with the tap water and then sanitize after with boiling water. We had access to various pots/pans to do so. At resorts they often have their own filtration system so the water may be safer for washing. At some points I simply rinsed the dishes with the large jug of drinking water- but it depends on the age of the baby. More precautions should be taken for newborns under 3 months old and they should be sanitized.
Side note: I always see people say don’t drink water in a restaurant in Mexico or trust ice which I find so silly because the reality is they don’t drink the tap water either and are not going to serve it to you in a restaurant. Everyone has jugs of drinking water.
Up next: sleep related stuff.
I like to create the same sleep environment as at home which for me involves red string lights and a sound machine. It really sets the vibe no matter where you are! I also use a sleep sack and pacifiers but you can adjust this according to your own methods.
Most hotels provide a crib and bedding. But if you’re going to a vacaton rental you may need a pack n play and sheets.
Next up: care-related items.
Some of this is repeating but that’s okay. These are just items relating to hygeine and car. You may also need a baby toothbrush and toothpaste if your baby has teeth.
You know what you use day to day, just write it down as you think of it for your own list.
How do I know if I packed enough diapers and wipes?
Well, the good news is that babies are universal and no matter what country you are visiting you will be able to easily find more diapers and wipes if you need. The same goes for medicine and most other items.
I think I overpacked on diapers and wipes because I could have easily just gotten them where I was staying. I did end up needing to buy more wipes at a store.
But just. pay attention to how many you use in a day before the trip to get an idea.
What to pack for the beach speaks for itself. You can add anything else you may need depending on how much time you will be spending out in the sun.
When you’re going out on day trips or exploring on your trip it’s easy to store your items in the bottom part of the stroller. I like to bring toys to entertain while at restaurants. The swaddle blanket comes in handy if it’s breezy OR sunny since it’s light. It actually also came in handy at a restaurant with old rickety highchairs, to secure my baby in better, which is why I recommend a large one. My mom says in her days that’s how they sat baby’s at restaurants- tied them to a regular chair with a swaddle blanket, so there you go!
Most important thing to pack? A good attitude!
Traveling with a baby isn’t always easy- but if you have realistic expectations and a good attitude you will be just fine. It also helps to anticipate ahead of time- is baby getting tired, hot, hungry? Don’t let things escalate before they need to- but also don’t be too rigid with your schedules either. You’re on vacation, you can let things slide, nap on the go, stay up late, etc! Don’t worry too much, go with the flow, embrace the chaos and just have fun!
If you have any other questions or want more tips on different aspects of traveling with a baby then leave a comment below and let me know!
Bon Voyage!!!
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