Re-entering the world of travel after having a child is certain to come with a few bumps and bruises. It definitely seems daunting at first no matter how experienced at traveling you are. Although I am still figuring out how to travel with a toddler now (as soon as you feel like you know what you’re doing, they grow up a little), I have found a few baby travel essentials that I bring on every trip.
Please do not feel like you have to run out and spend hundreds of dollars in order to travel with your children. Instead look around your home first to see what you already have. Many of these products are ones I use at home as well as when we travel. Secondly, your baby and family may not need every single item on this list depending on the trip and circumstances. It is ok to purchase each item as the need arises instead of all at once. And finally, I personally feel a little discomfort is worth the experiences that travel provides. So if that means a couple nights of less than ideal sleep or having to use a baby carrier in a destination not suitable for strollers then I will happily do so.
If you don’t agree, then you may want to find destinations that are super baby friendly such as being amicable to strollers, providing high chairs, etc.
That said, you will run into less discomfort using these suggestions! You don’t have to go a whole vacation with no sleep and a fussy baby. Baby travel essentials have come a long way in the last few decades making family travel even more accessible and enjoyable for young families.
This post may contain some affiliate links. This means I make a small profit from your purchase but at no increased cost to you. I only recommend products that I love and would purchase myself! Full disclaimer here.
The Best Baby Travel Essentials
- Clothes
Let’s start with the easy part, you are going to need to bring clothes for the baby. I pack one outfit per day plus 2-3 extra outfits for unforeseen events like blow-outs, messy meals and play times that get extra messy. In addition, I bring any activity specific clothes that may be needed like swimsuits.
If at all possible during trips longer than about a week, I like to stay in an Airbnb with a washer and dryer in order to do laundry. You can also look for hotels with laundry services or schedule in a time to visit a laundromat.
- Shoes
So you’ve got the clothes but don’t forget the shoes. For young infants I love these soft velcro booties. They are comfortable and warm but don’t fall off as easily as socks. We used to bring these with us EVERYWHERE.
Once your kiddo starts crawling and walking more I recommend some soft soled moccasin style shoes. They are easy to walk in when they are just starting out, easy to clean and versatile. Our first kiddo wore his so much that he wore holes in them just as he started to outgrow them.
Once your child has been walking for a few months and gotten the hang of it more then we liked these hard soled sketcher tennis shoes for our adventures. They were sturdy, supportive, matched just about everything and semi-waterproof. Although they definitely are not completely waterproof as Roman proved when he walked through the single puddle to be found at the strawberry patch. It took a full day and a half for them to dry out.
Because they take so long to dry, if any water activities or water adjacent activities are planned I would recommend picking up a pair of silicone sandals. You can find them at Target or on Amazon for fairly inexpensive. They are easy to clean and will dry much, much faster.
- Baby Travel Essentials for Feeding
If you are nursing while traveling then you have the easy end of the bargain. You will need to bring minimal supplies along. I recommend nursing pads in case of leaks and a swaddle for a cover if you want it.
You can bring a manual pump and extra formula if you feel like you may need either just in case. I never felt the need to bring them and never missed them in a year and a half of nursing. A large time change could mess with your feeding schedule though in which case they may come in handy.
If you are a pumping mother then you will need to bring your pump, storage bags, a small cooler, ice packs, dish soap and bottles. These are all allowed through security.
For formula fed babies you are allowed to bring as much formula as is reasonably needed for your trip. You will also need to bring bottles and some dish soap to clean the bottles each night. If your baby will only take a warm bottle, you may want to consider getting a bottle warmer to avoid the hassle of finding warm water everywhere you go.
Finally, once your kiddo starts on solids and water I recommend adding a silicone bib, food pouches and a water bottle to your baby travel essentials. The silicone bib will help minimize messes at meal times by catching food that would otherwise fall on the ground. Plus it is easy to wipe clean with a wipe and some soap and water.
Food pouches, either disposable or reusable, are great snacks as well as to keep your kiddo happy while waiting for meals at a restaurant. I always bring 1-2 per outing which could add up to a few a day. This may be something to purchase once you reach your destination.
