packing list for road trip with baby

The Essential Packing List for a Road Trip With a Baby

If you’re like me and a first-time parent, it is daunting to go on your first road trip with a baby. What to pack, what to bring, the mental checklist runs on.

Our first road trip was from Sacramento to Los Angeles with our 8-week-old. Now home, I want to share what we brought on the trip to help make it go smoothly.

We booked a six-night trip that was split across two hotels and around a 5.5-hour drive each way. I spent probably too much time thinking about what to bring. But I would much rather be prepared and it certainly helped calm my nerves.

Now back home, I can say the trip was much easier than it felt in my head. The prep work definitely paid off and having a game plan was helpful. We thought about where we wanted to stop and made sure our car was set up for the stops to feed and change. More on that below.

So here’s my essential packing list for a road trip with a baby. It’s everything we brought for the car drive and what you may consider bringing on yours.

Essential Packing List for a Road Trip With a Baby

Travel tips for the road trip, time budget.

We chose to stop every 2.5-3 hours to give the baby a break from the car seat, feed, and change. These longer stops took around 45 minutes to an hour. Then we had the occasional one-off stop for a quick feed or change.

I would recommend the essentials being within hand’s reach and setting up a diaper changing area. We didn’t want to use public bathrooms so we changed her in the front seat of the car.

If you’re headed on a longer trip, try to time it with one of the longer naps. I know our baby sleeps longest in the morning and after the middle of the night feed. So we left at 5 am promptly after her feed. We got a really nice long stretch before having to stop.

Flexibility

Sometimes you may have to stop in the most random places or even only after being on the road for 15 minutes, roll with it!

Always double-check your car seat. Map out where you want to stop, it is super helpful.

What to Keep in the Front of the Car

Diapering station.

Several diapers + wipes
Butt cream (we used this one since we were going for 3-hour stretches)
Changing pads. For the changing pad, I bought these puppy puddle-proof liners to protect our car seats underneath our Gathre changing pad .
Plastic bags for dirty diapers or soiled clothes.

Feeding Essentials

Burp cloths and lots of them. I had a single bag just of burp cloths for the trip.
Haakaa if breastfeeding (super helpful if you get engorged/overfull on the trip)
Any other feeding essentials like bottles + formula

Other Essentials

Portable sound machine — we use this all the time in the car.
Nasal bulb suctioner in case you need to suction.
Blankets — we keep two in the car.
Outfit changes for you and baby. At least 2 for baby.
Sun shades for car windows — these block UVA
Safety mirror to see baby
First aid kit + one towel
Toys or books for baby for entertainment (see my toddler travel essential gear list for our favorites!)
Diaper Bag: I kept ours up front stocked with our normal go-to’s. I love our Caraa Diaper Bag .
Snacks and water

Everything Else to Pack

How much you pack is dependent on what gear you choose to travel with. Since we were road-tripping and using our SUV, we packed what would be most convenient for the trip.

I’ll share what we packed for gear and some alternatives to consider.

Car seat ( Cybex Cloud G ) + Mios 2 Stroller . These connect together as one travel system. (rain gear for carseat and a stretchy car seat cover — great for protecting baby from curious eyes!)
Baby Bjorn Bouncer — loved having another spot to put baby in our hotel room.
We have the Guava Pack & Play which is what I pack every time
The Slumber pod — a black-out tent for naps and fits over most pack & plays. Wouldn’t travel without it.
Artipoppe Baby Carrier — this was amazing to have on the trip, it’s one of our most used baby items.

Sleep Essentials

Whatever you may use to get baby down at night. For us that is:

Swaddle (brought 2 in case one was soiled) or sleep sack
Hatch Sound Machine – we use it as a nightlight, could use the portable sound machine instead. Certainly wasn’t necessary but we had the room.
VAVA Baby monitor . You don’t need any internet for this to work.
2-3 outfits a day – we live for bodysuits and kimono-style onesies.
Sweaters and outerwear
Sleep sacks or pajamas
Socks, shoes, beanies, and sun hat

Hygiene + Medical + Diapering

Laundry detergent — we did a bit of hand-washing
Baby Shampoo + Soap and brush
Thermometer and infant medications
Rash Cream and body ointment
Diapers, wipes, and changing pad
Baby brush and nail clippers if a longer trip
Nasal aspirator and saline drops
Burp cloths — these muslin ones are our favorite
Formula, bottles , cleaning brush
Fork and spoon set and suction plates
Breastfeeding: cover , disposable nursing pads , Haakkaa , breast pump if needed

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Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.

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Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.

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Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.

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My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:

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Xx, Jessica

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Road trip with a baby: The essential guide including Tips and Packing list

Post author: Lovicarious
Post published: November 19, 2022
Post category: Traveling with Kids

The thought of traveling with a newborn can sound intimidating, especially when it involves spending long hours inside a small enclosed vehicle. How do I calm my baby during a road trip? What should I pack? From travel tips to packing essentials, this guide covers everything you need to know on how to road trip with a baby from newborn to 24 months.

My family grew up taking 12-hour road trips from Washington DC to Chicago every Christmas. That time spent in the car as a family created some of the best childhood memories for me. I enjoyed singing in the car with my sister, raiding the cooler for snacks, stopping at different travel stations, and sleeping in “quirky” hotels . Road trips were an enjoyable experience for me, and I don’t doubt that there was a lot of planning that happened before we ever hit the road. Now as a parent, I want to continue the same tradition of spending quality time together as a family, traveling, exploring, and seeking out adventure. By the time our son was 10 months old, we had already driven well over 6,000 miles.

We have learned quite a bit when it comes to taking a road trip with a baby. We are here now to answer your questions in the hopes that you will be prepared to plan a successful road trip journey of your own.

*Disclaimer: Some of the links contained in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.*

What Should I pack for a road trip with my baby?

Your questions answered:.

How much time should I allocate for a road trip with my baby?

This really depends on a few factors including your child’s age, temperament, and ultimately how many times you need to stop. Babies move through stages quickly and with each stage comes a shift in their sleep/wake cycles, their attention spans, and their needs.

When our son was between 3-5 months old, his threshold was about 3 hours before he would need a break from the car seat. During that 3 hour-period he would nap and play with the soft toys dangling from his car seat. After that, he was bored, hungry, and ready for a diaper change. This cycle dictated our need to stop every 3 hours.

By 12 months, our son was only taking 2 naps a day so we needed to find a way to entertain him in his car seat for longer. In our case, the 3-hour threshold before boredom set in stayed about the same. (We were lucky.) Some 12-month babies might not be able to sit in a car for 3 hours straight, necessitating more frequent stops.

On average I would advise at least doubling the time it normally takes to arrive at your destination. If your baby is sleeping through the night and you are able to drive while they sleep then this would shorten that time frame. If you are driving through the day and are expecting more frequent stops, it might mean tripling your drive time. The key to remember is to let go of expectations, practice patience, and enjoy the ride. You’ll arrive at your destination eventually.

How do I change my baby’s diaper on a road trip?

Our son’s first out-of-home diaper change (excluding the hospital of course) was on a flat slab of rock. We took him hiking at one month old and changed his diaper on the mountain summit. That was the first of many mountain tops that would be graced with his bare little hiney. I tell that story to say that you can change your baby’s diaper pretty much anywhere as long as they have a clean surface to lay on.

Before ever leaving our home, we typically pack the trunk of our vehicle keeping in mind that we may need to perform a diaper change at some point along the journey. If it is not possible to leave one side of the trunk clear, we pack in a way that the items are easily moveable to quickly accommodate a changing mat or blanket. This flat space is usually the best location in a vehicle for changing a baby’s diaper while on a road trip.

Alternatively, a backseat or passenger seat also works. If you happen to be stopping at a restaurant or rest stop, most locations do have changing tables in their restrooms. The quality and cleanliness of public restrooms are not always reliable so I would strongly advise always using a portable changing mat if possible.

How do I prevent my baby from crying in the car?

It’s every new parent’s dream to discover the secret to preventing a baby from crying in the car, on an airplane, or any other enclosed space. If you can prevent your child from crying in the first place, an unlikely yet ideal situation, it will be a much easier car ride for everyone. Believe it or not, there are a few things you can do to help prevent or at least stave off the inevitable cry session for a bit longer.

Drive while the baby is sleeping .

The easiest way to plan a road trip with a baby is to drive at night while your baby is fast asleep. If that is not possible, try to drive during nap times. You can take advantage of wake hours for meals, exploration, and even spontaneous roadside attractions . While this may increase the duration of the car ride, you will be enriching your road trip with various activities and irreplaceable moments of family bonding. Furthermore, working with instead of against your baby’s regular sleep schedule, will result in an easier transition when you arrive at your final destination.

Take timely breaks .

Your baby is staring at the backseat of a car for hours so of course, they will get a little antsy. Take breaks every 2 to 3 hours for your child to eat and stretch those little limbs. Find a playground along your route or simply set a blanket down in a patch of grass.

Sit in the backseat.

Toys are entertaining for a time, but nothing can replace the joy and contentment of seeing a familiar face. Babies are fascinated by faces at this age and derive great excitement from simple activities such as imitating facial expressions and playing peek-a-boo. Even if they are too young to interact in that way, your simple presence can often be enough to make a baby feel safe and secure.

My baby won’t stop crying. What do I do?

If prevention is no longer an option and your baby is already crying in their car seat, what do I do next?

There are a number of reasons why babies cry, but they typically fall under one of three reasons. They are uncomfortable, they want your attention, or they simply do not like the physical restraint of being confined to a car seat.

With this in mind, if your newborn is crying in their car seat the first thing that you should do is check to see if there is an obvious cause. Do they have a wet diaper? Has it been a while since their last meal or break from the car? Is it too hot or cold in their car seat? Is the sun in their eyes? Are the seatbelt straps too tight? Are they sitting on a toy or sock? If none of these questions seem to resolve the problem, then you can try to pacify a crying infant with one of the following methods.

Give the baby a pacifier.

Pacifiers are called that for a reason. They provide temporary relief to babies who enjoy the sucking motion as it reminds them of being in the womb. Some studies show that the act of sucking a pacifier can help to lower the heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels. We highly recommend using a pacifier clip as they are prone to popping out, dropping behind car seats, and otherwise getting lost.

Use the “baby shusher”.

We swear by this miracle sound machine. The Baby Shusher uses a rhythmic “shhh” to imitate the same cadence and sound of a parent soothing their child. If you have ever read the Happiest Baby on the Block, the “shhh” sound we make actually mimics the environment inside of the womb where babies hear all kinds of wooshing and swooshing sounds. This Baby Shusher worked best for our infant over other white noise sound machines. It is always one of our top travel tips for road-tripping with a baby.

If this didn’t work to prevent your child from crying, it might not help so much to soothe them once they are already crying. However, if you are still in the front seat, then I would certainly recommend moving to the backseat where your baby can see your beautiful comforting face. Try playing some peek-a-boo, playing with their toes, or engaging them in a crinkly toy, book, or song. Sometimes just letting them hold on to your finger is enough to calm them.

Give them snacks.

If your baby is old enough and used to eating solids, then you may consider giving them some soft snacks or a bottle during the drive. Always follow a few precautions when feeding a baby in the car: an adult should be sitting next to the baby to supervise, and avoid hard solids that might lead to choking. Some car seat-safe foods for babies include snack pouches and dissolvable rice-husk teethers. We provide some recommendations in the road trip packing list below.

Babies grow fast. Their needs and preferences seem to change just as fast. Here are some baby road trip essentials to keep your little one up to 18 months happy, comfortable, and entertained. Toddlers will require a different list of road trip essentials that are geared more toward their level of maturity and development. This list of travel toys for toddlers highlights all of the best toys to keep a toddler entertained during travel.

Road Tripping with a Baby: Packing List

Entertainment.

Dangling car seat toys – For newborns and infants, dangling car seats are essential entertainment. They might not have developed their grip strength or coordination yet to be able to grab other toys and rattles. Similar to a crib mobile, safely attached dangling car seat toys can capture a baby’s attention, while also helping them to develop spacial awareness. We recommend Baby Links and the interactive Hug & Tug Caterpillar which is appropriate for both infants and older babies.
Teething toys and rattles . Teethers help to soothe babies’ gums when their teeth begin to come in. Like rattles, teethers provide a safe form of entertainment in the car while helping baby to improve their fine motor skills, group strength, and spatial awareness.
Books – Babies like to chew, rip, and crumple books. With this in mind, it is best to pick up a selection of books that will stand the test against curious babies. Soft crinkly books like Peek-a-Boo Forest by Lamaze and Taggies are durable, washable, and engaging with flaps and tabs. Cardboard books are not indestructible, but they will serve their purpose and last you through many road trips with a baby. Our son was always the most engaged in learning books like First Numbers and First Words by Priddy.
Favorite stuffed animal – Stuffed animals are great travel toys for children at any age. Children can begin forming a bond with their toys at a young age so it is important to bring their “best friend” along for the car ride and journey.
Random items around the car – If all else fails there are many things that you likely have in the car that would keep a baby entertained for example an empty water bottle or a box of tissues. Just make sure that anything you give to your baby is safe: no small detachable parts that can pose a choking or suffocation risk.

Food and Drink

Milk and Bottle . If you are nursing exclusively, that eliminates a large portion of your packing needs! If you are not nursing, make sure to pack formula or milk (babies 12 months and older), along with a bottle or two. If you prefer to pack one bottle only, XYZ make kits for cleaning baby bottles on the go.
Snacks and pouches. A baby’s capacity to chew and digest certain foods evolves over time, so always reference the age recommendations on a food label. Up until 6 months, babies will pretty much be fine with just milk/formula. After you begin to introduce solids, prepacked baby food and snacks become an essential road trip item. Rice husks and yogurt melts are excellent road trip snacks. They dissolve quickly, don’t leave many crumbs, and our son loves them! For a more substantial meal, we find that pouches are more convenient than the more traditional glass jars. If baby is a bit older or if you are pulling over for a roadside picnic, other road trip foods for babies include yogurt, sliced soft fruit, and graham crackers. Our son is partial to breakfast bars, peanut butter Bamba puffs and Pirate’s Booty.
Snack cups . The more proactive you are in keeping the car seat free of crumbs, the easier it will be to clean and when it comes to babies every last bit helps. Using snack cups like the Munchkin Snack Catcher helps your little one to slow down the process of palming all their goldfish in one gulp. It also reduces the number of crumbs spilled into the car seat and the floorboard below.
Bib. If your baby is eating milk and purees exclusively, a cloth bib works just fine. If your baby has moved on to eating more crumbly solids like crackers and fruit slices, I would highly recommend using a silicone bib with a catcher. The Mushie silicone bib is easily washable which is ideal for travel, and the pocket catches most crumbs making clean up a much easier process.
Diapers. Diapers are an obvious item for your baby road trip checklist. Consider overnight diapers if you plan to drive through the night while your baby sleeps. The added material and increased absorbency will help to reduce leaks and keep baby dry.
Wipes. Wipes are essential for diaper changes, but they can also be used to clean faces, little fingers, and sticky surfaces. Pro tip: Wipe dispenser is almost empty? Keep the dispenser and fill it with toilet paper or ribbon. Babies love pulling things out of boxes and containers. This do-it-yourself baby toy will entertain your child for hours.
Diaper rash cream. Did you know that diaper rash cream is used not only to treat, but also to prevent diaper rash? If your baby will be spending long stretches of time in a car seat, it is wise to apply diaper rash cream as a preventative measure against rash and discomfort.
Portable changing pad – Using a portable changing station provides a more comfortable changing for the baby. It also provides an extra layer of safety when doing a diaper change in a public restroom.
Extra changes of clothing. You don’t want to be left unprepared when the inevitable blowout or spit-up happens. We recommend packing at least 2 extra changes of clothing.
Swaddle/ burp cloth. Swaddles are a bit universal and reduce the need for packing additional items. Although you wouldn’t swaddle a baby before placing him in a car seat, they do serve as great burp cloths and blankets. After arriving at your destination, you can then of course use the swaddle as intended…to wrap your baby like an adorable burrito bundle.
Baby Tylenol. There are many baby medications on the market, but really the only medication we have ever needed was baby Tylenol. Teething can bring about bouts of pain and fever. Baby Tylenol is a fever reducer that can help assuage your child’s discomfort. Always contact your pediatrician before administering to your child.

Supplies for momma

Breast pump. Depending on a number of factors (your milk production level, how much baby is drinking, etc) you may need to pump while on the road. While the manual breast pump is tried and true, the Elvie is a newer brand that many swear by. They make a wearable rechargeable breast pump that can be inserted into a nursing bra. It is discreet and portable making it possible to pump almost anywhere including at restaurants, in the office, and during a long car ride. Speaking from experience, make sure you have access to a pump! You do not want to get stuck in a situation where your body is telling you to empty the milk, but your baby isn’t hungry and you do not have a pump around. Women who have to delay pumping or nursing risk painful breast engorgement which can lead to medical problems and a reduction in milk supply.
Nursing Cover . It is likely that you may end up nursing your child in a busy parking lot. While I have nursed my son in a parking lot without a cover, I did receive some unwanted prolonged glances from individuals passing by my window. If this is something that makes you feel uncomfortable, it may be wise to pack a nursing cover just in case. I recommend the Bebe au Lait nursing cover with it’s peek-a-boo hole. It allows me to keep an eye on my son, but also provides him with some nice airflow.
Water. It is important for mothers to stay hydrated when nursing.

