baby travel checklist pdf

The Ultimate Packing List for Baby Travel (+printable checklist!)

Over the years, i’ve written a lot about how to travel with a baby..

Between leaping head first into baby travel when Evelyn was 5 weeks old, to taking our special needs baby Sophie on several trips around the country, we’ve become pretty well-acquainted with the world of travel with a baby by now.

Truthfully, traveling with a baby is not all that bad. But it does require a ton of preparation for all the things that you might possibly need.

We’ve covered what to pack in your carry on before, along with everything you need to know before flying with a baby . I’ve even shared our favorite baby travel gear and travel-friendly toys .

But one thing I haven’t covered? A comprehensive, everything-you-must-pack guide to make the whole trip with baby go extra smoothly!

We were reminded of just how much stuff one little human can require as we prepared for our month-long adventure around Southern California . Our packing list felt endless . And I can say pretty confidently that we left nothing behind.

So let me spare you the stress of wondering “what am I forgetting” ?

Read on for our ultimate baby packing list of EVERYTHING you might ever need when traveling with a baby! (+a free printable checklist at the bottom of this post!)

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which may reward us with a small commission (at no cost to you) if you click them. Thanks for supporting the blog in this way!

pin it for later:

Baby Packing List | Travel Gear

First things first, the big stuff !

You may not need all of these items for every trip, but for the most part, we bring this same travel-friendly baby gear just about everywhere we go:

Baby Carrier | A baby carrier is a must, even if it’s nothing more than an efficient way to move through the airport. I know not all kiddos love the carrier, but we find that having both a carrier and stroller available when we travel with Sophie is essential. You just never know when you’ll run into a place with lots of stairs or uneven sidwalks, so it’s good to have a back up that will keep you moving freely. We started out with the ErgoBaby , but made the switch to the more lightweight and compact MiaMily toddler carrier with Infant Insert and absolutely love it. Still on the fence? Read up and compare all of our favorite carriers for babies and toddlers here .
Stroller | Even though our carrier is indispensable, we like to have options. After using and abusing our Graco Aire, we switched to the UppaBaby G-Lite umbrella stroller. We liked both, but eventually splurged on the even more lightweight and carry-on compliant Babyzen YOYO+. (add the bassinet pack for newborns). (PS. Don’t forget a good stroller travel bag too.) Best decision we ever made! Honestly, it’s an investment I only wish we’d made sooner! Another popular choice for baby travel is the BabyJogger City Mini .
Car Seat | Depending on where you’re going, you may or may not want to bring the car seat. If you will need one, the Maxi Cosi and Nuna Pipa are two that can adapt to the YOYO+ (just get some adapters like these , and you’re good to go!). For older babies, a popular choice is the Cosco Scenera Next , which is super lightweight at just 10 pounds. I recommend getting a car seat bag to keep it clean while flying, and if you’re worried about it getting banged up by luggage handlers, you can upgrade to a padded car seat bag .
Travel Crib | We’ve always brought our own travel crib, mostly because I want our kids to feel the comfort of a familiar sleeping environment, no matter where we are. We’ve been especially happy with our Baby Bjorn Travel Crib , which has held up with our travels all over the country these past 6 years. For infants, you can get away with a more compact option, like this Fold N’ Go Travel Bassinet . And if you’re in a pinch, most family-friendly hotels will offer cribs for free, or you can rent one from a baby gear rental company, like BabyQuip . Read up on all our favorite baby travel cribs here .

Pro Tip: Don’t want the stress of traveling with all your gear? Use BabyQuip and get bulky items like cribs, strollers, high chairs, car seats and so much more delivered straight to your hotel or rental!

Baby Packing List | Clothes

Sure, babies require a lot of stuff to pack, but the one area where they don’t take up much space in the suitcase: clothes!

I use these packing cubes for everyone in the family and almost everything for baby can fit into just one:

Pants & Leggings | Usually 2-3 pairs. In colder months I’ll skip the rompers and dresses, and add more leggings, pants and sweaters.
Shirts & Onesies | Usually 2-3 tops, adding 2-3 more in winter months.
Dresses or Rompers | Usually 2-3 for warmer destinations, because they’re so easy to pack and don’t require mixing and matching tops and bottoms.
Socks | 2-3 pairs , even in the summer months in case we end up somewhere chilly.
Booties or Shoes | I’ve recently become obsessed with little baby shoes, but I try to stick to one simple pair of baby moccasins that match everything for travel, like these from BirdRock Baby .
Hat | A must, no matter where you’re traveling, whether a sun hat for the spring and winter, or a fuzzy hat for the fall and winter.
Swimsuit | Only if necessary, of course. These boy and girl options from Rufflebutts are our favorites.
Pajamas | I stick to just 2 pairs of footie pajamas (plus a 3rd pair worn on our travel day).

This might not seem like a lot of clothes, but if we’re traveling for more than 5 days, we’ll wash and rewear items to keep our packing light. This means making sure we have access to laundry facilities while we travel (whether it be an Airbnb with a washing machine, hotel with a laundry room, or a wash and fold laundry service nearby).

Baby Packing List | Nursing & Feeding

Things change quickly with a baby, and depending on their age and feeding habits, you may need any of the following:

Bottles | We’ve always traveled with just two bottles and been fine. Tommee Tippee and Dr. Brown’s are our favorites.
Drying Rack | I love our OXO travel drying rack ; it’s come in handy more times than I can count! We also have a larger version of this Boon travel drying rack at home, and would highly recommend either. It’s truly one of the items you don’t think you need until you’re balancing wet bottles around a hotel sink.
Dish Soap | Never fails, I always forget dish soap! If you’re staying in an Airbnb, there’s no need to bring your own (unless you’re particular about what you use). But if you’re staying in a hotel, for sure pack this little travel-size one for washing bottles!
Nursing Cover | There’s a good chance you’ll have little privacy for nursing during travels, and at the very least a nursing cover can help with getting little ones to fall asleep in busy places. Or for a lighter solution, a muslin swaddle is great and doubles as a blankie.
Breast Pump & Supplies | It’s a pain to lug around for sure, but if you’re going to need it, consider investing in a few pieces to make pumping on-the-go easier: a special backpack and battery pack . (and good news, the airline won’t count this against your carry on luggage allowance)
Cooler Bag | We love a little cooler bag with ultra-thin ice packs , or if you need room for more bottles, this Medela cooler bag is a great option too.
Formula Dispenser | For babies on a formula-fed diet, this little guy makes mixing bottles on the go so much easier .
Tall Insulated Mug | This simple, yet useful item is a must for an on-the-go bottle warmer. Just ask your airport coffee shop to fill it with piping hot water after you get through security, and then dip your bottle in to warm milk up in no time!
Wipe-Clean Bib | Once baby is into solids, a wipe-and-reuse bib is awesome for on-the-go feedings.
Travel Spoon | Our favorite is still this one that comes with a little case for easy storage!
Snack Catcher | This travel container is perfect for little cereals you don’t want spilled all over.
Squeeze Pouch Baby Food | If you’re feeding while traveling, skip the mess and squeeze it from pouch form onto the spoon!
Sippy Cup | We’ve tried many of the years, and these classic sippy cups from Munchkin or these sippy cups with weighted straws are both at the top of our list of favorites.
Bottles Wipes | It’s tough to clean bottles, pacifiers, and spoons on-the-go, but these bottle wipes are a safe and easy way to do it when you don’t have a sink handy.
Travel High Chair | If you have the space for it, I can’t recommend this travel high chair enough, which folds down flat for packing. You could also opt for a cloth seat harness for an even lighter, more compact option.

Baby Packing List | Health & Bath

Diapers | My rule of thumb is to pack a maximum of 8 diapers in the baby backpack and then buy more as soon as we arrive.
Travel Wipes Case | These no-frills travel wipes cases have become my favorite over the years. Like diapers, I load one up with as many as I can fit and then buy more once we’ve arrived in our destination.
Dirty Diaper Baggies | These dirty diaper baggies have also come in handy more times than I can count.
Baby First Aid Kit | We keep a super simple kit that includes only the basics, like travel-size diaper rash cream , infant pain reliever , a few bandages , a small thermometer , nail clipper , skin cream , etc. For all those other ‘what if’s’, we’ll buy it at our destination if needed.
Prescription Medicines | Keep liquids in their original containers to avoid any issues with TSA, and for anything needing kept cold, we use our bottle cooler bag with ultra-thin ice packs .
Sunscreen | These pocket sunscreen sticks are my absolute favorite because they’re easy to apply and take up so much less space.
Mosquito Repellent | This natural one is our favorite. No chemicals or stink!
Sanitizing Wipes | Especially good for wiping down a dirty airplane seat. I always keep a small travel-size pack in the diaper backpack.
Hand Sanitizer | For obvious reasons, I always keep a travel-size hand sanitize r clipped to the backpack.
Baby Shampoo & Body Wash | This 2-in-1 combo is our favorite, filled in a small GoToob+ travel container .
Brush or Comb | Of course.
Inflatable Travel Tub | Finally, this handy inflatable bath tub is an absolute favorite of ours and has gotten way more use than I ever thought it would. It’s definitely worth the purchase if you don’t have access to a tub or your baby is not sitting up on their own yet.

Read Next: Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling with a Baby

Baby Packing List | Play & Sleep

Play Mat | We’ve stayed in lots of Airbnbs with hardwood floors and little comfortable space for baby to play. I so wish this fold-and-go baby gym was around when my kids were little!
Small Toys | I try to keep toys to a minimum, mostly because when you’re traveling, you’re out and about a lot anyway. Sassy brand makes a ton of my favorite simple baby toys, and I keep a little collection in one of these mesh storage bags for easy packing.
Pacifiers & Pacifier Clips | We find these pacifiers with these clips to work great!
Swaddle Blankets | Another must-pack item, Aden & Anais makes our favorite muslin swaddle blankets that double as a nursing cover or burp rag too.
Crib Sheet | Whether you bring your own travel crib or use the hotels, we like to have our own crib sheet. This crib sheet that’s designed specifically for portable cribs has traveled with us again and again.
White Noise Machine | We love our Shusher and I swear it has made all the difference in helping our babies fall asleep in new places. This portable sound machine is another favorite among traveling moms.
Favorite Blankie | Even though it can be a bit of a pain to travel with, having a soft baby blanket sure is nice for wrapping baby up on a cold airplane or having a familiar comfort from home.

FreshlyPicked Diaper Backpack | Passport Cover | Reusable Storage Bags | Dropper Stopper Tether

Baby Packing List | Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Diaper Backpack | A good diaper bag is essential, and I can’t recommend going with a backpack style enough! Having your hands free, especially in airports, is a necessity, and this FreshlyPicked diaper backpack has travelled with us all over the world!
Birth Certificate or Passport | Did you know some airlines require you to show a birth certificate for your lap baby? To be safe, I always carry a copy in my wallet. And if you’re planning on traveling internationally, be sure to start the process for your baby’s passport as soon as possible.
Dropper Stopper Baby Tether | From toys, to bottles, to snack cups, this is our favorite item for keeping all of our baby essentials from hitting the dirty airplane floor.
Plastic Storage Bags | Whether one-time use, or an eco-friendly reusable , we’re always finding a need for the modest plastic storage bag. Whether for dirty clothes from a blow out incident, saving leftover snacks, keeping trinkets and keepsakes together, we’re always finding a new use for these.

Free Printable Checklist: Baby Travel Packing List!

It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve traveled with a baby, I’m always bound to forget something!

After many missed essentials, I finally created our own baby travel packing list ! We use it for every trip, and now you can use for yourself!

get it here!

Thanks for being a subscriber!

PS. You can also find this and all of our printable family travel planning tools exclusively for subscribers in our free resource library .

What are your must-have packing list items when traveling with baby?

Wife and mom to two sassy little girls, Laura has been sharing her family's travels here on Our Next Adventure since 2016! Though lots has changed in both our family and the world of travel over the years, one thing remains: we love exploring new places together!

5 Reasons You Need to Book a Private Rental For Your Next Family Vacation

Awhile back I heard another mom say something to the effect of “I love the idea of Airbnb, but I…

The Ultimate Packing List for a Family Beach Vacation

No matter what time of year it is, a family beach vacation is always a good idea! Relaxation for the…

Flying with Car Seats (+the best travel car seats and boosters)

Car seats. They really are the bane of every traveling family’s existence. They’re bulky, heavy, and just plain awkward to…

A Quick Guide to Baby’s First Passport!

The Ishmaels are going on their first international adventure! Are we crazy?? Probably. We’ve been thinking about taking a beach…

Disney Packing List: Must-Haves for your Disney Park Bag

Packing your Disney park bag requires careful consideration. Here’s all the must-have essentials you need on your Disney packing list…

What to Pack in a Carry On for a 1 Year Old

Not really a baby, not quite a toddler: from 14-22 months is about the toughest time to be traveling with a little…

Ultimate Baby Travel Checklist {+ printable packing guide}

baby playing on bed while mother is packing a suitcase

Essential items not to forget traveling with a baby

Ready for your first big family adventure with your baby? Undoubtedly some wonderful memories to be made but the packing alone can be a daunting prospect before you’ve even left the house. Babies really do come with a lot of STUFF!

We talked about the most essentials items for baby travel in some detail before , but in this bumper guide, we’re going to dig into the nitty-gritty details of every item you need to think about packing with a baby, along with the WHY – or WHY NOT!

For some more specific travel checklists make sure you also check out:

Essential gear you will need camping with a baby
Hiking with a baby essentials
Baby at the beach – essential gear and safety tips
Essentials you’ll need for a road trip with a baby
Taking off on your first flight with a baby

There’s no one right solution – your ‘nice to have item’ could be another tots absolute essential so base it on your families needs and adapt our suggested packing checklist to make it your own; but most importantly try and avoid the overpack!!

This post is part of our packing list series & also our best baby travel advice series – packed full of useful tips for first time family travellers

What to include in your baby travel checklist

Documents and Paperwork Before You Go
Feeding Gear
On the Move
Bath and Bedtime
Pool & Beach
Baby Travel Toys
Camping, Hiking & Outdoors

Before you go… More baby travel advice

NB – Many baby items are called all different things around the world! We know most of our readers are from the US so try and use the American name but we will slip in some of our Aussie and British expressions for baby gear too!! We’ve included some handy links to Amazon and some of our preferred baby gear suppliers, if you make a purchase we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

We suggest you work slowly through our printable checklist, cross out anything you definitely won’t need and use the spare lines to add anything vital to you.

It looks like a dauntingly long list but once you cross out anything unnecessary for the type of travel you’ll be undertaking it’s not too bad – but try to avoid too many unnecessary or ‘just in case’ extras. Remember people have babies all over the world!! You will almost certainly be covered if anything vital is forgotten.

We’ll ask you to subscribe to our newsletter too, but don’t worry we won’t bombard you. You can unsubscribe at any time if you just want the checklist

Baby Travel Checklist: Documents and Paperwork Before You Go

Crossing any international borders with your baby there are plenty of considerations:

Passport – Yes, even those adorably squidgy faces need a photo passport to travel overseas. Make sure you organise this well in advance of your proposed travel date. Consider whether you need a family passport holder to keep all your docs together now you’ve got several of you travelling in a group.
Permission to fly letter – Crucial if one parent is flying without the other parent – married or not – you will want something that documents you are allowed JUST IN CASE.
Insurance – Never leave home without it! Covering delays and cancellations, accidental breakages, theft, baggage loss, and so much more, travel insurance is more critical than ever for family travellers. We use and recommend World Nomads for international travel .
Visa – Some countries will require a Visa for your to visit for every person, even infants. Check if you can apply in advance or is it a visa on arrival. We always take a few spare passport photos in case they’re needed for these sorts of things.
Airline tickets – Even if your infant will be travelling as a lap baby and sharing your seat, they still need to be ticketed for every flight. If you booked the flight before your child was born you’ll need to update the airline with your babies full details (including passport number if you’re flying internationally).

How soon can you fly with a baby? We cover flying with your baby in much more detail in this guide .

Emergency Contact Details – Always have the important numbers you might need on your journey and at your destination near to hand. This includes hospitals/nearest doctor, insurance hotline, ambulance number. Over in our subscriber’s area , you can get your hands on our first aid travel checklist which includes a cutout card for placing all your emergency contact details, super handy to keep in your travel wallet alongside your passports, and a spare elsewhere in case passports are stolen.

Baby Travel Checklist – Feeding Gear

Feeding your baby away from home can be one of the more challenging areas of travelling with a baby, especially if you’ve hit the weaning stage and finding yourself in a juggling act between boobs, bottles and bringing along your own pureed food.

For more advice on feeding your infant on the move, you may also want to check out our detailed guides to breastfeeding on the move and bottle feeding away from home .

This feeding checklist list is pretty extensive – but oh so important! Make it less intimidating by crossing out any items not relevant to your baby’s age or feeding stage. Feeding items to consider packing for a baby:

Nursing Cover – Possibly one of our all-time favourite pieces of travel kit! Useful not only to give you and your baby some privacy while you feed, but a nursing cover can also be a super-versatile blackout or stroller cover, picnic blanket. We take a detailed look at the best types of nursing covers for travel here .

Portable Breast Pump – Whether you’re a regular pumper at home or not, there can be some great benefits to pumping while you travel, be it occasions you’ll find it difficult to feed on the move (just picture an epic hangry meltdown in the middle of a busy arrivals hall), or to keep up your milk supply while your baby is adjusting time zones. Find our guide to the best portable breast pumps for different types of travel here .

Bottle Warmer – Got a little one that only likes their milk when it’s at a certain temperature? A portable bottle warmer is great not only for bottle feeds but quickly heating baby meals too that you may have refrigerated for your journey. We take a much more in-depth look at what portable bottle warmers can do over here .

Muslin Burp Cloths – Oh so many uses! A bit like our nursing covers, these simple cloths have come EVERYWHERE with us for years, helpful for feeding times and sleeping or providing additional shade. A good pack of small and large muslin clothes is a travel baby essential.

Bottles – If your baby is bottle-fed in any way you will need a reasonable number of bottles with you with their favourite nibs. “Reasonable” is really down to circumstances and how often you’ll be able to wash and sterilise between feeds – we discuss it more in our travelling with a bottle-fed baby guide .

