Must Have Items for Traveling with Baby

Traveling is exciting! Preparing to travel with a baby might be stressful! Read further for my must have items for traveling with baby!

Whether you are traveling with a baby by car or plane, it can start to get overwhelming thinking of all the things you need to pack and have on hand to make sure the adventure is as smooth as possible.

You may have a list a mile long, I know I did when I first traveled with my baby. Its daunting, I get it!

Speaking from experience, you do not need all the items you may think you need.

You do not need to pack their whole room.

You do not need to pack their whole wardrobe.

You do not need to pack the whole toy chest.

They will be okay and so will you mama!

Now I’m not going to say it will be less stressful traveling with baby, but here are my must have items for traveling with a baby to make it a bit less stressful on you!

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1-2 extra outfits (depending on age)

Depending how little your baby is you might want to pack 2 outfits, but if you’re baby is a bit older or you’re okay with a few spills on the shirt, then one extra outfit will be plenty.

Remember you have a suitcase as well, you only need one extra outfit to have actually on your person!

Snacks and Extra Bottle

Again depending on age here. If your little one takes a bottle, pack an extra. If they take formula, invest in these formula packets to make your carry-on a little lighter and these are way easier to pour into the bottle to mix.

Snacks if you baby is teething or can have some “solids”. Just for them to snack on and be entertained.

I would give my baby these Gerber Puffs and she would eat them up and it was great entertainment to have her pick them off the airplane tray.

Food Pouch Holder

This thing is amazing!

Hands down one of my favorite baby items to date! Now this is such a life saver for babies who can eat from pouches.

You just place the pouch into The Flipping Holder and baby can hold themselves without squeezing and getting the food everywhere! Mom WIN!

Placemat

Now before you get all grossed out about my above comment about playing snacks on the airplane trays that probably only get wiped down at night, if that.

Yes you could just wipe them down yourself with a sanitizing wipe or you could invest in these Summer Infant silicone placemats!

This item has saved me in more than one occasion.

It has suction cups on the bottom so it stays in place, it has a catch all tray built in to the bottom, and it’s super easy to wipe and wash clean!

Plus its compact enough and just rolls right up into your carry on!

These also make for great gifts for new moms and baby shower gifts. (more gift ideas shown here).

Ergobaby Carrier (or any baby carrier)

This will give you those hands to be useful to navigate the airport. Just strap baby in and be on your way! It really comes in handy to get through security!

Security won’t make you take off the carrier (at least they didn’t every time I used it). They will pull you off to the side and feel you up in a hand search though so be prepared.

You’ll just have to lift baby up so they can feel in between you and baby for safety reasons but then that’s it, you’re done.

It was simple and it was great that I didn’t have to unstrap just to get through and this way I could leave baby inside as a navigated the airport. (for full review of the Ergobaby carrier, read here)

Books and small toys

Now you might want to bring something to occupy baby while traveling. This can be a stuffed animal, a small toy, or some books!

These will help keep baby entertained and distracted.

Notice here I didn’t say bring one of each, I mean you could but that’s more for you to keep track of and carry.

Extra Pacifier Clips

Bring these to hook onto the toy or teether to keep them from flying around everywhere on the airplane.

It’s inevitable, baby will get bored or think it is a fun game to throw the toy have have you hunt for it (trust me, speaking from experience).

Use a pacifier clip to tie onto the toy and clip onto their shirt or even your shirt and keep it off the gross ground and within reach!

Noise Maker

Now this one is not really a must have per-say, but it could make the airplane more comfortable for baby.

This portable clip on noise maker can help keep baby calm, especially if you already use a noise maker at home.

This will soothe them (plus drown out the unfamiliar noises) if they get fussy and might actually trigger a nap! Major mom win!

Extra Blanket or Swaddle

This will help keep baby snug and warm on the plane. Planes tend to get cold and this will help baby keep calm and most likely help them nap.

My baby would snuggle into the blanket and myself and would fall to sleep after she got a full belly! This was a lifesaver!

Tablet

Now depending on how old you baby is, you may not want this and it may be irrelevant but if your little one loves singing songs and shows.

Then make sure and throw in a tablet or even just use your phone to keep them occupied for a bit.

Cleaning Wipes

These will come in handy to quickly wipe off any toys, surfaces, and anything else that may be dirty and need a quick wipe down before you or baby touches it!

They even make these great pacifier wipes which don’t contain all the chemicals but still get the job done!

BONUS: Store Everything in Your Tote with This Diaper Bag Organizer

No need to go buy a special carry-on for baby items. Use this ToteSavvy insert in any bag to transform your tote or purse into an organized bag! Read full ToteSavvy review here.

Hopefully these have helped ease your mind and lessened some items in your carry on to make your traveling with baby a bit less stressful!