Additional items that make for a more comfortable trip

Portable blanket. A soft clean surface is a great item to bring along when traveling with an infant. If you are stopping by a travel plaza, gas station, or rest area there is usually a nice grassy area somewhere nearby. This is a great opportunity to unbuckle your little one, and let them have some fresh air. Lay a soft blanket in the grass and allow your baby some time to roll around, stretch their legs, and enjoy the change of scenery. We recommend the Rumpl blanket that compresses into a convenient bag perfect for traveling and road trips.
Car seat fan. When a baby is in their rear-facing car seat they don’t always have the same pleasure of cool air circulating around their bodies. This combined with warm sunrays peeking through the window can make a car seat pretty toast. It is a good idea to bring along a portable fan that clips onto the car seat to ensure that your child is cool and comfortable.
Car seat liner. If you have a 10-hour drive ahead of you, you do not want to deal with a wet soiled car seat. A waterproof liner provides protection from wet bathing suits, diaper leaks, and other accidents.
Backseat organizer to keep essentials close at hand. As you can see, there are many things to bring on a road trip if you want to ensure a smooth journey. You can be saved from headaches and stress in the long run if you are able to keep toys and baby essentials organized. A backseat organizer is helpful for keeping anything you or your baby might need close at hand.

Now that you have your questions answered and your car packed, the last step is to check out our top list of road trip with baby tips .

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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.

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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.

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Road Trip with Baby: Essential Travel Packing List & Tips

Written by Becca

Updated on April 11th, 2024

A list of baby items laid out on a marble table.

How do you take a road trip with a baby for the first time? Check out my essential travel packing list for everything your infant needs during a trip.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Table of contents

Feeding & Nursing
Clothes & accessories
Grooming & medicine
Transport: strollering, driving, car seat and carrying
Learn more about road trips for babies!

Traveling with an infant is incredibly daunting when you first decide to take a short trip with your baby. How will you set up a safe place for sleeping? How will you pack enough to cover every possible situation? How many bottles is enough?

We took three trips between our baby being three and six months, and having a standard packing list gave us peace of mind. We borrowed suggestions from friends and family, and put together the best of all the recommendations.

In this packing list, you’re welcome to switch around the quantities of all items based on how long your trip is. Also, note that this list was for three road trips and not for flying. Nothing we brought was specific to TSA-approved sizes and our luggage wasn’t optimized for a flight.

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Here’s the list of road trip items we took, many of which are the best baby products for travel .

The below list is based on a three-day two-night trip during which I’m nursing and giving a few bottles here and there. Of course, you have your own methods of feeding your infant during the trip , and no two parents nor babies are alike in this regard. For all the clothing recommendations (along with sleep sacks, bibs, etc.), I liberally pack an extra in case there are “accidents.”

Ready for our road trip baby packing list? Here it goes.

If you are flying with your infant, check out this list of crucial tips for taking a flight with your baby!

Feeding & Nursing

Whether you’re nursing or exclusively bottle feeding, there are some essentials to consider.

Bottles : We like Comotomo and Lansinoh .
Bottle brush & stand : This OXO stand has been great.
Pacifiers (2) : Check out Avent and the Avent + animal !
Burp cloths (3-4) : We like aden & anais .
Bibs (3-4) : aden & anais make great bibs as well.
Vitamin D drops : We have these .
+ flanges (6)
+ duckbill valves (6)
+ tubing (2)
+ backflow protectors (2)
6 Spectra milk bottles and tops : Check them out .
Milk cooler with ice pack : We have this one , and it fits most standard 5oz bottles.
Frozen milk (1 bag) : We use the Lansinoh storage bags . I bring frozen milk on our way when we leave home, so that it survives the car ride in the cooler.

Our strategy for bottles is to have enough for feeding, storage and a few extra. When they are empty, we clean them right away and cycle through them like that. We also put Vitamin D drops in each bottle for feeding, so we’ll always have a few storage bottles ready to dish out.

A white container with a green toothbrush and a green brush.

Also the bottle supplies that I mention are optimized for 5oz bottles. You might need slightly different supplies for the bigger 8oz bottles.

For babies eating solids

Jars or pouches of baby food (however many your child consumes)
High chair : Take a look at this clip-on high chair . A foldable travel high chair also works!
Booster seat : Try this one from OXO .
Spoons/utensils : We’ve had the best luck with these spoons .
Silicone bibs : Check these out and pick from lots of different colors.
More wipes !: We like these water wipes .

We make our own baby food, and our baby eats whatever we have in the house! For convenience, I can see how the pouches could be a quick and easy solution to have food on the go. You can put out only as much as you need and use your own spoon, then save the rest for minimal clean up.

Sometimes at home, we keep our daughter sitting up right and hold her to give her some food. So the clip-on high chairs and booster seats are only necessary when independent solid eating is more of a thing.

More diapers are better than fewer, especially if you’ll be in a remote location like we were when we went up to the northwestern Catskills to stay in a country house. There wasn’t a Walmart for MILES! Luckily, I learned from our trip the month before that I should pack diapers like they’re going out of style, and we survived plenty fine.

I had already corrected all my former mistakes when we went away to Litchfield County, CT , when our daughter was 7 months, and came home with a heap of diapers to spare.

One thing I like to have on hand is little plastic throw-away baggies for diapers when disposing of them in a hotel or Airbnb. I save the ones we use as produce bags at the supermarket and then load up my diaper bag with those. They are so handy. If you’re looking for something more compact for storing (or already have a dog) these dog #2 storage bags might also work.

Diapers : Find your brand and size on Amazon . For a three-day trip, I took 30 diapers.
Wipes : We use these water wipes .
Diaper balm : We like diaper balm with a lid , to prevent accidental spills.
Little garbage bags for diapers
Changing pad : This one is great for most babies.

For the diapers, it’s best if you leave them in the original packaging to help save on space. We found that bringing loose diapers takes up more room in our already cramped bags.

Our diaper bag has a changing pad that never leaves our bag. When we travel, we change our daughter with the pad on the floor. This is a good practice in case there’s an accident. We are not prepared to scrub any carpets while away!

It’s also likely that you may have these items in your diaper bag. It would be a good idea to make sure you have extra / a spare set for a makeshift changing station at your accommodation.

Clothes & accessories

When we went upstate to Livingston Manor for three days, I almost laughed: we came home with exactly one diaper left in the diaper bag and our daughter’s luggage combined. ONE!

This was because we went through quite a few changes of clothes, if you know what I mean. And if there are overnight accidents, you may have a soiled sleep sack or swaddle.

A white t - shirt and a white hoodie on a marble floor.

In addition to the extra outfits I leave in the diaper bag, I was happy with the number of backup clothes and pajamas I had packed, as we almost went through everything. In my guide to how to visit NYC with a baby , I discuss the importance of bringing clothing layers for changes in weather.

Zippy pajamas (3-4) : We’ve had good luck with Carters brand PJs .
Outdoor blankets (1) : For colder months, try this type of blanket .
Daytime outfits (with spares) : These Carter onsies and pants are great staples!
Booties or socks : You can never have too many socks .
Sun hat : Hats work great for keeping the sun out of your baby’s eyes.
Headbands or hair bow clips : So cute !

We’ve liked bringing plenty of headbands and hair bows for times when we’ve wanted our daughter to look cute in a photo.

A set of baby headbands on a marble table.

Grooming & medicine

For babies with hair, you might want to consider packing a comb or brush. For us, we do a quick hair combing at bedtime as part of the routine.

For all other medicine and health products, it’s up to you. We haven’t had to use any of the medicines while away from home, but you truly never know what can happen and what you’ll want to have in your back pocket if your child is soon to be teething, comes down with some congestion or is having bouts with gas pains.

Frida nail file & clipper : The Frida Baby Grooming Kit has everything you need.
Hair comb or brush : We like this comb because it has an extra fine side.
Medicine for unexpected scenarios : ( Acetominaphen , gas drops , Snotsucker )
Thermometer : We got this digital one .
Rattle toys, teether toys : Our baby LOVES these teethers .

A set of toothbrushes and brushes on a marble countertop.

A tip from my cousin, an expert mom of two, is to bring along “identifying docs” for your child, even when your baby doesn’t have an official ID or baby passport yet, like an immunization report or other medical record (even a physical photocopy of baby’s birth certificate would be a “better-safe-than-sorry” thing to have!).

Transport: strollering, driving, car seat and carrying

We have become UPPAbaby people and we are super happy with the choice to buy into the UPPAbaby ecosystem of strollers and car seats. We picked up the Minu stroller for traveling purposes and it has saved a ton of trunk space when compared to the larger and sturdier UPPAbaby Vista stroller we keep at home.

For unexpected weather or bugginess in summer locations, opt for bringing both the rain cover and the insect net covers for your car seat or rumble seat.

UPPAbaby Minu travel stroller : We’re happy with ours and it saves trunk space. Check it out or read our UPPAbaby Minu review here!
UPPAbaby Mesa car seat : Check prices on Amazon for this sturdy car seat.
UPPAbaby stroller parent console : Ours lives on our stroller, even when folded. Check it out .
UPPAbaby Mesa rain cover and bug screen cover : The rain shield and bug screen have been helpful!
UPPAbaby car window shields : Help keep the sun out of your baby’s eyes. Check it out .
Baby Safety Car Mirror : We have one of these in our car at home, and if you will be renting a car at your destination, be sure to bring along your own baby car mirror .
A baby carrier you love : If you have car space to spare, opt for a strong baby carrier like the Baby Tula Explore Carrier . If you’re short on space, go the route of an ultralightweight carrier like Baby Tula Carrier Lite ; for more ideas, see my list of the best baby carriers for travel .

The baby tula lite carrier fully closed with everything packed away.

While our daughter doesn’t exactly love the Pack ‘n Play, it’s a fact of life when you leave home for travel. The first trip we took with her when she was 13 weeks was when we used the bassinet from our UPPAbaby Vista stroller ! That way, she wasn’t sleeping in a foreign environment.

With the Pack ‘n Play, we make sure the mattress cover is clean before we leave home, and we bring a backup sheet in case it gets soiled. Another hack has been the blackout cover, which simulates darkness for the baby if you’re in a place with lots of windows or no dark curtains. It also gives the baby their own sense of space if you’re all in one hotel room, like we say in our guide to staying in a hotel with your baby .

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light : This travel crib is so easy to set up and take apart, and it’s tons lighter than a Graco Pack ‘n Play. Check it out or read our review .
Pack ‘n Play sheet with spare sheet : This one should work great!
Pack ‘n Play blackout cover : We have this one .
SlumberPod : This is a blackout tent to use during travel! It goes over an entire travel crib and parents swear by it.
Baby monitor : We’ve been happy with our monitor . You don’t need Wi-Fi, so it’s easy to set up anywhere.
Audio baby monitor : If you want as a backup, or alternative to video, you can check out the audio-only options.
HALO & Nested Bean sleep sacks (2) : We love our HALO , and we’ve been using the Nested Bean as a backup.
Hatch Rest+ sound machine : We like the Rest+ because it has an easy charging base.
Amazon Basics portable suction cup blackout curtains : These curtains help to darken a room so your little one sleeps longer!

We feel a little silly bringing the Hatch because it’s such a big sound machine. The backup battery has actually been a huge help because we once lost power and we’re glad we still had some white noise going. Something like this might be a better option.

Plus, we use a portable travel sound machine (you can also get it on Amazon ) on our stroller or with our a travel-friendly baby carrier while taking walks, to help create some familiar and consistent white noise It works out great, whether on the road or at home.

Learn more about road trips for babies!

From our experience, here are some of the things that we’ve learned that have been helpful in making everyone happy during the adventure.

And as a heads up, you can check our the rest of our articles on traveling with a baby to learn everything you can, as well as our list of the best essential road trip accessories for everyone in the car.

What to expect on your first trip with a baby

I actually kind of expected the worst, in traveling with a baby. How would naps work? Would we have to stop for feeding? How would our child sleep at night, the first time away from home?

This all felt kind of crazy, but we knew we had to take the plunge if we ever wanted to introduce our daughter into our world of travel.

Our first trip with her was at 13 weeks. I was largely doing okay, three-ish months postpartum, and we were finally comfortable with the world of being parents. Also, I don’t want to sugarcoat this at all: our baby was far from sleeping through the night, and as my best friend put it, “If you’re going to be sleep deprived and doing night feeds, why not at least be away from home on a vacation?”

While New Hampshire at the end of winter is far from tropical and didn’t involve any skiing or snowy sports for us, it’s where my extended family gets together every year in mid-March. I didn’t want to be left out, so we took our tiny newborn along (easier said than done).

Here’s a few tips for what to expect and how things really went, that time, and the two times we went up to the Catskills when our child was 5 months and then 6 months. While both trips were very different from each other, we decided to risk it (again!) by going up to Litchfield County, CT , when she was 7 months old as well!

Naps and sleeping tips for road trips

On the way up to New Hampshire and down from New Hampshire, our baby took some of her best naps of the month in the car. Her naps were a total grab bag and we never know what to expect, especially if we were going to be in the car for more than two hours. We were graced with some two-hour naps during the five-hour drive, and when we stopped for bathrooms, I fed her in the rest area or in the front seat of the car.

When we went to Nova Scotia, we planned a day trip excursions from Halifax and timed our planning with the baby’s three-nap schedule.

Keeping your baby entertained during the car ride

When she wasn’t napping, one of us sat in the back and tried to entertain her with toys and a book. It’s hard to say if it worked. During our road trips with her two and three months later, we both sat up front and if she needed consoling, I’d reach my arm back to hold a pacifier in her mouth. We had her teether beads and a fruit teether attached by a pacifier clip in her car seat.

I recommend having some toys or teethers, depending on your baby’s age, attached to the car seat straps so they don’t get lost or dropped during the ride.

Feeding during car rides

Most babies eat every 1.5-2 hours in the first few months of life, and ours certainly did. Even at five and six months, she likes to eat every two hours if she can. Some babies are on an every-three-hours feeding schedule by this point, but that’s not something that worked for us. Much of this experience inspired me to write about how to feed a baby during travels .

If a baby is hungry during a car ride, you’ll know. It’ll be chaos. If our child cried, we turned up the music, held a pacifier in her mouth and sang her favorite lullaby on repeat. Being a parent is far from glamorous!

During some stops, we gave her a full feed, depending on when she had last eaten. I did this in rest area cafeteria booths, the front seat of our car in a Trader Joe’s parking lot In Connecticut and in a Panera off the highway, most recently. I think a good tip is to get comfortable feeding your baby at the right time, and the place is less important.

The importance of the diaper bag

Just like when you go out for the day, having a robust diaper bag is crucial during a road trip. And I mean “two spare outfits” level of robust. We have been using Nike’s diaper backpack and it’s good for travel. Check out more photos at my Nike Diaper Bag review .

On our most recent trip with our baby when she was six months, there was a diaper blowout just as we hit our first stop, and I wound up doing an entire outfit and diaper change on a picnic table in a covered pavilion as it began to rain. Good thing we had weather-appropriate attire in a packing cube in the diaper bag, along with enough wipes and diapers and of course, hand sanitizer.

Other things I keep in the diaper bag are my new nursing cover, a small Hakka pump, a disassembled Medela hand pump, spare Medela milk vials, a changing pad and a spare light blanket for miscellaneous use. I suggest keeping your diaper bag contents constant so that if something is missing, you can figure it out.

I use the same diaper bag contents on a regular trip to the supermarket, as well as a trip up to the countryside.

As a secondary diaper bag for when I’m just getting out of the car at a rest area, or going somewhere with only the carrier and not a full stroller setup, I’m into the Kibou fanny pack diaper bag .

It’s also crucial for a diaper change on a plane , for the next time you fly.

For a limited time: Join the list for 15% off your first order + get free shipping on orders $75+!

Shop the deal

This cute belt bag is the most minimalist (and chic) diaper bag. I review the Kibou to talk about all the features.

It has a fold-out changing pad, and in the main compartment I can fit diapers, diaper cream, a pacifier, my phone and a slim wallet. Plus, it has a waterproof zippered wipes pocket on the inner side, which is so handy and cool.

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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!

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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!

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The ultimate packing list for traveling with a baby

Be prepared for just about everything with this tried and tested list.

What to pack when traveling with a baby

What to pack for your baby in a carry-on, free printable baby packing list.

Pre-kids, my husband and I were the people who'd show up at the airport 40 minutes before a flight, breeze through TSA pre-check, refill our water bottles, and walk right onto the plane with our carry-ons.

After I had two children, this strategy pretty much went out the window. It didn't matter if we were going away for one night or two weeks: when we started traveling with a baby , we packed nearly everything we owned. It took four years and countless trips, but I've since perfected the art of flying with a baby .