Bottle Cooler – Travelling with pre-pumped baby milk or cows milk? Then an insulated bottle chiller bag is essential for keeping your precious cargo chilled at the right temperature and ready for use. We talk in a lot more detail over here on how to transport breastmilk and the best milk cooler . Make sure this is easy to access and open for inspection if you pass through airport customs control.

Formula & Dispenser – Although we say you can get baby supplies anywhere in the world, we do know babies can be fussy and formula is one we always take with us if we can fit enough in our case for the duration of a trip. We find having a small formula dispenser in our travel bag already divided into portions one of our handiest pieces of baby travel gear.

Sterilising solution – For keeping your bottles clean on the move, consider these portable cold water bottle sterilising tablets or if space permits and you have the facilities at your destination, a portable microwave steriliser is one bulky item you won’t regret packing.

Portable High Chair – Weigh up whether it’s necessary or will you have adequate access to a high chair for mealtimes? This really depends on the type of travel you’ll be undertaking and the available facilities at your destination. Portable high chairs can be something that clamps onto the table, additions you add to a chair or a portable seat that sits on the ground. We take a much more detailed look at the right sort of high chair for your baby over here .

Washable Bibs – Either easy sponge clean or quick drying neoprene are ideal for traveling with a weaning baby.

Finger Food – Once your baby is upright and weaning, having a selection of quick grab snacks to stave off any munchies is essential (and this will be essential for many travelling years to come!). For the under 1’s, try yoghurt drops , cereal puffs , teether rusks .

We have a detailed guide here to our suggested healthy travel snacks .

Food pouches – We have found these pre-made pouches of pureed baby food are one of the easiest meal solutions when we are away from home without our baby food blender. For younger babies, we still spooned it into a bowl (or use one of these handy dispensing spoons ) while older infants can hold the packet on their own.

Platic bowl and spoon – This can be location dependent, but we always found it helpful to throw in our own bowl and spoon set for our infants. Even if they were joining in with a family meal out, you can give them their own portion in a bowl, you’ll just need to be sure you have the facilities to clean.

Sippy cup – Extra water on top of their milk feed is especially important in the heat ( you can see more of our tops for taking babies to hot climates here ).

Wet wipes/water wipes – Cleaning little fingers before mealtimes, wiping surfaces, faces, you name it we all know that these are one of the number one items in any parents arsenal, near or far from home!! Have an easy to grab purse pack of wipes with you always, as well as supplies you might keep in your diaper bag .

Washing brush and liquid – Think bottles, plastic containers, feeding spoons. No matter what stage you’re at this is probably one of those overlooked items you’ll be super thankful for us suggesting! Just pour a small amount of dishwashing liquid into a carry bottle to last the number of days you’re away and something to actually clean with – we love these travel kits including a drying rack .

Baby Travel Checklist – Baby Gear On the Move

So how do you get about with your baby away from home? You may find many of your everyday pieces of baby transportation gear will perfectly suffice for the most part or depending on your type of travel you may find yourself needing to invest in some specific travel items.

We’ll talk through all the different items we’ve found useful, and where investing in something specifically for travel may pay off:

Baby Carrier – 100% this has to come in at number 1. Whether you’re a regular baby wearer or not, this is the most useful thing a travelling parent can bring with them. Being hands-free at times is a must and this keeps baby with you close and secure.

We’ll continue to harp on about this and insist you keep using one well into the toddler years and they no longer fit! Go with something like a Boba Baby Wrap when they’re a newborn (practice the technique for wraps though before you leave home and can still follow YouTube instructions !), graduating into a structured baby carrier that can be forward or rear-facing as your infant grows.

Collapsible Stroller – You may or may not need a separate travel stroller depending on what you use day-to-day. We have owned an obscene number of strollers over the years, trying to find ‘ the right one ‘ categorically, there is no one! Your needs change from newborns to multiple children to different location needs which differ from what you want near home – I know at home your stroller can be like your mini moving home! On the move, you’ve gotta get sleek.

We’d suggest if you use a larger pram or bassinet style stroller at home, you’ll want something lighter that comes in one piece (after 6 months or once sitting upright) for travel. The best types of lightweight collapsible strollers fold up so small you can even take them all the way onto an airplane with you. We compare all the leading brands of ultra-compact travel strollers here .

If you have twins or children close in age, a lightweight and portable double stroller is a must. We compare all our favourite double strollers for travel over here , or if you’re heading on camping and outdoor adventures you may be better off with a larger but more robust double jogging stroller .

Stroller organiser – Even when we’re travelling we love keeping organised! These stroller organisers are super handy for keeping everything from sippy cups to maps in an easy to grab spot. We also take a Mummy Hook everywhere we go – ideal for hanging bags and shopping (Just be mindful if you are using a lighter travel stroller, it may not be capable of holding the same capacity off the handlebar as your everyday stroller).

Car Seat – whatever mode of transport you’re taking, almost certainly you’ll need a seat for transporting your baby safely. If you’ll need your car seat for both the car and on a plane, we recommend you check out our comprehensive guide to car seats and which brands are actually allowed on board, along with their conditions of use.

Travel system – A great all-in-one solution when your baby is still very young and in an infant car seat/capsule, you can easily switch from car to stroller to plane if using an all-in-one system. We’ve had varied success with these over the years; they don’t last your baby for long, especially if you’d prefer a collapsible stroller once they’re out of their capsule.

The market leader in a convertible car seat-cum-stroller all in one is Doona , but it is a little pricey. In other models, you can mix and match any car seat with a stroller base (two pieces) and as they grow out of their car seat, it converts to a proper stroller seat you can insert instead. Not our preference for baby travel, we prefer the lighter weight collapsible stroller, but many swear by buying complete travel systems.

Car seat/infant capsule cover – Will you be travelling somewhere ultra sunny or somewhere very cold? To keep baby’s temperature regulated when you’re travelling with an infant in their seat, you may need additional sun protection or a cosy toe cover. We look at both hot and cold weather capsule covers for infants over here .

Car Seat Travel Bag – If you’re taking any sort of car seat with you and won’t be using it on the plane, then it will need checking into the hold. We highly recommend preventing damage to your car seat (nothing like sorting that out at 3am with a screaming baby when we first moved to the UAE) then protect it with a proper car seat travel bag . We love the Hello Jolie – reviewed in detail here – for a sturdy wheeled option making getting around the airport with your bulky gear a cinch.

Stroller Cover – Ditto if you’re checking your stroller in the hold of a plane it’s imperative to keep it protected – some of these devices cost more than my first car! If your stroller doesn’t come with its own travel bag then invest in one of these generic brands – the more you pay the longer they’ll last.

Suitcase with Seat – A fairly new invention for travelling parents, if you are checking your infant’s car seat and stroller but still need to get from A to B, consider these super handy suitcase seats from Mountian Buggy , suitable for larger infants.

Car Seat Trolley – The alternative if you will be taking your car seat onto the plane, consider getting a small trolley to tow your car seat , they are surprisingly heavy and difficult to manoeuvre without some help! This is where you can see you need your baby in a carrier rather than a stroller when getting about with all this baby gear!

Baby Travel Checklist – Changing, Bath and Bedtime

We have a much more detailed guide over here to helping kids sleep on planes , plus that all-important guidance on how to conquer jet lag which will expand on many of the suggested items below.

Keeping as close as you can to your babies normal schedule of nap times, bathing and sleep will help all of you to adjust when you are on vacation – but go easy on yourselves, too; if bedtime is an hour or two late, does it really matter?

You can adjust to your new normal but there are aspects of your routine you may want to keep the same as we know babies thrive on routine and knowing what comes next. Not every item in this section is essential but may help your baby with those routine parts of their day around getting changed, bathing and sleeping away from home.

Diapers – Although we’ve not mentioned it anywhere else so far, should go without saying that diapers or nappies are a baby travel essential! Cloth of disposable up to you, but if you’re using cloth just think about what facilities you’ll have on your journey for watching.

Diaper Bag – Should go without saying, you’ll need something to carry everything on this list! Although backpack baby diaper bags are pretty much the norm these days, we highly recommend when travelling with all this kit you have something you can carry hands-free. If your everyday diaper bag doesn’t meet this criterion, consider a separate travel bag. We run you through all our favourite travel diaper bag designs over here .

Changing Kit – We like to have a small easy-to-grab kit that can be separated from the main diaper bag. We keep this in the pocket in front of us on the plane, or under our stroller on days out, so much easier than dragging your whole bag to a bathroom. Keep your small kit well-stocked before every outing with hand sanitiser , disposable diaper bags , wipes and diaper paste for running repairs!

Portable Bath Tub – Maybe not essential for every type of trip. Always check what’s available at your destination before packing a portable tub as even the smallest of portable tubs can still be quite bulky. We look at different ways to wash bubs on the go and portable bathtub styles over here.

Baby toiletries – You’ll likely prefer your own sensitive skin baby soaps and shampoos over using hotel supplied freebies. Bring with you small containers of everything you need. We also throw in some basics like cotton wool, nail clippers, extra diaper paste/Sudocrem and baby panadol.

Swaddle – We double up using the large muslin clothes for our travels for feeding and sleeping times, they can be used for pretty much anything you want! If your baby is swaddled at home, definitely don’t be afraid to continue swaddling away from home too, even in hot climates we’ve always continued to use breathable cotton swaddles.

Sleeping Bag – Likewise if your baby sleeps best in their sleeping bag, this is one of those bulkier items to make space for in your case. If you are travelling to a different climate from home, check the tog rating, you may want an 0.5 tog sleeping bag in a hotter climate, or something thicker and quilted like this in a cold climate.

Portable Cot – A super bulky but essential item. Again, we always check whether this is something we can get at our destination rather than bringing our own. Only when we’re making multi-stop trips and sleeping in many locations do we bring our own for surety. The type of portable baby cot you use depends on how small your tot is. Under 6 months there are some cute sleeping tents , older infants you’ll want a complete baby travel cot that will stay with them through their toddler years; avoid the bulky pack ‘n play style cots unless it’s their play space too.

Cot sheets – If these won’t be provided at your destination or you’re using your own portable cot, best to BYO crib sheets .

Favourite cuddly – Maybe not your most prized teddy from home but a toy that they’re familiar with that will assist them in feeling familiar at bedtime and getting to sleep.

Pacifier – And if your baby needs a pacifier or dummy to soothe themselves off to sleep, of course, this is essential to bring their favourite! Plus spares! There’s no guarantee on finding their favourite brand at your destination if things go horribly wrong!!

Blackout curtain – Research before you go what the sleeping arrangements are. However, bringing a portable blackout curtain can be one of those bulky extras you simply won’t regret! Some babies simply won’t nod off and get the sleep cues unless it’s dark – and jet lag is simply no help to this!

Portable Monitor – We’re not suggesting being miles away from your bub; But you may want baby resting in another room while you finish out your day and to give you that extra peace of mind when noises and location are different for you all. If you’re not using a device through your mobile phone, try one of these portable baby monitor units .

Baby Travel Checklist – Clothing

If there’s one area you may well want to overpack it’s baby clothes! No matter how many outfits you think you’ll go through on a trip you can be sure your infant will go through more.

Consider how long you will be away for and whether you will need to use washing facilities or laundry services while you’re away, or will you try and pack everything you need for your entire trip? It’s hard to suggest exactly what you’ll need as it vastly varies by climate so work through our list considering:

Short sleeve babygros/onesies
Long babygros/onesies
Socks/booties
Cardigan/jumper

We have more handy hints over here on keeping organised with laundry needs while you travel.

Baby Travel Checklist – Pool & Beach

Heading to the pool or beach on your family vacation there are several more baby items you’ll want to consider packing:

Swim Diapers – Designed to keep your infant from having number 2 accidents, these come in disposable swim diapers or re-usable swim diapers. Reusable swim diapers are much easier to re-use and keep clean on the go than their everyday diapers.

Bathing suit – Are you going for something cute or is sun protection paramount? As we mention in our baby sun protection article , babies should be kept completely shaded and no sunscreen until 6 months, so a cute swim diaper is likely all they need as you keep them shaded and protected. As they grow – babies should really use a rashguard, not a cute bathing suit, if they’re in the direct sun.

Rashguard – So rashguards are long-sleeved swim tops that babies and toddlers should really be wearing when out in the direct sun at the pool or beach for the first few years. They can, of course, still be cute and colourful but will provide your baby with SPF50+ protection all over their shoulders, arms and bodies. You can optionally add longer shorts and swim pants for boys and girls, or go for an all-over bodysuit.

Floaties/Swim vest – When your little ones are ready to start taking to the water on their own they will still need help with keeping afloat in the waves. As well as any novelty floating device they might be using (with adult supervision, of course), it’s best your infant has a wearable floatation device. We look at the different types of infant swim vest over here .

Sunscreen – Once you’re baby’s skin can handle it, SPF50+ sun cream is essential out in the sun. Babies can still have very sensitive skin so look for the organic sunscreens made especially for babies, not always cheap but definitely worth it – reef-safe a bonus.

Sun Hat – Clearly an essential for keeping heads protected, you can find our favourite infant sunhats that work well in water here .

Sunglasses – Love ’em or hate ’em? Your baby will soon let you know! Out in the bright sunlight do try a pair of baby sunglasses with head strap on your infant to protect their eyes but many babies totally reject the idea of wearing something on their face! Give it a go!

Beach Shade – If you’ll be out in the sun with your baby for any period of time during the middle of the day then a pop-up baby sunshade can be an excellent idea for protection against UV rays, especially if their skin is still too sensitive for sunscreen. This added layer of protection will give your bubs a protected area to play in the sane. We compare leading brands of baby pop up tents over here .

Water Carrier – Taking baby into the water, especially if your hands are full with other kids, you’ll want an easy way to keep bubs close. These can be wraps, ring slings or more structured carriers in waterproof material. Find our complete comparison guide for water carriers over here .

Beach Toys – Go light! You don’t need to invest in every plastic contraption under the sun when they’re only a baby. Some simple shape moulds and a bucket and a spade are really all a baby needs for some fun in the sand, possible some stacking cups they can use in the bath too. Bring a mesh bag to keep them in and keep sand away from everything else in your family beach bag . As they grow, we have more toddler beach toy ideas over here.

Paddle pool – It might feel counterintuitive to go to the beach and take a pool but this can be a great way to keep little one cool whilst safe away from larger waves. A great combination to help your baby beat the heat but join in with the family at the beach is to pop them with their toys in a small inflatable paddle pool under your pop-up tent = baby beach day sorted!

Hooded towel – Cute hooded towels for drying off and keeping warm by the pool or beach are a must for babies. Remember they are not nearly as well-equipped for regulating their body temperature so you want to change them as soon as they’re done in the water and out of soggy clothing.

We have more detailed guidance on taking your baby to the beach over here, plus a detailed family packing list for the beach .

Baby Travel Checklist – Baby Travel Toys

Babies, on the whole, need very few toys when you’re travelling – shock, I know!! It’s the area I’ve seen most first-time parents chronically overpack. Trust me, the stimulation of new environments and your company alone is normally enough for most babies.

Understandably on really long flights or car journeys, you’ll want a few tricks up your sleeve so make sure you check out our best baby toys for flying . We also have several guides for travel toys by age group, check out our favourites for:

Best travel toys for 1-year-olds
Best travel toys for 2-year olds
Engaging toddler toys for the car

The common theme you’ll find amongst our baby travel toy recommendations is small, portable, limited sound, no small parts and no electronics. We’ve included a selection of idea here but do go check out the detailed list for each age group – we’ve been specialising in baby toys for years!!

Baby Travel Checklist – camping, hiking & outdoors

If you’re planning a hiking or camping adventure with your baby (yes, it can be done!) then you’ll need to think about some more specialised kit including:

A Structured Baby Carrier – more than just your everyday soft infant carrier, for a hiking adventure with an infant you’ll want a structured carrier specially designed to cover long distances and wearing over an extended period of time.

A toy teether – keep your tot from dropping items to the ground when in their carrier or camp chair, a small but super-handy piece of kit to add to your outdoor arsenal.

Bug repellent – Choose something kind to little babies skin and DEET Free to keep those nasty bugs, mosquitoes and gnats away, or opt for mosquito repellent patches .

Camp chair – great for feeding on the go, picnics to camping we always took a portable chair with us. We’re currently loving the Summer Pop ‘n Sit for something easy, or if you’d like an outdoorsy portable highchair to last into the toddler years, try the Baby Delight Go With Me , a superb longer-term investment. We compare more outdoor baby chair options here .

Chair for Feeding – an optional extra if you’re a feeding mama out on a hike, it can be much easier for both of you to have a comfortable chair to sit on , though weigh this up of course with all the other gear you’ll be carrying

Rain cover for baby carrier – A little rain should never stop you from continuing to enjoy the great outdoors with your baby, just come weather prepared. If you don’t have a fitted rain cover on your carrier then get your baby a good weather-proof cover .

Shoes – Even pre-walkers will benefit from coverings on their feet for outdoor adventures. Most proper toddler hiking shoes don’t fit until at least a size 4, so go with a soft booty .

We have much more detailed guidance for hiking with your baby over here, plus a super-detailed gear guide for baby camping .

Thanks for sticking with us this far! A monster guide but we hope you’ve picked up lots of handy hints. You may also want to check out:

Our complete guide to travelling with a baby – All our best baby travel advice in one spot
Perfect gifts for the travel-loving parents-to-be – Give new parents a gift they can really use with this handy gift ideas list (+ how to set up a baby registry to get all the useful stuff you actually NEED!)
Family guide to stress-free packing – How exactly we set up ready for a big overseas trip with little kids.
Preparing your home before you travel – Don’t forget these important things that need taking care of around your home before a big vacation

Helpful? Bookmark this page or save it to Pinterest for later

Disclosures: We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can read our full disclosure policy here.

Like it? Share it!

2 thoughts on “ Ultimate Baby Travel Checklist {+ printable packing guide} ”

I have tried downloading the Pirntable packing list fot baby 5 times now and it keeps on taking me to the subscribe page. Then I put in my details and I just get the “Thank you for subscribing” message and nothing else happens.

