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What to Pack When Traveling with a Baby
What to Pack When Traveling with a Baby

What to Pack When Traveling with a Baby

Make your next trip smoother with this guide to must-pack essentials (and what to leave behind).

author-Amylia Ryan
By Amylia Ryan
Fact Checked by Briana Engelbrecht
Updated On
Updated On
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In This Article

The Essentials
Diapers 
Wipes
Baby Clothes
Swaddles
Feeding Supplies
Burp Cloths
Favorite toy, teether and pacifier
Travel-Size First Aid Kit
Travel-Size Toiletry Kit
Hand Sanitizer or Sanitizing Wipes
Sound Machine
Baby Monitor
Nice to Have
Travel Changing Pad 
Baby Carrier and/or Stroller
Travel Crib or Playard
Disposable Diaper Bags or a Wet/Dry Bag
Travel-Size Bottle Brush & Drying Rack
Travel-Size Laundry Detergent
Portable High Chair or Booster Seat
Fold-Flat Baby Bathtub
Nursing Pillow or Sling
Breast Pump Wipes
Microwave Sterilizer Bags
Baby Headphones
What You Can Skip
Travel Tips for Parents

Traveling with a baby can be an exciting chance for family bonding and new adventures, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure what all you need to bring (hint: you don’t need to pack everything). Knowing what to pack in your baby’s luggage, including what things you’ll want extras of, can help keep your stress levels down and minimize the chances of that “Oh no, I forgot to pack [insert essential item]” panic.

And while you don’t need to bring your entire nursery, having the right mix of essentials and nice-to-haves makes a huge difference in how smoothly your trip goes. With a little planning, you can feel confident that you’re prepared for whatever your trip throws your way. 

The Essentials

Here’s where to start with your packing. These are things your baby will absolutely need, no matter how long your trip is. But keep in mind that you don’t need to pack full-size versions of these essentials—travel-size options will work just fine, and if you need more, make a plan to buy some once you arrive at your destination.

Diapers 

No need to bring a full pack, since those are bulky and can take up quite a bit of space in your luggage. Instead, pack enough loose diapers to cover the hours you’ll be traveling—plus a handful of extras just in case—then buy a full pack once you get to your destination. You can also buy diapers (and other consumables, like wipes) online and just have them shipped to your hotel, Airbnb or wherever you’re staying—an especially handy pro tip if you have Amazon Prime.

Pack the number of diapers based on the average amount your baby uses in a day. Here’s a rough estimate by age:

  • Babies under three months old: one diaper for every two hours

  • Babies 3–6 months old: one diaper for every three to four hours

  • Babies 6 months and up: one diaper for every four to six hours

Wipes

There are a couple options here, depending on what you have space for in your luggage/carry-on. If you have room to bring a full pack of wipes, that will likely be enough to get you through an entire week-long trip. But if space is limited, just pack whatever you typically keep in your diaper bag and then either buy a full pack of wipes at your destination or have some shipped there.

Baby Clothes

Choose mix-and-match outfits so you have flexibility when pieces get dirty. If you won’t be doing laundry on your trip, pack two to three outfits per day in case of spit up, blowouts or any other messes, along with socks or booties, pajamas (1 set per night is likely enough) and any outerwear if it’s going to be chilly. If you will have access to laundry, you can get away with bringing fewer outfits.

If you’re checking luggage for a flight, then most of baby’s clothes can go in there, but be sure to keep one to two extra outfits in your carry-on bag or diaper bag/backpack in case of a blowout, spit up or other accident.

Swaddles

Bring at least two swaddles in case one gets dirty, and pack more if you’ll be traveling longer than a week without laundry.

Feeding Supplies

If you’ll be flying, we’ve got great news: baby foods, including breast milk, formula and purees, aren’t part of TSA’s 3-1-1 liquids rule, so you’re allowed to bring as much as you need for the flight through security without having to limit containers to 3.4 fluid ounces. 