Ahead, find out exactly what you'll need to pack for a baby.

To make the packing process easier on yourself, start with the BabyCenter-approved list below. You can print it out and make any changes as needed – such as eliminating items your baby has outgrown, adding new things they need, and making adjustments based on the length of your trip and the climate.

It's helpful to start gathering supplies about a week in advance, laundering anything that needs to be cleaned (such as a pack 'n' play sheet), and shopping for used-up supplies (such as travel-sized toiletries).

If you're looking for more guidance, get extra-detailed tips below.

Travel gear

To get your baby from point A to point B, you'll need a few basics.

Travel stroller

If you're running late to catch a flight, it's much easier to push your baby in a lightweight umbrella stroller than to carry them through a long terminal. Some travel strollers are Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved and fold to fit in the carry-on bins on board, but most get gate-checked. Remember to bring the travel bag that came with it to protect the stroller from damage.

Add bag hooks and a stroller caddy (the Colugo Opens a new window one even doubles as a fanny pack), and utilize the under-basket storage. Some travel systems allow you to hook the car seat on top of the stroller, meaning you have one less item to lug around.

While you can rent car seats at your destination, experts highly recommend bringing one with you. "Renting one often comes with challenges, including risking it not being appropriate for age, weight, or height," says Chandani Patel DeZure, M.D. , a pediatrician and BabyCenter Medical Advisor . "In addition, it is safest to fly on an airplane with a baby in a car seat – just make sure the car seat is FAA-approved."

You can also use it for car rides to and from the airport.

Car seat bag

One of the best perks of traveling with a car seat is using a car seat bag, a giant lightweight backpack that fits a car seat. Usually, you can stuff extras – such as a package of diapers, swim floaties, or other odd-shaped items – that won't neatly fit in a suitcase.

Baby carrier

Parents swear by baby carriers for airport travel. I find them most effective for babies under 6 months . (After that, they get heavy!) Just don't baby wear on the plane during take-off or landing, per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

The same sleep safety rules apply when you travel: Your baby should sleep alone in a crib or bassinet with nothing in it. Borrow a crib, bassinet, or pack 'n' play from your hotel, or try a reputable rental company (such as BabyQuip Opens a new window ).

Consider bringing a SlumberPod Opens a new window , which is a blackout tent that goes over the pack 'n' play. If your baby sleeps best in dark spaces, you can also pack travel blackout curtains or tape black garbage bags over the windows.

Don't leave home without the sleep accessories your baby is familiar with, such as a white noise machine, sleep sack or swaddle, and pacifier.

Breastfeeding, pumping, formula bottles, and solids feeding supplies

Depending on how you're feeding your child, you'll need certain gear. (And if you have a newborn, you'll also want a burp cloth on hand.)

Breastfeeding

Pack a daytime nursing bra, sleeping bra or tank, travel breastfeeding pillow (Boppy makes an excellent one Opens a new window I used on a plane with my then 4-month-old), and any nipple skincare products you use (creams, butters, pads, and the like).

You may also want to bring some sort of shawl to drape over the baby for in-public feeds. (This doubles as a way to keep both of you warm on chilly flights).

I've also traveled with breast pumps – both the Spectra (an electric pump ) and the original Elvie (a wearable pump). If the latter works for you, I highly recommend it as I was able to use it during the flight . You'll also need pump cleaning supplies (such as a brush, soap, drying rack, and on-the-go cleaning wipes), a pumping bra , milk storage bags , and bottles to feed the baby. And don't forget to bring a charger for the pump!

If you plan to freeze any extra milk, bring a freezer bag and ice packs. Frozen breast milk is easier to get through security than fresh milk, which may require testing. Read more about breast milk travel regulations .

Formula feeding

Ensure you're packing enough formula for the trip by measuring what your baby eats in a day and then bringing extra. You'll want more than enough in case of travel delays or spills. For in-flight travel, you can pre-measure formula , and store it in a Ziploc bag or bottle. Bring filtered water, or buy it at the airport to make a bottle in a snap.

You'll also need to bring bottles (I typically bring two), nipples, and bottle washing supplies (like a brush, soap, and drying rack). If your baby prefers warmed milk, you can pack a thermos. For your travel day, fill it with hot water and use that to warm up a bottle on the go. There are also travel bottle warmers .

First and foremost, you'll need to bring enough food for the travel day. (Squeeze pouches are always a great idea.) Additionally, pack kids' silverware ( spoon and fork), grippy plates and bowls, a sippy cup for water, spill-proof snack cups, and food storage containers. We always travel with an easy-to-wipe silicone bib (which also can save an outfit if your baby is a messy eater).

Unless your baby is going to sit on your lap for every meal (which might be miserable for you), you'll need to rent a high chair or bring a fold-up one (like the Bombol pack-up booster Opens a new window , which packs flat).

The easiest way to get a high volume of diapers to your destination is to send a package to the hotel in advance. Otherwise, throw a sleeve or two in the stroller bag or car seat bag (as diapers take up precious space in suitcases) and buy more when you get there.

If you are bringing diapers with you, count how many diapers your baby typically uses in a day. Then add enough for at least one extra day, since you never know how a trip will pan out. Here are some quick calculations, but note that every child is different:

Newborns: eight to 12 diapers per day

2-3 months: eight to 10 diapers per day

3-6 months: seven to nine diapers per day

6-12 months: five to seven diapers per day

You'll also need wipes (throw extra packs in the car seat bag!), a travel changing mat (or disposable changing pads), diaper disposal bags, and diaper creams (Aquaphor, butt paste, etc.). Remember to bring swim diapers if you're going somewhere with a pool or beach.

Clothing, outerwear, and shoes

Little ones, especially newborns, go through multiple outfit changes a day thanks to spit-up, blowouts, and other unexpected events. Pack about two outfits per day and extra pajamas (as the same principles apply overnight). Don't forget socks, shoes if you have a walker, and layers. (Babies get cold and hot quickly.)

If you're headed somewhere tropical, toss in a swimsuit, hat, and UPF clothing. For cooler climates, make sure your baby has cozy sweaters, booties, and a warm hat.

Some hotel rooms only have showers, and if your baby typically washes in a tub, you'll need to get creative. We've used an oversized kitchen sink as a makeshift bathtub, and we've also rented baby tubs or brought an inflatable one. Plan this in advance.

You'll also want to bring travel baby shampoo , body wash, and lotion – especially if your little one is sensitive to fragrance. We've also brought a baby towel and familiar bath toys to help our kids adjust to a new setting.

Health and safety

You won't regret traveling with a baby first aid kit. It can include band-aids, infant pain reliever, any other medicine or prescription ointments your baby uses, a thermometer, insect repellent, and baby-safe sunscreen. Pro tip: Throw in a few vomit bags for potential motion sickness incidents.

Consult with your child's pediatrician with any questions for this packing category.

Entertainment

What you pack comes down to parental and baby preferences. A tablet, preloaded with shows and movies, can be helpful to get through a flight or long car ride. If screentime is not on your agenda, try books, activity pads, coloring books (specifically the "magic marker" ones Opens a new window for less mess), and reusable stickers (great for sticking on plane or car windows).

Once you're there, you might want to have tummy time mats , sand toys , or baby dolls on hand. You can have toys delivered to your hotel from services like BabyQuip Opens a new window , or pack a selection of "surprise" playthings yourself. And don't forget your baby's favorite stuffie or lovey!

You'll never be prepared for all situations, so level-set expectations, but you can still be very prepared for most!

To start, your baby will need a passport if you're traveling internationally .

Also, grab extra diapers (at least a day's worth), a pack of wipes, a travel diaper pad, and diaper creams for mid-flight diaper changes . Pack an extra change of clothes for both you and the baby, because if they're sitting on your lap, any mishaps (spit-up, throw-up, or massive poop) may end up on you, too. Plastic bags – to catch vomit or store stained clothes – also come in handy.

Bring a full day's worth of food and some extra, as well as anything you need for breastfeeding and pumping. If your flight is delayed, you'll be so grateful to have a pump, milk bags, and a cooler on hand. (It's happened to me.)

Add in the first aid kit and meds. Then stuff as many toys as you can in the extra space left.

Print or download our BabyCenter-approved checklist for easier packing when traveling with a baby.

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BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies .

American Academy of Pediatrics. 2023. Tips for Traveling with Young Ones this Holiday Season. https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/health--safety-tips/american-academy-of-pediatrics-tips-for-traveling-with-young-ones-this-holiday-season Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

American Academy of Pediatrics. 2023. Safe Sleep. https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/safe-sleep/ Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

Transportation Security Administration. Undated. Is Breast Milk, Formula and Juice exempt from the 3-1-1 liquids rule? https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/breast-milk-formula-and-juice-exempt-3-1-1-liquids-rule Opens a new window [Accessed February 2024]

Lauren is a New York-based content director, writer, and brand consultant. She is a #girlmom to a school-age daughter and a toddler.

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Taking A Road Trip With Baby: Checklist + Packing List

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Post category: Mom Life / Travel

Taking A Road Trip With Baby

Based on my travel experience with a 4-month-old baby (over 26h drive).

Whether the pandemic ruined your plans of family travels by plane or a car would have been your transportation of choice anyway, taking a road trip with your baby for the first time might make you feel a little anxious or hesitant if you should do it at all. As a first-time mama, I found that it raises many questions, the same way anything does, that you do with your baby for the first time. Reading about someone else’s experience can give you great insight. Moreover, you can hopefully get some of your questions answered and feel more confident and prepared for your own journey.

ROAD TRIPPING WITH A BABY

F ir st things first. you might be wondering when you can take your newborn baby for a first car ride in general.

Well, as soon as YOU are ready. However, it is best to wait until your baby’s immune system is better developed.

Before you embark on a long journey it’s best to first take short trips with your baby, just to see how they feel and behave. Do they fall asleep easily while driving or are they more cranky? Do they overheat easily in their car seat? Those and many more are questions you want to have answers to before taking a long road trip.

But like I’ve said, you, mama, gotta be ready first. Postpartum is no joke. Even if you feel better after a few weeks or months, you still need to take extra care of yourself and that might not be possible if you’re stuck in the car for too long.

Depending on your and baby’s health as well as baby’s age, I suggest you consult your traveling plans with your gynecologist, pediatrician, or midwife to make sure you’re both set to go. Hearing from my health care providers that they think we’re both ready to travel as well as getting to know their stories of how they traveled with their babies early on, really put me at ease.

So now that you’ve decided you’re ready for your first road trip with your baby , how can you best prepare for it? What should you pack? What are some top tips to successfully travel by car with a baby? Well, let’s dive right into all those aspects now.

Top 7 Tips For A Successful Road Trip With Baby How to prepare your mind and what to do before embarking on the journey

Let’s start with preparing the mind, adjusting your expectations and your attitude. My top tips to successfully travel by car with a baby are all about what you can do beforehand to feel as calm and as confident as possible. This can mean a variety of things, you can inter alia:

1. Talk to your healthcare providers

Like I’ve said before, this can definitely boost your confidence and put you at ease. Moreover, you’ll find out if there’s anything extra healthwise you or your baby should do before or while traveling. In my case, we were traveling in hot weather and I was breastfeeding so it was good to know that I will feed my baby more often, but that I don’t need to (or even shouldn’t) give my baby any extra water. That’s something my lactation consultant explained to me.

It’s little things like that, which are good to know ahead of time and worth talking about to a professional instead of googling answers in panic during your trip, when in doubt.

2. Make a solid packing list

This will of course depend on where you’re going, what’s the weather like, what you plan on doing on the way, and so on. For my recommendations and travel essentials check the next section of this post.

GET YOUR FREE PRINTABLE PACKING LIST!

Click the link below to open your free PDF in a new tab!

Road Trip With Baby Packing List

3. C ollect all the needed documents

(seems like a no-brainer, however, i know first-hand how it is to have so much on your mind while being exhausted that you forget or simply overlook some basic things).

Depending on where you’ll be traveling to, make sure you have all the needed documents plus double-check if they’re still valid. Have a copy of your baby’s birth certificate with you or request a kid’s ID, a passport, etc. if needed. And don’t forget the car documents.

4. Get your car checked and make sure baby’s car seat is properly installed

5. Have realistic (or no) expectations as far as the duration of your trip – plan a lot of stops

You know that you don’t know how everything will go. How your baby will feel, how often you’ll have to change the diaper, feed your baby plus it’s not optimal for your child to be in the car seat for long stretches of time.

So make sure to take your baby out quite often, get some fresh air and hold them as well as let them lay down or even take some naps in between on a flat, firm surface. This can be in your car (we traveled with a van, so that was super convenient), or if you really have a long way to go make sure you book some hotels on the way so that your baby (and you) can get some proper sleep.

To find out more about car seat safety and about letting your baby travel in a car seat for long periods of time check out this page .

6. Take short trips with baby first, before embarking on a longer journey

I’ve mentioned this before, but it really is super important and can help you be so much better prepared.

For us, we’ve noticed that our son gets really warm, really fast in the car seat and as a result, sweats a lot. Which, by the way, after talking to some friends about it, seems to be a very common struggle. But knowing this helped us to be better prepared. We lined the seat with a cotton (burp) cloth to help absorb the moisture and kept changing it for a fresh, dry one at every stop to make sure our baby is more comfortable.

The same goes for clothing. We knew we had to dress him in light clothing and we had plenty of clothes ready to change him into as well, in order to keep him dry and happy.

Moreover, knowing he gets warm so easily we made sure to have a digital thermometer at hand to ensure his temperature is okay. Trust me, this saved mama from a lot of unnecessary stress and overthinking.

7. In these times – check current Covid-related regulations of places you’re traveling through and to

This might also mean you have to get vaccinated, if you haven’t already, or take a PCR/antigen test, as well as fill out online forms.

To check current regulations I recommend visiting the following websites:

x Trip , which covers Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, Africa, and South America.

The website lets you put in the countries you are traveling “from” and “to”, stating what the rules are to enter a particular country as well as to return to the country you’ve originally traveled from. What is more, you can choose to track policy changes for a particular search.

There is also a map showing you right away which countries have no restrictions, where entering and traveling is partially prohibited and where entry is prohibited.

Moreover, there is an app version of the website, which might be very convenient while already on the road.

x For Europe specifically I recommend the website or app Re-open EU

You can choose if you want to check a specific country’s regulations only or search travel rules “from” – “to” specific European countries.

What I like about this app is that when you look up a particular country it gives you a great overview of everything you might want to know, so you can get all the information that is specific to your trip.

You can find out inter alia what are the rules: x to enter a particular country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country x to enter with the EU Digital COVID certificate x to enter without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements x to enter from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country

You will also get answers to the following questions: x may I transit this country? (by air/by land)` x may I fly to this country?

Moreover, what are the countries measures as far as: the usage of facemasks, physical distancing, indoor, and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events, safety measures for public transportation as well as what about places of worship, non-essential (other than medicine and food) shops, tourist accommodations, catering establishments, cinemas, museums and indoor attractions, personal care services, outdoor areas, and beaches. Furthermore, what are the quarantine-related regulations? On top of that, there is information about the current health situation of the country you’re interested in traveling to.

Travel Essentials For A Road Trip With Baby

– packing list –.

Your detailed packing list will of course depend on where you are going, what the weather will be like, how long you will be driving for, and so on and so forth. Therefore, I must say I’m really not a fan of those packing lists that some people share which are telling you specifically how many, for instance, items of clothing you should pack for your baby and what those should be. This will differ from baby to baby, from trip to trip. However, there are certain things that might be considered travel essentials and certain things parents recommend, which can be super helpful to be reminded of. Here’s what I’d recommend besides the obvious like clothes, blankets, or water:

x well-stocked diaper bag x back seat car organizer/storage with essentials such as extra burp cloths, socks, wet wipes, and so on x changing pad that you can use in the car x digital thermometer x baby’s medicine just in case (paracetamol in case of a fever; make sure to store it properly!) x baby’s vitamins if they’re supposed to take any

x physiological saline solution and sterile gauze in case you’ll have to clean baby’s eyes or nose x mama’s vitamins x documents: ID’s, passports, drivers license, car papers, Covid vaccination certificate/ PCR test results, a copy of baby’s birth certificate x burp cloths to put in baby’s car seat in order to absorb sweat (I’ve seen special anti-sweat car seat covers, however only for bigger kids) x change of clothes at hand x mosquito net x sleeping bag x wet wipes as well as hand sanitizer for you x nursing-friendly clothes, a change of clothes and bras for you plus bra pads x trash bags for diapers x a separate bag for dirty/wet baby clothes, burp cloths, etc. x breast pump and nipple cream (even if you don’t usually have to use it, better safe than sorry) x first aid kit x stroller (you might want to check out the best stroller accessories that will make your life easier ) x sling/wrap x bouncer/rocker x car sunshades x small ventilator if you don’t want to use the AC with baby in the car

I want to note that we traveled with our baby when he was 4 months old, meaning he didn’t eat solids yet and I was exclusively breastfeeding, so there will be other things you’ll need depending on what and how you’re feeding your baby.

