One of the big milestones of being a mother is going on your very first trip abroad with your little one. It can be a scary thought taking your baby on a plane or even on a long train ride, but it’s also one of the most memorable experiences you’ll have. Sure, your baby likely won’t remember everything they see or hear, but it can create some wonderful opportunities for photographs and videos that you can reflect on with your child when they grow up.
So to make things easier, we’ve put together this list of 10 baby travel essentials that every mom needs. This will make travelling with your little one more convenient and also prepare you for any issues that might occur.
- Baby Car Seat
If you’re personally going to drive your child around while on a holiday then it’s important to get a baby car seat that is comfortable and secure. While they might seem large and heavy, many airlines will actually check your car seat free of charge. Consider getting something light and sturdy so that it survives your travels.
- Portable Crib
A portable crib, known as a travel playpen, is one of the best ways to ensure that your child has a comfortable place to sleep, play and rest throughout the day. You can usually set these up in a few minutes and they provide a comfortable night’s rest for your baby. You’ll also want to consider getting some accessories such as Graco Pack N Play Sheets to help make it more comfortable. These can easily be washed when needed and the entire thing can be easily packed away when not needed. While it might sound like a heavy or large item to carry, most airlines will check in your portable crib free of charge. However, you’ll want to check with international airlines to see if they offer a service for this.
- Travel Stroller
If you plan to walk around a lot and don’t want to use a baby carrier then a stroller is the next best option. There are some special rules when it comes to checking in a stroller, so make sure you speak with your airline before bringing your stroller as there may be some weight limitations. You generally want to pick a stroller that can shield your baby from sunlight and rain, but you also want it to be light and sturdy. If you bring a large heavy stroller, then it’s going to be inconvenient to carry around and might be rejected by the airline. It’s worth doing your research and checking out this blog post, but if you find that it’s too much work, a baby carrier could be the next best thing.
- Baby Sleep Sack
A baby sleep sack is a great way to help your baby sleep when they’re on the plane. Since it can get relatively cold in a plane, a sleep sack will help keep their body warm without needing to carry extra blankets that could weigh the luggage down. It’s also a great way to keep your baby comfortable in their playpen or crib. We suggest looking for high-quality sleep sacks that are made from soft wool for added comfort, but we also value something that is light-weight and machine-washable.
- Silicone Bibs
When it comes to eating, babies can create a lot of mess especially if they’re eating saucy or watery foods. However, using disposable bibs can eventually get wasteful and restaurants don’t always provide a bib for your baby outside of a large napkin. To remedy this, consider getting yourself a few silicone bibs that will protect your child’s clothing from messy foods. They are easy to clean, they can catch all kinds of liquids and foods, and they’re very affordable. Keep these in your diaper bag and you’ll never have to worry about messy spills and food accidents again.
- Baby Carrier
If you’re going to be walking around a lot, then a baby carrier is going to be an essential companion to your stroller. We actually suggest having a baby carrier because they’re generally less hassle to deal with than a stroller. You won’t need to fold it away and pack it up, you don’t need to worry about parking it somewhere and it’s a lot lighter than a full stroller. You’ll need to pick a baby carrier that is comfortable and suitable for your body and the size of your baby, so make sure you test it out for a few days before taking it on holiday with you.
- Baby Backpack
A baby backpack, also known as a diaper bag, is a brilliant little kit to have if you ever find yourself travelling. A baby backpack is essential a bag where you keep all kinds of essentials, such as extra diapers, a diaper changing pad (we talk about this below), extra clothes, a bib or even a toy or two. It should carry all of the essentials that you need to take care of your baby, but you can also include a few necessities as a mother such as your cell phone, your keys, a book or even your sunglasses.
- Diaper Changing Pad
A diaper changing pad is a wonderful item to have regardless if you’re travelling or not, but if you do plan to go on holiday then it’s incredibly important to have. A diaper changing pad essentially keeps your baby’s arms from flailing around when you’re attempting to change their diaper. This means that you can change your baby’s diapers without struggling with them, but it also provides an extra layer of protection in the event that you need to change your baby’s diaper in areas like an airport where there’s very little room or if they have to be exposed to a dirty floor. While you typically don’t want to get into a situation where you need to change your baby’s diaper in an unsanitary area, a diaper changing pad will ensure that you always have a safe and hygienic way to change their diaper.
- White Noise Machine
Some parents find that a white noise machine can help with your baby’s sleeping habits. It tends to give your child a much better time sleeping at night and they tend to be a lot more social and happy after getting a good night’s rest. A white noise machine produces a recognizable sound that helps your child fall asleep, but it does take a few nights before they get accustomed to the sound. If you’re worried that your baby might not fall asleep quickly, then getting them accustomed to a white noise machine a week or two before you travel can be a great option.
- Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are more of a convenience thing for you than something for your baby. It’s an easy way to separate all kinds of clothes which can be important if you’re travelling with more family members. You can keep your child’s clothing and accessories in a single packing cube and keep it separate from your own items, making it much easier to find what you need to.
Travelling with a baby can be daunting but as long as you’re well-prepared, infants can make excellent travel companions. With the right preparation, your little one will be far more cooperative than toddlers or teens, they’re easy to manage and you’ll get accustomed to knowing what to pack.
There are so many options to make traveling with a little one so much simpler now.
Traveling with babies for the first time is so stressful. This is such a helpful list!
A couple years ago I had to drive from the Midwest to the PNW with over half our kids, including an 8 week old. Flying would have been easier, especially with these tips.
These are great ideas for travel!
I would have never thought to bring the white noise machine and I can see how it would be helpful. Great post and travel tips!
My kids are older now, but I don’t miss having to pack all that! The littlest people need the most stuff! 🙂
I would have never thought to bring white noise with me on a plane. I feel like the plane is so loud as it is but I can see how it could be helpful. This list is right on!
That’s a perfect list to travel with babies!
Having a pack n play when we travel has always been a must.
Great list and resource for first timers traveling with their kids!
We traveled a lot when my kids were little. A car seat was an absolute must, but the playpen was the most helpful since we could pop it up just anywhere and they always had a safe place to sleep and play.