- Diaper Changing Supplies
I don’t know the last time any mom left home without diaper changing supplies on purpose but it is important enough to mention. I recommend bringing enough diapers and wipes to cover your travel days plus 1-2 days in case of delays. From there you can either purchase diapers and wipes at your destination OR pack extras with your car seat/stroller.
I pack diapers inside the carseat and stroller bags. This helps protect those high value items as well as gives me extra space in my luggage. This is not expressly against the rules however, you could be asked to remove them and risk having to throw away perfectly good diapers and wipes. I have used this hack several times and never run into any issues but use it at your own risk.
I also highly recommend bringing along a changing pad and diaper rash cream. Especially if your child is prone to diaper rash.
More Baby Travel Tips:
- Baby Packing List for Your Next Family Vacation
- Ultimate Guide to Bringing Car Seats on Airplanes
- How to Travel with a Baby: Everything You Need to Know
- How to Take Baby Passport Photos at Home
- A Parents Guide to Changing a Diaper on a Plane
- Wet Bags
A wet bag has many uses when traveling. It can be used to store a swimsuit after a pool or beach day, or to store soiled clothes after a blow out, it can also be used to keep valuables dry and sand free at the beach. These are just a few examples but you get the idea. You can either purchase reusable pouches or bring along a handful of ziplock bags.
- Comfort Item
If your child uses a binkie, a stuffed animal or a blanket to sleep at night or calm down after a fit then make sure you bring it with you on vacation. And consider bringing an extra or three just in case. You do not want to be stuck without it on your first night on vacation in an unfamiliar place with no store close by that sells an identical item or even a similar replica.
- A Few Books and Toys
It can be easy to feel like you need everything plus the kitchen sink to keep kids happy. However, try not to go overboard in this department. I bring along a few small, durable toys for odd moments like car rides or museums that Roman might want to play with something. For the most part though he just wants to run around and touch everything or use what I am using or eat a snack, etc.
Toys will just end up taking up precious space in your bags so bring a few favorites or buy new ones that will occupy their attention for a long time. Pop-its are great in our experience.
We also bring along a couple of books because it is part of our night time routine. We read one every night but it is ok to read the same two books for a week or two. The kids don’t mind!
- A Blanket
Not just any blanket will do though. It can’t be bulky or heavy. I love the Aden and Anais swaddle blankets. They are lightweight yet still provide warmth and they pack up extremely small. A blanket can be used for sleep, a nursing cover or a play mat on the floor. So even if you don’t still swaddle it is worth bringing along one or two for various situations.
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
If you brush your kids’ teeth at home on a regular basis then there is no harm in bringing the toothbrush and toothpaste along. Then you’ll keep the habit going and luckily they are small.
If you aren’t brushing at home yet on a regular basis then you don’t need to worry about this one.
Shop Baby Travel Essentials
- Travel Crib
Every baby needs a safe place to sleep. If you are bringing your own travel crib, try to find one that is lightweight and compact. If you don’t want to worry about bringing your own then try to find a hotel that provides one. This can save a lot of hassle when you already have enough to bring through the airport.
Whatever bed you end up using, sleep in a new place can (and probably will) be a struggle initially. I recommend having your child practice sleeping in their pack n’ play at home so that they get used to it. If they can see you in the hotel room because you are all in the same room then a worthy investment might be the Slumberpod. It is expensive for sure. However, our biggest struggle with getting a baby to sleep on vacation is that he can see us in the same room.
The Slumberpod solves that problem, it is a small tent-like product that goes around the travel crib. It offers a dark space for them to sleep in with a zippered door so that they cannot see you. Unlike cheaper models the slumberpod allows kids to stand up in their crib which is more similar to their cribs at home.
- Sound Machine
If you use a sound machine at home then you definitely need a portable sound machine to use for naps and nighttimes. There are several great options at really affordable price points. This one is small and reliable, which are my top two requirements.
Even if you don’t use a sound machine at home it may be worth adding to your baby travel essentials. You never know if you’ll have loud neighbors at your hotel and a sound machine may just save your sanity when it helps your baby sleep through the night despite the noise.
