After I had my baby, I was so excited to show her the world. However, as I started planning trips, I realized that traveling with a baby can be overwhelming. A lot of trial and error was involved, but my baby and I are now a professional travel duo; we visited 15 U.S. states and took over 20 plane rides before her first birthday. Lucky for you, I am going to share all our secrets. Here is a list of baby travel essentials you need to add to your registry to ensure a smooth journey!
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25 Baby Travel Essentials
Before I begin, I’d like to say that you must do your research to ensure the safety of these items before purchasing. I have used some myself and others have come recommended, but neither me nor those I have spoken to are experts on baby items, and new recalls happen every day. I can only speak from my personal experience and things I have heard about others’ experiences, both of which are limited and subjective. No matter how trustworthy the person recommending the baby product is, you should always look deeper into it yourself.
Portable White Noise Machine
First, I highly recommend adding a portable white noise machine to your registry. This should help your baby rest and relax during a stressful trip; I have one that hooks onto my daughter’s car seat.
Portable Highchair
There is no worse feeling than learning the restaurant you’ve arrived at does not have a highchair for your baby (okay, there is, but you know this is a major pain). This is especially likely to happen if you are traveling internationally. But never fear – there is a way to turn any chain into a highchair.
There are many types of travel highchairs for babies, but the most travel-friendly seem to be the harness and foldable options.
Busy Board/Book
Often, one of the only ways to calm a baby while traveling is to keep them entertained. However, on the plane, the loud toys that will grab your baby’s attention may disturb the other passengers. Busy boards and busy books are the perfect quiet but interactive toys.
Suction Fidget Spinner
As another quiet but interactive toy, a suction fidget spinner is the perfect thing to bring for your baby to play with on the plane. Just stick it to the window and let them whack it. My daughter loves suction fidget spinners.
Travel Nursing Pillow
Nursing pillows are not exactly travel-friendly, but they can be. Whether you opt for a smaller pillow, an inflatable pillow, or a sling, there are tons of comfortable options for nursing mommas on the go!
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Portable Breast Pumps
Breast pumps are not always designed to be travel-friendly. They are often bulky and have to be plugged in for use. I purchased a hands-free breast pump, and it was the best decision I made during my breastfeeding journey. With my hands-free breast pump, I was able to discretely pump on the plane, from the road, and out and about during my trips.
Mini Fridge
I highly recommend adding a mini fridge to your road trip packing list if you need to store pumped breastmilk, liquid formula, and/or purees. My mini fridge conveniently came with a car adapter, making it perfect for travel.
Of course, none of this would be possible without breastmilk storage bags!
Insulated Breastmilk Bag
Pumping mommas know the importance of keeping stored breastmilk cold. This can be difficult when you’re on the go. If you are somewhere where the mini fridge I mentioned above is not an option, you should definitely purchase an insulated breastmilk bag. Like the mini fridge, the insulated breastmilk bag is not a fool-proof way to keep your breastmilk good for a long period of time, but it is one of the only ways to ensure it makes it to its final destination (the freezer!) as cold as possible.
Travel Diaper Bag
You surely have or will be getting a diaper bag of some sort, but is it optimized for travel? When traveling with your baby, a well-organized, compact, and easily portable diaper bag is essential. The last thing you need during the chaos of travel is an even more chaotic diaper bag.
Some diaper bags even have a built-in changing station. I do not have one like this, but I might just have to get one!
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Car Seat/Stroller Gate Check Bag
Do you know what goes on under the plane? I certainly don’t. All I know is that sending my car seat and stroller down there unprotected is probably a bad idea. I read online that, after a mom had her son’s uncovered car seat stored under the plane, he got a rash from sitting in it! There is also a much higher chance of the car seat and/or stroller getting damaged in some way.
This is why I purchased a car seat gate check bag before my baby’s first flight. I really like mine because it has a space to write my name on it, ensuring I do not mix up my car seat with someone else’s. I do not currently have a bag for my stroller, which is not very smart on my part; don’t be like me.
Protective Headphones
Do your ears ever pop on the plane? It can be painful, right? Imagine how scary this must be for babies. The airplane can also be quite loud, adding to their fear. If you are taking your baby on a plane trip, I highly recommend buying baby headphones, as they are great for muffling sound and reducing pressure discomfort.
My baby does not like to wear her headphones on the plane, unfortunately, but we still put them to good use. She wears them for ear protection during shows and sporting events we have taken her to while on the road.
Disposable Bibs
It isn’t hard to pack a cloth bib, but why create extra laundry for yourself? If your baby eats as much as mine does, you’d be doing laundry the entire trip! Disposable bibs were a game-changer for us for this reason. Buy them now and thank me later!
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Travel Stroller
Strollers these days seemingly keep getting bigger and bigger. I love a big stroller, but the one I have is certainly not suitable for travel; it is very difficult to maneuver and is still large when folded. My husband picked up on this right away and added a travel stroller to our registry. I thought he was being dramatic at first, but he was totally right!
This is the travel stroller I have from Graco. It is compatible with the car seat we purchased. I love this stroller because it is easy to maneuver, small but not too small, and folds up compact for travel.
SlumberPod
Sleeping in a new environment can be scary or overstimulating for a baby. The SlumberPod fits over most cribs and Pack n’ Plays to create a dark, comfortable, and quiet sleep nook. It even has pockets for a fan and baby monitor.
