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Baby Travel Packing List: Essentials, Gear, & Tips

Baby Travel Packing List: Essentials, Gear, & Tips

Without a doubt, traveling with a baby can be challenging. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it! Taking trips with your family can be a beautiful experience that creates wonderful memories.


With our tips and tricks you'll find that traveling with a baby doesn’t have to be something to dread! Read more to find the ultimate traveling with baby checklist!

 

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When Can You Start Traveling with a Newborn

If you’ve just had a baby and are already getting the urge to travel, you might be wondering when it’s possible to do that. The truth is it matters if you’re planning to travel by plane, train, or car. Discuss general safety advice on when to start traveling with a newborn.

The primary safety concern to consider is your baby’s immune system. Little ones take time to develop a strong immune system, so many pediatricians recommend waiting for this to happen before exposing a newborn to a bunch of travelers. For healthy, full-term babies, it could be possible and safe to start traveling around 4 weeks old for short trips by car.

If your baby was born premature or with lung or heart problems, we recommend consulting with your doctor before traveling.

Tips for Traveling with a Newborn

  1. Pack Smarter: Being strategic about your packing is critical! We recommend packing smarter, which doesn’t always mean more. Make a list of the things you MUST have (or check out our list below) and try not to stray too far from it.
  2. Plan to Wear Your Baby: When traveling with a newborn, bringing along a wrap, sling, or other carrier is always at the top of our baby travel list! At this age, little ones really benefit from close contact and skin-to-skin, so many babies will find it soothing to be wrapped on your chest while you travel. A soothed baby means less stress for you!
  3. Schedule Time for Stops: In general, schedule extra time. If you’re traveling by car, be prepared to stop frequently for anything from feeding to changes to cuddles. If you’re traveling by plane, this might mean planning to arrive at the airport even earlier. Nothing is more stressful than being on a time crunch with a newborn (who honestly could care less that you are running late).
  4. Be Flexible: Especially with newborns, traveling is not the time to set and firmly follow a schedule. It’s time to enjoy being on an adventure with your family, so if the nap schedule gets off--that’s okay! If during a meal or activity your newborn starts to lose it--that’s okay! Be flexible and prepared to change your plans as needed.
  5. Be Prepared to Do Laundry Anywhere: Packing a newborn’s entire wardrobe isn’t logical, so it makes more sense to be prepared to wash and dry baby clothes anywhere. If you do not have access to a laundry machine, you’ll still want to develop a plan to deal with emergencies like a blowout or throw-up. Pack your own concentrated detergent and spot-shot remover for emergencies.

 

Flying with a Newborn

Flying with a newborn can be an exciting and memorable experience, but it also requires careful planning and consideration.

Before your flight, it's essential to check with the airline regarding their specific policies and requirements for traveling with a newborn. Some airlines may have age restrictions or specific guidelines for infants. For example, Delta does not allow infants under a week old to fly unless accompanied by a doctor’s note. In general, it doesn’t hurt for you to double check with your pediatrician regardless of the airline’s policy.

Consulting with your pediatrician is crucial to ensure that your baby is fit for air travel and to address any concerns you may have. Your pediatrician can provide guidance on feeding, ear pressure, and general health considerations to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for your little one.

While traveling with a newborn baby by plane, things can go wrong, think: missed flights, cancellations, etc. Purchasing flight protection if it is in your budget is an easy way to avoid stress and fees down the road.

When booking your flight, you may also want to consider choosing an aisle seat - even if it is extra money. You will have easy access to get up as needed to walk the aisle to help soothe your baby.

Also, always take advantage of early or priority boarding for families that many airlines offer! This means fewer people are trying to get situated and allows you to stow your bags, make sure you have the necessities in reach, and settle in with your little one.

Our last tip when flying with a newborn baby is to pack smart! You want to pack as little as possible in your carrying on or personal item on the plane, but with a baby, a little can still be a lot! You will want to keep essentials on hand & within reach:

  • 3-5 diapers
  • Plenty of wipes
  • Binky or pacifier if your child takes one
  • Burp cloth
  • Muslin Blanket
  • Change of clothes
  • Fuel and hydration for yourself!

 

Traveling with a Newborn by Car

If you’re wondering how soon you can travel with a newborn by car, the good news is that this is the form of travel you’re able to do the earliest! You have more freedom when traveling by car and aren’t as tied to a schedule as you are with an airplane. Plus, there’s the added bonus of not having to share your immediate travel space with others.

