Planning a trip soon? Before preparation gets hectic, it's wise to prioritize packing your baby's travel necessities to ensure that items that provide comfort and safety for your baby are secured throughout the duration of your trip.
Having your parenting checklist cleared early on will give you the peace of mind for a more relaxed and pleasurable trip with your little ones.
Here is a comprehensive diaper bag packing list to have a smooth tour with them.
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Prepare Your Journey With These Baby Travel Essentials
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Baby Travel Essentials for Sleeping
Providing a cozy and secure resting environment for your baby while traveling can help them sleep faster. Having quality sleep can give them a good mood and minimize fussiness while you’re on the go.
To start, remember to pack your baby travel essentials beforehand in a carryon luggage. Creating a baby packing checklist will also help prevent essentials from being left behind by accident.
Inflatable Airplane Bed
Long flights can be challenging with a toddler. But an inflatable airplane bed can make it smoother for both you and your child by transforming your toddler's plane seat into a usable space for play and sleep.
Click here to read up on inflatable airplane beds.
Blackout Crip Canopy
Having a blackout crip canopy can induce your kids to sleep during the daytime or in bright hotel rooms. It helps create the ideal or familiar atmosphere for kids to fall asleep by filtering out light and distractions.
There are some accommodations that offer cribs and pack ‘n plays for guests to use if they are traveling with a baby.
Click here fore more information on the best travel blackout shades.
Baby Travel Crib and Travel Bassinet
Having a baby travel tent while you are on the plane or on the road can provide your child with a comfortable position to sleep and rest. Most travel tents are made up of mesh which is lightweight and easy to pack.
Click here to read up on best travel bassinet and travel crib.
Baby Monitor
With the use of a baby monitor, it allows you to keep an eye on your little one when you are not in the room. Baby monitors commonly come with a camera and microphone so you will either be able to see or hear your baby.
Click here to read up on the best baby monitors.
White Noise Machine
On the other hand, a white noise machine provides soothing sounds that can calm your child and put them to sleep. The machine can also block out disturbing background noises for your baby when they are having a nap.
White Noise Machine helps get your baby to sleep and keep your baby well-rested throughout the duration of your trip. You can place it in the hotel room or where the baby sleeps. It is useful especially when they get disturbed easily due to loud noises.
Click here to read up on the best white noise machine for sleep.
Baby Travel Essentials for Getting Around
Luggage Stroller
When traveling with your little one, getting a carry on stroller that is lightweight and compact is a great option for you and your family.
It is easy to fold and unfold and offers features such as storage compartments for your baby's necessities, a sun canopy to block direct sunlight, and a reclining seat for comfort.
You can also use a luggage stroller as an everyday stroller when you run errands.
Click here to read up on how a carry on luggage stroller can simplify family travels.
Baby Carrier
A baby carrier is helpful for hands-free mobility when traveling with children. It makes it easier to move around by keeping your baby secured and comfortable inside the portable crib. This means you get to keep your little one close while freeing your hands for activities.
Click here to read up on best baby carrier for travel.
Travel Car Seat
When traveling, a travel car seat is a great lightweight option to keep your child secure on the road. We recommend an infant car seat that is lightweight and compact to carry around even as you move from one place to another or switch your mode of transport.
Also, for older kids, there are foldable car seats that are easy to store and great for travel.
Click here to read about best FAA approved car seat.
Baby Blanket
Bringing a baby blanket is recommended to help keep them cozy and comfortable while on a trip. In general, look for blankets that are soft and breathable to induce quality sleep for your little ones. You can also use it as a nursing cover when feeding.
Click here to read about the best muslin blankets.
Baby Travel Essentials for Eating
Pacifier
When traveling, bringing a child's pacifier comes in handy, especially during takeoffs and landings on planes.
Here’s a nugget: the sucking action of the pacifier helps regulate the ear pressure which opens up the eustachian tube and equalizes the pressure in the ears. Additionally, it also helps soothe and calm your baby.
Click here to read about the best non-toxic pacifiers.
Portable Breast Pump
If you are expressing breastmilk regularly, bringing a portable breast pump is very helpful when traveling. This way you can maintain your pumping schedule and express sufficient milk for your child.
Look for compact and lightweight options that are easy to carry and use.
Click here to read up on the best travel breast pump.
Nursing Cover
A nursing cover provides privacy and comfort while breastfeeding in public. It also provides a more secluded environment for the baby, minimizing the exposure of the baby to distraction while nursing.
Keep enough room for your baby to breathe properly while nursing to allow air to circulate.
Portable Travel High Chair
Having a portable high chair provides your baby with a convenient seating option during meal times rather than sitting on your lap. It also keeps your child secure and promotes a sense of inclusion as your baby sits with everyone at the table.
Click here to read up on best portable high chair seat.
Sippy Cup
This type of cup is a spill-proof drinking container designed for your little ones who are learning how to drink from a cup without spilling.
It can help your kids drink on their own without the issue of spilling the contents everywhere.
Click here to read up on the best non-toxic sippy cup.
Spill Proof Snack Cup
This type of container is designed to minimize spillage and mess. It contains a tight-fitting lid that is sealed when closed. It also offers a slot with a restricted opening, therefore, restricting the likelihood of spillage.