I do not have one because my baby is a great sleeper (please don’t hate me), but other moms have spoken wonders about the SlumberPod to me. For some, this is one of the most important baby travel essentials.
Portable Bottle Warmer
It would be a hassle to bring your bottle warmer on the road, and it is impossible to bring it on a plane. Having a portable bottle warmer will be a lifesaver during your travels with your little one.
I took mine on a road trip, and the boiled water I stored in it stayed hot for the entire 24-hour duration! If you run out, most gas stations have hot water. You can get hot water from a coffee shop if you are at the airport.
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Travel Diaper Changing Pad
Let’s face it…the changing tables at airports, gas stations, hotels, and restaurants can be NASTY. Additionally, there is not always a changing table available. For these reasons, I am so thankful I put a travel diaper changing pad on my registry.
My travel diaper changing pad was especially useful on road trips. It allowed us to take quick stops and change the baby in the car.
Dog Poop Bags
While changing my daughter on the road (when parked at a rest stop, of course), rather than throwing her dirty diapers and wipes onto the floor of my car, I quickly dump them into a dog poop bag. Doing this makes both my car and the walk over to the garbage pail a lot less messy.
I bought dog poop bags in bulk (link above), as I find them useful for her diaper changes even beyond our road trips.
Boogie Hand Wipes
The unfortunate truth is that with traveling comes germs. Babies are notorious for getting sick, so you can only imagine how many things they can catch when traveling. They can’t use regular hand sanitizer, and it is not always feasible to wash their hands or give them a bath on the go, so what do you do? Antibacterial Hand Wipes by Boogie were a game-changer for me because I was able to keep my baby’s hands clean while traveling in a practical and safe way.
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Dr. Brown’s Bottle and Pacifier Wipes
It can be difficult to clean your baby’s pacifier and bottle properly when you are not home. That is why Dr. Brown’s bottle and pacifier wipes have been one of the most important baby travel essentials for me. Soap and water are always best, of course, but these wipes are very useful when a good wash is not possible (and, when you’re traveling, there are a lot of those!).
Baby Carrier
Of the baby travel essentials on this list, a baby carrier may be the most important, especially if you are flying to your destination. Baby wearing as I went through airport security made the whole process easier, as I had full use of my hands to fold up the stroller and load items onto the belt. I went through airport security once without my baby carrier and it was a NIGHTMARE. Furthermore, on the plane, I found it useful to baby wear. My baby was much calmer cuddled close to me, although this got much harder as she approached her first birthday. It goes without saying that a baby carrier is also useful for touring around your destination once you get there.
You may have already thought to add a baby carrier to your registry. Travel is just another reason why you need one!
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Travel Bathtub
You may be on vacation, but there are some things you cannot escape; baby bath time is one of them. Because baby bathtubs are generally large and made of plastic, they are near impossible to travel with. It is a good thing they make travel baby bathtubs! Even if you only plan on taking one small trip with your baby, this should be on your list.
There are many types of travel bathtubs for babies, but this one worked out best for me when my daughter was a newborn. It is inflatable, so it barely takes up any space in my suitcase. This one might be better for those with babies that can sit up on their own.
Window Sunshades
I recommend hanging window sunshades in your car both for a road trip and in general. Not only does this help to keep your baby calm (and hopefully asleep), but it also gives you a sense of privacy. I did not use window sunshades during my road trip with my baby, as my car has tinted windows; same outcome, just a bit pricier!
Portable Crib/Playpen
Although a lot of hotels will provide a portable crib/playpen, I have come across quite a few that either do not have them or cannot guarantee their availability. Depending on the destination, especially if it is international, I’d consider buying one to bring along with you (or at least secure a backup plan to get one when you arrive). Guaranteeing a safe place for your baby to sleep should be a top priority.
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Guava Lotus Travel Crib Backpack
If you find yourself needing to buy a portable crib, the Guava Lotus travel crib backpack is certainly the most convenient option. As the name implies, it folds up into a backpack, a making it a lot easier to take on the plane than most travel cribs. The Guava Lotus travel crib backpack is a bit pricey, but it is worth it if you are a frequent traveler.
Car Mirror/Camera
If you’re going on a road trip, you’ll want to keep an eye on your baby in the back, especially if they have to sit back there alone. You can either get a mirror or camera to do this. I have used both; I prefer my camera, but mirrors are definitely cheaper.
Note: I do not recommend leaving your baby alone in the back, as you should be rotating their head to the left or right side (alternating) every 30 minutes. However, I understand that sometimes it is not a choice.
Another note: There have been reports of babies getting burned from these mirrors when the sun hits them. Please do your research before purchasing one. If you are concerned, the camera may be a better option.
Final Thoughts: Baby Travel Essentials
As my daughter officially becomes a toddler this month, it was great to look back and share all the things that helped me travel with her as a baby. I hope this article gave you more confidence to travel with your own baby. If you are prepared, it can be a breeze! I can’t wait to take my daughter on more trips, and I hope you do the same. Babies deserve to see the world (and the experiences are great for their brain development!).
If you want more tips and tricks for traveling with a baby, particularly going on a road trip, check out this article and download my FREE baby road trip packing list:
An Epic Newborn Baby Road Trip Packing List (+ Tips) – Runways and Byways
What do you think are the most important baby travel essentials? Contact me or let me know in the comments below!
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