Traveling with a baby can be a daunting task, but with a comprehensive checklist, you can ensure you have everything you need for a smooth journey. Here’s a detailed packing list divided into two main sections: items in your carry-on and items in your baby’s suitcase.
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1. Items in your carry-on (with you on the plane)
Documents
Item Quantity Notes ☐ Baby Passport 1 If traveling international ☐ Birth certificate 1 If traveling domestic without passport ☐ Parental consent form 1 If baby is traveling without one or both parents
Nursing & feeding
Item Quantity Notes & Products ☐ Expressed milk (if you have) Sufficient Pre-measured portions (In bottles or in storage bags inside the cooler) ☐ Cooler bag + ice packs 1 If you bring expressed milk. (E.g. cooler bag and thin ice packs ) ☐ Bottles 2-3 Pre-filled with expressed milk for convenience or empty if you plan to prep the formula ☐ Formula dispenser 1 For mixing bottles on the go (I like this dispenser ) ☐ Water bottle 1-2 To use for formula (I get 1L water bottle and then use plastic bottles! Do not use the tap water on the plane not even for washing the bottles!) ☐ Bibs 2-3 To catch spills (waterproof bips ) ☐ Food pouches 2-6 If baby is over 6m. (I use organic food pouches ) ☐ Snacks Sufficient For older infants (I use this dispenser for snacks) ☐ Sippy cup 1 For water (I use this sippy cup with weighted straw ) ☐ Nursing cover 1 For privacy while feeding and for covering carseat for accommodating sleep (I used this nursing cover ) ☐ Pacifier (if using) 1-2 Philips are the natural ones that immitatet the breast/nipple shape
Pumping – if you plan to pump on the plane
Item Quantity Notes & Products ☐ Breast pump 1 Portable and battery-powered. I have the Spectra S1 . Best hospital grade pump imo! ☐ Milk storage bags Sufficient Pre-labeled for convenience (storage bags ) ☐ Cooler bag + ice packs 1 For storing expressed milk (E.g. cooler bag and thin ice packs ) ☐ Travel pump bag 1 To keep pump and accessories organized. I just put all accessories in a ziploc inside my diaper bag (which depending on a trip it can be a big hiking backpack. I have used the 50L Osprey so I can fit pump and everything else.)
Diaper bag (includes first aid)
Item Quantity Notes & Products ☐ Diapers 5-6 Pack more than usual. Expect more blowouts at high altitude. I use huggies . ☐ Wipes 1 pack I usually put wipes in this wipes dispenser . Tip! I put a hair tie around the wipes.They also fit in the changing pad below. ☐ Changing pad 1 Portable and foldable. I use this changing pad . ☐ Diaper cream 1 For preventing diaper rash (If you baby has already a rash, the Desitin one is amazing) ☐ Hand sanitizer 1 These hand sanitizers can be attached to your bag. ☐ Small first aid kit 1 Includes band-aids, antiseptic wipes, etc. (mini one ) ☐ Infant Tylenol, Motrin 1 Infant Tylenol or Motrin. ☐ Thermometer 1 Digital thermometer ☐ Nail cutter 1 I like the Frida nail cutter due to its stopper. ☐ Plastic bags 5-6 For soiled diapers and clothes (I use ziploc ) ☐ Small pack of tissues 1 For convenience (I like the slim packs ) ☐ Wet bag 1 For wet or soiled clothes (I have this wet bag , but ziplocs work just fine as well)
Clothes on the flight
Toys to entertain on the flight
Item Quantity Notes & Products ☐ Teething toys 2-3 To soothe gums (see this set here ) ☐ Soft books 1-2 For quiet entertainment, see these sensory books ☐ Rattles 1-2 For sensory stimulation (mine likes these and this set ) ☐ Tablet with baby-friendly apps 1 For distraction during flights download in advance on tablet or phone some videos. Cocomelon or Ms. Rachel is our fam favorite.
2. Items in your baby’s suitcase
Quantities here are for a 1 week trip.