Hi Sonet – sorry to here this is happening, it’s possible the welcome email is going to your junk with the login. I will get this emailed to you now.

Baby Travel Checklist – Free Printable: What to Pack for Babies

By: Jessica · Posted: Mar 21, 2016 · Updated: Nov 18, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy .

Baby Travel Checklist: This baby traveling checklist free printable can be your lifesaver!

Traveling with a baby, can be super stressful at times. But honestly, that never kept us from planning a last minute trip with the baby, to get outta dodge. So if you’re notorious for planning last-minute trips, or you’re the “planner,” type… my free baby travel checklist can be a HUGE life saver for you.

Baby Packing Travel Checklist - Free Dowload

Baby Travel Checklist – Free Printable

A couple of weeks ago, I shared my updated “ Toddler Packing List .” After updating that free printable, I knew the Baby Checklist HAD to be next. The toddler packing list went viral on Pinterest , and that told me that there’s a major need for organization when it comes to traveling with kids . I’ve also heard that tips for flying with a baby , are in high-demand from you all, so I’ll work on that asap. I’ve flown a time or two a hundred times with babies, and have learned some tricks along the way! I’d love to share those with you!

But without further ado… save my FREE baby packing travel checklist here: Baby Travel Packing Checklist

Baby Travel Checklist: Travel Edition Free Printable Download

Enjoy this free printable, and remember to “pin” it here , so you have it when you need it the next time! I hope this makes your life a little easier with traveling with a baby.

Before you get to packing, make sure you see HOW I pack clothes for my kiddos when we head out on vacation too. Talk about a major life saver! You can see my little trick HERE !

The SMART way to pack your Baby or Toddler for Vacation

If you’re on the hunt for more printables and organization printables, feel free to browse our free printables ! Then of course if you’d like to see what else we have about parenting and kiddos, head over HERE !

More Free Printables

Get my 5 Secrets to Get Dinner on the Table FAST!

Reader interactions, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Sandra says

January 24, 2017 at 11:11 pm

Ideas for a baby ahower, theme is owls and is for a boy

Jessica says

January 25, 2017 at 1:48 pm

Hi Sandra! Are you needing baby shower ideas for a boy, owl themed?? If so, you can see my post here where I helped design one: https://fantabulosity.com/owl-meet-baby-baby-shower/

Growing Up Madison says

September 10, 2013 at 11:06 pm

Gotta check out the toddler list. There will be no more babies in my house so I don’t need this one. 🙂

September 11, 2013 at 3:28 am

Yeah! Check it out! It may come in handy! Thanks for stopping by!

Tammy Doiel says

September 10, 2013 at 2:04 pm

What a great list–I think you have everything! It’s so nice to go on vacation with no babies; but the older ones want their stuff too!

September 11, 2013 at 3:30 am

Thank you! I hope I have everything! I’m sure everyone is different in some ways, and will need other items, but that’s what the blanks are for, right? 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! XO!

Jill at Calledtobeamom.com says

September 10, 2013 at 2:30 pm

This was a nice list! Thanks for sharing! I know we sure filled up the minivan with having a baby and a toddler on our camping trip!

The Best Baby Travel Packing List (+ Downloadable PDF)

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: January 9, 2023

Categories Family Travel , Packing lists and travel products

the-ultimate-baby-travel-packing-list-phenomenalglobe.com

Are you planning a family holiday and wondering which items to back for baby's first trip? This baby travel packing list gives you all the nitty-gritty details about which items to bring (and some things you can leave at home).

Packing can be stressful but this tried and tested packing list for baby will make your life a lot easier!

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). We're very grateful when you use our links to make a purchase:-).

The ultimate baby travel packing list

Traveling with a baby for the first time

It didn't take long after our kids were born before we planned a family trip. We flew to Greece when our baby boy was 3 months old and despite being an experienced traveler, I was a bit nervous about our first family trip.

First of all: how would our boy behave on the plane? And secondly: what do I need to put on my baby travel packing list?

When my husband and I were backpacking around the globe in 2015 and on our yearlong trip in 2017, I had a very organized but minimal packing list.

We both carried a big backpack and a daypack which easily fitted everything we needed.

But… how to pack when traveling with a baby? I didn't have a clue!

Since then we've made several trips with our kids and I've learned a thing or two about packing for a family trip.

Especially since we now also have a daughter and it's become even more important to pack smart and efficiently.

Our first trip was a bit of trial and error, there were several items I packed but didn't need (I really didn't need to pack an entire pack of disposable diapers, turns out they sell these in Greece too;-), but also baby gear I wish I brought with me (like a manual portable breast pump ).

Plan your trip like a pro with these tools: ✈️ Find the best flight deals on Kiwi.com . ? Get the best car rental deal for your road trip on Rentalcars.com . ?️ Find your dream accommodation on Booking.com or Agoda . ? Book the best tours via Get Your Guide , Viator or Klook . ? Plan your journey with the Lonely Planet . ?️ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing .

How to pack for your first trip with a baby: baby travel essentials

In order to help you prepare for your first trip with your baby, I have asked experienced family travelers and moms which item they never travel without when going on a family vacation.

Read on for the complete packing list for baby's first trip!

Traveling with a baby: what to pack

Items to pack for your baby's health when traveling.

First and foremost, we care about our baby's health. If your baby gets sick when traveling, the last thing you want is to have to look for a pharmacy in a strange city. Therefore, be sure to pack these items!

Baby first aid kit

Shari from Diary of a SoCal Mama never travels without a first aid kit for the baby .

“Being exposed to new places and new germs could cause your baby to get sick. Be sure to pack a little first aid kit for your baby and include your pediatrician's phone number, as well as the after-hours nurse line, in case your baby gets sick while you’re away from home. Your first aid kit should include things like nail clippers (if you aren’t flying), baby Tylenol (read more below), Nose Frida or another nasal aspirator, diaper cream, baby thermometer and gripe water or gas drops in case of an upset tummy. Don’t forget to include some nipple cream for yourself if you’re breastfeeding! Avoid having to make a late night trip to a pharmacy to buy these things. Packing a baby first aid kit for your trip will save you time, money, an Uber ride and give you extra peace of mind.”

Click here to buy a first-aid kit for your baby

Baby paracetamol

Clare from Epic Road Rides also makes sure never to travel without baby paracetamol as it's helpful for a variety of baby-related woes, from temperatures to teething.

“One item I would highly recommend that every parent takes on a first trip is baby paracetamol. You can buy it in a variety of different bottle sizes, including 100ml so you can get it through airport security. You can even get it in little 5ml sachets; while this isn’t as cost effective, it saves you from lugging a large and heavy bottle around. If you do go for the sachets, remember to bring a little spoon or syringe as (speaking from experience!). Trying to get sticky paracetamol down an unhappy baby’s throat is quite difficult if you’re just trying to squeeze it directly from the packet down their throat… And a final note – always read and follow the instructions/information on the leaflet supplied with the medicine, especially if this is the first time your baby has been given paracetamol.”

Click here to buy baby paracetamol for your baby

Items to pack for baby's sleep/nap time when traveling

Sleeping in a strange place can be difficult for your baby. Luckily, there are several items you can bring on your family trip to make falling asleep easier for your baby.

Travel crib One of the first items Suzi from Survey Suzi packs for trips with her baby is a travel crib .

“Having your own crib can help baby sleep so much better and makes travel less stressful so I see it as essential. Often hotels do have cribs available, but this is never guaranteed and the quality can be questionable especially if you are traveling internationally. I recommend the Lotus Travel Crib : it's compact, light to carry and a comfortable crib for your baby. If you are going in a car you can take a pack-n-play, but for plane travel, the size of these tend not to be practical and a dedicated travel crib works better.”

Pro-tip: it can be smart to get your baby used to the travel crib before your trip, set it up at home, and let your baby take his or her naps in the crib for a week or so.

This way, the travel crib will soon feel (more) familiar to your baby and he or she will fall asleep more easily.

Click here to buy a travel crib for your baby

Video baby monitor

Katrina from Mama's Organized Chaos considers her video monitor an essential item when traveling with her baby.

“When I first got pregnant, I’d decided we didn’t need a video monitor, or even a regular one for that matter. Our house was small enough that we’d be able to hear our baby. However, we ended up finding a video monitor for a great price and decided to give it a shot. I fell in love and now I even travel with it! We prioritize sleep in our house big time, and in my experience a baby that can see you is a baby that doesn’t sleep very well, because he or she is distracted. So when in a hotel, we create a nice cozy spot for our baby with zero visibility of mama and daddy. We use the closet, the bathroom, or a little nook with a blanket hung up, whatever works. And, in order to be able to see the baby and make sure the baby is sleeping, we set up the video monitor. We stick to our baby schedules , we use routines, and we give our baby the best set up possible for sleep. Because a well-rested baby, is a happy baby!”

Click here to buy a video monitor for your baby

Baby monitor app

If you don't want to bring a video monitor on your trip, but do want to keep an eye on your sleeping baby, Celine from Baby Can Travel recommends the Baby Monitor 3G app .

“One item we always make sure to have when we travel with a baby or toddler is a baby monitor app on our devices. We typically try to stay in apartments or hotels with family rooms and want to have the comfort of knowing that we can check in on baby at any time. Even if we end up sharing a hotel room, we like to escape to the balcony and use the app to make sure our baby is asleep before we go back in the room. We also use the Baby Monitor 3G app when we are away from home for a sleepover, for example at grandma’s house.”

Portable blinds

Marta from Learning Escapes also has a favorite family travel gadget, one she uses extensively when traveling with her babies.

“We learned about portable travel blinds for use in the house, but quickly realized that they were an excellent item to carry when away too. Particularly in situations when we had little control over the brightness of hotel rooms or rental apartments. Portable blinds are designed to be lightweight and easy to fold. The blinds operate with suction cups that stick to glass surfaces and don't leave any marks, so you don’t have to worry about asking for permission or damaging surfaces. They are excellent to keep out excess light, we found them especially useful for naps in the middle of the day and in countries that have extended hours of daylight. Something that makes it harder for your little one to fall asleep, especially when he or she is used to dark environments and predictable bedtimes.”

Click here to buy portable travel blinds for your baby

White noise machine

Leah from An Adventure Is Calling loves her portable white noise machine .

“Our Marpac Rohm portable sound machine is compact and battery-operated, which makes it easy to travel with. It has an excellent battery life that has lasted us for days. Our baby sleeps with it on vacations, but we also use it in the car and even the baby carrier when she takes naps out and about. The machine comes with three sound options, and its adjustable volume options range from very low to very high (which is excellent on city trips when outside noise can be a big issue). The volume can go up much higher than the traditional, plug-in white noise machines that we have used at home. Overall, this is one of our favorite baby items, and we cannot imagine traveling the world (or even our hometown) without it.”

Click here to buy a portable white noise machine for your baby

Items to pack to get around with your baby when traveling

There are several ways to get baby around when traveling, read along for travel tips from experienced moms and dads!

Travel-worthy car seat

FAA approved car seats - baby travel packing list

Melissa from The Family Voyage never travels anywhere without a proper car seat for her kids.

“One of the most important things to pack on your first trip with a baby is a good travel-worthy car seat. Airplane seat belts are designed to restrain passengers 40lbs and up, taxis rarely offer car seats, and rental car companies are notorious for providing the wrong type of car seat. Therefore, your best option is to bring a car seat that you know and trust with your child’s life .

Obviously a car seat is important as a safety device and having one that’s lightweight and easy-to-lug can be the difference between a back-breaking, sweat-inducing trip that makes you want to stay home for the next five years and cruising through your flights like the seasoned pro you’ll soon become! For young babies, the simplest choice is to bring an infant car seat (capsule). Once your child outgrows that seat, there are many choices available and the best option is unique to each family’s budget and specific needs, you can read more about the right travel car seat for your child here .

Click here to buy a car seat for your baby

Car seat trolley

Amoya from Trippin' Momma found a solution to lugging around the aforementioned car seat, a car seat trolley !

“A car seat trolley is an absolute must for traveling with babies. As a full-time traveling single momma of 3, I often have my hands full and car seats can be (very) heavy. Getting a car seat trolley was an absolute game changer! I can put my little one in the car seat attached to the trolley and basically use it as a stroller throughout the airport. I can't believe we traveled for a year without one. Gone are the days of trying to lug around a super heavy car seat! My little one loves riding around in it, and it makes getting through the airport so much easier.”

Click here to buy a car seat trolley

Baby carrier

Melissa from Thrifty Family Travels recommends bringing an ergonomic baby carrier .

We have been traveling with our daughter since she was a small baby and found a quality baby carrier one of the best items to travel with. The type of carrier depends on the sort of travel you do will, but we found just a simple sling worked well for us. Having a baby carrier or sling is not only great for using once at your destination, but also perfect for on the plane. I felt much more secure having my daughter in the sling when on the plane. I had my hands free to read a book and also knew she was secured if I happened to drift off to sleep. We traveled a lot to South East Asia with our daughter when she was a baby, and the pavements there are not always well suited to strollers. So having a sling made it easy to carry her around during a day of sightseeing.

Click here to buy a baby carrier for your baby or read my detailed Tula Free to Grow baby carrier review

David and Faye from Travel With Little One highly recommend bringing a stroller .

“One of the most essential items we bought for our baby’s first trip was a stroller. It is very light, portable, easy to use, and folds away very quickly while providing sufficient support for a child over a few months old. We decided to buy one for use at the airport and around our destination city. Before leaving we checked with our airline and airport (Qantas, Heathrow) whether or not we could take the stroller through to the departure gate, and were delighted to find we could! We were then able to retrieve our stroller just after leaving the aircraft at our destination and use it to push our little fellow down to baggage retrieval. This made such a big difference to us! We were able to transport him around the airport easily and quickly, with the minimum of effort. Otherwise, we would have had to carry him for two hours before boarding.

Note: the Babyzen YoYo stroller is accepted as cabin luggage by most airlines, making it even easier to travel with your baby!

I personally own this stroller and have traveled with many different airlines and never experienced issues bringing it on board as cabin luggage.

I absolutely LOVE our YoYo, it's the best baby travel gear I own! Yes, it's expensive but worth every penny.

Click here to buy the Babyzen YoYo stroller

Items to pack in your diaper bag when traveling with your baby

A great backpack/diaper bag.

Mel from Traveling Mel stresses the importance of bringing a quality daypack that can be used as a diaper bag.

“There are a lot of additional items to take on baby’s first trip and you need something great to carry them all in. A carry-on-sized backpack makes it easy to have your little ones must-haves with you at all times. And, since it is a comfortable backpack, you have both hands free to push a stroller or hold a hand. You can even use a good travel backpack with a baby carrier! We used Osprey’s Porter travel backpack when our kids were little, and the great thing is, we still use it today. The U-shaped opening makes it easy to access everything and the compression straps cinch the pack down to make it more compact.

Click here to buy a quality daypack

Portable changing pad

Jane from Fun Things To Do In Melbourne recommends carrying a good changing pad when traveling with your little ones.

A changing mat that is small enough to pack is essential when traveling with a baby. We always used one for changing our babies in public areas and especially on hotel beds to keep everything clean and orderly. Ours had little pockets where we would always store a small packet of baby wipes, nappy bags, and a spare nappy. When a nappy change was needed, we could just grab the one item and the task was so simple.

Portable baby change mat - baby packing list for family vacations

The mat had velcro ties so was really easy to store in a carry bag or under the stroller. It also doubled as a play mat at times or something to sit on if the ground was wet! As the photo shows, it was even a headrest for their father at times!

Click here to buy a changing mat for your baby

Muslin cloths

Elaine and Dave from Show Them the Globe make sure never to go on a trip (or leave the house;-) without a couple of muslin cloths .

“Muslin cloths are an essential for us when travelling with our baby. We never understood why so many parents recommended muslin cloths until our baby arrived and now those light sheets of muslin accompany us everywhere! Muslin cloths are super versatile and we use them for everything from burping the baby and covering surfaces to protecting cloths during feeding. They’ve saved many outfit changes on our travels and are super absorbent for spillages on the go. They also pack up small (so you can fit in a few extras for long-haul flights) and are easy to hand-wash when laundry facilities are scarce.”

Click here to buy muslin cloths for your baby

(A lot of) pacifiers and pacifier wipes

Jana from Mommy's Little World always carries at least 3 pacifiers in her diaper bag when traveling abroad with her baby.

“There are many things you should pack when taking your baby for a trip for the first time, however, pacifiers and pacifier wipes are the number one on my list! You can buy more diapers, wet wipes, clothes, but a pacifier your baby loves can be a lifesaver that can't be easily found in every city. I learned from my own experience that some stores simply don't carry the brand your baby likes and babies can be picky, especially when traveling! I usually have several pacifiers in the diaper bag, so if my baby drops one on the floor or I can't find one, I can just pull out another one from my bag. Another item I always carry are pacifier wipes . They are great for traveling when access to water and soap might be limited and you can't just clean the pacifier like you would at home.”

Click here to buy pacifiers for your baby

Diaper pouch

Lisa from Flip-Flop Globetrotters always carries a diaper pouch when traveling with her baby boy.

“Everyone who travels knows how important it is to keep your stuff organized and the same goes for your diapers! How often do you have to hunt for those illusive diapers you're positive you stuffed somewhere in that overfull day-pack or carry-on? Now imagine you have your diapers in a brightly colored and easy to find diaper pouch, together with the wipes. No more loose diapers cluttering your bag and it’ll become routine to stock your diaper pouch so you’re never without. Very practical to change your little one on the go. We always used to carry our diapers this way during our travels. Our baby's diaper pouch became an essential item in our day-packs and we never left without it!”

Click here to buy a diaper pouch for your baby

Extra set of clothes

Sandra from The Smarter Writer has a great tip based on her own not-so-great first flight with her baby: besides carrying an extra outfit for your baby make sure to pack an extra set of clothes for yourself in your carry-on baggage as well!

