THE ULTIMATE PACKING LIST FOR TRAVELING WITH A BABY
I've been debating on writing this blog for awhile now. I do quite a bit of traveling and last December was my first time traveling internationally with my baby. My son was 8 months at the time, and we decided to go to Cancun, Mexico.
I'm writing this post because I've had some fellow mommas ask me for some advice on how to navigate the airport with an infant, passport rules, formula, food, strollers, etc. And so, the Ultimate Packing List was written!
Also, this blog may receive a commission for the links that we share with you in our post. Though we may receive a commission for using and linking the products, they are exactly what we have used and tried and are our true and honest opinion or suggestion.
BELOW YOU'LL FIND THE PERFECT LIST (AND A FREE DOWNLOADABLE CHECKLIST) OF WHAT TO PACK TO TRAVEL INTERNATIONALLY WITH A BABY.
This is a three part post, so if you want to read more, you can check out
The Best Tips for Traveling Internationally with a Baby
and How to Prep for International Travel With a Baby
WHAT TO PACK TO TRAVEL INTERNATIONALLY WITH A BABY
1. CHECKED BAG
What to Pack in Your Large Suitcase (aka Your Checked Bag) - I love this hardtop carry-on from Kenneth Cole and they have a checked bag version of it as well!
My husband and I tried to be as minimalist as possible and planned ALL of our outfits ahead. We fit all of our own things in one side of the suitcase and all of Judah's items in our carry-on bags, and the other side of the suitcase. Here's what we packed in the large suitcase:
- 1 Pack of diapers - we use Pampers Cruisers and Swaddlers Overnights
- 1 Pack of swim diapers (in hindsight - could have just brought a handful and not a whole pack)
- Ready-To-Feed Formula - 1 container for each day (if you're bringing RTF formula, pack the container in Ziploc bags. Make sure they're big enough to contain a spill if something happens and it explodes on the plane, otherwise if it's powder formula no worries on that.)
- Sleep Sheep (It's like a white noise machine, so we packed that and it really helped when it was time for bed/naps. It helped make it feel more like home for him.)
- Food pouches packed in Ziploc bags | 3-4 per day (apparently I love Ziploc bags hahahaha)
- These awesome little travel spoon attachments by Munchkin
- Clothes for day time play
- Bathing Suits
- Baby Sun Hats
- Bottles + Nipples
- Sunscreen
- Bibs
- Travel size Dawn soap for cleaning bottles/nipples
2. CARRY ON BAG
What to Pack in Your Carry-On Bag
Okay here we go, here's the MOTHER OF ALL, "OH GOSH WHAT DO I PACK FOR AN INFANT IN A CARRY-ON BAG TRAVELING 4+ HOURS ON A FLIGHT TO MEXICO TO KEEP HIM ENTERTAINED, WELL FED, HAPPY AND DRY?"
- We had 2 diaper bag backpacks to get all of this through with us (we used this one from SkipHop and this one from Eddie Bauer.)
- YOUR PASSPORTS!
- Wallet/Phone/Keys/Money
- A change of clothes for yourself and the baby
- At least 3 feedings of bottles/food - luckily we had zero layovers but the chance of a delay can really cause a hiccup in your day.
- NEW toys that your baby has never seen before - make sure they are compact, low on noise, and that may have textures on them. I had 3 new toys that really kept Judah occupied for the last leg of the flight. He loved this one silly Dollar Store toy that felt like a Koosh-ball with eyes on it. Kept him so busy!)
- Diapers + Wipes - pack enough that you would take for a long day away from your house, don't go overboard. Make sure the wipes are a new pack.
DIAPER BAG TIP:
Pack wipes, diapers and some plastic grocery store bags in a Ziploc and put this at the TOP of your diaper bag, ON TOP OF EVERYTHING, so you can easily reach it in the plane. The grocery bags are for blowout/puke situations. You can throw everything dirty in the grocery bag, tie it up and throw it in your bag then take care of the mess later. This was honestly the BEST thing that I read during research and saved us on the plane. Ryan changed Judah in the bathroom, and Judah had a partial blow out up his back. So Ryan changed his diaper and brought him out of the bathroom - sans clothes but fresh! - I threw the dirty clothes in the grocery bag and we changed him on our laps into his new outfit. VIOLA! Day saved!
- Travel Size Wet Ones - to wipe down your seat, tray table, belt buckle and window. They rarely clean planes well so this will help you clean up just a bit before settling down.
- Pacifier Clips - If you have these, USE them, you don't want to have to keep picking up teething toys or pacifiers off the ground and wiping them off. I hooked new teething toys and pacifiers to them then onto Judah when he needed something to hang onto or suck on.
- Diaper Cream - FAV is the Triple Paste Brand (Thanks Doctor Zero’s office!!!)
- Baby Tylenol/Motrin
- Travel hand sanitizer
- Small blanket or a scarf - in case the plane gets chilly during their nap.
- Bib
- Earplugs - I use these every time I travel anyway but I bought a large pack of them and told the people around us it was Judah's first flight so if he got upset that I would give them a pair if they needed them.
- iPad - preloaded with downloaded material for you or the baby to watch.
- Earphones - We love these! For your little one so as to not disturb other passengers with a constant stream of Baby Shark songs
- Bathing Suit - for yourself, your spouse and the baby for when you arrive at the destination
- SNACKS!
- Favorite Toys (as pictured above from a separate trip; Judah loves all things trains so I packed up enough for him to build a little set and brought a few of our favorite trains to play.)
If your baby likes being carried in a carrier:
( We love our Ergobaby) - wear him through check-in and security, it makes life easier on you with 2 free hands.
Otherwise just bring an umbrella stroller that folds up easy. I wore Judah through security and Ryan carried the stroller. We then put him in the stroller after our security check and fastened the Ergobaby to the handles of the stroller. Our stroller served as the highchair and main docking station for a lot of needs during travel in Mexico. We bought this little Skip-Hop attachment for our drinks, phones, AND it even has a cute detachable wristlet for money/credit cards!
The Stroller we bought shown here is the Summer Infant 3D Lite - it is by far my favorite stroller I’ve had. Has the convenience of an umbrella stroller, a little basket for small items, a place for a drink, RECLINES for naps, has a carry strap, foot rest, and a harness. I wish I knew about this earlier in Judah’s life - I use it for everything now.
This is a three part post, so if you want to read more, you can check out
The Best Tips for Traveling Internationally with a Baby
and How to Prep for International Travel With a Baby
Not really sure how you’re going to do this and need extra support? My new Ebook “The Ultimate Guide to Flying with a Baby for the First Time” will help you through the whole process! It comes complete with in depth checklists, scenarios you may run in to, answers to common questions about the airport and boarding process and more!!
I hope this blog helps you travel with your little one! If you’re thinking of planning a trip and have questions, feel free to ask! You can reach out to me with any questions here.