All you need to do is let the TSA agents know before your bag goes through the scanner that you have baby food with you. You’ll need to separate it from the rest of your stuff, and any breast milk, formula or purees may be screened (don’t worry, it won’t contaminate anything). 

Here’s how to pack baby’s food for a flight:

  • Breast pump & attachments: If you’re flying with your breast pump, bringing it in a separate pump bag doesn’t count as part of your baggage allowance—it’s in addition to a carry-on or a personal item.

  • Breast milk: Can be brought through airport security in bottles or storage bags, and you’re also allowed to bring a small cooler bag with an ice pack to keep them at a safe temperature (the cooler bag won’t count as part of your baggage allowance).

  • Formula: Bring individual portions of formula using a travel container, the sandwich-bag-in-a-bottle hack or premade bottles; don’t bring a full-size tub of formula. If you need more during your trip, you can buy more at your destination or ship an online order alongside diapers and wipes.

  • Bottles: Bring four to six bottles, enough for at least one day. If you typically use glass bottles, consider switching to lightweight plastic or silicone bottles for the trip to help ease the weight of your luggage.

  • Purees: If baby is eating solid foods, purees also don’t count as part of the TSA liquid rule. Other non-pureed solid foods like puffs, snack bars or teething crackers can be brought onto a plane as regular food items. And be sure to bring enough snacks to get baby through the travel time. 

Burp Cloths

Bring two to three burp cloths, especially for younger babies who are still in the spit-up phase.

Favorite toy, teether and pacifier

Bring one or two travel-friendly toys to keep baby calm, plus a teether or two is essential if your baby is in the teething stage. And pacifiers are great for soothing as well as relieving ear pain on flights; pacifiers encourage swallowing, which helps equalize ear pressure. Just make sure to bring a few, since they’re prone to getting dropped or lost.

Travel-Size First Aid Kit

Close quarters (especially on planes) and unfamiliar environments can increase baby’s chances of getting sick or having changes in digestion, so keeping some basic sick day supplies at the ready can come in handy. Pack a small kit in your diaper bag or carry-on that includes infant acetaminophen (or whatever baby-safe pain reliever your pediatrician recommends), a digital rectal thermometer, saline spray, an aspirator and gas drops. These help with common travel issues like ear pain on planes, tummy troubles or minor colds.

Travel-Size Toiletry Kit

This should include baby-safe sunscreen, shampoo, lotion, diaper cream and a soft brush or infant comb. If your little one has teeth coming in, don’t forget to bring a baby toothbrush and toothpaste.

Hand Sanitizer or Sanitizing Wipes

Have these on hand to keep things germ-free when soap and water aren’t available.

Sound Machine

New environments and disrupted schedules can make it tough for babies to sleep. Bringing a small portable sound machine can help keep baby soothed, especially if it’s a familiar one from home. And getting one with a night light can make middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes easier without turning on bright lights.

Baby Monitor

Some baby monitors can be a hassle to pack up and set up in a new place, but a small, portable monitor can be really handy for keeping an eye or ear on baby, especially if you’re staying with family, friends or in an Airbnb. But you probably don’t need one if you’re staying in a hotel room.

Nice to Have

These items aren’t absolute necessities to bring with you, especially if you can rent them at your destination. Others might be good ideas to pack (if you have the space) just to keep baby comfortable or make your daily routines more efficient.

Travel Changing Pad 

A fold-up diaper changing pad makes on-the-go diaper changes easier and more hygienic, but if you’re short on space, wiping down a public changing table with a sanitizing wipe or laying baby down on a swaddle or blanket will do the trick in a pinch.

Baby Carrier and/or Stroller

If you already have a carrier or travel stroller on hand, they can make toting baby around much more convenient. But if you can get by with just baby’s car seat (if you’re flying, baby can either sit in their car seat on the plane—the recommended option for safety—or you can check their car seat at the gate and baby can sit on your lap), try checking if you can rent a baby carrier and stroller at your destination and save yourself the space.

