The Complete Baby Travel Essentials List

Traveling with your baby for the first time can stir up many emotions: excitement, nervousness, joy, and anxiety, to name a few. After you book your flight, create your itinerary, and cross days off your calendar as you approach your departure date, it’s time to pack your bags. Packing your own bag for a trip can often be a time-consuming process. But packing for a baby is a whole other ball game. I created this baby travel essentials blog post to help ease your packing anxieties and ensure you have everything your little one needs for their adventure.

When traveling with our daughter, my goal is to avoid overpacking. I always aim to have all her belongings in a carry-on-size suitcase. I prefer to carry on her bag to ensure it doesn’t get lost during transit. When I travel to a destination with easy access to a store like Target, I buy specific items upon arrival instead of carrying extra things in my suitcase—for example, extra diapers, bottle soap, pouches, etc. I’ve categorized this baby travel essentials post and provided additional details about what’s worked for us! Keep in mind that every family is different, so it might take a little trial and error to see what works well for you.

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Table of Contents

Essentials

Starting with the most important items first: the true baby travel essentials. These are the items you’ll likely have on your person during your travel days. These essentials might vary depending on how you’re traveling (plane vs. car) and where you’re traveling to (warm vs. cold climate), but the items listed below are considered must-haves by most well-traveled mamas.

Compact Travel Stroller: A compact travel stroller is the ultimate baby travel essential. Travel strollers are fantastic because they’re designed to fold for easy storage. Most of them will fit in an airplane’s overhead bin, which is a great feature when traveling internationally. I did a ton of research on travel strollers and decided to purchase the Colugo compact stroller. It’s extremely easy to fold down with one hand, durable yet lightweight, and has an impressive sun cover. It also includes a travel backpack for storing the stroller when you gate-check it, a rain cover, and a cup holder. If you’re traveling to a warmer destination, a stroller fan is another fantastic accessory to bring with you.

Car Seat: Another baby travel essential is an infant or convertible car seat. You have two options with car seats: bring your car seat from home or rent one when you arrive at your destination. During our first trip with our daughter, we brought her car seat with us rather than adding one to our rental car reservation. We flew with her as a lap child and had heard that occasionally, you might get lucky and snag a row to yourself and be able to bring the car seat onboard. We had no such luck. While having a car seat you and your baby are familiar with is convenient, carrying it into the airport and gate-checking it can be a hassle. If you decide to gate-check your car seat, you will absolutely need a car seat travel cover to avoid damaging it in transit.

Diaper Bag: A diaper bag is a must-have since it contains everything you want or need at your fingertips when traveling with your baby. I have the BEIS diaper bag, and I love its style and functionality. If you’re flying with your baby, the diaper bag can be treated as your baby’s personal item. Below are the items you’ll find in my diaper bag when traveling with my baby:
- Diapers, wipes, and changing pad
- Travel-size butt paste
- An extra change of clothes for baby
- One bottle and a formula dispenser with pre-measured formula
- Baby’s water bottle
- Snacks
- A few toys
- Clorox wipes, Wet Ones, and hand sanitizer
- Extra pacifiers

Pacifiers & Pacifier Clip: Pacifiers are the best travel companions for babies, especially on plane rides, to help with the pressure changes during take-off and landing. I like to have one attached to a pacifier clip to avoid it falling on the ground while on the go. I’ll pack a few extras in my diaper bag and carry-on suitcase as backups.

Baby Monitor: A baby monitor is helpful to bring with you on your adventures so you can keep an eye on your baby after you’ve put them down for bed. At home, we use our Nanit (which we love!) and utilize the travel base during specific trips. However, most WiFi baby monitors have security measures in place that won’t allow you to connect to an unsecured network. This can be limiting depending on where you’re traveling and where you’re staying. If you’re staying in a hotel or any accommodation that doesn’t have a secured WiFi network, consider packing a non-WiFi baby monitor.

Pack and Play & Fitted Sheet: If you’re traveling by car, you have the option of bringing a pack-and-play with you for your baby to sleep in when you arrive at your final destination. If you’re traveling by plane, odds are you’re booking a hotel or accommodation with a travel crib or pack-and-play for your baby. Most places will provide a fitted sheet, but I always pack my own since I know it’s clean and smells like home.

Changing Pad: Let’s face it: Babies need their diapers changed more frequently than we care to admit. A changing pad is a baby travel essential since you’ll need a spot to change a dirty diaper without fear of making a mess. While my diaper bag includes a changing pad, I prefer to pack an extra to set up a little changing station in my hotel. I have this one from Pehr, and it’s perfect for on-the-go changes!