- Sleep Necessities
Anything else that your baby uses at home to sleep or that is a part of their nightly routine I would make sure you bring it along if you can. Our son sleeps in a sleep sack every night. So I always pack 2-3 to bring along. The extras are in case one gets dirty or if there is an accident during the night.
I also recommend bringing a crib sheet. These are not always provided when you use a hotel crib or rent one so it is important to bring your own just in case.
- Infant First Aid Kit
In case your child gets sick or hurt or starts teething while on vacation I recommend putting together a small first aid kit with basic medical supplies to bring along with you. It doesn’t have to be a lot. On some vacations you may be able to easily purchase medicine at your destination like on a trip to grandma’s house. But otherwise I recommend having bandages, some infant tylenol, infant benadryl and a thermometer. These basics will be useful for minor injuries and ailments.
- Sunscreen
When on vacation people tend to spend more time outside than they normally do at home. All that extra sun exposure adds up and if you are on a beach trip then this is especially important. Using child’s sunscreen on kids over six months to a year is recommended.
For added sun protection you can bring along sunglasses and hats if your kiddo will wear them.
- Car Seat
It may seem like a hassle to travel with a car seat by airplane but sometimes it is necessary. When babies are still in their bucket seats then those are what I recommend you fly with. Once your kiddo graduates to a bigger car seat you may want to buy an inexpensive car seat that weighs significantly less than your day to day carseat.
These lightweight travel car seats are just as safe. They simply weigh several pounds less because they lack many of the bells, whistles and padding of other seats. If you are ok carrying the extra weight of your daily car seat through the airport and want to save the $50-$100 for a travel seat that is ok too.
You will want to travel with a car seat any time you will need to drive in a car at your destination. I like locations with great public transportation because then you don’t need to bring a car seat.
More Family Travel Tips
- Baby Carrier
I really love using a baby carrier when we travel, it is my number one baby travel essential. They are easy to use, fit in all the spaces anywhere unlike strollers and leave your hands free while you travel. The best baby carrier for travel depends on your exact vacation needs and price range.
We have (and love) an Infantino carrier that is very affordable, comfortable and can be used up to 32 lbs.
- Stroller
To be 100% honest, I don’t think a stroller is a necessity if your baby will happily go in a carrier. Many destinations in Europe and even in the US are not very stroller friendly due to cobblestone roads, small restaurants and lots of stairs. We brought a stroller to Charleston, NC and used it once, only to regret our decision and return it to our car as soon as we could.
If your destination IS stroller friendly or you really want to bring one then I recommend a lightweight but sturdy one. If you are flying on a plane then I recommend getting a stroller that folds up small and fits in the overhead bin. Or purchasing a stroller bag that will protect it while it gets loaded on and off the plane.
- Location Specific Items
Last up on the baby travel essentials is not a specific item but simply to say that some destinations may require additional baby gear. If you are headed somewhere snowy and cold then make sure you bring a baby snowsuit. If you are headed to a tropical destination then don’t forget the baby beach essentials like shade.
What Not to Bring When Traveling with a Baby
- Plates or Utensils: I only bring along a bib for meal times. I don’t want to worry about cleaning several different pieces of dinnerware after every meal. I usually let Roman get his hands dirty or help him use adult silverware. Then he eats off our plate or sometimes we ask for an extra plate with our meals at restaurants.
- Baby Bath: While traveling I let baths become slightly more infrequent and I always give him a bath right before leaving. Then I let him take baths in the normal bathtub if the hotel room has one. If there is only a shower then for small babies I would give a sink bath and for kiddos that can stand on their own I would help them stand in the shower as I wash them down. This has worked for us from the beginning.
Baby Travel Essentials You Need
That is basically everything we bring along when traveling with a baby. Kids definitely do require a lot of gear but it may not be as much as you were originally thinking. Trying to pack with a minimalist mindset will help you avoid overweight baggage fees and killing your back lugging suitcases from place to place.
What baby travel essentials would you add to this list?