“If there's anything worse than a 9-hour flight with a baby, it's a 9-hour flight with a baby who covered you in vomit. Or poo. Or worse. Actually, I don't think it could get worse than that… Most parents will pack extra clothes for their baby, but often forget to pack an extra t-shirt and leggings or pants for themselves in their carry-on baggage. Even now that my son is older (and isn't prone to throwing up, plus has the aim of a Korean archer when it comes to doing his business in the loo) I still pack an extra shirt and leggings for myself, just in case… He is prone to spilling drinks or accidentally knocking his meal in the direction of my lap. Long flights are hideous enough as it is and the last thing I want to deal with is being uncomfortable in soggy clothes. Extra clothes are also a must in case something goes wrong with your checked baggage at the other end. Even if you don't use your extra clothes on the plane, you might need them to freshen up while you wait for your bags to show up.”

Items to pack to feed your baby when traveling

Feeding your baby while traveling can be a challenge. You want to provide your baby with healthy food, and clean bottles and you don't want to make a mess in (fancy) restaurants with s squirmy baby on your lap.

Here are several items to make your life easier when feeding your baby on a holiday!

Silicone bibs

Lyric from Asher & Lyric never forgets to bring a silicone bib on a family trip

“Silicone bibs are amazing because they have a handy lip that catches even the goopiest of foods. They are super easy to wipe and clean, even in small cruise ship sinks. After our first big trip with our 10-month-old son to Paris we were so glad that we brought two of these clever little bibs. We were often eating in classy Michelin rated restaurants and this item made it possible to have little to no mess and easy clean up (and sometimes the restaurant would happily do it for us!). We have since traveled all over the US and around the world with these bibs and we’d never leave home without them!”

Click here to buy a silicone bib for your baby

A travel chair harness

Chris and Linz from More Life In Your Days consider a travel chair harness essential when traveling with their little girls.

“One of our travel essentials when travelling with a baby is our chair harness. This clever, compact piece of kit can turn almost any chair into a safe seat for your baby. This is great when you are travelling as you never know whether the restaurants will have proper baby high chairs or not, with this harness you have your own alternative to having them on your lap throughout the meal. It is ideal for babies that are able to sit on their own but are not yet too mobile, in our case this was around 8 months to just over 1 year. A fairly short time period but it proved invaluable on our trip to Thailand , Cambodia and Vietnam . The harness is also great for taking to friends houses as they are unlikely to have spare high chairs.”

Click here to buy a travel chair harness for your baby

Microwave sterilizer bags

Ketki of Dotted Globe has a clever travel item for your baby's first trip as well.

“I highly recommend packing microwave steam sterilizer bags while traveling with younger children. Each of these bags can be used more than once to sterilize baby bottles and parts. However, I have also used them to sterilize everything from pacifiers to sippy cups while traveling with my kids. The bags are lightweight, simple to use, and I can easily fit a few in my purse making them perfect even for day trips. I have used them to sterilize baby bottles in hotel rooms, coffee shops, and AirBnBs. They have been lifesavers while vacationing with my bottle-fed baby and have helped me ensure that only clean bottles and accessories are going in my baby’s mouth!”

Click here to buy microwave steam sterilizer bags

A small cooler box

Jessy from Planet Pilgrims highly recommends packing a small cooler box for family trips.

“When I took my first road trip with my daughter for an overnight trip, I'd just adopted her for about a week and she was about 4 months old. We live in South Africa and December is one of the hottest months. Of course, I wanted this road trip to go as smoothly as possible. Having bottles with formula ready to hand to the back of the car seemed a logical thing to do. I'm so glad I had a small cooler box that I could keep on the front seat so it was easy for me to reach. The cooler box kept all the bottles all cool and clean during our journey. Now that she's much older I still use this cooler box to keep all the snacks for road trips.”

If you're breastfeeding: a cooler box is also very convenient to keep pumped breast milk fresh and cold!

Click here to buy a small cooler box

Manually-operated baby food maker

Allan from The Practical Saver is a fan of a manual baby food grinder .

“It's a good idea to bring manually-operated baby food maker. For parents who like to travel and still want to give their babies fresh and unprocessed foods even when on the go, a portable baby food maker is a must. With this item you won't have to worry if you have enough food for your little one when traveling. Just buy some fresh fruits or veggies in a (super)market and mash them up. Voila, fresh, healthy and cheap food for the baby!”

Click here to buy a food grinder

Items to pack to keep your baby entertained when traveling

One thing several mums agree upon: it's very important to keep your baby occupied when traveling!

Depending on the preference of your baby, you may want to consider bringing one of the toys described below.

The Dingly Dangly Donkey

Erin from Little Miss Kate is a huge fan of the Dingly Dangly Donkey (well, actually her baby is the biggest fan of this toy;-)

“Our favorite item for baby's first trip is the Dingly Dangly Donkey toy , as it has entertained our daughter from newborn to 9 months and she stills loves it. Donkey provides hours of entertainment and is visually stimulating to babies as the toy has bright colors and patterns and engages babies' visual perception skills. The toy engages babies' sensory needs as well as there is a squeaker inside and the feet acts as rattles. It's soft and has many different parts for the baby to grab on to. My favorite part is that the toy is attached to a large clip that makes it easy to move, we have had it clipped to strollers, car seats, playpens, hospital beds, plane seats, and many more places. The toy is also compact making it a great toy to travel with, this is hands down my favorite baby toy.”

Click here to buy a Dingly Dangly Donkey for your baby

Baby's favorite blanket

If your baby has a special attachment to a blanket, be sure to pack this for your family trip!

Ingrid from Fabulous and Fun Life experienced firsthand how much it can upset your baby (and potentially ruin your holiday) if you forget to bring your baby's comforting item…

“Whatever you do, don't forget to pack your baby's favorite blankie that they cuddle to comfort themselves with before falling asleep! On our first trip away with my daughter, we did forget to pack her favorite blankie. All the way to our destination she was unsettled, which we put down to her not enjoying the journey. But after an extremely unsettled night for her, us, and probably the neighboring villas too, we realized we had forgotten her special blankie. Luckily my brother was joining us at our destination the next day and was able to pick up the forgotten blankie for us and bring it with him. The second and subsequent nights were much more peaceful and never have I forgotten the special blankies again!”

Click here to buy a blankie for your baby

New multi-sensory toy

When taking a baby on a trip, Mary Beth from MB Sees recommends bringing along a toy your baby hasn't seen before to keep him or her occupied.

“My pick for the best item for baby’s first trip would be a brand new (well, new to the baby) multi-sensory toy. When we took our son on his first flight, we brought along a stuffed octopus toy he’d never seen before that had bright colors, multiple textures, and a different accessory on each leg. After he got tired of playing with his familiar toys, the octopus kept him busy for hours! There were rattles to shake, rings to grasp, and most importantly, there was a mirror to look into. The accessories completely captivated our son’s attention and his reflection mesmerized him to no end. He played quietly for the entire flight! Pro tip: don’t punish yourself, or your fellow passengers… get one with lots of activities, but not with noises and music!” Click here to buy a toy octopus for your baby

Other essential items to pack when traveling with your baby

Packing cubes.

Lisa from The Schooled Parent always brings packing cubes to stay organized on a family trip.

“We recently traveled overseas with our (then) 6-month-old and 2-year-old. One of the best items we packed for our first trip with our babies were packing cubes! We used the cubes both in our checked and carry-on luggage, to help us stay organized. With the packing cubes, we were able to keep things separate and easy to grab. This is especially convenient when you quickly need to find something on a flight. For example, we had one cube for nappies and wipes. So if we needed to change a nappy, we could just grab the cube and head straight to the bathroom. Another cube held all our snacks and yet another was filled with all the items to entertain our toddler. We also used the cubes in our checked bags to stay organized!”

Click here to buy packing cubes

Miriam from The Very Best Baby Stuff recommends a toy tether when traveling with a baby because it has so many uses.

“I like to attach a toy to each end to make it easy to find the toys in my diaper bag, and also to prevent them from rolling down the aisle on a plane or train. You can also use one to tether a bottle, pacifier, sippy cup, toy, or even food pouch to your baby carrier, travel stroller, or high chair to prevent them from going overboard. When traveling with kids, it's easy to overpack or lose things along the way. This is one essential that will actually help you keep tabs on your other essentials!”

Click here to buy a toy tether for your baby

Ziplock bags

Kaylie from Happiness Travels Here always makes sure to bring ziplock bags when traveling with her babies as they have so many great uses.

“Choose sturdy ones that seal well and they can be used over and over again. A large zip lock bag is the perfect vessel for sterilizing bottles or pacifiers on the go, fill with water and add a Milton tablet. Ziplock bags can also be used like packing cells to sort and separate when you are packing, keep socks in one, undergarments in another and charger cables organised in another. Use the bags to protect important documents and passports from the inevitable spills that you have when travelling with kids. I always have a couple on hand around meal times, to store some left-over fruit, vegetable sticks or bread rolls for you or baby to munch on later. The food will stay fresh and take up less room than bulky containers. Finally, ziplock bags are perfect for sealing away soiled clothes to be washed later or a dirty nappy that is going to stink out the hotel room. I wouldn’t be without them!”

Mosquito net for buggy

Be sure to bring a mosquito net for your buggy when traveling to a hot country or somewhere where mosquitoes are likely to be present.

“A mosquito net is a thin mesh material which is elasticated around the edges to slip comfortably over a baby's buggy. The net is breathable and see-through, so you can still see your baby inside. You can also use it for the baby's bassinet or travel cot on a night. I bought one for my 4-month old baby when we were traveling to Mallorca in the hot summer months. Turned out we didn't need it, but it was still a comfort to know that nothing could fly into her buggy and bite or sting her whilst she was sleeping!”

Click here to buy a mosquito net to protect your baby

Waterproof baby sling

Babs from Mums on Flipflops has another great item to add to your essential baby packing list: a waterproof baby sling !

“Wondering how you are going to bath your newborn while traveling? It is entirely possible to take a portable bathtub, but an easier option might be to bring a waterproof baby sling. It is much more compact and you simply put it over your head, put your baby in and step into the shower. A waterproof baby is made from a lightweight mesh fabric, this way it dries easily. As an added bonus you can use it in the swimming pool or on the beach as well. Put your baby in the sling and you can play in the water while keeping your hands free for their siblings. The waterproof sling is a multi-functional item that you definitely want on your baby’s first trip packing list.”

Click here to buy a waterproof baby sling

A camera (to snap baby's first travel shots)

Chontelle from Mum’s Little Explorers recommends bringing a camera to take plenty of pictures of your baby's first holiday.

“If you are heading away for your baby’s first trip and creating your ultimate packing list : don't forget to bring your camera to capture those precious moments! Whether it is the first road trip, first train ride, or first flight , those milestone photos of your little one will be something to look back on in years to come. Of course, your phone can do the same job, however, you'll want high-quality photos that are going to last and a good camera is always going to be best to capture those memories!”

Click here to buy a camera to capture your baby's first travel moments

Chalkboard or letter board (optional)

Rachel from The Analytical Mommy has a great idea to make the pics of your first family trip even more memorable.

“One of the most fun items you can bring with you on your baby's first trip is a chalkboard or letter board ! During those first few adventures, your baby will get a chance to see some amazing new sights and I'm sure you want to document them, right? A chalkboard or letter board is small and light enough to carry almost anywhere, and will let you take some of the cutest baby photos ever! Imagine sitting your little one in front of the Eiffel Tower with a little chalkboard next to them saying something like ‘First ride up the Eiffel Tower – 7 Months Old'. Now imagine having 5 or 10 of those that you can frame showing your baby's first few trips? I plan to do this with my 3rd!”

Packing checklist for traveling with a baby: in conclusion

If you pack these baby holiday essentials, I'm sure you are well prepared for your first trip as a family.

While I found traveling with a baby definitely very different than backpacking with my husband, I absolutely loved it!

It's just great to explore exciting new places with the people you love, be it your partner, children, parents, or friends. You can download the baby travel checklist below, happy travels!

Read my other post about family travel for more travel inspiration!

Wondering what to pack for your baby’s first trip? This is the is the Ultimate Baby Travel Packing List + free printable checklist! #familytravel #babytravel #packinglist ***** Baby Travel Packing List | Travel Checklist | Family Travel | How to Pack for Baby’s First Trip Travel | Baby Travel | Family Travel Packing Tips

This post was updated in November 2022.

Friday 30th of July 2021

OMG - that list is amazing! It's everything I could have thought about and even more. That's a lot of work. And experience of course. We're planning our first trip as a trio with Mia and she's 16mo now (covid wasn't really helping with traveling...). So we've done some re-assuring sleep training with Susan Urban's book lately and I'm starting to complete the gear... I've purchased the travel bed but I'd never think about the shades on my own!

Saturday 31st of July 2021

Thank you so much for your kind words:-) I'm glad to hear the packing list is helpful. We've gone on many trips with our 3yo son (not so much with our 1-year-old daughter, covid got in the way as well). Love the name Mia! Where are you traveling to? Good to hear she's sleeping well, have you tried out your travel crib at home? I really found that it helped to let our kids get used to the bed.

Have a great trip! Lotte

Wednesday 19th of June 2019

This is a fabulous list, very helpful information for new mums like me... We are heading to Canada with the baby its his first flight so I need all of this information and the comfort that he can make it cross-country without us losing our minds;-). Thanks for sharing!

Sunday 30th of June 2019

Thank you Sophie and you are most welcome! Have a great family trip to Canada:-)

Saturday 24th of November 2018

This is the best list for packing to travel with a baby. Thanks for putting together so many excellent ideas.

Monday 26th of November 2018

hank you Jane! Happy you could provide expert input for the list:-)

Kid’s Activities
Outdoor Play
Open-Ended Toys
Pregnancy & Baby
Toddlers & Preschoolers
Life Lately
Travel Tips
Pacific Northwest
Promo Codes
The Planning Life

Your Checklist for Baby Travel: Packing List + Spreadsheet Download!

Last Updated: May 16, 2023

Traveling with a baby is more doable than you might think. Especially in the early months it can be much easier in a lot of ways, than traveling with a toddler. Traveling with a baby that’s not on the move yet, not eating solids (even easier packing, if you’re breastfeeding!), and they always seem to have a nap coming up. And since babies fly free (excluding taxes and fees) until they’re two years old, now is the time to book up those trips! So here’s a checklist for traveling with a baby, what to bring, check, carry-on, and my overall baby travel packing list.

Our first international trip was to New Zealand when our baby was 5 months old. And then most of our trips were smaller flights out to Hawaii and Florida to visit family. So here’s what I’ve learned about packing for a baby. While having a baby travel checklist helps you not forget anything important, it can also help you realize what items you can do without to travel more minimally!

Baby's first big trip - to Hawaii and then New Zealand!

Baby Travel Packing List

You can download my spreadsheet or just check out the full checklist below. Remember you’re going to have roughly the same needs as at home, just hopefully able to pack less and use things for multiple purposes! So jump ahead to the Baby Travel Packing List Spreadsheet or read more:

Baby Hygiene – Diapering, Bathing, & Health

Feeding on the Go

Travel Gear
Play & Misc

Baby Sleep:

Travel crib – Check with where you’re staying. Many Airbnbs offer Pack’n Plays, which can save you some effort. If your sleep and sanity is gonna hinge on this sleep, just bring your own. In the first 6 months we brought our own travel crib, and then later a travel tent. We loved the 12 pound Guava Lotus Crib / Bassinet (also on our minimalist baby registry checklist !
Crib sheets – Especially if you’re using a provided Pack n Play, bring a crib sheet from home. This helps with smells and feeling of sameness.
Baby audio monitor – Great for being able to hear your baby, especially in a new to you space.
White noise – We always use an old cell phone with a white noise app on it. Great for travel since it’s small. Dual purpose, add a few baby apps for flight distraction.
Blackout room supplies – we travel with a little case of tacks and binder clips (in a few different sizes). This way you can make do with insufficient curtains by improvising with blankets, sheets or towels already in the room we’re staying.
Night time pacifier – if your baby uses a pacifier.

Travel Hygiene – Diapering, Bathing, Health

Bamboo waterproof changing pad liner: We use these liners on our changing mat at home. For travel, we would bring one for when we arrived, along with a fold-up travel changing mat for our diaper bag. (It was part of a zip-off changing pad from a SkipHop Changing clutch – the rest of which we found too bulky for travel).
OXO Tot On-the-Go Wipes Dispenser w/Diaper Pouch – This wipes case has been one of our baby air travel diapering essentials from the start! It’s great for every day use and amazing for flights. It holds 4-5 diapers and a huge stack of wipes. We would even slide in a washable small toy when he was in that grabby stage. This helped to keep him from grabbing things in the airplane bathroom.
Diaper cream (smallest size), hand sanitizer, travel tissue packs, antibacterial wipes, and a few rags (we like the IKEA cloths ).
Diapers – calculate how many you’ll need. For example 9 per day x 14 days = 126 diapers. If you’re traveling domestically you should be able to find the same diapers and buy there. But take enough that you have some wiggle room of when to go to the store. Ie. bring 26, buy 100 there etc. If you’re traveling internationally, do a little bit of recon, as yes you can buy diapers anywhere. Babies do afterall populate the globe, but it might not be the diapers you want or they might be expensive. They also might be way cheaper, like we found in Norway! For New Zealand, we packed all the diapers we needed and just added them into our car seat bag. And thankfully the bag got progressively lighter as the trip went on, lol.
Wipe packs – same as diapers. Plan what you’ll need. We typically estimated one wipe pack per week. And since our baby was pretty sensitive, we brought Water Wipes with us. Then as he got older and we could use any wipes, we would buy on arrival.
Swim diapers – bring a couple swim diapers. It really helps to not have to buy an entire pack of swim diapers while on your trip, which you then have to pack home.
Baby wash cloths
baby shampoo/soap – IKEA makes a nice travel size toiletries containers.
nail clippers
travel laundry soap
baby travel lotion
baby Tylenol
thermometer
travel clothesline (optional but we liked our small backpacking one)

While everyone has slightly different needs when it comes to feeding, consider what you do at home and then adapt for on the go. Our baby breastfed and refused bottles so this was pretty handy for travel as we didn’t have to pack much extra feeding stuff. And not handy in the aspect that mama was the only one who could feed the baby. Ha!