Sleeping
Clothes for summer (including beach ones)
Item Quantity for 1 week Notes ☐ Onesies short sleeves 7 Light and breathable (for very hot weather ) ☐ Onesies long sleeves 2-3 If it’s very hot, I pack just a few long sleeves ☐ Leggings 5-7 Leggings ☐ Rompers 2-3 Rompers are easier to pull on/off☐ Hoodie 2 Layers are the best strategy to dress up a baby, and hoodies are a must ☐ Light jacket 1 Windbreaker can be good addition☐ Sun hats 1-2 For sun protection (we have this one 50 SPF adjustable ) ☐ Swimsuits 2 For beach/pool time (I can’t tell you how much I love the Carters ones because of easy on/off due to the zipper) ☐ Swimming diaper 4-5 Disposable swimming diaper (I love Huggies due to adjustability on the sides) ☐ Swimming reusable diaper 1 Swimming pools require double diapers (reusable + the disposable above) ☐ Beach bag 1 Light foldable beachbag ☐ Water shoes 1 For beach wearing
Clothes for winter
Nursing & feeding (general)
Item Quantity Notes ☐ Bottles 2-3 You may want to take extra bottles in the suitcase ☐ Feeding spoon 1 For easy feeding (these spoons will make any baby self feed) ☐ Plates/Bowls 2 Bowls ☐ Water cup 1 Leak free 360 water cup ☐ Drying rack 1 For drying bottles – I usually take this one if we traveling by car ☐ Formula box 1 Don’t forget to pack enough if you can’t buy at destination. ☐ Bibs 1-2 I like these waterproof bips as they are light to carry. I also like the silicon ones if you have space.
Toys
Item Quantity Notes ☐ Soft toys 2-3 For comfort and play ☐ Bath toys 2-3 For bath time fun ☐ Interactive toys 2-3 For engaging playtime ☐ Favorite blanket 1 For comfort ☐ Music toy 1 For entertainment ☐ Books 2-3 For quiet time
Diapers & Wipes
Some people prefer to carry these, or ship it to destination. I buy at destination or order through Amazon to the hotel.
Item Quantity Notes ☐ Diapers Sufficient For the entire trip duration, here is a calculator . ☐ Wipes 2 packs For the entire trip duration, here is a calculator .
Accessories
Item Quantity Notes ☐ Hats 2 For sun and warmth protection ☐ Socks 4-5 pairs For daily use ☐ Bibs 5-7 For feeding and drooling ☐ Sunglasses 1 pair For eye protection ☐ Shoes 1 pair Comfortable for walking ☐ Mittens 2 pairs For cold weather ☐ Extra pacifiers 2-3 In case one gets lost ☐ Swim diaper Sufficient Washable or disposable
Toiletries & Bathing
Item Quantity Notes ☐ Baby soap/Shampoo 1 Gentle and tear-free (Cetaphil ) ☐ Sunscreen 1 Baby-friendly SPF 50+ (Cetaphil ) ☐ Nasal Aspirator 1 For nasal congestion relief (NoseFrida ) ☐ Inflatable bath tub 1 There are a few available . (I washed mine in the sink or in the bathtub on a towel)
Pumping
Item Quantity Notes ☐ Breast pump charger 1 Assuming that you have the pump in the plane, you just need the charger with you! ☐ Milk storage bags Sufficient You have a few in the plane, but take more at destination (storage bags ) ☐ Spare pump parts 1 Flanges, tubes etc. ☐ Sterilizer 1 For cleaning pump parts (I love these bags ) ☐ Pumping bra 1 set Handsfree ones are the best
3. Transport
Item Quantity Notes ☐ Stroller 1 Lightweight and foldable. We use the Baby Jogger City Tour 2 – because you can recline it all the way down horizontally and baby can sleep in it . This is useful at the destination if you are visiting and you want baby to nap in it. If you don’t need this feature, I heard good things about gb Pockit Air . ☐ Car seat 1 Safe and FAA-approved. We use WayB Pico , good for 22-50lb, FAA approved so you can use it in flights and also in the cars at destination. ☐ Baby carrier 1 For hands-free carrying. We use BabyBjörn Baby Carrier
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