I hope you found this post insightful and feel better prepared as well as more confident about taking your first road trip with your baby.

Safe Travels!

This post was all about taking a road trip with baby and traveling with baby for the first time.

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75 Tips for Traveling With a Baby (Free Packing Checklist)

When traveling with a baby, there are so many little things to remember (and forget!). Taking a family vacation with an infant, baby or toddler doesn’t have to be a challenge when you know what to bring. This guide to packing a diaper bag and must-have baby travel essentials for little ones will help!

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. This article originally published September 5th, 2016 and has been updated and republished with a new date.

Best Tips for Traveling With a Baby

I remember the first time I took my baby on her first extended vacation. There was so much to remember when I packed! Not only was I figuring out my own suitcase there was also my baby’s supplies to tote.

Are you overpacking for your baby? Or not packing enough? It’s a careful balance to be sure. You don’t want to be that traveler jamming the car full of unnecessary items because you think the baby needs it all . This article will help you pare down to the basics that will still allow you to travel with ease.

Disney Trip FREE Printable - Packing List for Kids that they can use to pack for themselves!

How to Pack for a Trip With a Baby

Whether headed to the beach, camping, city or theme park, when traveling with a baby in diapers you’ll need the same important essentials.

Keep reading for the helpful vacation guide with tips on taking the baby on a trip. There’s also a free baby packing list you’ll want to print and use when filling the luggage.

I’m sharing suggestions for toys, swim and bath products and road trip requirements. And of course figuring out that all important number of how many diapers to pack for your travels!

There are lots of things to kids and families to do in Palm Springs! Find out the top 8 desert adventures including golfing, museums, Jeep tours in the desert and how to cool off (water park!). There are lots of tips on the best place to stay and what to do in the California desert of Palm Springs with kids of all ages.

Baby Travel Essentials – Can You Buy It When You Get There?

Depending upon where you’re going, you might need to pack everything you’ll need upfront. This could be because the location in which you’re headed might not have the supplies you need. You may not want to replenish or purchase when you get there because of higher cost concerns.

If possible, consider these options which include shipping the items or buying there. If you know the products you need are readily available in stores, wait and buy it when you get there. That’s a decent idea if you don’t want to have to pack and tote bulk consumable items like baby formula and diapers.

Another option is to have the items shipped to your destination. If you’re staying with family, that’s an easy choice. Purchase items online and have them sent ahead of your trip so the packages are there before you arrive.

Call hotel locations ahead of time to verify what their policies are for accepting deliveries. Some hotels will have requirements for the shipping label, timelines for holding packages or may charge a fee.

Traveling Alone with a Baby to Disney? Check out these 20 trusted tips for solo travel with a baby.

Diapers and Wipes are Top of the Baby Packing List

When it comes to traveling with a baby, it’s easy to over pack. But when diapers are concerned, you never want to be stuck without! This is how to figure out how many diapers to bring with you on the trip.

How Many Diapers to Bring on a Trip?

So, how can you figure out how many diapers to bring with you on a trip? In the week leading up to your vacation, take note of how many diapers you go through each day with your baby.

I kept a notepad and a pencil on the shelf above my baby’s changing table to make a tally. Average the number of diapers you’ve used over the week to figure out a daily amount and then multiply that by the number of days you’ll be away from home.

Just to be on the safe side, put in about two extra diapers per day of your trip…just in case!

Do the same for the baby wipes but definitely bring additional extras of these. WaterWipes baby wipes are convenient for cleaning messy fingers and faces as well as bottoms!

Best Travel Clothes for Babies and Toddlers

When traveling with your baby in diapers, consider these logistics for choosing the best vacation outfits. Pick breathable fabrics that will be comfortable during long drives in their car seat.

Only choose separates that make diaper changes easy. Avoid outfits with buttons or snaps on the back of the clothing. These can be uncomfortable for babies to lay on for long periods of time.

Zip Footie Pajamas – For infants, skip those fancy outfits and go straight for the pajamas all day. Avoid multi-piece outfits that will bunch up and cause discomfort for a baby. Grab this organic cotton zip-up footie from Primary in all the colors!

One-Piece Rompers – When traveling with a baby in diapers, snap-crotch bubble onesies are probably the most ideal when the weather is warm. Look for long sleeved one-piece jumpers with a snap crotch when it’s chilly. Toddlers will appreciate the comfort factor. You’ll appreciate the quick diaper changes with clothing that’s simple in design!

My go-to for the best children’s clothing is Primary . They offer gender-neutral mix and match pieces in every color of the rainbow. Lots of coordinating outfits to match older siblings too! Use code AFT20PCT to save 20% and receive free shipping on your first order.

Sun Hat – If you’re planning to be outdoors, a baby sun hat is required. Opt for a stylish version like this with a wide brim, breathable materials and a chin strap to keep it secure.

Must-Have Baby Travel Toys

Older kids can leave their toys behind when they go on vacation. But it’s important to pack a few toys for the baby whenever you leave home. Toys can help with boredom, especially if the baby is kept in their car seat or stroller for longer than usual periods of time.

If your baby has a few favorite items, be sure to bring those on the trip. In addition purchase a few new baby travel toys for variety while traveling. When your child gets fussy, surprise them with one of the new items!

Travel Teething Toy – If you have a teething baby you know that gnawing is a big deal! This teething mitten offers up safe-to-chew bumpy grooves and ridges. The adjustable Velcro strap secures the glove to baby’s hand so the toy is less likely to fall on the floor or get lost.

Car Seat Toys – This soft cotton hanging toy mobile spiral-wraps around the handle of the car seat with dangling toys for baby to play with.

Electronic Baby Toy – Babies love the stimulation of lights, sounds and music! VTech rules when it comes to educational electronic baby toys. This small-sized Happy Lights Bear serves up songs, phrases and flashing lights. The cuddly bear Velcros to the stroller or car seat.

If you’re traveling on public transportation or on a plane, avoid anything with annoying or loud sounds so as not to disturb other travelers! Relegate noisy electronic items to the rental car only.

I have an extra tip to minimize the noise of electronic toys. Place a piece of electrical tape over the speaker to quiet the sound when there’s no volume control.

Baby Toy Straps – Keep toys from dropping on the ground with silicone baby toy straps . Secure rattles, chew toys and sipper cups to the car seat, high chair or stroller to prevent them from getting lost or dirty.

Baby Travel Essentials for the Hotel

One of the most challenging things about traveling with a baby is sharing a hotel room. When baby goes to sleep, generally everyone else has to turn off the lights and be quiet too! Consider booking a suite with a separate bedroom door. This way if you have older children, they don’t have to go to sleep when baby does.

Inflatable Bath Tub – If baby is too small to sit up or too big to fit in the bathroom sink for a wash, consider packing this. The inexpensive Inflatable Duck Tub will make bath time easier and it won’t take up any extra space in your luggage.

Touch-Control Night Light – Moving around blindly in a dark hotel room when baby wakes at night is recipe for disaster. You don’t want to turn on a light and risk waking everyone else up either.

Away From Home Sleep Needs for Little Kids

Whether driving or in a crib, nap and sleep routines are important to maintain when traveling with babies. A disrupted sleep pattern can cause havoc, resulting in overly grouchy behavior. Aim to travel during regular nap times in the hopes that baby will sleep while driving or flying.

These baby travel essentials can help regulate naps and nighttime sleep for your child:

Travel safety with kids is priority #1. Check out these practical and inexpensive ways to keep kids safe on vacation.

Car Seat Head Support – If you’ve ever rigged up your own head support for the toddler sleeping in a car seat, this is the road trip product for you! This simple to install Car Seat Child Head Support keeps toddlers heads from slumping when their napping.

Sun Shade – Nobody likes the sun in their eyes, especially young kids who are trying to rest. Block out the rays and heat during long car trips with a simple window sun shade . This one stretches to fit and has suction cups to secure on the glass.

Sleep Sack – Skip the blankets in the crib and use a muslin sleep sack for bedtime. The fabric is soft, breathable, and lightweight but will keep baby warm enough if the hotel air conditioning is running.

For colder nights or in outdoor locations like on a camping trip bundle toddlers in a warmer sleeper sack . This version has foot openings for walking babies. There’s diaper access via a reverse zipper.

White Noise Machine – If the strange noises at a hotel are interrupting your baby’s usual sleep patterns, this VTech White Noise Sound Machine is perfect. Petite-sized for travel with a rechargeable battery, it features both gentle lullabies and ambient sounds.

Baby Travel Essentials for Flying

Sucking can help relieve ear pain with babies during elevation and descent on an airplane. Chewing gum can help older kids and adults. For babies try using a bottle, pacifier or breastfeeding. My friend Leslie at Trips With Tykes has tons of helpful tips for flying with a lap child .

Pacifier – Each baby seems to have their own preference of pacifiers. And some babies (like my daughter) refused to use one. Have a few on hand just in case.

If traveling with a pacifier is essential, make sure the Nuk doesn’t get lost on your travels! Secure pacifiers to baby’s clothing with one of these convenient pacifier clips .

Keeping a Toddler Happy While Traveling

Whether you’re flying or hitting the open road, keeping toddlers happy while traveling can be tough! I recommend scheduling your travel times during their regular nap schedule. If you can ensure that your younger child takes a nap this can make everyone’s trip go a little smoother!

Toddler girl playing with plastic toy animals on airplane

Car Seat – If you’re flying somewhere and will need a car seat when you get there, bring the seat onto the plane. Your toddler will have a comfortable and safe place sit in the airplane. And bonus, they’re more likely to nap if they’re latched into their car seat!

My favorite car seat to travel with is the inexpensive Cosco MightyFit 65 Convertible Car Seat . Rear-facing for babies from 5-40 pounds or forward-facing for children 22-65 pounds. It’s also reasonably lightweight and easy to install into a rental car.

Child in pink Costco Scenera car seat on an airplane

WikkiStix – The perfect travel craft, WikkiStix are mess-free and easy for little ones to use. These soft and pliable bendy sticks adhere to each other or to a smooth surface for ideal quiet time entertainment.

Reading Material – Pack a few baby books but make them lightweight and able to hold up to wear and tear. The Indestructibles Baby Book series are great to entertain toddlers with a story on the road. Or baby can just chew on the pages, whatever!

Swimming and Sun Tips When Traveling with a Baby

If you’re planning a full day in the sun, make sure that your baby is well protected from sunrays and heat. This means extra hydration, just like you should be getting.

Babies should be nursing or bottle feeding more often. Older babies and toddlers should drink water or Pedialyte to keep them from getting dehydrated. These are the baby travel essentials when you’re outdoors or traveling during the hot summer season:

Swim Diapers – A necessary packing item if you plan to let baby swim. Whether in the hotel pool or at the beach swim diapers are a must.

If you prefer an eco-friendly option, choose a reusable swim diaper like this version with side snaps. This preference works best if you have access to a bathroom toilet and washing machine while traveling.

Pop Up Beach Tent – An open sided Beach Shelter offers an escape from the direct sun, essential for babies and young children. This version has a flat bottom to keep sand away, windows for ventilation and a hanging hook for a battery operated fan. It folds down like a car sun shield into a tiny carrying bag so it’s excellent for travel to any beach locale.

One-Piece Rash Guard – Choose a swimsuit with built-in UPF 50+ sun protection. This Primary long sleeved rash guard is all one piece but still has a snap gusset for fast diaper access.

Pool and Beach Baby Travel Essentials

Depending upon the age of your child, one of the following versions of pool floaties might work for your needs. Naturally, these floaties aren’t a replacement for supervision. Parents should remain within arms reach of their baby around water.

Baby Spring Float – This SwimWays Baby Spring Float offers younger babies a gentle way to float on the water while keeping their face dry and out of the sun. The product is also easy to close and carry so it’s ideal for taking on a trip.

Kid’s Life Jacket – This SwimWays Sea Squirts Learn-to-Swim Life Jacket is not inflatable and therefore will take up more space in your suitcase. But if you’re planning to be in the water a lot, the safety factor of this Coast Guard approved product might outweigh. Be sure to read the description on weight and size to ensure this will properly fit your child.

Suncreen – A travel essential for everyone, whether the sun is shining or behind clouds. Look for varieties like Babyganics Mineral Sunscreen . Ask your pediatrician to know their recommendations for application of sun protection lotion onto newborn skin. Reapply often, especially after water exposure.

Sunglasses – Headed to the beach or some place where the sun is particularly bright? A pair of baby sunglasses can help keep crankiness down when the sun is out of their eyes.

Baby Travel Essentials for Feeding Away From Home

Whether you’re feeding from the bottle or the breast, eating in a restaurant or on the road, these are some of the must-have items when traveling with a baby.

What Can Babies Do at Disneyland? -Answers to the Top 4 Questions

As a nursing parent, you can breastfeed your baby any where you wish. Some babies are challenged with nursing in public because they are distracted by activity around them. A nursing cover up can come in handy if you prefer privacy when breastfeeding or if your baby needs less distraction.

Nursing Cover – Choose a nursing cover up that’s lightweight to prevent overheating. The Milk Snob Nursing Cover doubles as a cocoon for infant car seats.

Snack Cups – These spill-proof Snack Keeper cups hold food with soft flaps on top for access. Fill them up with Goldfish crackers or animal crackers for the perfect to-go toddler snack.

Looking for the best healthy road trip snacks for toddlers, kids, teens and adults on your next family adventure? Find out what are the healthiest options to choose at your next road trip convenience store stop! #Snacks #FamilyTravel #TravelwithKids #RoadTripFood #RoadTrip @ConvenienceStore #JoyintheJourney #AD

READ MORE: How to Choose Healthy Road Trip Snacks at the Convenience Store

Sipper Cups – We all try our best to keep track of everything when traveling. Inevitably something ends up missing. It’s usually the sippy cup that rolls under the car, falls out of the stroller or gets left at a restaurant.

Toddler holding sippy cup while riding in a stroller

Skip the pricey sippers and buy a set of these Take & Toss Spill-Proof Sippy Cups . If one gets lost, you’ll have a few to spare.

Bibs – If you have access to laundry, these machine washable bibs are superb for feeding time. In a pinch use a baby wipe to clean off small messes.

No washing machine, no problem. Disposable bibs offer protection to clothing from food spills and can be tossed in the trash after each use.

An excellent reusable choice is the Bib Clip . Especially convenient for frequent restaurant dining, simply snap in a cloth or paper napkin to protect toddler’s clothing.

Disposable Placemats – If your toddler is self-feeding, these disposable placemats are awesome. We all know that kids don’t keep their food on the plate! To keep mealtime a little neater and more sanitary these peel-and-stick plastic mats are a must.

Baby with mouth on disposable placemat in restaurant

Comfortable Shoes for Babies

If your baby has only crawled around the carpeted floors at home you might not have even purchased them a first pair of shoes. Generally a pair of socks will keep baby toes warm and dry.

If painful feet stop kids from exploring check out these tips and products that will minimize blisters, swelling and foot pain!

However when away from home consider covering baby’s feet to protect them when traveling in public locations. Choose flexible soles that don’t require a “breaking-in” period.

My children have been wearing pediped brand shoes since before they could walk. The pediped Originals are perfect crib shoes that can transition into walking shoes for a toddler.

Aqua Socks – If your child will be walking on hot sand or on the concrete around a pool, consider slip-resistant water shoes . They are a safe way to protect toddlers from stubbing their toes or burning their feet.

Walking Outside with a Baby

If your travel destination includes a lot of walking you’ll need to be prepared for taking baby along for the ride. Follow these additional tips for walking outside with a baby .

Stroller – The Baby Jogger City Mini has been my favorite for traveling with a baby. It’s all-terrain for both sidewalk or trail walking and offers excellent recline for naps. Best part is that it closes up compactly with one hand, ideal for boarding public transportation or getting into the vehicle trunk.

If you’d prefer not to take your own stroller consider renting one at your destination. Companies like Kingdom Strollers that rent equipment at Walt Disney World are one of the top places to get a stroller while traveling.

READ MORE : Guide to taking toddlers to Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom .

Stroller Fan – When the weather’s hot, keep baby cool using a flexible Travel Fan . Wrap the arms around a stroller, car seat or hold it in your hand to create a breeze wherever you need one.

Muslin Blanket – This lightweight muslin blanket in a variety of colors is multi-versatile. Use it as a blanket, burp cloth, swaddling cloth, nursing coverup or to cover the stroller when the sun is out.

Front Carrier – Best for going where strollers can’t go, the baby front carrier is invaluable. It’s also convenient to use when babies are sleeping and you don’t want to wait until nap time is over. Put the baby in a front carrier and go about with your exploring!

A Front Carrier is also highly convenient in places where you need to be hands-free. Airplane travel and amusement park queues are perfect locations to use a carrier. Plus nursing parents can discretely feed their baby inside of a front carrier!

I also used a front carrier to help soothe my fussy toddler to sleep at hotels. I’d pop her in the carrier then tidy up the room and get things ready for the following day until she was asleep.