Water bottle for breastfeeding mom – flying and travel is already dehydrating and we often forget to drink enough water. This is super important especially if you’re breastfeeding – from a supply issue. Get an easy travel water bottle and even ask your partner to remind you or set a reminder on your phone etc.
muslin blanket – I just used a muslin blanket as a burp clothes, and it also worked as a nice privacy shield for breastfeeding baby mid-flight so they actually fall asleep.
Boppy breastfeeding pillow – While it sounds a little silly to take on a flight. This was the biggest helper! Especially on an a long-haul flight, when baby is in your arms or feeding, this pillow helped take the pressure off your arms and back.
Boob nursing pads – don’t forget your nursing pads! Definitely helpful to not need an extra outfit change mid-flight.
fleece baby blanket – we also brought our small fleece baby blanket to put over baby on the flight when the chilly ac came on, and doubled as a stroller wrap after we arrived if it was chilly.
any other baby feeding items – as they get older this might include baby food pouches, baby spoon, bib, teething snacks etc.

Baby Clothing

Plan for how often you will have the chance to do laundry. And the weather where you will be. We usually planned for 2 outfits per day (laundering every 5-7 days) and re-using non-dirty pants. So a week might look like this, depending on the season:

Onesies 14 – 11 in suitcase, 3 in diaper bag: 8 longsleeve, 4 short sleeve
Pants 10 – 7 in suitcase, 3 in diaper bag: 8 thin, 1 thick, 1 shorts
Jammies – 2
Sleep sack – 1 fleece
Socks – 10 – 8 in suitcase, 2 in diaper bag
Drool bib bandanas
Baby swimsuit / rashguard
Fleece hat and booties
Baby jacket or sweater
Baby sun hat
Packing divider bags – We have the older version these IKEA ones
Dirty clothes laundry bag – IKEA often has a great drawstring laundry bag.

The biggest tip I have for outfits and flying with a baby is to make 2 or 3 “outfit packs”. This is just a onesie, pants, and socks – stacked together and put in a large ziploc bag. Which you’ll then have 2 or 3 of these in your diaper bag. Mid-flight blow out? Grab an outfit pack and diapering kit and head to the bathroom. Then you have a ziploc bag to put the dirty stuff in. And it’s just so much easier than digging through all your diaper bag looking for a change of clothes for baby. Especially if you’re flying solo with a baby!

Travel Gear:

I’ve already covered all the best baby travel gear , which overlaps with this packing list. These items really depend on what you use, what you’ll need when you get there (eg. renting a car vs taking public transit), if you’re visiting family vs solo etc. Here are all the items we’ve needed depending on the trip.

Car seat – the only time we didn’t need a carseat was when visiting family who had an extra, and then we had a friend drop us off at the airport (in our car). And again going to Scandinavia just before age 2 we went without a carseat, since we weren’t renting a car.
Car seat bag – if you’re taking a car seat, definitely get a car seat bag to keep it in nice shape. You can also stuff in a few things like diapers if needed. (note: some airlines might hassle you about this. I’ve never had this issue).
Stroller – a travel stroller is great, but in the first year, we actually flew all over with our BOB jogging stroller. Depending on the trip and how much your baby likes to be in your stroller in everyday life, it might be worth the hassle of flying with it. For us it was, since that meant we could guarantee that we would get on-the-go naps out of it! Which allowed us a lot more freedom while traveling as the baby could be napping “hands free!” in the stroller. By around one, he would nap in our travel stroller the same way.
Babywearing carrier – if you babywear at home, you’ll want to bring your carrier. This was especially nice on the flight for baby to chill out and nap and be close in when he wasn’t on the boppy pillow. And also gave my partner the ability to carry him around and snuggle easier.
Large suitcase – In the first year, we found taking one medium checked suitcase ( 25″ hardside roller ) to be the easiest route. We packed all our stuff in one which was also easier for getting to and from the airport with all the other gear vs having more smaller luggage. As we approached two years old, and needed fewer baby items, it became easier to just take two carry-on bags again.
Grown-up backpack – our other carry-on backpack was for stuff for us – snacks, book, electronics etc. Much easier to not be sorting through baby stuff.
Diaper bag backpack – All the stuff for on the go diaper, feeding and baby entertainment. Plus outfit changes.
Packable tote bag – We also brought one canvas or packable shopping tote to put the babycarrier, boppy pillow or anything else that needed containing after we got on the flight. Sometimes it seems like a clown car like where did all this stuff come from.
Thicker blanket or play mat – we brought an Aiden and Anais Dream blanket so baby could have a place to roll around.
Toy pouch – whatever baby is currently loving plus a surprise or two For example: spinning wheel toy , paci lovy , taggy blanket , rattle, teether , “mirror” from a baby book, mini indestructible book etc.
Extra muslin blanket for laying down on dirty floors like at airport or on the go (so you don’t get your nicer blanket filthy.)

Baby Travel Packing List Spreadsheet

You can also download the spreadsheet here .

One of the things I found challenging when packing for our first big trip with baby was that I had a huge pile of stuff, plus a few reminder notes about things I also needed, but I quickly realized that I needed to know where I was packing things. Especially for a long haul flight, I couldn’t have half of our essentials in a checked bag. So I created this spreadsheet to track not only what to pack (by category), but where it would be packed (carry-on diaper bag vs checked luggage etc).

I’ve also added in a basic worksheet to list out your baby routine – what time your baby is generally doing things on a typical day at home (napping, feeding etc) and then how that would line up with your flight. Everyone will tell you “oh baby will sleep on the flight!” Maybe, maybe not! And probably not if baby doesn’t generally sleep at that time of day! But the good news is for young babies, the next nap or feeding is usually just around the next corner.

What I love about using a spreadsheet as my checklist for baby travel, is that by the time your second trip comes around, you have a useful list to jog your memory. And just like my family camping checklist , it makes packing way easier. Which ultimately, makes it easier to say “yes!” to travel.

I hope you enjoy your first trip with baby and have found this baby travel packing list helpful!

Take Charge of Your Money: My 5 Best Personal Finance Tips

Baby Sleep Essentials: The 12 Best Baby Sleep Items in 2024

Baby Winter Essentials: Cold Weather Gear for Babies – 18 Months

No comments, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Nature is the Best Playground - Quotes to Inspire Outdoor Play

Rei anniversary sale may 2023: my top picks.

The Only Baby Travel Packing List You Need (Plus a Free Printable!)

I lived off of lists before having a baby, but now I truly can’t live without them (#mombrain). So of course I had to create a baby travel packing list that I could use for all the trips we have planned with little Luca!

While I knew that traveling with an infant was going to be a whole new ball game, I honestly didn’t realize the insane number of items you have to pack until I started thinking through everything. And I’d consider myself a sensible packer!

From baby gear to baby clothes, there are just so many different things to consider. That said, I figured I’d share the baby travel checklist I created for myself with you!

If you’re getting ready to go on a family vacation, scroll down to see and shop my baby travel packing list.

I’ve also included a download a PDF version that you can print and check off as you go.

A collage of items included on this baby travel packing list including a travel car seat carrier, travel stroller bag, travel crib, baby beach tent, and more!

PS: I know this looks like a lot! But…

Depending on the age of your baby or where you’re traveling to, you might not need all of this. And some things (like car seats) you might be able to rent.
I fit most of these baby travel essentials in one carry-on suitcase. I only had to put like 2 things in my own suitcase. Thankfully, baby items are pretty compact.

At the end of the day, I wanted to make sure this baby travel packing list was thorough. But you can take what you need, and leave what you don’t. Either way, I know it’ll make those road trips or air travel days that much easier.

Before we jump into the details, subscribe below to get your printable baby travel packing list!

Meach’s Essential Baby Packing List

Here’s everything you need when traveling with a baby… and then some. 😉

So you know, I’m making suggestions assuming you will not have access to a washer and drier. If you do, you can choose to bring less and wash items during your trip. That’s totally up to you!

PLEASE NOTE: This blog includes affiliate links from partners like Amazon Associates and LTK. If you click on one and make a purchase, we could earn commission. This comes at no expense to you as the buyer, but it supports this blog and my family. Thank you in advance for your support!

Since accidents happen, especially with infants, I recommend packing two baby outfits per day of your trip. That way you always have a set of spare clothes.

I also recommend keeping at least one change of clothes handy, in a diaper bag or carry on bag, at all times. Emergency outfit changes can happen anywhere with little ones, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Personally, I think one pair per day is sufficient. Even if there’s an accident, it’s unlikely there will be one every night. But you know your child best, so you do you.

PS: Burt’s Bees Baby has the BEST jammies! They are great quality and fit so well.

Like the baby outfits, I think it’s a good idea to pack two onesies per day. I know Luca often gets his messy while eating, and sometimes too messy to keep wearing.

One pair per day is likely fine, but it never hurts to pack a couple extras.

Think water shoes , sneakers , sandals , boots, etc. Whatever is weather appropriate! Just be sure to pack whatever you’ll need to match the baby outfits you packed.

Outfit Accessories

Outfit accessories might not be essential baby travel items for some, but they are for me. Think bows, warm hats, sun hats , headbands, and sunglasses .

This is especially important if your travel destination is to a cold weather climate. But even if you’re going to the beach, you might want a light denim jacket or zip up in case you’re out and about on a cool evening.

Even if you’re going to a cold weather climate, your hotel might have a pool. So don’t forget to pack your baby’s bathing suit!

FYI: My favorites for kids are from Amazon (a bunch of boys and girls are linked in my Amazon storefront ) and Dillards .

Dirty Clothes Bag

I always pack dirty clothes bags to keep things that have been worn separate from things that haven’t. It just keeps the suitcase from getting unnecessarily messy. And it makes packing up/unpacking easier, too.

Be sure to bring one per suitcase to evenly distribute dirty clothes across all of your bags. They can get heavy, and overweight bags can be costly if you’re traveling by air.

A picture of baby travel essentials including silicone bibs, a travel baby bottle drying rack, bottle dish soap, and more!

Bottles and/or Sippy Cups

I think it’s best to have enough drink ware for a full day of feedings. If you’re going to be doing a lot of exploring, you don’t want to have to stop and wash things along the way. You can do all of that each night at once.

Travel Bottle Drying Rack

Speaking of washing bottles, a travel bottle drying rack is one of those essential items that sounds kind of ridiculous, but I promise it’s super handy! Especially if you’re staying in a hotel room with limited counter space.

This is the best way to keep all of your bottles organized and contained. Plus, it makes it so much easier to move all of the pieces when necessary.

Portable Bottle Cooler

A portable bottle cooler with an ice pack is strongly recommended so you can keep baby food, formula, breastmilk, etc. cool on the go.

Luca drools nonstop, lol, so we pack two cotton bandana bibs per day of our trip. Plus we bring two silicone bibs (total) for his baby food feedings.

Burp cloths

Again, two per day seems to do the trick for us. But if your baby spits up a lot, bring some extras.

If your baby needs spoons, forks, plates, or bowls, be sure to pack a few!

Travel Snack and Formula Containers

You’ll want these for the days away from your home base so you don’t have to carry a bunch of large packages.

I really like these travel snack and formula containers from Amazon.

Portable High Chair

Luca is currently eating baby food, so for the time being we’re going to just feed him in his stroller when we travel. However, we do own a portable high chair and know it will go to good use once he’s a little bigger.

That said, if your baby is a little older and eating/snacking on their own, you’ll want to get them a portable high chair with a tray. At the very least, you’ll want to bring a tray for their stroller so they have a comfortable place to eat.

Baby Food and Snacks

If you can, only pack enough food (think formula, baby food, snacks) for your travel day(s) and then one extra day beyond that in case there are delays.

These items are heavy and hard to travel with. If they break or spill, then they get all over EVERYTHING. So I recommend just picking up extras once you get to where you’re going.

Bottles of Water

Whether your baby drinks water alone or you use it to make formula, make sure you have enough of it to get you through your travel day(s). Again, you can pick up extras later.

Obviously, if you’re traveling by plane, you can’t take full water bottles through TSA. So give yourself enough time to pick some up once you get through security.

Bottle Brush and/or Sponge

You’ll want a bottle brush and/or sponge to clean your bottles, bowls, and utensils.

FYI, a travel-sized dish soap should last you a full week.

Dish Cloths

Personally, I just think it’s gross to dry dishes with hotel towels, lol. So I pack a few dish towels for this purpose.

If you’re breastfeeding and/or pumping, you’ll also want to bring your…

Portable Breast Pump
Breast Milk Storage Bags
Breast Milk Cooler
Pumping Bra(s)
Anything else you’ll need to clean your pump parts.

Sound Machine

Dane and I don’t go a day without using our white noise machine . If your baby uses sound machines, too, be sure to pack it.

Travel Crib or Travel Bassinet

Your hotel might have these. You could also rent them through a service like Baby Quip . If you have to buy, this travel baby crib from Amazon is well-rated and affordable.

Crib or Bassinet Sheet

Whether you’re renting or bringing your own, make sure you have the proper sheet to fit your crib or bassinet mattress.

Pro Tip: Bring one from home that has been used recently; One that smells like your home, not detergent. It could help your baby sleep more comfortably in a foreign place.

Swaddle or Sleep Sack

Dane and I forgot Luca’s sleep sack on our first trip with him and he was not happy, lol. It’s part of his bedtime routine, so we had trouble getting him down without it. Lesson learned!

Don’t make the same mistake. Be sure your bring anything and everything your baby needs to go to sleep comfortably.

Baby Monitor

If your baby will be sleeping in a different room, and you’re used to having them on a monitor, make sure you bring one.

This is a big reason why we chose the Nanit Baby Monitor – you can easily travel with it if you have the proper accessories.

If your baby takes a pacifier, you’ll want to bring a few. Especially if they’re particular and won’t just take whatever pacifier you can get your hands on.

A picture of baby travel essentials including sunscreen, Tubby Todd all over ointment, baby body wash, lotion, and more.

Baby Wash, Shampoo, and Lotion

If your baby’s skin is tolerant, you can get away with buying whatever travel-sized baby toiletries your local Target has in stock.

But if your baby’s skin is sensitive, I recommend buying refillable bottles and packing whatever they’re used to. That way you don’t have any issues!

If your kiddo has hair, of course. 😉

Antibacterial Wet Wipes

Babies have weak immune systems, so it’s important to try to combat germs as best as you can during a family trip.

I like to keep antibacterial wet wipes in my bag to clean my hands, Luca’s hands, and things within his reach. Not only does this help keep baby safe, it’ll help keep you sane. The only thing worse than a sick baby is a sick baby while on vacation.

One pack is fine! Add this to the list of things you can buy once you reach your destination if you need extras.

Diaper Cream

Diaper rash is so uncomfortable for babies and can make them super cranky. That said, if you want to enjoy your vacation be sure to have plenty of rash cream on hand.

We like Aquaphor Baby because it’s so multifaceted. It soothes dry skin and eczema in addition to diaper rash.

Inflatable Tub

You don’t really realize how helpful a baby bathtub is until you don’t have one. The few times Dane and I have tried to bathe Luca in a regular tub, it’s taken all of our hands…and all of our energy, lol.

So for travel we invested in a super affordable inflatable baby bath from Amazon. That way we can comfortably contain Luca while we bathe him. And if our hotel room only has a shower, we don’t have to try to stuff him in the sink.

Diaper Bag and Changing Pad

I strongly prefer the changing pads that hold everything you need for changing baby’s diaper – wipes, rash cream, etc. – so you can unroll and go. You don’t have to dig!

Disposable Diapers or Cloth Diapers

Just fit what you can, and buy what you can’t later.

If you plan on swimming, swimmers are a must!

PS: I have an entire post about baby beach gear . If you’re going on a beach trip, be sure to check it out!

Disposable Diaper Bags

If you’re planning plane travel, these are a must. These disposable diaper bags allow for easy clean up and let you put your baby’s dirty diapers in the trash without the risk of smelling up the restroom or entire plane.

Baby’s skin is extra sensitive to UV rays, so don’t forget their sunscreen !

Stain Remover

Stain remover , because it’s important to get stains out of clothes sooner than later.

First Aid Kit

You can get a comprehensive first aid kit – one with a travel thermometer, nose sucker, nail clippers, etc. – from Target for under $25! Honestly, you probably got one as a baby shower gift . I know I received several!

Other Baby Gear

Baby carrier.

We have the Ergobaby Omni 360 and absolutely love it! It’s adjustable and fits me and Dane well. Luca loves being in it while facing outward, too.

Wet Bags or Plastic Bags

Keep these in your diaper bag for soiled clothes! I prefer these reusable wet bags from Amazon.

Baby Blankets (Especially their favorite blanket!)

If your baby doesn’t have a go-to blanket yet, this baby blanket from Amazon is seriously SO good. It’s so soft can cozy. Luca loves it! He also uses this ivory baby blanket from the same store on repeat.

Travel Stroller and Stroller Bag

When traveling by plane, you’ll have to gate check your stroller. That said, you’ll want a stroller bag to protect it.

Stroller Hook

A stroller hook can hold you purse, diaper bag, and other little things to free up your hands.

Stroller Organizer

I like this stroller organizer because it has two cup holders as well as space for some extras (keys, toys, money, etc.).

Infant Car Seat and Car Seat Bag

If you plan to bring your car seat on a plane, be sure to get a car seat bag . It’ll make it easier for you to carry the car seat, and it’ll protect it if you check it.

Beach Towel

If you’ll be hitting the beach or pool, make sure you have a baby beach towel packed for your kiddo.

Baby tents are great if you plan on spending a lot of time outside during your family vacation. They shield from harmful UV rays and keep baby contained to one safe space.

Portable Fan

I love this stroller fan because you can attach it to virtually anything. Since babies can’t regulate their temperatures until they’re around 1.5-2 years old ( Snuza ), it’s important to keep them cool and comfortable.

A key baby beach essential , a mesh beach bag is easy to travel with and easy to clean.

Toys and Entertainment

Books, teethers, rattles, beach toys and more.

You know your baby best, so I left a bunch of free space on the baby travel packing list printable so you can fill in their favorite toys and forms of entertainment. That way you don’t forget them!

Important Documents

Passport or birth certificate.

A passport is truly only necessary for international travel. However, I read that that airlines can ask for proof of age, especially for lap babies ( The Points Guy ). Because of this, I recommend bringing your baby’s passport or birth certificate with you when traveling domestically.