Still, traveling with a baby can be daunting, no matter how you’re doing it. Here are a few tips to help make traveling with a newborn by car less stressful:

  • Be prepared to stop often: You should also prepare yourself to take more time while stopping. Things with newborns just take longer. Traveling with a baby means you'll be stopping for feeding, diaper changing, and cuddling, sometimes as often as every hour.
  • Bring sun protection: Unless you have tinted windows, you want to help limit your little one's exposure to the sun while on the road. Babies, especially newborns, have delicate skin that can easily burn. Sun blinds that stick to windows are a great fix for this!
  • Go on practice car rides: In the days and weeks leading up to the big road trip, it is helpful to get your baby used to the car seat and being in the car in general. Think of these as "trial runs" to help you figure out what works for your baby in the car (and what doesn't!)
  • Get creative on entertainment: You might have room to pack your baby's entire toy stash, but that doesn't mean you should. One form of entertainment that many parents do not think of is themselves! YOU can be your baby's favorite thing on the road trip. If possible, have someone sit in the back with your little one; sing, play peek-a-boo, talk to them, and it can make a world of a difference!
  • Pack smart: You don't want your car overflowing with things you don't need. Newborn traveling does require that you keep certain items close by:
  1. Wipes
  2. Diapers (not a whole box, just enough to get you to your nightly stop)
  3. Burp cloth
  4. Muslin blanket
  5. Prepared bottle
  6. 2-3 toys

Baby Travel Essentials & Gear Items

When it comes to choosing and organizing baby gear, it can become overwhelming! We have created a checklist for traveling with a baby that might be useful. This is created with a single baby in mind, so if you are traveling with twins, you will need double the items.

Keep in mind, this is was made for an overnight trip. Take into consideration the length and location of your trip when making your personal list!

Gear Essentials

Here are the "larger" items that should be on the top of your packing list:

 

Hygiene Essentials

This might be the least fun to pack, but it is some of the most important baby travel items

  • Diapers
  • Wipes
  • Dirty Diaper Bags
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Sanitizing Wipes

 

Clothing Essentials

Don't pack your little one's entire wardrobe. When it comes to traveling with a baby, clothes are one area that you can pack "relatively light". Babies are messy so be prepared to do laundry on your trip!

  • Two-Three Pairs of Leggings or Pants
  • Two-Three Shirts or Onsies
  • A Jacket
  • Two-Three Pairs of Socks
  • A Pair of Booties or Shoes
  • A Hat
  • Two Pairs of Pajamas
  • Two Swaddles/SleepSacks

 

Feeding Essentials

Your baby is going to need to eat!

  • Two Prepared Bottles
  • Breast pump (if pumping)
  • Dish Soap
  • Wipe-clean Bib (silicone/plastic)
  • Sippy Cup

 

Misc Baby Travel Essentials

Finally, here are the odd baby items you will still want to pack.

 

Packing List Entertainment and Comfort Items

When traveling with a baby, packing entertainment and comfort items can make the journey more enjoyable and soothing for both the baby and the parents. It's important to include items that will engage and entertain the baby while providing a sense of familiarity and comfort.

Consider packing:

  • A few favorite toys, soft plushies or interactive books
  • A cozy blanket or lovey
  • Portable baby music player or white noise machine
  • Baby friendly apps or videos on your smartphone or tablet
  • Snacks, feeding items, prepared bottles

 

Packing List for Overseas Travel with Baby

If you are embarking on international travel with a baby, good for you! Taking your little one abroad is bound to be a fun adventure and an opportunity to create some wonderful family memories.

Since international travel is different from domestic travel, here are a few key points to keep in mind.

  1. Invest in a travel insurance plan: If your little one gets sick overseas, the amount of stress (and money!) this could save you will be tremendous.
  2. Choose a baby-friendly destination: It will be more fun for you (and everyone else!) if your destination is baby friendly.
  3. Opt for the airplane bassinet for long flights: Double check with the airline on availability, weight requirements, and if you can reserve one ahead of time.

When it comes to your packing list for international travel with baby, you still want to practice smart packing.

  1. Baby's Passport and Paperwork
  2. Research what is available at your destination (formula, certain diapers, snacks, etc)
  3. Look into renting big gear items like strollers, car seats, etc

FAQs Flying with Newborns

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