Toddler Backpack with Harness – Ideal for the toddler who is always trying to run away! This Skip Hop Toddler Backpack has a leash that can be detached. My daughter enjoyed carrying her sippy cup, plush toy and a snack in her bag. The removable leash allows toddlers to walk independently but not get too far away.

Toddler wearing a butterfly harness backpack on airplane

Choosing the Best Diaper Bag for Travel

Before you start packing, make sure that your everyday diaper bag will work for your travel needs. You might want to purchase a day bag that’s better suited for vacationing with a baby.

Figure out first which baby travel essentials you’ll be bringing on your excursions each day. From there you’ll have a better idea which type of diaper bag is best suited to your family’s needs.

Check out these 7 rookie mistakes to avoid when you plan your Disney vacation.

Where will you put the bag when you’re not carrying it? If you want to store it under the stroller or in a locker, make sure to measure so it’s not oversized. For airplane travel, ensure that the diaper bag will fit nicely under the seat.

Diaper Bag Tote – For longer days away or lengthy plane trips, this diaper bag tote opens wide into one main compartment. An included shoulder strap is versatile and convenient.

Diaper Backpack – A stylish alternative to the usual diaper bag that either mom or dad would be pleased to carry! This spacious diaper bag backpack houses plenty of storage pockets and space for everything you’ll need on the go.

Stroller Diaper Bag – Ultra convenient stroller caddy diaper bag hangs from the stroller handle for quick access of wipes, diapers and other essentials. A compact style that’s ideal for short trips.

Packing a Travel Diaper Bag

Bottles, baby food, diaper cream and drool bibs! Each evening when you return from outings, empty and refill the diaper bag. Reload the bag with wipes and diapers, clothing changes and baby food. Taking time to restock at night will allow for less stress in the mornings.

Besides what you usually bring for baby in the diaper bag, there are a few other baby travel essentials to consider:

Wet Bag – In the unfortunate event of a diaper blow out or spit up incident you’ll need a place to keep clothing until they can be washed. A reusable wet bag stores messy or damp clothing until you can get to the laundry.

Diaper Changing Pad – Many of the newer diaper bags already have coordinated changing pads included. For getaways where there might be diaper changing tables, purchase disposable diaper changing pads for sanitary purposes.

Stain Stick – When you’re away from the washing machine, use an on-the-go Stain Stick for laundry. Simply rub on spots to prevent stains from happening until you can wash.

Requirements for Safe Travels with Babies

If you have an active toddler there’s sure to be a few bumps and bruises along the way. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to taking care of small injuries or treating pain.

My daughter fell and scraped her elbow at Disney World. With the wet and humid Florida weather the bandages from first aid just wouldn’t stick to her skin. Now I know to pack waterproof band aids in the first aid travel kit!

First Aid Kit – A well stocked first aid kit is essential when traveling with a baby. Include cleansing wipes, antibiotic ointment and plenty of kid-friendly bandages.

Baby Medications – Kids can get sick, even on vacation. Fevers can spike quickly in the middle of the night. Better to have what you need for emergency than rely on the local convenience store or hotel gift shop. Basics like a baby thermometer and Infants’ Tylenol are a must pack.

Safety Kit – Whether you’re staying overnight at a hotel, Airbnb or at grandma’s house, you’ll want to baby-proof the accommodations. This includes protecting exposed electrical outlets, covering sharp corners, securing loose cables and locking up cabinets.

READ MORE: Complete Guide to Keeping Kids Safe on Vacation

What Else to Pack for Baby?

It can be tempting to want to pack ALL the things when traveling with a baby. Some of what you use at home on a daily basis may not be a baby travel essential. Before you overload the car’s trunk space or suitcase with oversized items, here are some tips.

Find out what’s there already before you pack your own. Check with hotels and Airbnb to find out what baby equipment is available. Verify that the products aren’t recalled.

There are lots of things to families to do in Palm Spring. Find out the top 8 desert adventures including golfing, museums, and water parks. Lots of tips on where to stay and what to do in the California desert with kids of all ages.

Check with rental companies at your destination. Places like Cloud of Goods can offer up the rental of items like cribs, booster seats, pack ‘n play, stroller wagons, and high chairs.

In the case of high demand items like your baby’s bouncer seat , you might want to consider bringing it on the road. If the bouncer is the only place your baby will calm, best not to disrupt their pattern any more than usual when traveling.

How often will you use it? If you regularly use a high chair cover at home, consider if it’s worth lugging on your travels. I personally brought a high chair cover with me to Walt Disney World for my baby and used it one time. It wasn’t worth losing the space in my suitcase. But if you think that large item is essential, by all means pack it!

Baby Travel Essentials Packing Checklist

Now that you know what you need to bring when traveling with a baby in diapers, click the link below to print the free baby travel packing checklist!

Traveling with Baby – Free Printable Packing List

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Tips for a Road Trip With a Baby: How to Survive the Long Drive

tips for a Road Trip With a Baby Car Seat

Setting off on a road trip with your little one? I know – it sounds like a mission. Trying to figure out nap times, packing enough but not too many toys, dealing with sudden mood swings (and that’s just from the parents!) – it’s enough to give anyone a slight headache. “Will my baby be okay? How on earth am I going to keep them calm? Did I pack enough diapers?” These questions whirling around in your head are perfectly normal, and I’m here to help with my tips for a road trip with a baby.

Over the years, I’ve taken my kids on so many road trips, I’ve lost count. Short weekend jaunts, epic cross-country adventures, you name it. And you know what? Every single one was a learning curve. Sometimes, it felt more like a rollercoaster than a curve, but that’s parenting for you. I’ve had my share of forgotten essentials and messy surprises, but each hiccup has helped me perfect my road trip routine.

Don’t worry – by the end of this blog post, you’ll be a lot more confident about hitting the road with your little partner in crime. You’ll know what to expect, what to pack, and how to handle those inevitable bumps along the way. I’ve done all the hard yards, the late-night packing, and the frantic roadside diaper changes. Now, you get to benefit from my road-tested wisdom and plan a trip that’s all about the fun stuff.

Table of Contents

Road Tripping With an Infant FAQs

I know how different it is to take your kids with you on a long drive compared to a fun and spontaneous road trip as a couple . Especially if you’re taking a baby with you. And if it’s your first trip as a family, you’d be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed and nervous .

Jumping in the car to explore the country can be such a fantastic memory-making experience. Plus, showing your kids (even the teeny tiny ones) magical places is part of what all parents dream of doing.

So to calm your worries and help you plan a fabulous vacation, I’ve gathered some of the most frequently asked questions and answered them as best I could.

Have another question? Or a tip for new parents about to hit the road? Let us all know in the comments, and keep the support going!

What to Expect When Traveling With a Baby

The question most parents would love to be able to answer with a crystal ball; I promise, even if you have a few hiccups on the road, at the end of the day, the memories will be worth it.

A road trip with a baby under 12 months isn’t the nightmare that some may make it seem, as long as you prep properly . Your baby has their usual routine, space, and expectations in their daily life—all of which go away once you put them in the car for an extended period of time.

You definitely should expect them to be a little fussy , possibly get bored, and very likely make a bit of a mess . With a few important steps, you can ensure the ride is pleasant for the baby and parents. You want to make fun family memories , which means enjoying the journey just as much as the destination .

I’ve been using Roadtrippers for years to help me plan out my trips and find fun stops along the way. Use my code “BTR5QTP” for $5 off when you sign up!

What is The Best Age to Road Trip With a Baby?

This depends on your baby, of course. Generally, it’s best to start planning your family road trip only once your baby is about three months old. Between three and six months , babies are in their developmental stage and will begin to gain more head and neck control.

This means they can sit in a car seat and be comfortable for slightly extended periods. They’re also typically on better sleeping schedules at this age, allowing you to plan accordingly.

You can entertain your baby between three and six months with bright, colorful, and noisy toys. They’re interested in the world around them but not yet crawling or walking , so they won’t be too antsy to get out of their seat for the whole ride.

Also taking Fido? Here are some tips for a road trip with a dog .

How Often Do You Have to Stop With a Baby on a Road Trip?

When you’re planning a road trip with a baby, your stops will need to be planned around their routine . You’ll likely need to stop for feeding, diaper changes, and as they get fussy . You may find that a stop is needed as they wake up from a nap or before they fall asleep.

On average, I would say plan for a stop every two to four hours . Try not to go longer than this, for the whole family’s sake. Although, if you’re driving overnight and your baby sleeps through, you may be able to extend this a bit.

The shorter driving times when you’re traveling with a baby may just give you the perfect excuse to stay over in more small towns. Driving four hours and then retiring for the night at a quaint hotel or BnB only adds to the entire road-tripping experience is one of my best tips for a road trip with a baby.

How Do You Occupy a Baby in a Car?

Unlike older kids, babies are not going to be interested in games of I Spy or a traveling trivia quiz . So how do you keep them busy for the ±four hour stretches of driving?

One way is to play music in the car — not the latest pop songs, but nursery rhymes and calming tunes. Sing along and make it a fun time for the baby. Give them a rattle to play with as well, as this will help stimulate them. This is ideal when on a road trip with a baby and toddler, as it can entertain both of them at the same time (I used this trick many times on drives).

You can also set up a sort of mobile in the car, with animals and colorful toys for them to look at and grab. If their heads can’t reach the windows, give them a plastic handheld mirror or position a mirror to help them see the fun sights outside.

If all else fails, chatting with your baby is normally always a winner. Play peek-a-boo , describe your journey, and tell them where you’re going. Even if they don’t seem to understand it all, your attention and the sound of your voice are often enough to keep them engaged.

Make sure to reserve your rental car ahead of time! I love using Discover Cars for my trips.

Can You Give a Baby a Bottle While Driving?

The short answer is no.

It might be perfectly fine to have your older kids snacking while driving, but the risks are too high for an infant. You shouldn’t have a baby drinking from a bottle without your attention being fully focused on both the baby and the bottle .

Even if you are breastfeeding, it’s not safe to do so while the car is moving . So it’s best to plan your stops according to the baby’s feeding schedule .

How Do You Calm a Crying Baby on a Road Trip?

There’s always a reason why your baby is crying. First, check that they’re not uncomfortably hot, cold, or perhaps have a dirty diaper . It’s also good to check that they’re not hungry .

If their basic needs are met, and they are still crying, they may just not be enjoying the drive as much. Try playing soothing music, talking to them, or giving them a toy to distract them . If none of that works, then it may be best for everyone to stop the car at the next safe spot, get out, and cuddle the baby until they are calm again .

Are Car Seats Uncomfortable for Babies?

As long as your car seat is properly installed and has all of the right cushioning, it should be comfortable enough for your baby to sit in during a drive. Sitting in one for too long for a more extended, cross-country drive with a baby can become uncomfortable .

Staying in one position for extended periods of time will agitate anyone, and babies are no different. There are a few ways you can ease this discomfort until you stop, though:

Keep the car’s temperature pleasant.
Give the baby a little extra cushioning where you can.
Distract them with toys and excitement.

How Long Should a Baby Be in a Car Seat on a Trip?

Even though babies can’t walk around yet, they still need to stretch during road trips . If you’re doing longer newborn travel by car, you should aim to take them out of the car seat every two hours or so (a very important tip for a road trip with a baby).

If your perfectly planned road trip falls within the three- to six-month sweet spot, then two to four hours is fine . Be sure that when you’re stopping, you’re taking the baby out of their car seat and letting their bodies stretch in different positions for a bit.

What Do I Do If My Baby Hates the Car Seat?

So, your baby cannot stand when you put them in a car seat — are your dreams of a family road trip over? Not necessarily.

First, I would check with a doctor if anything makes the baby hate sitting in the car seat. If there are no medical concerns, then it may just be personal preference. You can slowly introduce long road trips with a baby and make the experience more pleasant. Both my kids hated drives at first, but they got used to it the more I traveled with them.

Don’t begin right off the bat with a 15-hour trip from LA to Lake Tahoe ; begin with an hour-long drive and gradually increase the time and distance . Doing this will allow you to test out a few soothing options and hopefully find one that works. Driving while the baby sleeps is also an option.

What Should I Pack for a Baby on a Road Trip?

You can read my full family road trip packing list for a more detailed list , but here are a few essential items to include that are important road trip with baby tips:

Extra diapers — Pack a little more than you think you’ll need. It’s better to be overprepared with a little one than scramble to find a grocery store while on the road.
Wipes and rash cream — These should be with your diapers, but again, pack a little more than you think you need in case of emergencies.
Extra sets of clothing — This is standard when going anywhere with kids and babies. Make sure you have extra clothes for messes as well as enough clothing for all kinds of weather.
Their favorite blanket — Keep babies comfy and soothed with whatever blankie they would use at home. This will help them sleep better in the car and may keep the tears away on the drive.
A few fun toys — There isn’t much space in the car, so you want to make sure that the toys you bring along will entertain the baby for long periods. Choose colorful toys, squishy ones, and even ones that make a bit of noise — just remember, you don’t want to have a distracted driver.
Bibs and utensils — Quick meals on the side of the road or at a gas station may be necessary. Pack in any mealtime essentials so you’re not left in the lurch if you need to make an emergency dinner stop.
Sippy cups and bottles — Ensure you have enough of these with you so that even if you can’t wash them out for a few hours, there’s still a clean one to use until you reach your hotel.
First aid kit — Always keep a car first aid kit on you. Include things like pain syrup for little ones, bandaids, and any medication your baby usually takes. Also, bring sanitizer, mosquito repellant, and a thermometer.
Baby car rier — Pit stops and impromptu hikes will be much easier and more enjoyable if you can comfortably carry the baby around.
Milk and snacks — While you can find food along your route, you definitely want to pack some easy-to-eat snacks and enough milk to avoid a hangry baby.
Bin bags — You’re going to want to keep the car clutter-free and as clean as possible. This will eliminate frustration, help you quickly find what you need, and make the drive more enjoyable. Keep plastic bags to throw trash in and discard them as soon as possible once you’ve stopped.

What Food to Carry for Babies While Traveling?

We’ve mentioned packing in food and snacks, but what else can you take that won’t make too much mess or require any prepping? Some great options to keep in the car for emergency snacking include:

Extra milk and/or water – I always warn parents against packing juices for road trips because they’re sticky and can get everywhere if spilled. Pack milk for the ride if your baby is too young for water.
Sipping yogurt – Driving may take away the baby’s appetite. Sipping yogurt is easy to eat in the car, will fill them up a bit, and often tastes good enough to entice them to eat.
Finger foo ds – Beef jerky, cheese puffs, finger sandwiches. These are all ideal for packing into a lunchbox in the car and handing over if your little one starts to complain about tummy grumbles.
Pre-packaged & single-serve baby food pouches – What you don’t want to do is try and handle large amounts of anything to dish anything out in the car. It might be a little more work, but getting pre-packaged snacks before you set off makes eating and sharing easier on the drive.
Pre-cut fruit – Cut up apple slices, pears, or oranges, as these will be a fun, sweet (but healthy) snack to keep the little mouths busy for a while.

Read more in my post with 101 road trip snacks for kids .

How Do You Pack Baby Milk for Travel?

If the baby is still exclusively on milk or only just starting on solids, you’ll want to bring quite a bit of this with you on your road trip with an infant. Keeping it fresh is important; no one wants to drive for hours with a car smelling like spoiled milk.

If you’re pumping breastmilk to take with you, keep it frozen before you leave . Then when you pack the car, put the milk into a well-insulated cooler box to stay cool and frozen during the drive. If you’re packing formula , pre-pack servings in either bottles or secure containers/bags is an easy way to do it. Then have a flask or bottled water to mix it up.

Sterilize your bottles before you pack them and again when you stop at your nightly accommodation.

My Top Tips for Long-Distance Driving With a Baby

If this is your very first road trip with a baby, just remember that it can only get easier from here. I’ve found that getting the kids used to traveling and being on the road from an early age means it becomes a splendid experience as they get older.

Besides keeping the car organized (and booking any accommodations you’re going to need well in advance), here are some other things I’ve found helpful when taking a 0- to 12-month-old on a road trip.

Check the Car Seat Before You Go

Most importantly, ensure that your car seat is safe , follows regulati ons , and is properly installed.

A car window safety shade is another must-add for a baby’s comfort and safety. Having the sun pelting down on their faces is a sure way to end up with a miserable baby.

Plan Your Route Carefully

Know where you’re going (as well as possible detours in case of roadworks, etc.) and how long you have between each possible stop. Know where you can stop to walk, where you can get gas, and where there are shops to top up on essentials .

This will give you a bit more control over how long to keep baby busy, when nap time should be, and where you can get out and stretch your legs if needed. You can also plan any activities along the way.

Make a Note of Doctors and Hospitals Along Your Route

While planning your trip, keep a log of hospitals, emergency doctors, and medical care units in each town and city you’ll be passing through . Hopefully, you won’t need to use this list when going on a long drive with a baby, but if you have a feverish kid or an unfortunate accident, it’s better to know where to go.

And on that note, be sure to keep important medical records on you while driving . From vaccination cards to allergies, bring anything that may be important in the event of an emergency.