Insurance Card

*Just in case* you end up having to take a trip to the doctor.

PHEW! If you made it here, congrats, lol. You did it! 😉

While traveling with a baby does require some extra planning and packing, please don’t let that slow you down. It’s important for your entire family to explore new places. And the memories are worth every ounce of effort you’ll have to put in to make it happen!

Whether you’re traveling with a baby for the first time or just needed a thorough baby travel packing list, I really hope this post makes your trip run smoothly!

If you have anything to add, please do so in the comments to help the rest of this community out. Especially the momma’s preparing for their first trip!

And before you go, be sure to follow me on social media for ongoing family finds (links below!)

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Printable Baby Travel Packing Lists

Let’s face it, gone are the days of traveling light. You need a baby travel packing list for your whole trip and also for your carry-on bag…

I once traipsed through Europe with just one backpack strapped to my back. Now that same said bag would barely hold all the diapers we took on our first trip .

Especially if this is your first trip with baby , you want to be organized. My motto is to hope for the best but prepare for the worst 🙂

It’s time to get packing!

A giant pile of luggage like you might need after using this ultimate baby travel packing list

Baby Travel Packing List: The Mother of all Packing Lists

You probably won’t need every. single. thing. on this list.

BUT, if you print out the printable version included and then and cross-check with the baby travel packing list for carry-on bags , you can be absolutely sure you won’t have forgotten anything.

Pack Mule not included–> CLICK HERE

Baby Travel Packing List: Carry-On Packing List

Trust us, this will all fit.

The baby travel packing list for your carry-on bag is probably more important than the main one for your checked luggage, because this is where you truly NEED ALL OF THE THINGS.

Don’t let your baby brain convince you you’ve remembered everything. Use this baby and toddler carry-on packing list.

And then you can rest assured you won’t find yourself 30,000 feet in the air without that one. important. thing –> CLICK HERE

Travel with a baby or toddler definitely means traveling with a lot of stuff. But not every trip requires every item and as they get older they’ll require less stuff. And eventually, they can help carry it too!

Have Baby Will Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates/Influencer Program . If you make a purchase through this site, we may receive a small commission. Click here to check out our Amazon Store .

Baby Travel Gear
Essential Baby First Aid Kit Items for Travel
Planning Your First Trip with Baby
Tips for Flying with an Infant or Toddler at Every Age & Stage
Tips for Airport Security with Babies, Toddlers & Young Children
Information & Tips for Traveling with a Baby or Toddler

4 Responses to Printable Baby Travel Packing Lists

Last summer I traveled with my 10 month old to Portugal. I was so very nervous about the whole experience. mY husband is a nervous flyer (despite visiting Portugal 15 times) , that coupled with a little one made me incredibly nervous to say the least! I stumbled about your site and this list in particular and it was a life saver. I was able to feel so organized and on track. So thank you so much! We are heading back to Portugal this year, this time with a car seat and I am sure your blog will help once again. You made it possible for me to truly enjoy my first family vacation and I thank you so much!

Thank you so much for the lovely words, Amanda! If you ever fancy writing about your trips I would love to share your stories for other families 🙂

what is sponsor post price at https://havebabywilltravel.com

waiting your positive response

This is a nice blog. I will surely recommend this to my cousin who have a 4 month old baby. Thanks for sharing!

Travel Partners

Additional Sponsors

Site Map • Privacy Policy • About • Consulting

Skip to primary navigation
Skip to main content
Skip to primary sidebar

The Organized Mom Life

An organized approach to pregnancy, baby, and beyond

Travel Packing List for Mom, Baby, and Toddler

Need a travel packing list? I’ve got a whole set for you- including a list for mom (or dad!) one for a baby, and one for a toddler:

Why do babies need so much stuff??? And you know you’ll be sorry if you forget something. Like the time we were hours away from home and couldn’t get my 2 year old to stop crying because I forgot to pack her favorite blanket and she refused to go to sleep without it….. ah, good times, good times.

So what’s the solution? Stay at home all summer? Never leave the house again?

Packing for a vacation with a baby or toddler- free printable checklists

OR you could use my handy, dandy packing lists below to make packing a breeze! (OK, maybe it won’t be a breeze, but it will at least be easier, and you won’t forget anything truly essential.)

My lists are broken down into Mom’s Packing List (that’s for you!) Baby Packing List, and Toddler Packing List. (If you have a baby and a toddler, like me, you’ll need all three lists.)

Take a look at the lists below, or just click here to download the printable versions of the packing checklists. Happy packing, and have fun on your trip!

Baby packing checklist- what to pack for your baby on vacation

Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Mom’s Travel Packing List

Outfits- I usually pack about 1 per day or event, plus 1 or 2 extra.
Sweatshirt or jacket
Swimsuit and swim cover
Conditioner
Body wash or soap
Loofah or washcloth
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Dental floss
Shaving cream
Hairbrush or comb
Hair ties or clips
Hair products
Tampons or pads
Face and skin care products
Make up- I keep an empty make up bag handy, and the morning before we leave for a trip, I add items to the bag as I do my make up, so I’m sure I don’t forget anything.
Glasses and contact care

In First Aid Bag

I have a first aid bag that lives, already packed, in my bathroom closet. ( We use the bag that came with this kit , but any little bag will work!) I always toss it into my suitcase when I’m packing to go somewhere. Here’s what I suggest adding to the bag for yourself:

Daily vitamins and medications
Adult Tylenol or Advil
Insect repellent
Phone charger
Water bottle
Adult snacks
Hand sanitizer

Large Items

These are the bigger items that will probably get packed by themselves, rather than in your suitcase.

Camera- I pack this separate in it’s own camera bag – which I LOVE, by the way. So cute, not bulky at all, and fairly inexpensive!
Pillow (if needed)
Bedding (if needed)
Electronics with chargers (laptop, iPad, etc.)
Hair dryer, straightener, or curling iron
Books or magazines
Trash bag for laundry
Beach or bath towels (if needed)

Baby Travel Packing List

Outfits- 2 per day
Jacket or sweatshirt
Pajamas- at least 2 pairs
Swaddle or sleep sack
Swim diapers
Bibs or burp cloths
Diaper cream
Baby toothpaste

In First Aid Bag:

Thermometer
If okayed by your doctor: Tylenol, sunscreen, and insect repellant

In Diaper Bag:

Changing pad
An extra set of clothes
Empty plastic bag
Bottles and formula
Nursing cover
Baby blanket- I use these for EVERYTHING – nursing cover, carseat cover, swaddle, to lay baby on the ground, burp cloth, etc.
Toys or books
Extra pacifiers
Car seat and base
Pack-n-Play – If you don’t have a portable baby bed, I would highly recommend buying a used one, because they can be pricey, and most people have only used theirs a handful of times before their baby is too big for it, so you can find them in like-new condition.
Pack-n-Play sheet (I also use a mattress protector .)
Stroller- If you’re flying, you can actually keep your stroller and car seat with you until right before you board the plane. Ask your airline about “checking these items at the gate.”
Baby carrier
Portable high chair
Baby bath seat
Trash bags for diapers and laundry
Beach or bath towels
Feeding items- W hatever you need in order to feed your baby: bottles, baby food, utensils, etc. We love silicone placemats for going out to eat so your baby isn’t eating off the table!
Bottle brush
Baby monitor- We have a travel bag and extra cords for ours so we just disconnect the camera, and put it all in the bag. We have used this during our travels so many times- like at the beach, when we could lounge beside the pool while our baby napped inside the house.

Toddler Travel Packing List

Outfits- 1 per day
Diapers or Pull-Ups
Pajamas- At least 2 pairs
Toddler toothpaste
Hair ties or bows
Infant/Children’s Tylenol
Insect repellant

In Diaper Bag

Diaper changing pad
Sippy cup or water bottle- We’re big fans of the Miracle 360 Sippy Cups!
Booster seat for meals
Pillow or bedding (if needed)
Portable toddler bed (if needed)
Special bedtime items (stuffed animals, blanket, etc.)
Small backpack- We let Emma pack her own little backpack- the beloved “Monkey Backpack!” with anything she wants to. She usually brings her baby doll and some of her special toys and books.
A camera! (Read why here)

Printable Checklists

Download the Printable Travel Packing Checklists here!

Printable packing list to use while packing for a vacation with a baby

What do you think? Did I get most of the essentials, or is there anything else that you would add to these lists? Let me know in the comments, and happy packing!

Save Travel Packing List for Babies & Toddlers:

Travel packing list- free PDF download. Making packing for your next trip or vacation easier with these travel checklists for mom (or dad!) along with lists specific to baby or toddler.

Reader Interactions

Charlie says

June 27, 2018 at 4:09 am

I love this! We are actually just about to go on a trip with my 4 yr old and 1 yr old and this will definitely come in handy! Thank you! And I am a lister, so the list is awesome! Now, I don’t have to worry about making mine! Will Pin!

June 27, 2018 at 5:45 pm

Awesome! I’m so glad to help. Have a wonderful trip!

November 20, 2022 at 3:47 pm

I lost my own master list for vacation packing and didn’t have the head space to put together a full list. I found yours and it’s been wonderfully helpful. Thank you!

November 22, 2022 at 1:32 pm

I’m glad to hear it! 🙂

FLYING WITH KIDS , TRAVEL TIPS |

Baby travel checklist – packing & preparing – full guide 2024.

Baby travel checklist packing the backpacking family

Table of Contents

If you are going to travel with a baby in 2024, careful preparation and planning are essential. In this article we will share a baby travel checklist to make sure you don’t miss a thing. This article walks you through planning your trip – step by step with top tips and ideas. Every parent of a baby knows organization is everything – we have actually included several travel checklists in this article:

Things to plan and prepare before your trip
Carry on packing list
Check in packing list

We are a full-time travel family who have done many long and short trips with a baby (domestic and overseas). We’re super excited to share some of our best top tips, travel hacks and secrets with you.

You may feel anxious about travelling with your baby. If you’re looking for a baby travel check list you’re already doing the first thing right. You’re getting organised and planning.

To make this article as helpful as possible we have assumed you are going on the most complicated type of trip with a baby. In this article we will assume that you are taking a long haul flight with a baby. We have also tried to list things in a logical order to take you through the planning and packing process step-by-step.

Flying solo with a baby? – seriously you have our respect

Don’t miss our TOP TIPS for flying solo with a baby

You may also be interested in our PRO TIPS for flying with a 1 year old

Summary – Baby travel checklist – planning your trip

Here is a baby travel checklist of things you need to think through and prepare before your trip. See this as a to do list that you work through over the months before your trip. Below we have included some more details and tips so please read carefully:

Get hold of passports & travel documents
Update travel vaccinations and routine jabs
Book flights (included bassinet) – Check Skyscanner for great deals
Reserve some baby friendly accommodation – We recommend Booking.com and Agoda
Plan your transport around your destination
Plan trips, tours and activities
Buy travel insurance
Plan how you will stay connected
Get some foreign currency
Get a card for foreign ATM transactions
Book transport to the airport
Book transport to your accommodation
Check in online and check bassinet
Sort out a sling, carrier or travel friendly pram
Buy supplies (nappies, milk, medication etc…)
Make sure you have good bags for your trip
Packing (carry on and check in luggage)
Make sure your home is safe, secure and looked after

Baby travel checklist – full details

Here are the full details for our baby travel checklist:

1 Passports and travel documents

One of the first things to organize is a passport for you and your baby. Of course, if you are only traveling domestically, ignore this one. If your baby doesn’t have a passport, apply for one with plenty of time before your flight. Applying for a passport for a baby can be quite a complicated process. Be aware that you may need to send off a range of documentation and also get an independent professional to verify your child’s identity. Also make sure you consider any other travel documents you need. In many countries if you need a visa for your destination country, your baby is likely to need a visa too. If possible apply for visas in advance. Many countries offer e-visa services or visa on arrival.

Covid travel tip: Keep an eye out for travel restrictions and changes to entry requirements. If you are from UK the FCO website has useful up-to-date information on travel rules and restrictions. Many countries require you to be fully vaccinated in order to get quarantine free entry. Most countries do not require children or babies to be vaccinated. Always check the specifics. Also be aware that vaccine certificates can expire. For example the NHS pass (from the UK) can generate PDF vaccine certificates with a QR code, but it is only valid for a few months. If you can, we recommend traveling with a paper certificate as a backup.

2 Travel vaccinations

Ok, we know vaccinations aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. So this is personal to you and your family. But this is worth mentioning early on our baby travel checklist.

We do recommend speaking to your doctor to make sure you and your baby are protected . If you or your baby need vaccinations for travel you will need to organize this nice and early. If possible start planning this 5-6 months in advance to make sure you have time to get any required injections and the full protection kicks in. Bring a copy of everyone’s vaccination records with you when you travel. Your GP or a travel clinic should be able to give you information about what injections you need prior to travel. Also see the NATHNAC website for specific travel health information. Consider any other meds you might need on your trip too.

3 Flights included bassinet seat

Don’t miss our TOP TIPS and SECRETS for booking cheap flights with kids

If possible try to book your flights early. If you are looking for good price flights we recommend shopping around. Consider a range of different airlines and different routes and be willing to fly at unusual times. Contact your airline early to request a bassinet seat.

Bassinet restrictions

It is worth being aware that some bassinets may have weight, size or age restrictions. It is normally required that your baby can comfortably fit in the bassinet and normally no more than 10kg – 15kg. Check your airline’s specific policy. Most small 1 year olds should be able to use a bassinet on a flight. Your baby will not be able to use a bassinet at take off, landing and when the seatbelt sign is on.

We recommend using skyscanner to price up flights. Skyscanner also have a price alert notification service. If you find a good flight on skyscanner, we also recommend checking the same route and time directly with the airline. From time to time it may be cheaper to book your flights directly with the airline rather than booking on skyscanner.

When you book your flights you will be given the option of entering all of the passenger details. In general you will need to pay for an infant ticket for your baby. The price of an instant ticket depends on the airline and the route that you are flying.

TOP TIP: Your flight costs will probably be a considerable portion of your travel budget. Furthermore, most flights do not have a flexible cancellation policy. So once your flights are booked you are committed.

4 Baby friendly accommodation

Make sure you reserve your accommodation nice and early. Some people even book up hotels before flights because you can often get free cancellation policies on hotels. Booking.com and Agoda regularly offer accommodation options with excellent free cancellation policies. So snatch something up early and cancel later if you have a change of plans or find something better. Good baby friendly accommodation may offer the following things:

Soundproof rooms
Refrigerator
Air conditioning
Black out blinds
Laminate flooring
Baby chairs in the restaurant
Baby sitting services
No additional charges for a baby staying

However, it is worth being aware that if you wish to book a hotel that has these features it is likely to be expensive. Family Travel is all about working out what really matters to you.

You can find good family friendly accommodation on both Agoda and booking.com. Blogs offer independent objective recommendations for family friendly hotels.

TOP TIP: You may need to pay a little bit more for a good cancellation policy, and if possible we would recommend this. A good cancellation policy will allow you to cancel your accommodation for free up until close to the day to travel.

5 Trips, tours and activities

And now to the most exciting part of planning your travels. Take some time to think about the activities and trips you want to do. It may be that you just want to chill out on a beach and enjoy some well earned R&R. Or maybe you want to explore your destination country. As a general rule the cheapest way to organize tours and trips is to book them at the destination. The more you do yourself, the less you will pay. If you book a pre-arranged tour it is likely to be more expensive. ALSO you will be stuck with the pace and timings of your group. So, where possible we recommend doing it as independently as possible.

6 Transport around your destination

If you are planning an adventurous itinerary you will need to consider the best ways to get around. This can sound intimidating – but traveling around your destination country may well turn out to be lots of fun. The main options are local public transport (cheap but less convenient). Consider buses, trains and mini-buses around your destination. Normally you can just rock up and buy your tickets on the spot. Alternatively you may wish to use local taxis (convenient but more expensive).

TOP TIP: find out what taxi apps people use locally. If you are planning to have data on the go you can use the app to get fair local taxi prices. Most taxi apps let you pay for your ride in cash and give good local prices.

Car rental tips for families

Many families choose to rent a car in their destination country. This is a convenient way to get around, but may not be your cheapest option. If you rent a car you may also be able to get a baby seat included in your rental deal. Or it may cost an additional fee. If you are planning to spend most of your time at your hotel or resort, then you probably don’t need to worry about transport around your destination. Oh yeah – WATCH OUT some car rental companies will not allow you to pick up a car unless you have a credit card. Some companies may also need to see an international driver’s license.

Find a car on Skyscanner

TOP TIP: Find out if you need an international drivers license to drive in your destination country. If so get this sorted early. In the UK you can find out what you need to drive in specific countries on the FCO website. You can sort out your international driver’s license at selected post office branches (you will need your driver’s license and a passport photo)

7 Travel insurance

Before your trip purchase a travel insurance policy for you and your family. We recommend shopping around for a good policy. Look for a policy that offers at least £1,000,000 cover for emergency medical expenses (this cover should apply to each member of your group). Make sure that your policy includes medical repatriation where necessary. Also make sure that your policy includes all of the activities and destinations that you plan for your trip. Insurance policies may cover additional things such as delays, cancellation, lost baggage etc.

We recommend looking at the overall benefits and the excess on your policy to decide which travel insurance policy is best for you and your family. Most travel insurance policies will not cover you if you travel to destinations which are against the recommendations of your country. Many policies will allow you to add an extra baby on your policy for no additional charge. Remember to have a print out of your policy details including your policy reference number and the emergency claims phone number. For some countries they may have entry requirements for a specific minimum insurance coverage.

8 Plan how you will stay connected

You may need to call home during your trip. Whether it is a call to your insurance company, a call to your bank or just a catch up with family. BUT roaming calls and data can be very expensive. Consider buying a cheap local sim card at your destination with some mobile data. Also consider setting up a Skype Subscription to your home country. These subscriptions are pretty cheap and often allow unlimited calls to the country you subscribe to. You can also generally pay month by month and cancel whenever. Obviously always check the T&C’s when you purchase a subscription. As a full time travel fam a UK skype subscription has been essential.