Travel Crib or Playard

These safe sleep spaces can be rented at your destination or may be provided by your hotel or vacation rental (be sure to check the website or call ahead). If you’re flying and don’t mind lugging it around, you may be able to check a travel crib or playard with your baggage for free (but ask your airline first). Either way, bring at least two crib or playard sheets in case one gets dirty.

Disposable Diaper Bags or a Wet/Dry Bag

A perfect place to stash dirty diapers, soiled clothes or damp swimsuits when you’re out and about.

Travel-Size Bottle Brush & Drying Rack

If your baby will be using bottles on your trip, then being able to clean them is a necessity. But packing a bottle brush, dish soap and a drying rack can take up quite a bit of space. Some drying racks can fold up fairly compact, and getting one might be worth it if you have the space in your luggage. On the other hand, you can probably get by with letting bottles air dry on a towel next to the sink, and a cheap bottle brush and travel-size dish soap might be something to consider buying at or shipping to your destination.

(Pro tip: The travel-size bottle of Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap can be used for just about anything, including dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo and body wash for the whole family!)

Travel-Size Laundry Detergent

Even if you won’t have access to a washing machine, a small bottle of baby-safe laundry detergent or a few detergent pods can still be useful for quick washes in a sink or bathtub.

Portable High Chair or Booster Seat

If your baby is over six months old and you have space in your luggage or car, go with a portable high chair that’s lightweight and folds relatively compact. Alternatively, you may be able to rent a full-size high chair at your destination.

Fold-Flat Baby Bathtub

Again, if you have space in your luggage or in your car, these travel-friendly baby bathtubs are lightweight and don’t take up much space compared to regular full-size baby tubs. They’re super handy if you won’t have access to a bath tub at your destination, and can also be used as a laundry tub.

Nursing Pillow or Sling

A lightweight nursing pillow or sling can make feeding on the go more comfortable and supportive, especially during long flights or car rides. But they can also be bulky; to save space, a regular pillow or balled-up blanket can work too.

Breast Pump Wipes

Convenient for quickly cleaning pump parts, bottles, toys and pacifiers when you don’t have access to a sink.

Microwave Sterilizer Bags

Super compact and easy for sanitizing bottles, pump parts and pacifiers if you’ll have access to a microwave.

Baby Headphones

Helpful for protecting sensitive ears from loud noises, especially on flights.

What You Can Skip

These items take up space and can either be replaced with travel-size options or be purchased once you arrive.

  • Full-size diaper packs: Pack a small stash and buy a full pack at your destination.

  • Extra toys or books: One or two favorites are plenty for keeping baby entertained on the go.

  • Large baby bathtub: A sink, shower, portable baby tub or holding baby in a larger tub will work on a temporary basis.

  • Full-size stroller: Bring a lightweight travel stroller or rent one instead.

  • Full-size high chair: Opt for a foldable travel version or rent one at your destination.

  • Bottle warmer: A cup of hot water works fine for warming bottles while traveling.

Travel Tips for Parents

  • Check for laundry access. If your destination has a washer and dryer, you can pack fewer clothes and rest easy knowing blowouts or spit-ups won’t derail your supply.

  • Call ahead about gear. Hotels and Airbnbs often have baby items available (like cribs or high chairs), but it’s worth confirming what’s included. And keep in mind that sometimes the quality isn’t the greatest.

  • Consider renting gear. From strollers to high chairs to travel cribs, renting can save you from lugging heavy items through airports or stuffing them into the trunk. Most major cities (and even some smaller areas) have local businesses that rent out baby gear for folks who are traveling or just need something short-term.

  • Ship supplies in advance. Save space in your luggage by shipping bulky disposables like diapers, wipes or formula directly to your destination so they’re waiting when you arrive.

  • Split carry-on and checked items strategically. Keep essentials like diapers, bottles, formula, snacks, a change of clothes, a pacifier and a toy in your carry-on luggage so you’re covered if checked luggage is delayed or lost.

  • Don’t forget your stuff. Amid all the baby prep, it can be easy to slack on packing your own bag. Don’t forget that you need certain essentials too, because a well-prepared parent makes for a much smoother trip.

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