Keep Essential Travel Items Packed in The Front of The Car

You don’t want to take up too much leg room, but you also don’t want to have to stop the car just to reach a pacifier. Before you pack the car, separate items for the drive from things you’ll only need when you stop or reach your destination .

On the other hand, don’t put items that you won’t need while driving in the front of the car. Keep extra clothes, bulky toys, and similar non-essentials in the boot instead.

Stick to Routine as Much as Possible

This may seem harder once you’re actually on the road, but if you can keep to regular nap times and feeding times , it will help your baby stay regulated and feel secure. Similarly, taking some of their personal items with you to put into hotel rooms can help them feel at home.

Get your free road trip packing list here!

Have Someone in the Back Seat

If you can, have one adult in the back seat with the baby if there’s a need for snacks or a quick drink. If you’re stopping often enough for food and drink, having an adult sitting at the back might still be helpful to talk to and entertain the baby .

Of course, if older siblings take up space in the back seat, try to get them to play nicely with and speak to the baby.

Look After Yourself Too

Just as it’s important to remember everything needed for the baby, it’s equally important for parents to stay happy and comfortable on long drives . Not only is it good for the parent driving, but it’ll also help keep the car’s atmosphere pleasant and calm .

Stop when you are feeling uncomfortable, too. Pack in a few of your own favorite snacks. If the baby is fast asleep, take the time to play some of the music you used to play on long drives. You can’t take adequate care of your baby unless you also care for yourself.

Again, these tips for a road trip with a baby are from my real-life experiences, so I hope you feel more confident to plan that drive you’ve been putting off!

Marissa Pedersen

Marissa is a passionate road trip enthusiast who has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada via car and continues to go on new trips every year to explore more of the country. Her love of road tripping has given her a unique perspective on the best routes, hidden gems, and must-see attractions along the way.

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Baby On Board: The Ultimate Road Trip Survival Guide For Travelling Parents!

Last Updated on April 18, 2024

In this article I share from my experience some tips for road trip with a baby. You can also download a printable checklist of the must haves for road trip with newborn, infants and even toddlers.

A weekend road trip is a great way to kick-start your travels after having a baby. But travelling with kids is challenging. Travelling with a fussy 10-month-old and their nervous elderly grandparents is another ball game.

That’s what we did when we went for a road trip after a gap of 2 years. I had to make sure everything was perfect, lest we are barred from travelling again by our son’s grandparents. (Typical Indian thing). And since that went so well, I did that again the next month, and plan to restart our monthly road-trips yet again.

Gradmother with a little baby crawling and playing in the playzone in a resort.

The post contains affiliate links for tours, hotels etc. This means if you make any purchase through the links in the post, I may get a commission without any additional cost to you.

A Quick Outline

At what age is a baby ready for travel?

Doctors advise a waiting period of 4 weeks before travelling with baby. Exceptions are made by some airlines for flying with newborn lesser than that age.

There are some cultural practices too that restrict travel for 40 days or even 6 months. But as per medical advice, it is completely safe to travel with an infant. Road trip by car is the most convenient mode of travelling with an infant.

Feeding Essentials

The number one priority on any road-trip with a baby, is the baby’s health. The quality of water is a big concern wherever you go, even though we boil the water and take necessary precautions. Here’s a checklist.

Water from home

The most common causes of health problems while travelling is water. While travelling with baby it is therefore advisable to carry few liters of water for the baby. Almost all hotels have electric kettles where you can boil the water. If not, you’d have to carry that too. So, check with your hotel beforehand.

Electric Sterilizer

Bottle sterilizer is a necessity wherever you go with your baby. it makes the process of sterilizing and keeping the bottle sterilized for hours, so convenient. Once I take that I also don’t need to worry about where to carry the bottles, feeding spoons, bowls, teethers, pacifiers etc.

My Recommendation: Phillips Avent Electric Sterilizer

Check other Sterilizers on Amazon

Check other Sterilizers on Firstcry

Adequate bottles/ feeding cups and other feeders

Till the age of 12 months, babies mostly rely on feeding bottles for liquid food. Always take more bottles or feeding cups than needed. Same goes for bowls and spoons for babies over the age of 12 months when their diet consists of more solid food than liquid.

Buy feeding bottles

Breast pump and storage containers

For breastfeeding babies, it’s important to carry breast pump and take some stored milk while traveling. While manual pumps are easier to carry along, I personally find them too slow, and exhausting compared to the electric ones.

My Recommendation: Medela Advanced travel-friendly set

Check out other breast pumps on Amazon

Check out other breast pumps on Firstcry

Adequate Formula Milk

For babies who have weaned or for those who are partially breastfed. Although formula milk is easily available in most medical shops in India, but you may not get the brand that the baby is used to. And trying something new on a trip is not a risk worth taking.

Adequate solid food mix like Cerelac / Slurpp etc.

A lot of restaurants offer baby food like khichdi, curd etc. Still, I’d prefer to carry baby cereal mix of a couple of flavors for variety instead. For my 10-month-old I exclusively relied on Cerelac wheat-apple-cherry flavor for snacks, and Cerelac rice-vegetable for lunch and dinner. For older babies one may give boiled eggs, milk, khichdi etc. from the hotel’s restaurant itself.

If you prefer cooking for the baby on a trip, do carry a baby food processor with you. That way you can save a lot of time cooking and also ensure hygiene instead of relying on the cooking utensils provided in the kitchen in your Airbnb.

Healthy Snacks

Healthy snacks like fruits, dried fruit peels (packaged), ragi biscuits are most certainly needed on a road trip. Here are my top picks for packaged items.

Bottle-cleaning gel

While I think we can manage cleaning bottles with hot water for a couple of days when on trip, it’s better to carry the usual bottle cleaning gel that you use. Pour it in a small container so that it is easy to carry while travelling.

Silicon Bib

Just one silicon bib is enough instead of carrying multiple cotton bibs on a roadtrip.

Feeding utensils

Just take one bowl and two spoons. You can also use bottle-spoons for feeding on-the-go.

A Case for Strollers

Going on a weekend road-trip and wondering if it’s worth taking the stroller along? Indian roads are usually not suitable to stroll along with the pram, but I’ll make a case for it.

I can say that carrying a stroller is useful because I didn’t take it the first time. It was impossible for us to eat at the restaurant with our super-active 10-month-old who couldn’t keep his hands off all the cutlery on the table. But if you have a stroller, you can buckle them there and keep them engaged with occasional chitchats and toys while eating. On our trip to the Vedic village resort our baby didn’t have to miss a thing – from the long strolls to the open-air chai time, to dinners.

Even feeding the baby in a stroller is much easier than without it. Anyone would agree over that. If the hotel does not provide a high-chair for the kids, you’re really going to miss the stroller while feeding solid food.

Check out the best baby strollers here .

Diaper Changing Essentials

You should carry all the diaper changing essentials in the carry-on bag or organise them in the backseat organiser of your car. Pack more than sufficient number of diapers in the suitcase. Here’s a checklist for diaper change.

Sufficient Diapers – I prefer the pant-style diapers for travel, over the taped ones, as the former prevents leakage to a large extent. However, changing tape-in diapers at night is easier, so you may prefer to carry the taped diapers in your suitcase for nights.
Diaper changing pad – pack a spare or two as well.
Diaper disposal bags . This is extremely important so that you don’t throw away the diapers anywhere. Just put it in the disposal bags and keep them in the car until you stop at an appropriate place for disposing it. These disposal bags lock the odor so that it won’t be uncomfortable for anyone.
Alcohol-free baby wipes
Diaper Cream to be applied liberally before diapering everytime.

Bathing & Hygiene Essentials

Here’s a checklist of bath and hygiene products to carry for the trip, lest you forget. For adults can always use the toiletries provided in the hotel, but babies should not.

You can buy a baby product travel kit from your favorite baby brands or pour a small amount in the travel containers.

baby wash and shampoo
baby lotion
Sunscreen lotion
baby hairbrush
Inflatable bathtub (Optional)

Buy a set of portable bottles with a pouch for carrying the baby toiletries.

Medicines & First-aid

Here is a checklist of the usual medicines that you need to carry on a road-trip. If the baby is on a special medication, don’t forget to carry them.

Mosquito gel
Colic drops
Sumol drops
Vitamin drops
Diarrhea medicines for precaution
any special medication that your baby is on

Clothes and napping accessories

What clothes to pack for the baby? Ofcourse you’ll have some in your mind for taking cute pictures and all. But never compromise on comfort while travelling. Here are a few things I’d take.

Tip: Organise these in packing cubes which makes it very easy to sort things out and separate the soiled ones from the new.

Lots of onesies
Sleeping bag
bed protector sheets

A Case for Car -seat

In the west, car-seat is compulsory for traveling with babies. Thankfully in India it is not. I have not heard great success stories about road-trips with a baby strapped to the car-seat. It may be a good idea for babies less than 8-months old, who are not so active and don’t want to move around a lot. Others won’t want to be strapped to the seat for more than fifteen minutes. I don’t know how that’s going to work! But if you can manage, it’s apparently safer (as per the advertisements go). Or with multiple trips you may get them more accustomed to this setting.

I have still refrained from using one on our road-trips as it just does not work for my kid.

Back-seat Organizer

A car backseat organizer is an amazingly useful accessory while travelling. The number of things you have to juggle with on-the-go while traveling with kids increase multi-fold compared to when you’re travelling as a couple. Back-seat organiser makes life easier. The down-side is that these are within the baby’s reach, so beware of the stuff you keep here.

Printable Checklist

And here’s the bonus printable checklist for you to download! This is a packing list for road trip with babies.

A printable packing checklist for road trip with a baby

And here’s a checklist for things you need to check with the hotel for better preparation for your road-trip. I have also included suggestions for things to keep in your carry-on diaper bag and/or the car’s backseat.

A printable hotel checklist for traveling with baby

So these were the best tips I could give to new parents from my experience. I hope you found it useful. Cheers to travelling with the tiny tots. If you have questions, tips or any thoughts to share, please feel free to comment. And don’t forget to share the post if you liked it.

Living in Bangalore? You can get some great ideas for long drives from Bangalore here .

Also Read: Roadtrip from Bangalore to Kolkata in 3 days!

Liked the post? Please share with your friends and family, and plan the trip now. Or you can save this guide to plan later.

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Sinjana Ghosh is a full-time business professional with a penchant for writing and travel planning. Backpack & Explore is a journal of her travel stories and tips she collected from her experience. She is the author of the travel book “Postcards from India” which is available on Amazon, Flipkart and Notionpress.com

I am sure you did not get barred from traveling with your baby again. Hahaha! You went full prepared man.

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All images and content in the blog Backpack & Explore are copyrighted. Using these anywhere without permission of the blog admin can lead to legal action.

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We are affiliate partners of Amazon , Booking.com , and GetYourGuide , among others. All product or service recommendations on our blog are based on personal experience and research. It is not influenced by any brands or affiliate partnership.

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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

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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.

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Packing for a Baby on a Road Trip: With Handy List

Date: July 18, 2022
Time to read: 5 min.

Road trips are a great way to travel with a baby because you have the flexibility to pack everything you need and change plans at any moment.

These are the essentials and the luxury items that will make your trip with baby smooth and comfortable.

The Packing List for a Road Trip with a Baby

Here is my ultimate road trip packing list for a baby, and if you would like you can find the printable version of the list by clicking the link.

Here is the list and some helpful details about each item.

No matter what type of diapers you use, pack enough so that you will not have to buy them on the trip. I may just be overly cautious, but I do not like to use new products on my baby’s skin when I am away from home in case it is irritating for them.

Diaper rash is so painful on a road trip when your little one will be spending so much time sitting.

As a general rule you want to pack 12 diapers per day for babies under 6 months, 10 per day for 6-12 month olds and 8 per day for any other diaper wearers.

These numbers come from my experience with my kids and I have found them useful guidelines for packing for vacations.

Pack 3 outfits for babies under 6 months, 2 for babies 6-12 months and 1 outfit for older babies in an accessible bag in case you need to do a quick change.

Pack comfortable clothes that fit well and are dark in color.

Pack a change of clothes for mom too . Taking care of a baby is a messy job and it can be very helpful to have an extra change of clothes for mom handy too.

I will never forget that moment when my first baby was born and I was enjoying my lunch while the baby napped and I realized that I had leaked breast milk all the way to the hem of my skirt.

I like to carry 3 baby blankets for my under 6 month old babies. I use them for nursing covers, play mats and to wipe up spills.

When I have a very small baby I use them all the time! On a road trip they can also be helpful to cover a window or clean up a soiled car seat. In a pinch an absorbent blanket can even be used as an emergency diaper.

For a 5 day road trip pack 10 blankets for a baby under 6 months old and 6 or 7 for an older baby.

I like to keep a wet bag like the one linked in to put the dirty blankets in. It keeps them separate from the clean stuff and contains any smell or moisture.

If you use bibs at home, pack them for the trip too! I like bibs that can be wiped off to save on laundry.

These very large bibs are perfect for babies as they are made of a very soft muslin cotton and they can be rotated if they get soiled on one side.

These cotton oilcloth bibs are my favorites for older babies as they pack very small and can be cleaned with a damp cloth if its a small mess. They are also super large which I love.

When babies are teething a combination of bibs and burp cloths might be your best bet to keep your baby dry and happy.

Formula moms know how important it is to keep a stash available when you are out and about. Pull out all your best gadgets to make feeding on the go easy and clean.

Formula dispenser containers and water plus plenty of extra bottles and nipples in a safe container.

I like to use gallon ziplocs to keep any dirty dishes together when on a road trip.

Breast Pump

If you are a breastfeeding mama I HIGHLY recommend a manual breast pump for your road trip.

A small easy to use manual breast pump can allow you to pump off some milk while you are riding in the car. I found this so helpful for a long trip.

I recommend that you stop every two hours to take your baby out of the car seat, but with very small babies you may still need to pump while you are traveling.

I have tried EVERY manual breast pump an d Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump is very comfortable, easy to clean and simple to assemble, but my favorite of all time is the Avent Comfort Pump . It is just the easiest one to use and the most comfortable one.

If your baby is eating solids, pack snacks!

As tempting as it might be to try a lot of new foods, stick to foods that your baby has enjoyed in the past in case of a bad reaction.

You can pack fresh fruit and vegetables in a small cooler or grab more shelf stable snacks like puffs and wafers.

If you choose to feed your child while they are in a car seat, be sure to supervise them the entire time to be sure that they are not choking or struggling with the food.

If you like a tidy car I find that the Baseus Rechargeable Vacuum is a game changer. I seriously love this thing.

I keep mine in my baby bag and I use it to clean out car seats, clean up spills at church and in other public places. It is so helpful to have in the car and I think it is one of my best road trip secrets.

Be sure to pack enough water for everyone on the road trip. We just got back from a long trip and dehydration is a real problem.

Pack water to make formula, water for everyone to drink and make sure you remind everyone to drink plenty of water.

Traveling With A Baby

If you are traveling with a very small baby you can find more tips for traveling with a 2 month old baby in this linked post or traveling with a one month old baby in that linked post.

Packing is 90% of the battle, so if you have everything you need you are likely to have a great trip.

The secret is that traveling with a very small baby is much easier than traveling with an 18 month old in my experience!

You got this mama. Go have a great adventure.

Family playing on the beach with a picture of a cooler. Text Cooler for Large Families

What Is a Good Budget For A Family Road Trip?

Can you Drive Over Hoover Dam? Cost, times and details

Family Camping By Water, Family Travel A Tadition

Are Jeep Wranglers Good For A Road Trip? Pros and Cons

How to prepare your body for a road trip: a 5 day plan .

The Best Road Trip Cooler for a Large Family

We are frequent road trippers, but with 5 kids we need to pack SNACKS! We have a bunch of coolers to meet each need on a trip. When traveling with family, choose an electric cooler for trips longer than 4 days or if you road trip frequently. A standard hard sided cooler meets most needs…

The Hoover Dam is open for cars to drive half way over, then turn around. Through traffic is not permitted on the dam. How Much Does It Cost to Drive Over the Hoover Dam? Driving over the dam is completely free. However, extras like parking and tours will cost money. The most convenient parking…

7 Exciting Maryland Road Trip Destinations

Maryland road trips offer anything any traveler may want: history, local culture, forests, beaches, and great food. Regardless of your family and friends’ road trip preferences, you can find something for everyone in Maryland. Here are 7 road trips destinations in Maryland you may want to check out. Inner Harbor Location: In Baltimore If you…

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Packing List for Baby: What to Bring and What to Leave at Home + PRINTABLE

Kimberly Miles

a woman with tan skin sits on a plane next to a tan baby boy with curly hair. he is seated in a car seat an looking out the window

That first trip with a baby can feel a little overwhelming. Never fear! We’ve been there and used our experience to create this packing list for baby. It will ensure you have ALL of the things you will need and NONE of the things you won’t!

I’ll never forget that first major trip I took with my son. He was barely 2 years old and I thought it was a good idea to spontaneously book a last-minute trip to Puerto Rico. Did I mention that I had never flown with him before?