TOP TIP: Websites and apps may freak out when you start using them overseas. This is just a security function. In most cases you can verify yourself by receiving a text message. Another way to verify yourself is to set up a Google Authenticator app on your phone and link up any accounts. This clever app produces constantly changing security keys that can help you access your accounts without needing to rely on your phone number.

9 Foreign money

Prior to your trip we recommend having some foreign currency that you can use on arrival. Most airports have ATM machines. However, if you have difficulty accessing your funds abroad it is always useful to have some foreign currency. We also recommend looking for a good bank card that offers a good exchange rate overseas and has minimal charges. We have found Starling to be a good bank for withdrawing money overseas. They do not have any additional charges for overseas transactions and they tend to offer a competitive exchange rate. Starling also has an app that allows you to manage your funds, make payments and communicate with the bank if necessary.

TOP TIP: Let your bank know that you are traveling and may withdraw money from ATM machines overseas. Check the charges and ask whether they can put a note on your account to prevent your card being canceled.

10 Transport to and from the airport

Closer to your travel date you will want to consider transportation to the airport for your flight. The best method of transport to the airport depends on where you live and the options available to you. It is often very expensive to leave your car at the airport. Airports in some countries may also have drop off fees. If you’re on a budget watch out for public transport options to airports e.g. buses, trains or subway lines. We also recommend planning your transfer from the airport to your accommodation. If you book an airport transfer through your hotel this is likely to be more expensive than an airport taxi. But then it can be nice to have the reassurance of a pre-arranged pick up. ALSO consider whether you will want a baby seat for this journey. Again this may cost more and will need to be arranged in advance.

11 Check in and contact the airline

Check in online in advance (usually available 24 to 48 hours before your flight). You can either download or print boarding passes for you and your baby. When you check in make sure you have an airplane seat with a bassinet (bassinet seats tend to be at the front of sections). We recommend phoning your airline to confirm that a bassinet will be available for your infant.

12 Buy special supplies

AND finally, make sure you plan on specialist products that you need from your home country. Planning exactly what to buy from your home country and what to buy in your destination country can be challenging. Many countries around the world have affordable nappies, affordable baby milk and medicines readily available. However, it may be the case that you are committed to a particular brand of formula or nappies. If possible we don’t recommend traveling with baby food.

This would be very heavy and you would need to take a lot. Research the food that is available in your destination and be open minded. Many countries have things like mash potatoes, soups. You can often find baby friendly foods like eggs, rice pudding and bananas. If you choose to bring products from home you will need to make sure that you buy sufficient supplies for your full trip – plus some extras in case you are delayed.

What are the BEST bags for traveling with a baby?

A super important part of your baby travel checklist is working out THE BEST bags for your specific needs. There are loads of styles and sizes of bags. If possible avoid overpacking too much- especially if you plan to be on the move lots. If you have a little space in your bag you can bulk it out with nappies and then have room to bring some things home.

For travel with a baby we recommend a bag with lots of compartments, zips and pockets. Personally we prefer backpacks / rucksacks (we are the Backpacking Family after all!) With a backpack, you can be more maneuverable and mobile. ALSO if you use a small backpack as a carry on, you can also use this bag as a day pack for trips and exploring.

If you are planning to move around lots we recommend backpacks over suitcases and wheel cases. On the other hand, if you are planning to chill in your hotel or resort, then backpacks are less important.

For a trip to a more intrepid and remote location consider flying with a backpack that has a baby carrier. Some airlines will let you take this instead of a pram. You can actually stuff a baby carrier backpack with extra nappies and baby stuff. ALSO, this can be used as a baby chair and a great way to transport your little one around.

Carry on packing list for flying with a baby

The next stage of our baby travel checklist is actually PACKING your bags. If you are flying you will need to pack a carry on bag and check in bags. Check the size and weight restrictions of your airline.

Remember when you are packing to fly with a baby it is important to consider the journey time to and from the airport, waiting time and layover times and also possible delay times. This will affect consumables like snacks, drinks and nappies.

Make the most of your carry on allowance. Most airlines let you bring a large carry-on bag (usually at least 55cm x 36cm x 20cm – even for budget airlines). When you are flying with an infant you will normally be allowed to bring an additional smaller carry on for your baby.

Travel documents for you and your baby
A folder or wallet for travel documents
A print out of your travel insurance policy (some airlines and countries check this)
A print out of onward and/or return flights (some countries require this)
A note of your hotel name and address (normally needed for arrivals cards)
A copy of vaccination records (for you and everyone in your group)
Your covid-19 vaccination certificate (where relevant)
Baby bottles and formula or other drinks for your baby
Snacks for you and your baby
At least one change of clothes for your baby
A change of clothes for yourself
Warm layers (airplanes and airports can actually be quite cold due to the air conditioning)
Plenty of nappies (flights can be delayed so bring more than you need for the flight time)
Plenty of wet wipes and hand sanitizer
A travel baby changing mat
Small toys, games or books
Muslins or small sheets
A small lightweight blanket
Dummy or pacifier if your baby uses one
Plenty of ziplock bags (for dirty clothing or if you drop a dummy on the floor)
Nappy rash cream
If you breastfeed, wear a good nursing bra, a top for feeding, and a shawl or lightweight scarf to cover you and your baby.
Baby headphones / ear muffs to protect your baby’s ears from the noise of the airplane and improve sleep.
Pen to fill out arrivals cards (if possible try and fill out your arrivals card in advance)
Refillable water bottle (airports normally have water fountains / water dispensers even after security you can refill your bottle)
Adaptor plug
Valuables; wallet, bank cards, travel money, cameras, laptops, chargers etc…
Sunglasses with a good case (we recommend bringing these in your carry on because they are fragile)
Masks (check your airline and destination country for mask requirements). It is always worth traveling with a few masks – just in case.

TOP TIP: Pack your valuables and electronics in a dry sack. This way they are harder to steal from your bag AND they are protected from rain when you are traveling between places.

Baby travel checklist – Check in baggage packing list

Your baby travel check list also includes packing your main bags.

Most long haul flights give a pretty big free bag check in allowance. 20kg should be plenty for an average holiday with a baby. If you are planning on bringing lots of kit you may have 25 – 30kg. Make sure you weigh your bags when it is fully packed to check that you don’t exceed your baggage allowance. This can be very frustrating and expensive.

This packing list is specifically for your check in luggage. We have tried not to repeat anything from your carry on luggage.

Sling or stroller
Clothes for you and your baby (use stuff sacks or packing cubes to organize your clothing)
Lots of spare nappies (good to bulk out your bag and protect other items)
Baby friendly suncream (SPF 50)
Mild DEET free insect repellent
Baby travel bed with mosquito net (depending on your needs)
Baby sun hat
Feeding bottles
Formula (where relevant)
Medication for you or your baby
Sling or pram / stroller
A few toys or books from home
Wash kit / toiletries / make up
First aid kit (consider things like calpol, thermometer, nappy rash cream, insect bite cream…)
Swimming kit for you and your baby (look for SPF swimming clothes)
Umbrella (can be surprisingly useful to protect from the sun and the rain)
Shoes – whatever you need for the trip
Water proofs (even in hot or tropical countries these can be useful)
A travel towel (depending on your travel style and accommodation)
Head torch (depends on your travel style and needs)
Some small fabric bags for carrying shopping, gifts etc… The pack down small and can be super useful

Baby travel checklist – summary

We hope this baby travel checklist helps you get organised and reduces anxiety for missing something. Planning and preparation for travel with a baby is best if you start nice and early. If possible try to start planning things around 6 months early. This means you can get cheaper flights, snatch up the best hotel deals and get things like travel documents and vaccinations sorted. Where possible book things that are flexible or have good free cancellation policies.

Life loving, adventure chasing, Mum of 3 who loves travel. Over 10 years of travel writing experience. Emma now loves to give the best tips to help other travel loving parents plan adventures with their kids. Whether you need to find the best accommodation or just need to know how to pack your bag Emma is that travelling mum who love to help you.

Privacy Overview
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Privacy Policy

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. More information about our Privacy Policy

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

More information about our Privacy Policy

Nursery Lookbook with 100's of curated designs - industry's most coveted Lookbook

Baby travel checklist: the baby travel essentials you’ll need.

Tira Attygalla
Updated on:
June 15, 2022

What exactly should you pack when traveling with a baby ? Ahead, the complete baby travel checklist and printable PDF, to help you get ready for your travels with baby.

When it comes time to get ready for traveling with a baby, figuring out what to pack can be a struggle. You'll want to bring all of the must-have, can't-live without items. The key is to make sure you have everything the baby needs. That’s why, we’ve pulled together this baby travel checklist.

Below, you'll find the baby travel essentials and the ultimate baby packing list of everything you might need when traveling with a baby.

THE BABY TRAVEL ESSENTIALS YOU'LL NEED TO PACK

Baby Carrier
Pack n Play/ Portable Crib
Travel High Chair
Potty Chair

Before you pack, check to see if any of these gear are available at your destination. Renting might be an option to consider.

BABY CLOTHES

Baby Outfits

DIAPERING ESSENTIALS

Extra Diapers + Wipes
Diaper Creams
Nursing Pillow
Bottle Brush
Burp Cloths
Travel Cooler + Ice packs
Teether toy
Cloth Books
Sanitizing Wipes
Ziploc bags
Nursing Cover

GET OUR PRINTABLE BABY TRAVEL CHECKLIST PDF

Shop our favorite baby travel essentials, packing list for baby’s first trip to the beach, flying with a baby: 25 tips and must haves, nursery lookbook, leonor’s nursery, elsie’s nursery.

PARTNERSHIPS
FTC DISCLOSURE
PRIVACY POLICY
SUBMIT A NURSERY
NURSERY STYLE QUIZ
PRINTABLES LIBRARY

Sign up for our newsletter

What to Pack When Traveling With Baby

Fact-checking standards, latest update:, when can you travel with your baby, read this next, what to pack for your baby in a carry-on bag, what to pack in your baby's suitcase.

Happy travels!

What to Expect the First Year , 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff. WhatToExpect.com, Flying With a Baby? Here's What to Know Before You Go , September 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Do Babies Need Passports? , October 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Best Travel Toys for Babies , February 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Baby Products You Can Take on a Plane , September 2020. American Academy of Pediatrics, Flying with Baby: Parent FAQs , November 2019. American Academy of Pediatrics, Is It Safe for Families to Travel Now? , August 2021. American Academy of Pediatrics, Travel Safety Tips , August 2018. American Academy of Pediatrics, Is It Safe for My Baby to Travel in a Car Seat a Few Hours at a Time? , August 2021. Transportation Security Administration, Traveling with Children . Federal Aviation Administration, Flying with Children , March 2021. Mayo Clinic, Is Air Travel Safe for an Infant? , October 2019.

Go to Your Baby's Age

Trending on what to expect, the covid-19 vaccine for infants, toddlers and young children, how to create a night shift system when you have a newborn, ⚠️ you can't see this cool content because you have ad block enabled., when do babies start laughing, baby-led weaning, what happens in the ‘4th trimester’ (and is it a real thing).

Home » Travel Tips

How to Travel with a Baby on a Flight: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Never flown with a baby or toddler before? Not really sure what you’re getting yourself into? Fear not—traveling with a baby doesn’t have to be impossible, and you don’t have to wait until your baby grows up before you can plan your next exciting cross-country or overseas adventure. All you need is some know-how, a sense of adventure, and of course, a handy baby travel checklist.

If you’re curious about family travel, travel packing, and getting around with your infant, we have all the best tips to help you pack, fly, and travel with your baby worry-free.

You can also download a free printable of our baby packing list, so no matter where you’re headed on your next trip, you won’t leave out the door without any of these essential baby items packed and ready to go with you.

When can you travel with a baby, does a baby need a passport to travel, baby packing list – toiletries, baby packing list – feeding, baby packing list – clothing, baby packing list – baby gear.

Baby Packing List – Technology

Baby Packing List – Toys/Entertainment

Baby packing list – documents, baby packing list – must-have items for flying with a baby, free baby travel checklist pdf, next vacay makes travel easy and not just for babies.

Before you can make any plans to take off on your next flight, there’s something you’re going to need to know: how soon after birth can a baby travel? And the answer is sooner than you might think.

Right off the bat, most airlines don’t permit any infant under seven days (newborns) to travel, except in some cases where your baby’s physician provides permission. So, hold on to your baby travel checklist, because you likely won’t need it right away.

Outside of the newborn category, airlines will typically allow you to fly with a baby of any age. Keep in mind, though, babies’ immune systems generally take 2-3 months to mature , so factor this in when planning your next trip.

You may want to wait a few months before taking your baby on their first journey through the skies!

The answer differs for domestic and international travel, and depending on which airline you fly with, you may need to bring other documents with you to verify your baby’s information.

Don’t worry, no matter what records your destination requires, our baby travel checklist will make sure you’re covered.

Domestic Travel

If you’re planning a getaway trip with your baby that doesn’t include a destination or a connecting flight outside of the US, then you won’t need a passport for your baby to travel.

Some airlines, like American , do require proof of age (such as a birth certificate) for travelers under 18, so be sure to check with your airline before you fly out to see if you’ll need to present this documentation for your little one.

International Travel

Before you head out for that next international voyage, you’ll need to make sure you submit your baby’s passport application.

Federal requirements state that all children under 16 must have a passport to travel internationally. While prepping for your next foreign trip, make sure you submit your in-person application for your baby to get their passport as early as possible.

Pro-Tip: If you’re planning an international vacation with your baby, it’s essential to apply for their passport early! The process can take 4-6 weeks via regular service, or with expedited, you can get it quicker in about 2-3 weeks.

Passports for minors are valid for five years, so they can accompany you on all your international adventures !

Must-Have Items for Traveling with Baby

Traveling can be stressful at the best of times, and adding a baby into the mix can seem daunting at first, especially as it’ll be one of their first extended trips away from home.

But with a bit of planning, you can take most, if not all, of the stress out of flying with your baby and make some amazing first memories that your family will remember for years to come!

To that end, we’ve put together this comprehensive baby packing list of all the must-have items that are essential for traveling with a baby.

Based on your family’s needs , you can customize this packing checklist to ensure you have everything you need to make this a happy trip for everyone in your family and especially for your baby!

Diapers and Swim Diapers

Diapers are essential for your little one, and having extras on hand is always a good idea for any messes you might have on the flight or during your trip.

If you’re going the cloth diaper route, make sure you have enough to get you through the day and can leave the washing for at night when you return to your accommodations.

Heading somewhere with a pool or planning a beach getaway? In that case, make sure you have swim diapers included on your baby travel checklist. A few conveniently reusable and disposable swim diapers will ensure your baby doesn’t miss out on any water-related fun!

Changing Pad/Mat

Your baby will need a change of diaper, so don’t forget to bring a changing pad/mat you can easily fold up and store in your diaper bag to whip out wherever—at a restaurant, on your flight, in the park.

You never know when messes will occur. Changing mats keep your baby’s exposed bum off unclean or harsh surfaces and are easy to wipe down after use.

Wet wipes aren’t just for cleaning your baby’s bum, although you’ll definitely need them for that.

They’re a multifunctional item you can use for cleaning sticky hands, wiping down dirty surfaces, and even a quick way to freshen up after a long flight.

That kind of multi-use makes them a staple on any baby travel checklist.

Diaper Cream

During your travels, your baby may develop a rash, which is never fun to deal with for you or your baby. Keeping a travel-size diaper cream on hand is a must so that you can avoid disaster by addressing any rashes or sore bums immediately.

Instead of using single-use plastics, a wet bag is a reusable, multi-functional item that you can use to store a variety of things, mostly your damp and dirty items like cloth diapers, dirty clothes, and wet swimsuits.

In a wet bag, that damp and dirt won’t spread elsewhere, and you can keep messes contained.

Plastic Bags

The alternative to wet bags is plastic bags, which you can use to hold your babies dirty items or use as extra protection to prevent food, snacks, and liquids from spilling.

For babies that like them, pacifiers are a great way to keep them calm between feedings or even help lull them to sleep. But of course, they don’t always stay in babies’ mouths, so packing several is always a good idea as you’re bound to lose one here or there.

Another option is to add a clip to your pacifier so it remains attached to your baby’s clothes even when it’s not in their mouth. That way, it never goes far.

Baby Shampoo/Soap

Your baby’s skin is generally more sensitive than your own, and if you don’t usually pack your own because your lodgings provide it, keep in mind they don’t typically supply baby brands.

So, you’ll want to pack small travel bottles of your baby’s usual shampoo and soap for your trip.

Baby Sunscreen/Lotion

Even if you don’t use sunscreen/lotion, your baby will need it to keep their skin from feeling irritated or drying out.

If you think sunburn is awful as an adult, you’re not even going to want to think about your baby with one. Do yourself and your little one a favor and triple-check you mark this off on your baby travel checklist.

Thermometer

Keeping a thermometer on hand is helpful during your trip as it’s not always easy to locate one when you need it. On the upside, they take up very little room!

For cuts, scrapes, or sore spots on your baby’s skin, a few bandaids packed away in your kit can help prevent irritation when it rubs against their clothes or other materials.

Medicines (Cold/Fever/Tummy)

Rather than getting caught without your baby’s medicine and having to rush out to the nearest pharmacy, make sure you pack your first aid kit with your baby’s preferred cold and tummy medication.

Include items like nasal drops/sprays for congestion and infant Tylenol or other fever relief in case they catch a bug.

As they say, it’s always better to be safe than to be covered in baby spit-up. Or something like that anyway.

Hand Sanitizer

When traveling, soap and water aren’t always available to clean up messes or kill germs, so be sure to include hand sanitizer on your list of needed items.

Before packing, double-check it’s at least 60% alcohol so you can be sure it’ll do its job correctly—wiping out germs and keeping you and your loved ones happy and healthy!

Baby Blankets

Baby blankets are a must-have item on your baby packing list because you’ll find yourself using them for everything. A shade on your stroller to protect your baby from the sun, an extra layer to keep them warm on a chilly plane, a convenient spot to lay them down, or a handy spit-up rag.

Just name the job, and a baby blanket will likely get it done.