Baby Carrier: Depending on where you’re going, what you’re doing, and if your babe likes to be contained, a baby carrier can be a great addition to your baby travel essentials. We use our BabyBjörn carrier for casual travel needs and a hiking pack for more adventure trips.

Clothing & Accessories

Next up on the baby travel essentials list are clothing and accessories. Unfortunately, babies can be a little messier than average adults. So it’s easy to want to overpack in case of emergencies. I personally like to include a few extra outfits, just in case. However, I also purchase a travel laundry detergent in the event that I need to handwash a few items or utilize an in-unit washer if my accommodation has one available. Plus, if you’re really in a pinch, you can always buy a few new clothing items during your trip!

Clothing: The clothes and undergarments you pack for your baby will vary greatly depending on where you’re traveling, the weather of the location you’re visiting, the activities you plan to do on your trip, and the age of your baby. A few staple items are white onesies as a base layer, tops, pants, dresses, sweaters, swimsuits, socks, and a jacket.

Shoes: Shoes may or may not be necessary, depending on how old your baby is and whether they’re walking or not. When we first traveled with our daughter, she was 8 months old and wasn’t walking yet. We only packed shoes for her because we knew we would be in a colder climate and wanted her feet covered.

Hats: First off, there is nothing cuter than a baby in a hat, in my opinion. Second, hats are a baby travel essential since their skin is so sensitive to sunlight. A cute sun hat or baseball cap is perfect for visiting a warm and sunny location. A cozy beanie is also ideal when visiting a destination with colder weather.

PJs & Sleep Sack: Last but not least, these are the two items you need for bedtime. A pair of PJs and a sleep sack are crucial for when it’s time for lights out. Depending on how long you’re traveling, you’ll want to pack at least two to three sets of PJs and one to two sleep sacks.

If you need a comprehensive packing list for all your travel needs, I’ve got you covered! I created the ultimate packing list for your upcoming adventures, including carry-on essentials, toiletries, clothing, and location-specific items.

Toiletries, Medicine, & Bathtime Essentials

Another important element of the baby travel essentials packing list is your baby’s toiletries, medicine, and bathtime essentials. I recommend packing these products in a clear toiletry bag so you can see everything at your fingertips. Each baby is unique in the products they use or certain medications they need to take, but the list below is a solid foundation to get you started:

Toiletries

Medicine/First Aid

Bathtime Essentials

*Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. All medication or treatment for your baby should be discussed with a pediatrician before use to ensure safety and proper care.

Feeding

The items needed for feeding will significantly depend on how old your baby is and what type of food they’re currently eating. Most babies under the age of 1 drink either breast milk or formula at least a couple of times a day. Some babies are eating purees; others have started solids. I’ve highlighted the key items in this section of the baby travel essentials post to capture the majority of items your baby could need for feeding purposes.

Bottles: If you’re reading this post, you likely have a babe under the age of 1. If so, your little one is definitely still needing anywhere between one to five bottles throughout the day. I prefer to travel with three bottles, and I always like to keep them in my personal possession. Storing one in your diaper bag will ensure you have one readily available for feeding on the go.

Formula or Breast Milk: Another must-have item is formula or breast milk. TSA considers both items medically necessary liquids, and you shouldn’t have any issues traveling with them in your carry-on or checked bag when traveling within the US. International travel regulations vary a bit, so it’s best to research beforehand. Depending on where you’re traveling, you can always bring the formula you need for your travel day and buy additional formula when you arrive. For breast milk, you can carry on the amount you need for the flight and pump when you arrive at your destination.

Flying with frozen breast milk as a nursing mom? If so, check out my blog post that outlines how to travel with frozen breast milk in your checked luggage!

Travel Size Bottle Soap, Bottle Brush, & Drying Rack: These items are considered nice-to-have products more than essentials, in my opinion. I’ve traveled with these products in my suitcase on some trips and purchased these items at a store when I arrived at my final destination on other trips. Either way, you’ll want to be sure you have something to wash your baby’s bottles and other feeding essentials properly. This is my go-to mini soap, travel bottle brush, and travel drying rack.

Sterilizer Bag: These bags are great to bring with you on a trip since they allow you to sterilize your bottles and other sterilizer-safe baby products on the go. When I traveled to Mexico, these sterilizer bags were a lifesaver since I was worried about washing my pump parts using tap water.