Needless to say, I immediately began to stress out. With just a matter of days left before our flight, I had to quickly figure it all out: What should I pack? What should I leave at home? What if I forgot something that couldn’t be replaced when I arrived? Talk about overwhelming! A baby packing list with the things I definitely needed, the things I may need and the things did not need would have been helpful.

Thankfully, we survived. And I learned exactly what baby gear needed to be (and what didn’t need to be) on our baby packing list for future trips.

Whether you’re headed on your first road trip with your baby or first flight , here I share the must-have items to put on your travel packing list for baby (plus recommendations), as well as the things you can leave at home.

Baby carrier, an essential item on the packing list for baby

Packing List for Baby: Essential Travel Gear

Don’t forget these travel essentials to help you get to, from and around your destination:

Car seat dolley
Umbrella stroller
Stroller gate check bag
Baby carrier
Large diaper bag backpack
Baby travel bag

If you need to know which brand of travel stroller to buy, check out our recommendations.

If traveling by car, you will need to have a car seat. If traveling by plane and you don’t mind buying a second seat for baby, having your own car seat can keep your baby comfortable and feeling “at home” throughout the flight. I used a car seat the first time I traveled and flew with my son and by the end of the flight he was fast asleep.

Car Seat Dolley

This is a lifesaver for anyone who needs to fly with a baby and their car seat. Traveling with a car seat is enough of a pain, but managing both luggage and a stroller means you can quickly find yourself in over your head! A rolling car seat doesn’t just make it easy to pull the seat through the airport, but can also free up one of your hands if you choose to use it as a stroller.

My personal favorite is the Go-Go Babyz Travelmate, which made traveling with my son a breeze, especially as a single mom.

Holm Airport Car Seat Stroller Travel Cart and Child Transporter

Umbrella Stroller

When traveling with a baby , you’ll want to make sure you pack the most lightweight and portable, yet functional, stroller possible. A single or double umbrella stroller checks all of those boxes.

There are several brands that offer sturdy umbrella strollers with sun covers as well as undercarriage storage and detachable cup holders, which will help with holding extra items while keeping your little one comfortable.

Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Double Stroller with Reclining Seats & Extendable Canopies, Red/Black

Stroller Gate Check Bag

If flying, you’ll want to keep your stroller clean and protected during the flight with a gate check bag. When I would fly with my son’s stroller, I used the Angel Babyz Stroller Gate Check Bag. It’s sturdy, but its real super power is a shoulder strap that made carrying it around the airport a breeze.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Save on luggage fees and boarding hassles by stuffing jackets or other small lightweight items that you don’t need on the plane into your stroller gate check bag!

Baby Carrier

If your baby likes to be worn, a baby carrier is super helpful when you need two hands to lug around luggage and strollers. My son used to love being worn in his Baby Bjorn when I needed to get things done but wasn’t in a place to put him down.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Make sure to check airline rules about whether you are allowed to wear your baby in the carrier while in flight.

BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Mini, 3D Jersey, Dove Blue

Large Diaper Bag Backpack

When traveling with a baby, using a large diaper bag backpack for all of baby’s belongings versus a shoulder bag is highly recommended. A backpack will free up both of your hands, puts much less stress on your body, and doesn’t get in the way of wearing a baby carrier! A backpack also keeps things nice and organized, making passing through TSA a breeze.

Nowadays, you can even find multi-functional backpacks that convert into a portable baby travel bassinet and have a built-in phone charging station.

HOTBEST Diaper Bag Backpack, Multifunction Waterproof Travel Essential

Baby Travel Bag

Sometimes a backpack doesn’t quite fit everything, especially if you need more space for larger items such as baby blankets and multiple sets of clothing (especially if you have more than one kiddo). In that case, you’ll want to bring along a large baby travel bag to keep everything together.

Diaper Bag by RUVALINO, Large Travel Diaper Tote with Changing Pad, Insulated Pockets

SheBuysTravel Tip: Keep liquids toward the top of the bag for easy passing through TSA.

What you can leave off of your essentials packing list for baby:

Bulky car seats (especially if you don’t plan on driving)
Bulky convertible strollers

Diaper changing pad, an essential item on the packing list for baby

Packing List for Baby: Clothing and Diapering

Traveling with a baby means dirty diapers and messes! Don’t forget these must-have clothing and diapering items in your luggage:

Extra baby clothes
Change of clothing for mom/dad
Diapers and wipes
Diaper changing pads

Extra Baby Clothes

When packing your bag, include plenty of extra baby clothes for the trip. When traveling with my son, I would always pack two extra sets of clothes (including the onesies and booties) for each travel day, plus an additional two outfits just in case.

You never know when you’ll have a diaper blow-out or when the baby food or milk will spill. It will save you stres and embarrassment if you have plenty of extras handy.

Change of Clothing for You

I learned this the hard way when my son had a major blow out in a restaurant, leaving my shirt sleeve covered in– you know what. Make sure you pack at least one extra shirt for you along with the baby’s change of clothes in the diaper bag or carry-ons for those unexpected messes.

Disposable diapers and wipes

Make sure you pack enough diapers to get you through your trip, or at least until you can get to the next store to stock up. When flying, pack more than you think you’ll need. The last thing you want is to be mid-air and run out of diapers! Don’t forget the diaper cream and baby wipes.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Bring plenty of Ziploc bags to lock in the smells and messes before you put them in a public restroom or lavatory garbage bin. It’s one of the best uses of Ziploc bags for traveling!

Diaper Changing Pads

When traveling with a baby, you never know when a diaper change will need to happen. Public baby changing stations aren’t the most sanitary, and sometimes one isn’t available at all. That’s where portable diaper changing pads come to the rescue! Many diaper bags and backpacks come with a built-in diaper changing pad, but you can also find separate ones with baby wipe holders such as the MuppyKap Portable Changing Pad . Also, disposable changing pads are an option for easy clean up.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Before you board a flight with a baby, read these very thorough directions for changing a diaper on a plane ! You’re welcome.

What you can leave off of your packing list for baby:

Cloth diapers (especially when a washer/dryer is not available)
Too many disposable diapers

Packing List for Baby: Nursing and Feeding

A well-fed baby is a happy baby! Be sure to pack these nursing and feeding items in your carry-on and luggage:

Bibs and burp cloths
Breast pump and breast milk storage bags
Breastfeeding cover
Baby bottles
Sippy cup and utensils
Baby food and snacks
Portable high chair

Bibs and Burp Cloths

Extra bibs and burp cloths are a diaper bag must-have on any regular day. But when traveling with baby, you’ll want to pack even more for each day — especially if you won’t have access to a washer and dryer.

Breast Pump and Breast Milk Storage Bags

If you’re breastfeeding your baby , make sure you bring along a breast pump, including a manual pump such as the Philips Avent Free Comfort Manual Breast Pump for when outlets and batteries aren’t available. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of breast milk storage bags in your diaper bag as well as your carry-on.

Breastfeeding Cover

For those times that you need to breastfeed in public and want privacy, you won’t want to forget to pack a breastfeeding cover.

The Peanutshell 6 in 1 Multi Use Nursing Cover

Baby Bottles

Be sure to pack enough baby bottles for your trip and a bottle brush for cleaning, if you need it. When flying, stick with smaller baby bottles for your carry-on to prevent any issues with TSA. Smaller bottles also take up much less space!

If your baby still uses pacifiers, make sure you have plenty on hand, plus extras in case one of them gets dirty or goes missing altogether. My son was notorious for throwing his pacifier on the floor while I was driving, so it was nice to have a new one handy in the diaper bag to give to him. Pacifiers will also come in handy during ear-popping flight take-offs and landings.

Sippy Cup and Utensils

Having a sippy cup on hand is a must-have for mess-free road trips as well as flights. An empty cup has been extremely helpful when flying with my son. When the flight attendants come through for beverage service I can pour his drink in his own enclosed cup and know that it won’t end up all over me, the tray or on the floor (or worse, someone else). If they’re old enough to use their own utensils, don’t forget to pack those as well.

BrushinBella Baby Feeding Set - Collapsible Feeding Supplies for Travel

Baby Food and Snacks

Assuming they’re eating solids and old enough to feed themselves, don’t forget to bring enough baby food to last you through the trip (or at least until you can stop to buy more). You’ll also want to bring along some of their favorite bite-sized snacks for the car or plane ride. When flying with my son, I would always make sure to bring along lollipops for the ear-popping plane rides.

Portable High Chair

For easy feeding while at the beach, camping, or even in your hotel room, a portable high chair is a must-have on your packing list, especially during road trips. However, if flying, it may be better off to save yourself the trouble and leave it at home.

Large baby bottles
High chair (when flying)

Packing List for Baby: Bath Time and Health

Don’t leave home without these essential items for the the bathroom and beyond:

Portable bathtub
Travel potty seat
First aid kit
Medication & Documentation

Don’t forget to pack along the essential toiletries such as baby bath soap, baby lotion and a baby toothbrush.

The Honest Company Babe's Mini Must Haves Gift Set | Travel Size

Portable Bathtub

This is one of those items that you can take or leave depending on your trip. If you’re going camping or traveling somewhere without a bathtub, a portable bathtub is certainly handy.

For a lightweight, easy to transport bathtub, I recommend an inflatable bathtub such as the Goodking Baby Inflatable Bathtub . As a bonus, it can also be used as a baby pool! However, if where you are going has a tub or large sink, it may be better to save the space and leave at home.

Baby Inflatable Bathtub, Portable Infant Toddler Bathing Tub Non Slip Travel

Travel Potty Seat

For potty training little ones, a portable travel potty seat is good to have on the packing list. I recommend the BlueSnail 2-in-1 Travel Potty which is foldable, has a storage bag, and also has a seat ring that can be used alone.

2-in-1 Go Potty for Travel, Portable Folding Compact Toilet Seat

SheBuysTravel Tip: Read all of our tips for potty training while traveling, including why you should pack Post-It-Notes!

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit with medications, Band-Aids, ointments and necessary travel documentation is an absolute must-have on the packing list for baby.

In my family, my son’s Epi-Pen as well as a list from the doctor of all of his allergies go in a plastic bag and are packed in my carry-on. In addition, I pack travel-size bottles as well as a syringe or dosing cup for medications such as Benadryl and Tylenol.

Keep Going Travel First Aid Kit for Kids – 130 Piece

Portable bathtub (when traveling somewhere with a tub or large sink)

Pack n play, an essential item on the packing list for baby

Packing List for Baby: Play and Sleep

From playtime to bedtime, make sure you’re well-prepared with these items in your luggage:

Baby blankets
Baby travel bassinet
Travel crib
Portable toddler bed and toddler travel bedding
Baby books and toys
Airplane toys for toddlers

Baby Blankets

To keep your baby warm and comfortable, make sure to pack a baby blanket (bring their favorite, if they have one). Baby blankets are also make good nursing covers!

Travel Crib

If driving, it may be helpful to bring along a baby travel crib especially if a crib is not provided at your destination. When my son was an infant, the Graco Travel Lite Crib came in handy as a lightweight and portable crib, bassinet and Pack-n-Play all in one. If a crib is available at your destination, you can leave this at home– just don’t forget to bring your own crib sheets!

Portable Toddler Bed and Toddler Travel Bedding

For camping trips and hotel rooms without separate beds, a portable toddler bed is a must-have on the packing list. An inflatable toddler bed like the Little Sleepy Head Toddler Inflatable Bed is easy to pack, lightweight and comes with its own carrying bag. A portable sleep mat such as the Urban Infant Bulkie Kids All-Purpose Sleep Mat keeps all of your toddler travel bedding in one place.

Baby Toys and Books

To keep your baby happy whether in the air or on the road, be sure to pack a few of their favorite lightweight toys and books in your carry-on and luggage.

Airplane Toys for Toddlers

Packing along toys and books to play with is a good way to keep older babies and toddlers distracted during road trips and plane rides as well as during the trip itself. I would always purchase a brand new toy for my son to surprise him and pique his interest during trips when he started to get bored, antsy or fussy.

If you don’t mind a little screen time for your little one, a kid-friendly tablet such as the Leapfrog Epic is an excellent way to help them pass some time.

Heavy books
Bulky blankets
Baby monitor (unless they will be sleeping in a separate room)
Travel crib (if a crib is provided at your destination)

Play with beach toys, an essential item on the packing list for baby

Packing List for Baby: Beach Time

Ready for some fun in the sun? Make sure your beach trip is an enjoyable and comfortable one for baby by packing these items:

Swim diapers
Sand-proof beach blanket
Beach umbrella

If you know a trip to the pool or beach is on the itinerary, make sure you have packed a couple of swimsuits, sunhat and plenty of sunscreen that is safe for babies. If including sunscreen in your carry-on, make sure it’s the appropriate travel size (3oz) to get through security!

Swim Diapers

Swim diapers are a must-have for both beach and pool time. Make sure you pack plenty in your luggage for those days that you head to the beach or pool with the family.

Large Nageuret Reusable Swim Diaper, Adjustable

Sand-Proof Beach Blanket

One of the most used beach items for beach days with my son is a large sand-proof beach blanket such as the BREENHILL Beach Blanket . A sand proof beach blanket provides a place for the little ones to rest and play and is easy to clean and pack away at the end of your beach day.

If you’re driving your own car and have the space, don’t forget to also take along a beach umbrella to keep the entire family cool while enjoying your beach day.

You’ll want to bring along plenty of beach toys for playing and exploring the sand and water. Foldable beach toys are both sturdy and easy for carrying along in your luggage without taking up much space.

6 Pcs Foldable Sand Buckets Beach Toys Set for Kids Collapsible Bucket Castle Molds Shovels Rake Tool Kits

Packing List for Baby: Miscellaneous

Your baby packing list won’t be complete without including these items in your carry-on:

Birth certificate and passport
Chargers and cables
Wet wipes and hand sanitizer
Plastic bags

Birth Certificate and Passport

If traveling by plane and/or internationally, these items are a must-have. Otherwise, it is always better to carry a copy for your baby’s identification.

When I travel with my son, I keep all of our important documents organized in one place with a “travel wallet” such as the Valante Premium Family Travel Document Organizer .

Chargers and Cables

This should perhaps be one of the first items to pack, because you won’t want to be left stranded somewhere with a dead phone battery or unable to use any of your electronics. Before closing up your luggage make sure you have chargers for your phone, tablet, breast pump and baby monitor.

Having a portable charging battery such as the Anker Powercore is a must-have for when you need to recharge but aren’t near an outlet.

Wet Wipes and Hand Sanitizer

Antibacterial wipes and/or hand sanitizer will always come in handy for cleaning hands as well as surfaces. When traveling or on a plane, they are a must as you won’t always be able to get up and wash your hands, and you don’t know how dirty the surfaces are in the airport or on the plane.

Just like wet wipes and baby wipes, you’ll want to have some small travel packs of tissues and/or a plastic bag full of tissues on you for wiping noses, or for if you get stuck in the bathroom (or elsewhere) with no tissue paper.

Plastic Bags

Having a few empty gallon-size plastic Ziploc bags with you will come in handy for separating clothing, holding open snacks/food, storing soiled clothing and keeping trash. Keeping items stored in plastic bags also makes it easier to go through security as well as repack your bag after security.

Want a printable checklist? Print out the baby packing checklist below to make sure you don’t forget a thing:

Travel Gear:

Clothing and Diapering:

Nursing and Feeding:

Bathtime and Health:

Play and Sleep:

Beach Time:

Miscellaneous:

Did we forget anything? Share what other baby items you would bring on your family vacation in the comments!

June 1, 2020

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The Essential Packing Checklist for Traveling with an Infant in the Car

You're on your first long road trip with baby, and just as traffic screeches to a halt your baby starts screeching too. She needs a diaper, stat — and as you rummage through your bag with one hand, you realize you forgot to pack them.

We don't want this to happen to you. Use this printable packing checklist next time you're traveling with an infant in the car.

Things To do Before Leaving on your Road Trip with Baby

Make doubly sure your car seat is installed correctly. This is a good time to take a look at your baby's car seat to make sure the straps fit snugly, the angle is correct and the seat itself doesn't move more than an inch in any direction. If you need help, SaferCar.gov can help you find a car seat inspection station near you . While it may be tempting to have your baby ride facing forward so you can keep an eye on him, rear-facing is the safest position for children until they're at least two. 1
Map out places to stop. Don't count on driving for six hours straight. Traveling with an infant will be less frustrating if you plan to take frequent breaks, ideally somewhere that will entertain your baby. We're not talking about Disney World, but rather places like parks and shopping malls. Even marinas and roadside construction sites can provide some much-needed distractions during a road trip with baby.
Plan ways for your baby to kill time. Every minute your baby's busy, you're another mile closer to your destination. Place a dozen small (but safe) toys in a cloth bag with a narrow opening and let baby reach in to pull them out. An older baby can fish Cheerios one-by-one out of a spill-proof snack cup.
Protect your own sanity. Download a favorite audiobook. Stash some chocolate in your diaper bag. Schedule Starbucks breaks. Do anything it takes to keep yourself relaxed and calm. If you can't take another minute of traveling with an infant who's screaming and crying, pull over. Hold your baby, change her diaper, read a book together and try again.