Click here to read up on the best silicone snack cup.
Multi-Compartment Snack Container
A multi-compartment snack container is a versatile accessory for organizing a variety of snacks in separate compartments.
It will keep everything organized to avoid mixing them altogether.
Snacks and Baby Pouches
Don't forget to pack snacks and food pouches to keep the little ones full and happy. These baby food pouches are easy to pack in your carry-on luggage and doesn't take up too much space.
It’s a go-to pouch when you are busy traveling with a baby and concerned about them getting hungry and missing out on their diet.
Formula
If you are traveling with formula, make sure you pack enough formula to last for the whole duration of your trip. This is a good idea because you may not be able to buy the same formula at your vacation destination.
It will also sustain the needs of your baby even if you are away from home.
Bottles and Cleaning Tablet
Bottles are essential for feeding your baby formula. Keep them sterilized and clean using a cleaning tablet that you can dissolve in water. It is important to rinse it thoroughly before your baby's next use to remove any residues.
You can also use a bottle brush cleaner with the cleaning tablet. The soft bristles can reach and brush the edges inside the bottle.
Baby Travel Essentials for Health and Safety
Medical Kit
Does your little one easily gets sick or have flu when you are on vacation? Then you best have a baby medical kit at the top of your priority list. Medical kits are essential for the health and safety of the entire family, but do pay extra attention on completing your child's essential medications. Band-aids and antiseptics are a good addition in case of accidents or unruly mishaps.
Nasal Aspirator
A nasal aspirator helps remove mucus in your child's nose. This can help improve congestion and promote breathing. Bringing one is handy during travel as it is very helpful especially when your child has a cold.
Click here to read up the best nasal aspirator for your baby.
Baby Travel Essentials for Changing
Extra Clothes
It is a good idea to pack extra baby clothes for your family trip. Your little ones have a tendency to create mess, whether it's spills, diaper blowouts, or unexpected accidents.
Having an extra set of baby clothes on hand ensures that you can quickly change your baby into fresh and clean outfits whenever needed.
Also, pack a set of clothes for yourself too. It is common that baby can get air sick or car sick and end up vomiting all over you.
Diapers
Make sure you pack enough diapers for your trip as it can be tricky buying diapers whilst on vacation. Even though you may find the same brand of diapers, the sizing and thickness of the diapers may differ especially when you are visiting a tropical country.
Baby Wipes
Baby wipes come in handy for cleaning high-touch areas, diaper changes, and wiping baby's face and hands clean. Opt for hypoallergenic wipes designed for sensitive skin to avoid allergies and rashes.
Rash Cream
It is important to bring along diaper rash cream to prevent your baby from developing diaper rash. It can help soothe and provide relief to the skin.
Wet Bags
Wet bags are waterproof bags designed to store soiled diapers, dirty clothes, or wet items while on the go. They are a convenient solution for containing any mess or preventing odors until you can properly dispose of or wash the items.
It is recommended that you bring extra bags and place them in your diaper bag for emergency situations. Better prepared than stressed-out.
Baby Travel Essentials for Entertainment
Books and Toys
Consider packing a few of your child's favorite books and toys to keep them entertained while on the trip. These can keep them entertained and occupied for a period of time on the plane.
Ipad
An iPad or tablet with your child's favorite show can be a useful tool to keep your child entertained during long journeys.
Understand that it is acceptable to have screen time on the plane to keep them engaged and not bored.
Kid Headphones
Choosing child-friendly headphones is a great idea as they are generally built with volume limitations to protect their eardrums from excessive or loud sounds. They are also designed to be adjustable and provide a secure fit on children's heads.
It is also helpful to prevent them from being irritated in case there is too much noise on the plane.
Click here for more information on the best kid's headphones for your child.
Baby Travel Essentials for Shower
Baby Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Don't forget to pack your baby's toothbrush and toothpaste. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles to prevent wounding your baby's gums. As for toothpaste, you can opt for fluoride-free toothpaste. It can keep their mouth fresh and promote good dental health in the long run.
Baby toiletries
This includes baby lotion, shampoo, and baby body wash. You can either bring travel-size toiletries or transfer the liquids into travel-size bottles.
It will be easier for you to bring some instead of looking for them at the stores in your travel destination and to make sure that you have them with you. Especially if your baby has sensitive skin which requires specific products for their bathing needs.
Portable Bath
A portable bath allows you to give your baby a quick shower or bath easily when traveling. You can choose from foldable baths to inflatable baths. Pick one that works for you.
It will freshen them up and keep them comfortable.
Prepare Your Journey With These Baby Travel Essentials
Creating a comprehensive packing list that includes travel essentials like baby carriers and baby travel gears will help you plan a significantly more convenient and relaxing trip for you and your child.
But since we know full well that preparation can get hectic for parents, don’t forget to bookmark this article if you need a portable checklist to review before and during your travels.
Remember to travel light and just bring other baby travel essentials to make sure that your little angel is able to stay safe and comfortable throughout the duration of your trip.
Unsure how much you can bring in your carry on? Read here to find out carry on size for 86 airlines.
Happy journeys!