Bowls, Plates, & Utensils: If your baby is eating purees and/or solids, you’ll need to pack a few items for them to eat off of. These plates and bowls are my favorites on the go since they suction to surfaces and have a non-slip design. You could also leave the bowls and plates at home if you want to use the dinnerware at the restaurants you visit. I would recommend bringing baby-safe utensils with you, though!

Bib: Let’s face it, babies are messy eaters. A bib is the ultimate feeding essential at home and on vacation. I typically only pack one bib with me, and I love this one from Loulou.

Burp Cloths: Burp cloths are great to have on hand in your diaper bag so you can gently wipe your baby’s face after a feeding.

Food, Pouches, & Snacks: As many parents know, food and snacks are essential to keeping your kids happy. When traveling with your baby, it’s always wise to pack whatever food-related products your baby might need to ensure they don’t get hungry/crabby on travel days. This could be a combination of bite-size food, snacks, and purees. I like to pack and store a few food options in my diaper bag.

Toys

Another baby travel essential to lightly incorporate into your packing list is toys. Toys are fantastic since they can keep your baby entertained and soothe them simultaneously. The type of toys you’ll want to pack will depend on how old your baby is and what kinds of toys they’re interested in at the time. What I’ve listed below should apply to most babes between the ages of 5 to 12 months, but every baby is different!

Suction Spinner: For me, this is the ultimate baby travel toy. Suction spinners are spinning toys attached to a suction (hence the name), and you can stick them on surfaces for baby’s entertainment. We used ours on the plane by sticking it to the window and at restaurants by sticking it to the table. Our daughter really loves this one by Mushie.

Stacking Cups: Stacking cups are another fantastic toy to bring with you for three reasons. First, they can be used to create towers babies love playing with and knocking over. Second, they can also be used as bath toys. Third, they nest together, which allows them to take up less space in your suitcase. Talk about a win, win, win.

Teething Toys: Babies start teething around 4 months old, so packing a teething toy is almost a necessity. We have a small Nuby teether that our daughter loves and, of course, Sophie the Giraffe. Sophie is great since she’s a toy and a teether, all wrapped in one cute package.

Books: Most babies love listening to stories as they flip through the pages of their favorite books. They’re great to read during the day, at bedtime, and on the go. While I adore the baby board books and usually pack one with me, I also love indestructible books since they’re light and thin, so they take up practically no space in your bag.

Toy Straps: My husband, Bill, thought I was nuts when I ordered this set of toy straps for our first family vacation. However, I quickly proved him wrong after we started using them on the go. These silicon straps allow you to connect your baby’s toys to things like strollers, high chairs, and car seats so the toys don’t fall and hit the ground. This comes in handy when you’re out and about and don’t want to deal with dirty toys that have been thrown on the floor. They’re also stretchy and fun for the babies to play with.

Miscellaneous

What’s a packing list without a few miscellaneous items that don’t seem to fit with the other categories? Below are a few additional items that I personally like to bring with me when I travel with my baby.

Wipes: Aside from wipes used during diaper changes, packing travel-size Clorox wipes and Wet Ones are a pro move. Clorox wipes are great for disinfecting high-touch areas on planes, rental cars, restaurant tables, high chairs, or anything you deem unclean. Wet Ones are perfect for quickly wiping your hands or baby’s hands whenever needed while traveling.

Hand Sanitizer: This is pretty self-explanatory, but hand sanitizer is a staple item in my bag now that I travel with a baby. Disclaimer: I only use it on myself or my husband, not my baby.

Plastic Bags: I don’t know if this is just me, but I always find myself using plastic bags while I travel. Whether it’s to organize items, pack snacks, use as a garbage bag on the go, or store dirty clothes. I always pack sandwich-size bags and gallon storage bags anytime I travel.

Garbage Bags: Last but not least are garbage bags. Packing a few garbage bags can be a lifesaver when traveling with a baby, especially when handling dirty diapers in a small shared hotel room. It’s not the most glamorous baby travel essential, but it can save you from a messy situation.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for a trip with your little one can be a tad overwhelming. That’s why ensuring you have all your baby travel essentials ready to go can make all the difference when it’s time to pack your bags. From choosing a compact stroller to packing your diaper bag with all the necessities to ensuring you have all the cute and functional outfits needed for your journey. Remember that each family’s needs may vary, so don’t hesitate to adjust this list to fit your specific situation. With this baby travel essentials post and packing list, you can confidently embark on an adventure, creating unforgettable memories with your baby along the way.

Let me know in the comments if you have any favorite baby travel essentials that you incorporate into your packing list!