Baby Food/Formula (And a Little Extra)

If you’re packing baby formula, you can measure out the amount your baby will need for your trip beforehand—just be sure to measure out a little extra in case of accidents/emergencies/you name it—and pack it in a plastic bag.

This will help you save on much-needed space.

Baby Cereal

Depending on how much cereal factors into your baby’s diet at this point, you can also measure out how much you’ll need and pack it up in plastic bags or smaller containers to save on space.

Bibs/Burp Cloths

Babies are messy and perhaps never messier than when they’re eating, so you’ll want to include a few bibs and burp cloths on your baby travel checklist. Catching all that drool, food, and anything else they feel like spitting up will be infinitely easier.

Bottles/Sippy Cups

Pack only the number of bottles you’ll need in a day. Rather than stuffing your luggage full of bottles, if you’ve got your baby into a feeding rhythm, then you should be able to plan having enough bottles for the number of feeding times per day.

You can also pack a sippy cup for water to keep your baby hydrated during your trip.

Bottle Brush

Bringing this item along can help speed up your bottle cleaning process after a long day of sightseeing and make sure you have enough clean ones to get through the next day.

Dishes/Utensils

Baby spoons, forks, bowls. Your baby may have already ventured into the land of semi-solid foods. In that case, you don’t want to forget to pack up their familiar dishes, so even if they’re dining in a completely foreign country, they haven’t completely left normalcy behind.

Breast Pump

If you’re still breastfeeding and traveling with your baby, you likely won’t need to bring this item as you’ll be together throughout the trip, but if not, you can bring along a portable or hands-free breast pump. It’s also useful if you need a break or won’t always have the opportunity to breastfeed in the middle of traveling.

Storage Bottles/Breast Milk Storage Bags

Bringing along the pump? If so, you’ll need storage bottles or bags—the latter will likely give you more room—to properly store your milk and make sure it keeps until you’re ready to use it.

Nursing Cover

Nursing covers are perfect for giving you a bit of privacy when breastfeeding while out and about. Simply find a quiet corner to settle down, pull it over your shoulders, and you can take a quick time-out before continuing with your travel schedule.

Babies will get dirty no matter what. Take your eyes away for a second, and you’ll see some new spot or mess when you look around again. So, you’ll want to pack extra clothes—at least two outfits per day to account for any accidents your baby might have while you’re out exploring or even at your accommodations.

Onesies are a cute and simple style choice for your baby, as they don’t ride up and help keep your baby’s diaper firmly on. They’re also easy to put on and take off when they get messy and come in various styles for different weathers, from summer to winter and everything in between.

The result is a lightweight and convenient option for your baby travel checklist!

You’ll want to keep an extra T-shirt stuffed in your baby bag when you’re out and about for the day in case you need a quick change of clothes.

Pants/Shorts/Skirts

The same goes for pants. Diaper leaks and spilled food make an extra pair of bottoms for your baby a necessity.

Based on your destination, you can decide whether this will be a simple long-sleeved onesie to keep your little one warm or something a little cooler to keep their temperature down in hotter weather.

Even if you’re not big on hats, you’ll want to pack one to keep your baby shaded and protect their sensitive parts, like their eyes and ears, from the hot, glaring sun.

Shoes may have a hard time staying on, but socks will keep your baby’s feet shielded from the elements as you’re making your way around.

Shoes or Booties

If your baby manages to keep them on, shoes and booties will keep their feet protected from any rough terrain.

Bathing Suit

We mentioned wet diapers earlier, and if you’re planning on traveling somewhere with a pool or the ocean nearby, then don’t forget to pack your baby a bathing suit so they can dip those little toes in the water and work on that doggy paddle.

Jacket/Warm Layers

It’s never a bad idea to pack a few warm layers. Even if you’re not traveling somewhere in the dead of winter, you don’t want to be caught off guard at how chilly the plane is or how cold your destination gets at night.

Having a sweater or jacket for your baby will ensure they don’t catch a cold on their trip and stay nice and toasty, even when it’s nippy out.

Travel Stroller

It’s doubtful you’re going to carry your baby for the entirety of your trip. Consequently, a travel stroller for infants is a must on your baby travel checklist, and one that folds up into a compact size so you can easily transport it is even better.

Trust us. Your arms and your baby will thank you.

Baby Carrier/Sling

Odds are your baby is going to want to be held during your trip, and of course, you’re going to want to hold them!

A baby carrier will help you keep your hands free while still keeping your baby close and giving them a better view of the sights to see on your trip.

If you’re traveling with a partner, be sure to get a baby carrier or sling that’s comfortable for both of you to wear so you can switch up who holds the baby.

Portable High Chair/Baby Seat

Traveling, your baby will likely be eating at all kinds of places, and not all of them might offer the high chairs or boosters you need for your baby to sit comfortably. In that case, a portable high chair you can attach to your table or a baby seat will ensure you and your baby can enjoy your meals together.

Going on a road trip? Then your baby’s preferred car seat is likely already strapped in. And if you’re flying, you can use your car seat on the plane and at your destination to safely strap in your child and prepare them for the road ahead.

Travel Crib

A portable travel crib is convenient for several reasons, number one, of course, being sleeping, but another being that with the addition of a few toys, it can also act as a playpen for your baby.

It’s also easy to set up and take down if you happen to need more space and want to put it away when not in use.

Portable Mat/Playpen

A portable mat can help keep your baby entertained on days you stay in or if you’re laying out somewhere like the park, by giving them lots of fun things to pull, spin, and stuff in their mouth, as babies do.

Once your baby starts crawling, you’ll likely have your hands full trying to keep them in one room, let alone one place, so in that case, an enclosed playpen might be the answer. All the same fun as a mat, but with the added benefit of keeping your sanity intact.

Portable Bathtub

Sure, you can try bathing your baby in the sink, but in some places, the sink just isn’t going to cut it.

Having a portable bathtub on hand means you can bypass this worry and quickly and easily pop this out to bathe your baby no matter the size or state of the sink at your lodging.

The diaper bag is any and every parent’s best friend. If your best friend comes with pockets and compartments galore and one of those compartments is insulated.

When shopping for your new best friend, make sure you look for a diaper bag that has enough space to fit your baby’s everyday items and yours, so you can pack it with the daily necessities from your baby travel checklist and more. This way, you don’t have to worry about hauling around multiple bags while out and about!

Baby Packing List – Technology

Noise-canceling headphones.

Planes are loud.

Between the engine noise, cabin announcements, and other passengers and kids flying, the din can sometimes be overwhelming. Bringing along a pair of noise-canceling headphones can help give your baby a quiet oasis among all the noise.

And if you can play some favorite songs, lullabies, or white noise to help them wind down while you’re at it, all the better!

White Noise Machine

Speaking of white noise, if you use this machine at home or will be staying somewhere with distinctly different background noises than your baby is used to, you’ll want to bring a white noise machine to block out those sounds and help your baby get a peaceful rest.

Baby Monitor/Tablet

Just like at home, you’ll want to bring your baby monitor/tablet to keep tabs on your baby when you’re not in the room and keep yourself up-to-date on what your little one’s getting up to.

We’ve all been in this situation, just settling into our seats when we realize we forgot our phone charger at home. At least in this mobile age, it’s not hard to find a charger at your destination, but you might not find it so easy to find a charger that works for your monitor, headphones, etc.

So, make sure to check off all your cords and chargers on your baby travel checklist before you finish packing.

Adapter (International Travel)

This only applies to international travel, but you won’t want to forget that most countries use a different outlet to the US, which means the wall plugs won’t fit most of your items. If that’s the case, it makes investing in an adapter crucial, so you can still charge and use your electronics overseas!

Teething Toys

Is your baby currently biting and drooling their way to some shiny new teeth? If so, be sure to add teething toys to your bag and check them off your packing list.

They’ll provide much-needed relief both for your baby and you while their gummy smile gets a bit more toothy.

Stuffed Animals

Familiar toys are a comfort.

Your baby will appreciate having a buddy along on the journey with them, whether to cuddle close during sleep or in the stroller while they take in the sights and sounds of a new place. Baby isn’t in Kansas anymore (unless your next trip involves Dorothy’s hometown).

Books/Coloring Books

Stories your baby loves and coloring books are a great way to lull them to sleep or keep them entertained in transit.

Passport (International Travel)

If you’re traveling internationally, don’t forget to pack your baby’s passport along with your own, so you have no problems breezing through airport security.

Birth Certificate or Immunization Records (If Required)

If you’re traveling domestically, you can check with the airline before your departure date whether they require you to provide proof of your baby’s age. You can usually do so in the form of their birth certificate or immunization records.

If it’s not required to fly, you can leave these documents at home.

While the other sections are a handy guide to making sure you’re all packed for your destination, this mini version of our baby travel checklist will ensure you don’t forget anything for your baby’s first flight (or their second, or their third, or … you get the idea).

If your baby is flying in your lap, try packing the essentials for you and your baby in one diaper bag you can fit in the seat in front of you or overhead, as most airlines don’t provide extra space for lap babies.

But, if your baby has their own seat, you can utilize the extra space to pack their necessities separately!

Here are our must-haves for keeping you and your baby comfortable (and sane) while you’re in the sky:

Passport ( international travel ) or birth certificate ( domestic travel )
Changing mat
Hand sanitizer
Baby blanket
Nursing cover
Baby food/formula
(onesie or extra top & bottom layer)
Jacket/warm layers
Socks
Noise-canceling headphones
Toys/stuffed animals

Afraid you’re going to forget something off our baby packing list?

Don’t worry. After coming this far, we’d never leave you hanging like that.

You can find a simplified version of our baby travel checklist below. Download this convenient PDF, and you won’t have to worry about forgetting anything for your baby on your next trip. (You might still forget your phone charger, though.)

Grab Your Baby Travel Checklist

Now that you know how to pack for your baby, your next trip will be a breeze. The only thing left for you now is to find your next dream vacation.

Well, we can take care of that for you, too. Just like you want to take the guesswork out of traveling with a baby, you can also take the guesswork out of where to get a killer flight deal.

Signing up with Next Vacay brings all of the best deals to your inbox so you can view them at a glance, check out deals that interest you, and easily book your next trip. The best part—other than having it all done for you, of course—is that you can save hundreds of dollars on flights, whether your next trip takes you to Disney World in Orlando or to the Eiffel Tower in France.

(That also means you can easily book another seat for your baby and make the trip more comfortable for you both!)

Signing up for our free trial takes less than five minutes and is so easy your baby could do it … though maybe hold off on leaving them in charge of your family travel plans. At least until after their first flight.

It’s time to stop hesitating. Get your baby ready for take-off … with Next Vacay .

IMAGES

BABY TRAVEL CHECKLIST: THE BABY TRAVEL ESSENTIALS YOU’LL NEED
Baby Travel Checklist
10 Baby Travel Essentials For Every Journey + Baby Packing Checklist
12 Favorite Baby Travel Checklists for Mothers
Baby Travel Checklist
The Best Baby Travel Packing List (+ Downloadable PDF)

VIDEO

What’s in my baby hospital bag ????
#thingstodo in Ahmedabad || Free stay, Top Places, Food, PDF format
Ahmedabad Itinerary

COMMENTS

The Complete Baby Packing List for Travel
Our complete baby travel packing list outlines all the must-have items for traveling with a baby. From diaper-bag necessities to in-flight essential items, we've thought through everything you'll need on your next family vacation. Read on for packing tips, a printable packing list you can customize for each trip, and details about our ...
The ONLY Baby Packing List YOU NEED (+ FREE printable)
In the baby travel checklist portion of our download, you'll see a timeline for booking your flights and whether you should be inquiring about a airplane bassinet for your baby. This will also get you thinking about whether you need to travel with a car seat or not. Our daughter in an airplane bassinet at 3 months old.
The Ultimate Packing List for Baby Travel (+printable checklist!)
Shirts & Onesies | Usually 2-3 tops, adding 2-3 more in winter months. Dresses or Rompers | Usually 2-3 for warmer destinations, because they're so easy to pack and don't require mixing and matching tops and bottoms. Socks | 2-3 pairs, even in the summer months in case we end up somewhere chilly.
Ultimate Baby Travel Checklist {+ printable packing guide}
Baby Travel Checklist - Pool & Beach. Heading to the pool or beach on your family vacation there are several more baby items you'll want to consider packing: Swim Diapers - Designed to keep your infant from having number 2 accidents, these come in disposable swim diapers or re-usable swim diapers.
Baby Travel Checklist
But without further ado… save my FREE baby packing travel checklist here: Baby Travel Packing Checklist. Enjoy this free printable, and remember to "pin" it here, so you have it when you need it the next time! I hope this makes your life a little easier with traveling with a baby. Before you get to packing, make sure you see HOW I pack ...
The Best Baby Travel Packing List (+ Downloadable PDF)
The Dingly Dangly Donkey. Erin from Little Miss Kate is a huge fan of the Dingly Dangly Donkey (well, actually her baby is the biggest fan of this toy;-) "Our favorite item for baby's first trip is the Dingly Dangly Donkey toy, as it has entertained our daughter from newborn to 9 months and she stills loves it.
Baby Travel Checklist: Essential baby packing list for Flying With Baby
Flying with a Baby: Packing Checklist. For Baby (Carry-On): Nappies/Diapers: Pack enough for the flight duration, plus extras for delays (plan for 1 diaper per hour of travel) Wipes: Plenty of wipes for diaper/nappy changes and cleanups. Changing pad: Portable changing pad for easy diaper changes in airplane restrooms.
Baby packing list (+ printable baby checklist for travelling)
The baggage allowance for babies and infants varies depending on the airline. As a rule of thumb, you're normally allowed the following for infants under two who are travelling without their own booked seat: 2 pieces of checked baby equipment (e.g travel cot, car seat or stroller) 1 carry-on changing bag.
Your Checklist for Baby Travel: Packing List + Spreadsheet Download!
And since babies fly free (excluding taxes and fees) until they're two years old, now is the time to book up those trips! So here's a checklist for traveling with a baby, what to bring, check, carry-on, and my overall baby travel packing list. Our first international trip was to New Zealand when our baby was 5 months old.
Baby travel checklist
Baby, Travel. 28 tasks. By baby checklist on Dec 20, 2011. Priority items. Car seatYou will need one of these for the car or the airplane. Baby food and drinkEnough for an entire day in case you experience delays. DiapersPlan to use one for each hour in transit, plus pack a few extra. Baby WipesBring enough for any contingency.
The Best Baby Travel Packing List for 2024
First Aid Kit. You can get a comprehensive first aid kit - one with a travel thermometer, nose sucker, nail clippers, etc. - from Target for under $25! Honestly, you probably got one as a baby shower gift. I know I received several!
Printable Baby Travel Packing Lists
Baby Travel Packing List: Carry-On Packing List. Trust us, this will all fit. The baby travel packing list for your carry-on bag is probably more important than the main one for your checked luggage, because this is where you truly NEED ALL OF THE THINGS. Don't let your baby brain convince you you've remembered everything. Use this baby and ...
PDF Baby travel checklist
Baby travel checklist By baby checklist Priority items Car seat You will need one of these for the car or the airplane. Baby food and drink Enough for an entire day in case you experience delays. Diapers Plan to use one for each hour in transit, plus pack a few extra. Baby Wipes Bring enough for any contingency. Diaper bag Preferably pack one with a waterproof lining and a shoulder strap.
Packing Lists for Babies and Kids
This checklist outlines what to bring on board the plane when flying with a baby or toddler. Best Travel Toys for Kids, from Babies to Teens. Here's a list of our picks for the best travel toys, activities, games and crafts to keep kids entertained during road trips, flights or train travel. Kids Pack Myself Packing List
Travel Packing Checklist for Baby and Toddler
Baby monitor- We have a travel bag and extra cords for ours so we just disconnect the camera, and put it all in the bag. We have used this during our travels so many times- like at the beach, when we could lounge beside the pool while our baby napped inside the house. Toddler Travel Packing List Clothing. Outfits- 1 per day; Underwear; Diapers ...
Baby Travel Checklist
Baby travel checklist - Check in baggage packing list. Your baby travel check list also includes packing your main bags. Most long haul flights give a pretty big free bag check in allowance. 20kg should be plenty for an average holiday with a baby. If you are planning on bringing lots of kit you may have 25 - 30kg.
Baby Travel Checklist: the Baby Travel Essentials You'Ll Need
Ahead, the complete baby travel checklist and printable PDF, to help you get ready for your travels with baby. When it comes time to get ready for traveling with a baby, figuring out what to pack can be a struggle. You'll want to bring all of the must-have, can't-live without items. The key is to make sure you have everything the baby needs.
Baby Travel Checklist: What to Pack When Traveling With Children
Wipes, lots of them. A changing pad. Diaper cream (no more than 3.4 ounces if you're flying by plane) Two bibs. Three baby blankets that you can use as burp cloths or to cover yourself up with while breastfeeding. Two bottles (if you use them) Change of clothes for your baby.
PDF The Essential Packing Checklist for Flying With An Infant
Allianz Global Assistance: List continued. Infant medications, including antihistamine and acetaminophen, plus any prescriptions. Don't give your baby Benadryl or another antihistamine unless your pediatrician recommends it.5/li> Oral rehydration unfrozen freeze pops: an essential, says Have Baby Will Travel Nasal aspirator and saline solution ...
PDF MOMMYMORSELS_Baby-Travel-Packing-Checklist
Baby Travel Packing Checklist BABY-SPECIFIC ITEMS Take along a few key items baby is familiar with, like their blankie (of course!) and their favorite stuffed toy or a bath toy they love. There is nothing like familiarity and sense of routine to a baby/toddler, however remember not to weigh yourself down with all the toys in the toy-box!
Traveling With a Baby? Use This Checklist
So, hold on to your baby travel checklist, because you likely won't need it right away. Outside of the newborn category, airlines will typically allow you to fly with a baby of any age. Keep in mind, though, babies' immune systems generally take 2-3 months to mature, so factor this in when planning your next trip.
FREE Travel Checklist
Any items you add to the travel checklist app will appear in your PDF file. Baby Travel Checklist. If you are traveling with a baby or toddler, then please select the baby/toddler travel checklist. This list will add the necessities that you will need for an infant. If your baby or toddler needs anything else, then just add it to the list.