What To Keep in the Front Seat while Traveling with Baby

These are the supplies you'll want to keep close at hand when you're driving.

Diapers: Have one for each hour of transit, plus extras, BabyCenter recommends .
Wipes for diaper changes and messes
Diaper cream
Washable changing pad
Plastic bags for wet or dirty clothes and diapers
Burp cloths
Nursing cover
Two changes of clothes for your baby
Change of clothes for yourself
Any special toy or lovey
Drinks such as bottled water and juice
Snacks, such as cereal, puffs, crackers and fruit pouches. If you have a young baby, never give her foods she could choke on while you're traveling in the car.
Breast milk or formula
Canned or jarred baby food
Small cooler with ice packs
First-aid kit
A window sun shade
A safety mirror so you can see your baby
A stack of small board books
A grab bag of toys (make sure none are choking hazards)
DVD player or tablet with headphones, if baby will be entertained by an app or a TV show

Everything Else To Pack in the Car when Traveling with Baby

Umbrella stroller and/or full-size stroller
Backpack carrier
Pack-and-play or travel crib (unless your destination provides one) and sheets
Baby monitor and batteries
Diapers: Calculate how many your baby uses per day, then pack a few extra.
Rain and cold-weather gear (if applicable)
At least two outfits per day with socks, packed in individual bags
Shoes or booties
Pajamas and sleep sacks
Swimsuit and sunsuit
Water shoes
Swim diapers
Baby laundry detergent
Baby fork, spoon and dishes
Spill-proof snack cups
Bottles or sippy cups
Breast pump, if you use one
Dish soap and brush
Inflatable baby bathtub, if you're flying with an infant so young he/she needs one. Otherwise use the hotel sink.
Baby shampoo/wash
Baby toothbrush and toothpaste
Baby comb, brush and hair ties
Baby nail clippers
Baby thermometer
Sunscreen and sunhat
Baby sunglasses
Outlet plugs, doorknob covers, toilet locks and other safety devices for crawling babies or young toddlers
Infant medications, including antihistamine and acetaminophen, plus any prescriptions. Don't give your baby Benadryl or another antihistamine unless your pediatrician recommends it. 2
Oral rehydration unfrozen freeze pops: an essential, says Have Baby Will Travel
Nasal aspirator and saline solution

Print Our Checklist for Traveling with Baby

Be sure to print our checklist for traveling with a baby and take it with you. Simply click the print link below and make sure to have your browser set to print background images so that you can see the checkboxes.

Print Checklist

HealthyChildren.com
BabyCenter.com

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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:-)

Runways and Byways

An Epic Newborn Baby Road Trip Packing List (+ Tips)

When I found out I had to take a road trip with my newborn baby, I panicked. What do I pack ? How do I care for her throughout the trip ? Will she behave ? A million questions were running through my mind, and the internet wasn’t giving me the answers I needed. I wound up having to learn from experience, but you do not have to. Keep reading for all the tips and tricks, as well as my tried-and-true newborn baby road trip packing list, to take yourself from anxious to assured.

This free page might contain affiliate links. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links, at absolutely no cost to you. I appreciate your continued support!

Table of Contents

Tips for Road Trip With Newborn Baby

If possible, leave during your baby’s sleepiest time of day (this might mean leaving at night time)
Prepare for the road trip to take longer than it typically would. Plan your itinerary accordingly, and lower your expectations on an arrival time
Every time you stop, lay your baby onto something flat, on their side, and/or give them some tummy time. Offer them wiggle time and burp them
Try to stimulate your baby as much as possible while stopped so that they will sleep/be content during the drive
Turn your baby’s head to their left or right side (alternating) every 30 minutes so they are not in the same position the entire time.
If possible, have an adult sit in the back of the car with your baby to monitor them.

Newborn Baby Road Trip Packing List

Clothing essentials.

In terms of clothing, the key is to dress your baby in something comfortable that is easy to get on and off at rest stops. Because we traveled in the winter, we also needed something that would keep my daughter feeling warm and secure; her fleece hooded onesie became our best friend. She wore a long-sleeved plain white onesie underneath it for some extra warmth (and to protect the fleece outer layer from blowouts).

I recommend bringing a few outfits for your baby, as you never know when they will soil their clothes. The number of outfits you bring depends on the length of your road trip. We brought three outfit changes for our 24-hour road trip, and, while we didn’t wind up needing to use any of them, it is better to be safe than sorry!

Packing summary :

Something comfortable that is easy to get on and off with extra layers to keep warm (if applicable) and protect from blowouts
Extra outfits (2-3 recommended)

A fluffy onesie should be added to your newborn baby road trip packing list is you are traveling somewhere cold

Feeding Essentials

Exclusively breastfeeding mommas may skip this section, but for the rest of us, a lot of preparation goes into feeding the baby on the road. This may go without saying, but packing lots of clean, sterilized bottles is essential. To determine how many bottles you’ll need, figure out how many stops you’ll be taking, and pack one bottle per stop (plus a few extras); in general, you should be making a stop to feed your newborn every two to three hours.

PRO TIP: Bring a bottle brush , mini dish soap, and microwavable sterilizer bag , just in case you run out of sterile bottles. A lot of hotels and gas stations have microwaves.

It would be a hassle to bring your bottle warmer on the road. My portable bottle warmer was a lifesaver. The boiled water I stored in it stayed hot for the entire duration of my 24-hour trip! If you run out, most gas stations have hot water.

If you are pumping, I would recommend investing in a wearable breast pump for convenience; my Bellababy pump worked great on the road. You can also use your plug-in breast pump in the car if you have a wall plug adapter .

As for storing your pumped breastmilk in the car, you have a few options. You can use a cooler or insulated bag with lots of ice packs for short-term storage. For longer trips, I recommend adding a mini fridge to your newborn baby road trip packing list; our mini fridge conveniently came with a car adapter. None of this would be possible without breastmilk storage bags and a pen/marker, so don’t forget to pack those!

You can also store your prepared formula in a cooler/insulated bag with ice packs or a mini fridge.

Bottles (one per planned stop, plus a few extras)
Burp cloths
Microwavable sterilizer bag
Bottle brush
Mini dish soap
Portable bottle warmer
Formula (pre-prepared or powder)
Wearable breast pump OR plug-in breast pump with wall plug adapter
Cooler/insulated bag with ice packs
Mini fridge with car adapter
Breastmilk storage bag
Pen/marker for writing on breastmilk storage bags

Consider adding a mini fridge to your newborn baby road trip packing list to store milk

Diapering Essentials

You probably already know what you need to change your baby (diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream/powder), but let’s go over the road trip logistics of diaper changes. Most bathrooms in gas stations and rest stops have diaper-changing tables; however, let’s be honest, they’re gross. For this reason, I added a travel diaper changing pad to my newborn baby road trip packing list; the one I purchased conveniently has pockets for diapers and a compartment for wipes. If you’d prefer to use the changing tables in the bathroom, for sanitary purposes, I would bring puppy pads to lay out on them.

As for the contents of your diaper bag, I recommend packing it as you normally would, but bring more of everything. Make sure to bring at least two diapers per planned stop and a few outfit changes (as previously mentioned), and hand sanitizer for when a sink may not be easily accessible.

PRO TIP: While changing my daughter, rather than throwing her dirty diapers and wipes onto the floor of my car, I quickly dumped them into a dog poop bag . It made both my car and the walk over to the garbage pail a lot less messy.

Diapers (at least two per planned stop)
Wipes (at least two packs)
A few outfit changes
Diaper rash cream/powder
Travel diaper changing pad or puppy pads
Hand sanitizer
Dog poop bags

Pack a portable diaper changing pad for sanitary changes on the road

Comfort Essentials

While none of the items I am about to mention are true newborn road trip packing essentials, they may be considered essential for comfort. First, I’d like to recommend adding a portable white noise machine to your newborn baby road trip packing list. This should help your baby rest and relax during a stressful trip; I have one that hooks onto my daughter’s car seat. Sucking on a pacifier may also allow your baby to self-soothe during the trip.

Next, you may wish to bring a baby blanket. Depending on how cold it is, a blanket over your baby’s legs could help them to have a more cozy and comfortable ride. Just be sure to watch your baby with the blanket to ensure it never covers their nose or mouth!

I also recommend hanging window sunshades in your car. Not only does this help to keep your baby calm (and hopefully asleep), but it also gives you a sense of privacy. I did not use window sunshades during my trip, however, as my car has tinted windows; same outcome, just a bit more pricey!

This last comfort essential is more for the comfort of the driver than the baby: a mirror . Hanging a mirror on the headrest of the seat on which your baby’s car seat is installed will allow you to see your baby during the drive and give you some peace of mind regarding their safety.

White noise machine
Pacifiers
Baby blanket
Window sunshades
Mirror

A mirror can help you to see your newborn baby during a road trip

Downloadable Newborn Baby Road Trip Packing List

For your convenience, I put together a downloadable newborn baby road trip packing list summarizing all of the items I mentioned in this post. You can access it by filling out the form below!

Download the Packing List!

Subscribe to the Runways and Byways newsletter and get your newborn baby road trip packing list!

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What will you put on your baby road trip packing list? If you have been on a road trip with your newborn, is there anything you’d personally recommend bringing? Contact me or let me know in the comments below!

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COMMENTS

The Essential Packing List for a Road Trip With a Baby
Essential Packing List for a Road Trip With a Baby. Travel Tips for the Road Trip Time Budget. We chose to stop every 2.5-3 hours to give the baby a break from the car seat, feed, and change. These longer stops took around 45 minutes to an hour. Then we had the occasional one-off stop for a quick feed or change.
Road trip with a baby: The essential guide including Tips and Packing list
Up until 6 months, babies will pretty much be fine with just milk/formula. After you begin to introduce solids, prepacked baby food and snacks become an essential road trip item. Rice husks and yogurt melts are excellent road trip snacks. They dissolve quickly, don't leave many crumbs, and our son loves them!
The Complete Baby Packing List for Travel
The Essential Baby Packing List. Before you panic about forgetting something important for the plane, beach, or hotel, take a deep breath and relax. Our complete baby travel packing list outlines all the must-have items for traveling with a baby. ... If you're on a road trip with a baby, you're already using your favorite car seat. If you ...
What to Pack When Traveling With Baby
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.
Road Trip with Baby: Essential Travel Packing List & Tips
Eufy Baby Monitor Check Availability. BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Check Availability. Blackout Cover for Pack 'n Play Check Availability. Baby Tula Lite Baby Carrier (with fanny pack) Check Availability. Here's the list of road trip items we took, many of which are the best baby products for travel. The below list is based on a three-day two ...
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.
The ultimate packing list for traveling with a baby
Diapering. Newborns: eight to 12 diapers per day. Advertisement | page continues below. 2-3 months: eight to 10 diapers per day. 3-6 months: seven to nine diapers per day. 6-12 months: five to seven diapers per day.
Road Trip With A Baby: 10 Essential Survival Tips + Packing List!
We advise packing 2-3 onesies in your travel bag to cover all of your bases - it'll save you needing to dig them out of suitcases on the side of the road for those emergency diaper changes. 7. Prepare for Frequent Stops. Taking baby on the road goes hand-in-hand with stopping. Frequently.
Taking A Road Trip With Baby: Checklist + Packing List
Have a copy of your baby's birth certificate with you or request a kid's ID, a passport, etc. if needed. And don't forget the car documents. 4. Get your car checked and make sure baby's car seat is properly installed. 5. Have realistic (or no) expectations as far as the duration of your trip - plan a lot of stops.
75 Tips for Traveling With a Baby (Free Packing Checklist)
Avoid outfits with buttons or snaps on the back of the clothing. These can be uncomfortable for babies to lay on for long periods of time. Zip Footie Pajamas - For infants, skip those fancy outfits and go straight for the pajamas all day. Avoid multi-piece outfits that will bunch up and cause discomfort for a baby.
Tips for a Road Trip With a Baby: How to Survive the Long Drive
Pack milk for the ride if your baby is too young for water. Sipping yogurt - Driving may take away the baby's appetite. Sipping yogurt is easy to eat in the car, will fill them up a bit, and often tastes good enough to entice them to eat. Finger foo ds - Beef jerky, cheese puffs, finger sandwiches.
Baby Road Trip Essentials: Packing List & Travel Tips
Essential Baby Road Trip Packing List. Preparing a comprehensive baby road trip packing list ensures that you're fully equipped to handle any situation that may arise during your long drives with your baby. Here is the essential packing list for a road trip with a baby: Diaper Changing Essentials
Baby's Weekend Road Trip Packing List: Summer Edition
Here's a look into my packing list based on my experiences road trip traveling for long weekend getaways with my newborn baby at 3 weeks old, 6 weeks old and 12 weeks old. For complete tips on taking a weekend getaway road trip with a baby, check out 9 tips for newborn baby's first road trip. First thing's first: write your checklist
Roadtrip With Baby
Also Read: A complete packing checklist for any road trip. The post contains affiliate links for tours, hotels etc. This means if you make any purchase through the links in the post, I may get a commission without any additional cost to you. A weekend road trip is a great way to kick-start your travels after having a baby.
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 Essentials & Baby Travel Packing List
Pool flotation devices & toys. Beach towel (if hotel doesn't provide) UVA pop up tent - a baby beach essential which can fold up very compactly. Re- usable plastic bags. Cot linen (for some self catering properties) Toiletries & sponge, baby shampoo, make-up. Universal bath plug for turning a sink into a bath.
Packing for a Baby on a Road Trip: With Handy List
Clothes. Pack 3 outfits for babies under 6 months, 2 for babies 6-12 months and 1 outfit for older babies in an accessible bag in case you need to do a quick change. Pack comfortable clothes that fit well and are dark in color. Pack a change of clothes for mom too. Taking care of a baby is a messy job and it can be very helpful to have an extra ...
14 Tips for Enjoying a Road Trip with a Baby (With Packing List
14. Your baby road trip packing list. We've broken down your baby road trip packing list into 4 main categories — car seat travel, diaper changing, feeding, and nighttime. Here's what to bring on a road trip with a baby, along with helpful links to the products we liked. Car seat travel
6 ESSENTIAL Tips for a Road Trip with a Baby (0
4. Getting Baby Sleeping in the Car. Every baby is unique and hopefully you'll have a good idea of what conditions make your baby sleep in the car. This is stating the obvious, but for a baby on a road trip, sleeping in the car is a great way to easily pass the time. Our daughter asleep in the car.
Packing List for Baby: What to Bring and What to Leave at Home + PRINTABLE
Before closing up your luggage make sure you have chargers for your phone, tablet, breast pump and baby monitor. Having a portable charging battery such as the Anker Powercore is a must-have for when you need to recharge but aren't near an outlet. Anker PowerCore 26800 Portable Charger. $65.98 $55.45.
The Essential Packing Checklist for Traveling with an Infant in the Car
Use this printable packing checklist next time you're traveling with an infant in the car. Things To do Before Leaving on your Road Trip with Baby. Make doubly sure your car seat is installed correctly. This is a good time to take a look at your baby's car seat to make sure the straps fit snugly, the angle is correct and the seat itself doesn't ...
The Best Baby Travel Packing List (+ Downloadable PDF)
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.
An Epic Newborn Baby Road Trip Packing List (+ Tips)
For this reason, I added a travel diaper changing pad to my newborn baby road trip packing list; the one I purchased conveniently has pockets for diapers and a compartment for wipes. If you'd prefer to use the changing tables in the bathroom, for sanitary purposes, I would bring puppy pads to lay out on them.

The Essential Packing List for a Road Trip With a Baby

Essential Packing List for a Road Trip With a Baby

Flexibility

What to Keep in the Front of the Car

Feeding Essentials

Other Essentials

Everything Else to Pack

Sleep Essentials

Hygiene + Medical + Diapering

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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!

1. Book Your Flights

2. Book Your Accommodations

3. Book Your Tours & Experiences

4. Book Your Car

5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access

6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

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Road trip with a baby: The essential guide including Tips and Packing list

What Should I pack for a road trip with my baby?

How much time should I allocate for a road trip with my baby?

How do I change my baby’s diaper on a road trip?

How do I prevent my baby from crying in the car?

Drive while the baby is sleeping .

Take timely breaks .

Sit in the backseat.

My baby won’t stop crying. What do I do?

Give the baby a pacifier.

Use the “baby shusher”.

Give them snacks.

Road Tripping with a Baby: Packing List

Food and Drink

Supplies for momma

Additional items that make for a more comfortable trip

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Learn more about road trips for babies!

What to expect on your first trip with a baby

Naps and sleeping tips for road trips

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The importance of the diaper bag

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

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!)

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Baby Packing List | Travel Gear

Baby Packing List | Clothes

Baby Packing List | Nursing & Feeding

Baby Packing List | Health & Bath

Baby Packing List | Play & Sleep

Baby Packing List | Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Free Printable Checklist: Baby Travel Packing List!

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The ultimate packing list for traveling with a baby

What to pack when traveling with a baby

Travel gear

Travel stroller

Car seat bag